The Cayman Islands Department of Immigration have a new website and logo. The site offers comprehensive information about visas, work permits, permanent residence and Caymanian status.
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism has released air and cruise arrival figures for 2007. Air passenger arrivals for 2007 stood at 291,503, up 9 percent from 2006 but 18 percent lower than the pre Hurricane Ivan and 9/11 figures recorded in 2000. 1.7 million visitors arrived by cruise ship, down on the record 1.9 million visitors recorded in 2006.
The Legislative Assembly passed the Freedom of Information Bill last Friday, giving the public the right of access to most government records. The law will come into effect on January 1 2009, to give government departments time to introduce systems to implement it.
Hurricane Dean passed 100 miles south of Grand Cayman yesterday morning, bringing heavy winds and rough seas to the island but little damage. The category 4 hurricane had at one stage been on a direct path to hit Grand Cayman. The government-imposed curfew was lifted yesterday afternoon and Minister of Tourism, Charles Clifford, has announced that Owen Roberts International Airport is fully operational.
New customs regulations announced earlier in the year have now come into effect. Effective August 10 2007 anybody bringing more than CI$15,000 into the Cayman Islands is required to make a written declaration to customs officers at the time of entry. Similar regulations apply to persons leaving the islands.
Persons making false disclosures will be liable to imprisonment of up to 6 months, a fine, and forfeiture of up to 25% of the monies transported.
The Marine Conservation Board has issued a further reminder that the importation of spear guns into the Cayman Islands is illegal. They have also declared an amnesty period up to July 30 2007, during which any illegally imported spear gun can be handed over without penalty or prosecution. Anybody found in possession of an illegally imported spear gun after the amnesty ends will be liable to a fine of $6,000 and imprisonment of up to 5 years.
Spear guns can be handed in at the Department of the Environment (telephone 949 8649).
The government has earmarked money from its budget for the next two years to finance the purchase of beachfront land in Bodden Town, East End and North Side. The land will be used to house strip malls, where local artists can display their wares. The project is part of the Go East initiative, a campaign to attract tourists to the eastern districts of Grand Cayman.
The Cayman Islands Postal Service is to release a set of stamps that depict the beauty of the islands. The stamps, entitled ‘Cayman Island Scenes’ will feature the work of some of the best Caymanian photographers.
The seven stamps feature scenes of Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, the Blow Holes, George Town harbour, Poinciana and sunsets.
They will be released on June 26.
The Legislative Assembly passed a bill last week that could lead to regulations covering the transport of money in and out of the Cayman Islands. Under the new legislation anybody transporting more than CI$15,000 would have to make a declaration to customs officers.
The Cayman Islands Government has set aside $30.3 million of its budget for financial year to June 2008 to fortify the islands against hurricanes. $3.7 million will be used to expand the Emergency Operations Centre, while $18 million will be used to build a hurricane resistant building to house government departments and other statutory authorities.