Editorial
Desire for Changecould be realised by Immigration
Most successful businesses have prospered,because their principals had to prepare and stick to businessplans, based on near realistic assumptions, and previous performances.
It, therefore, comes as a disappointment,that some of these very professionals and astute business peoplein some local quarters, are murmuring their displeasure at theplans by the Immigration Board to launch its Business StaffingPlan initiative, in an effort to streamline and speed up the processof granting work permits.
Very few can doubt that the present ImmigrationBoard is doing every thing it can, in the absence of any new directives- yet within their gambit - to try and keep the private businesssector supplied with the staffing they need to keep this economyalive.
From reports gleaned, in the past and present,it is not unusual for the Board to deal with anywhere between150 and 250 new grants for one, two and three year work permitsin a single sitting. Among these, fewer than five percent - lessthan a dozen permits - are granted, and among those are deferments.
It is also learnt that a further developmentat the Immigration Board, is to try introducing a points systemwhereby those applying for residence with the right to work, isbeing considered.
This is not an usual accommodation grantedby country's like the United States, Canada and even England thathave allowed immigration from other nations. This points systemallows for different categories of workers to be admitted as permanentresidents. Law-abiding work permit holders will then meet a setcriteria to qualify for this privilege, which will also boostspending into the local economy.
This programme will also be a welcome movefrom the politics often associated with matters concerning Immigration.
The Governor of the Cayman Islands, Mr.Peter Smith is spearheading the drive to get the Cayman Islandsa modernised constitution. He also met for a lengthy discussionwith the new members of the Immigration Board, shortly after theirappointment, when he no doubt expressed his and the UK Government'sconcerns regarding a humane approach for matters concerning thissubject.
In the absence of any immediate or nearremedial considerations for the present pressing Immigration matterswhich continue to impact the lives and economy of this country,it is hoped that all elected and official members of the ExecutiveCouncil, as well as all Members of the Legislative Assembly, willgive their full support to the Chairman and members of the ImmigrationBoard to carry out their mandate and get, what is undoubtedly,a difficult job done at times, within their authority.
Three Decadesof
Media Maturity
It has been only one year since this printedition of Cayman Net News was launched as a weekly newspaper.We increased to twice weekly editions last November, in time forthe General Election.
Before that, we published Cayman Net News'monthly 'Business and Tourism News' in October 1999 and then launchedits website in February 2000.
Along the way, we have had, and continueto attract respectable support from advertisers and an enthusiasticresponse from avid readers.
As we progress into our second year of publishingCayman Net News, this anecdote is worth repeating. One of oursolid advertising supporters told a fellow businessman who waslooking for ways to improve his lagging sales, "When CaymanNet News was started, it all seemed like a joke ... but it certainlyisn't a joke anymore."
Our predecessor of three decades ago, thevenerable 'Nor'wester' magazine's legacy lives on with the publishingof Cayman Net News.
We also know the value of appreciation,and would like to take this opportunity to pause and say 'ThankYou' to all advertisers, readers, past and present staff - whocontinue to make Cayman Net News the success it has become today.