Minister Hayward Advances Trade and Entrepreneurship Ties in Brussels
The Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, attended the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) 18th Annual International Insurance Regulatory Dialogue in Brussels on 4–5 September 2025, where he highlighted Bermuda's leadership in international reinsurance.
Minister Hayward was also the guest of honour at the Government of Bermuda Brussels Office's annual reception, held on 4 September in partnership with ABIR.
Alongside showcasing the Government's strong support for Bermuda's reinsurance industry, the visit was an opportunity to build new connections while strengthening existing ones within Belgium and the EU institutions, particularly in entrepreneurship and digitalisation.
The Minister held four high-level bilateral meetings, including with H.E. Anne Sherriff, the UK Ambassador to Belgium, where discussions centred on trade collaboration, pathways for Bermudian entrepreneurs and creatives, and potential youth mobility schemes.
He also met with senior representatives from the Belgian Federal Ministry of the Middle Class, the Self-Employed, and SMEs, the Belgian Federal Public Service Economy, and the Brussels Agency for Entrepreneurship (Hub.Brussels), to exchange best practices in labour market policy, entrepreneurs and SME support, and the digital economy.
Minister Hayward also attended a private lunch organised by the Government of Bermuda Brussels Office with stakeholders from the European Commission and the private sector, focusing on fintech and digital assets.
Minister Hayward reflected on his visit, saying, "It was a pleasure to be in Brussels supporting ABIR and Bermuda's reinsurance industry, which plays an important role on the international stage. There are many untapped opportunities for partnership with the EU and Belgium that could benefit Bermuda's international businesses, entrepreneurs, and SMEs. This visit marked an important step in opening new avenues for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and trade."