As part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to advancing affordability and driving sustainable economic growth, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, and the Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, recently engaged in a series of meetings with US Consul General Antoinette Hurtado and Mr. Matt Swanson, Interim President of Select Florida and Chief Operating Officer of Florida Commerce.

Select Florida, established in 2023, promotes economic development by facilitating exports, attracting foreign direct investment, and fostering strategic international partnerships. Minister Lightbourne welcomed the opportunity to explore synergies that align with the Government’s recently launched Affordable Bermuda Agenda.

With the support of the US Consul General, the introduction advanced Bermuda’s Affordable Bermuda Agenda by focusing on strategic partnerships that lower import costs, diversify trade, and increase opportunity for Bermudians.

Minister Lightbourne said, “Our discussions focused on the Ministry’s central responsibility, affordability. The next step is a detailed review of data-driven options that can produce measurable reductions in Bermuda’s cost structure. Even modest improvements in how we import goods, or in the partners we engage, can produce long-term benefits. These are the types of strategic relationships that deliver real value to our people.”

Reflecting on the meetings, Minister Hayward emphasized the critical value of deepening international economic connections.

Minister Hayward said, “Our meeting reinforced the value of deepening Bermuda’s international economic partnerships. We discussed the mutual desire to strengthen economic trade and technical co-operation between Bermuda and the State of Florida. Collectively recognising the overall importance of enhanced trade, sustainable growth, increasing investment and embracing innovation.”

The discussions with Select Florida reaffirmed mutual interests in exploring future collaboration across areas such as supply chain resilience, green shipping, food imports, and innovation-driven economic development.