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Tag Archive: Cayman Government

Dart Realty Buys Grand Cayman Freehold

A Dart Realty affiliate will pay the Cayman Government US$14,574,000 for the conversion of leasehold to freehold on the 280-acre former North Sound Golf Course.

As it stands the land is subject to a 99-year-lease that has 75 years left. Negotiations of the freehold transfer began in 2011 with both the government and Dart Realty having appraisals done on the value of converting the land from leasehold to freehold.

Conversion of the lease will have to be finalised in accordance with the requirements of the Governor (Vesting of Lands) Law, but the deal has been done in principal.

This is the latest of a number of Dart Realty projects. Last Wednesday (January 27 2016) Dart Realty Ltd. celebrated the official opening of its new Camana Bay LEED® Gold certified 86,000 square foot office building.

The building at 18 Forum Lane will minimise energy use through their shade-on-shade design, rooftop solar panels and thoughtfully designed landscaping to offer ample shade. (more…)

Cayman Berthing Facility Officially Approved

cayman berthing facility - Baird

On Wednesday 28th October the Cayman Cabinet officially approved the cruise berthing facility recommendations.

The Cayman Government announced in September that they were pushing ahead with the plans to build a cruise berthing facility in George Town, however a design has not been finalized.

The cruise pier project estimates a potential economic upside of US$439 million over 20 years for the Cayman Islands.

The estimate factors in anticipated increase in passenger spending based on the assumption that the piers would allow passengers to spend more time on shore.

The engineers are tweaking the project design to minimize the environmental impacts. The plans do look certain to involve dredging the George Town Harbour to build the $189 million cruise berthing facility. (more…)

New Development in Bodden Town

On Thursday 24th of September the Cayman Government signed an agreement with developer John David Layton to construct a five-star hotel and condominium project in Beach Bay.

The project is set to start next year at St. James Point in the District of Bodden Town. Plans call for a branded hotel that includes a spa, restaurants, bars and retail space.

The developers have been talking with successive administrations for around seven years but after reaching an agreement with the government they are now ready to begin submitting planning applications.

The Cayman Government will be giving up a potential income of $25 million in concessions to ensure that the hotel and condo project gets built.

The Government believe that income for decades into the future from hotel room tax, visitor spend, duty from the sale of the condos will out weigh the duty waiver on construction material, furniture and fixtures for the construction, stamp duty, and non-consumable material for start-up of the facility. (more…)

Cayman Brac Twenty Percent Rise in Air Arrivals

Cayman Brac has seen a twenty percent rise in air arrivals from this time last year.

The increased numbers are the outcome of the upgrades Charles Kirkconnel International Airport underwent during the past year, which were only officially opened in February 2015.

The upgrades included the construction of a Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) Room, which is a necessity for international travel to the United States, an In-transit lounge, and an arrivals hall. The run way also has the capability to accommodate all of the aircraft that can land at the Owen Roberts International airport, on Grand Cayman, apart from the British Airways Boeing 767. (more…)

Cayman’s economy hits highest growth for seven years

The Economics and Statistics office announced a 2.1 percent growth in Caymans estimated Gross Domestic Product during 2014, the highest since 2007.

It has been the second consecutive year that the central government has recorded overall fiscal surplus which has amounted to CI$93.2 million attributed to improved revenue collection.

The strong fiscal position the government has found itself in has enabled them to reduce its outstanding debt by $25.9 million to $534.0 million at the end of 2014.

It was also noted that the average income in the Cayman Islands raised from CI$47,170 in 2013 to CI$48,095 in 2014, an increase of just under 2 percent.

The increase of tourism arrivals from both air and sea is believed to have had a strong impact on the Gross Domestic Product with growth in areas such as hotels and restaurants, transport, storage and communications, wholesale and retail trade. Air arrivals in 2014 were up 10.8 percent on the previous year and Cruise ship arrivals up a massive 17 percent on 2013. (more…)

Cayman is Caribjournal’s ‘Destination of the Year’

Thanks to the efforts of the Cayman Islands Government, private and tourism sector the islands have been named the Caribjournal’s ‘Destination of the Year 2014’.

The Cayman Islands are know for being a laid-back place with kind and friendly people. Even with its almost impossibly beautiful beaches it has remained somewhat under the radar, up until now. Thanks to the efforts of its tourism sector, Government and the private sector, the island is seeing new heights, including one of the highest rates of arrival growth in the Caribbean.  (more…)