Business View Caribbean - Mar 2024

for a 40% reduction in imports.” This ambition signifies a broader strategy to reduce dependency on imported goods and ensure that the imports are of high quality, non-GMO, and contribute positively to the health of the Cayman Islands’ residents. TOWARDS ENHANCED ROAD SAFETY AND DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE As the Cayman Islands continues to evolve, both in terms of its societal needs and technological advancements, the government is laying down significant plans to address these changing dynamics. Two critical focus areas are the implementation of a comprehensive National Road Safety Strategy and the development of state-of-the-art subsea fiber cables to bolster the nation’s digital infrastructure. Minister Ebanks begins with an overview of the National Road Safety Strategy, emphasizing its genesis against a backdrop of concerning accident rates. “Our national road safety strategy has come to the forefront of the government, looking back at the many accidents we have had throughout the years,” he explains. This strategy aims to eliminate road fatalities by 2038 and encapsulates a vision for a safer Cayman through the ‘Road to Zero’ initiative. The minister highlights the multifaceted approach of the strategy, focusing on the ‘four Es’: Engineering, Educating, Enforcement, and Emergency Response, with a particular emphasis on education.“Our priority is education,” he notes, stressing the importance of cultivating a safety culture and responsibility among road users. Shifting to the digital infrastructure of the Cayman Islands, Minister Ebanks discusses the progress of the subsea fiber cable project, which is essential for supporting the country’s largest industry, financial services.“The subsea cable is progressing very well... we are going through probably our final stages now,” he elaborates.The strategic direction of this project— whether to build a new cable, enter a partnership, or purchase a spur from an existing cable—is critical for ensuring the nation’s competitive edge in the global financial sector. The urgency of this project is driven by the nearing life expectancy of the current Myo One cable. ADDRESSING THE HOUSING CRUNCH WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS The affordable housing crisis is not unique to the Cayman Islands but a global challenge that nations grapple with. In the Cayman Islands, however, the government is confronting this issue head-on, adopting innovative and sustainable approaches to provide homes and ensure they are within the financial reach of its citizens. Minister Ebanks sheds light on the multifaceted nature of this challenge and the government’s proactive stance in addressing it. “Housing is a big thing here for this government,” he asserts, emphasizing the commitment to delivering “the best affordable house we can deliver for our people.”This dedication ensures that the homes are affordable and built to the highest sustainability and durability standards, with features like state-of-the- art air conditioning systems, spray foam insulation, and energy-efficient windows.“It’s a Cat five category infrastructure that we’re building,” the minister points out, highlighting the homes’ resilience to severe weather conditions, a crucial consideration given the region’s vulnerability to hurricanes. The scale of the government’s housing initiative is impressive, with plans to roll out numerous homes across various constituencies. “We’re doing several houses, building out with doing 45 in the constituency of Northside, which is my constituency,” Minister Ebanks notes. This effort is not just about building houses; it’s about building communities and providing residents with the gift of homeownership, as evidenced by the planned handover of keys to new homes in time for Christmas in West Bay. Furthermore,Minister Ebanks notes the government’s holistic approach to housing beyond construction, including land development and repairs. “We won’t only just be doing housing and building houses; we actually do housing repairs, but we are also going to start to develop or just sell the land lots,” he explains. This strategy aims to cater to the population’s diverse needs, recognizing that not everyone desires a pre- built home. By making land available at affordable prices, the government is empowering its citizens to build their homes according to their preferences and financial capabilities. 43 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 03 MINISTRY OF PLANNING, AGRICULTURE, AND HOUSING