14 September 2021
Jersey has agreed a new work programme with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), after Jersey's Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst attended an Advisory Council meeting in London.
The CWEIC has an official mandate from the Commonwealth Heads of Government to facilitate trade and investment, and foster enhanced commercial relationships across the Commonwealth network.
The CWEIC contains almost 100 governments, businesses and non-profit organisations from across the globe, and is also responsible for delivering the Commonwealth Business Forum at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Jersey is a strategic partner of the CWEIC, and Senator Gorst signed agreed the new work programme for 2021/2022, and signed it alongside CWEIC Chairman Lord Jonathan Marland during the London visit.
The work programme includes measures to support each other's mutual objectives, including for inbound and outbound Ministerial visits that Jersey pursues with priority jurisdictions.
Senator Gorst's engagements in London also included attendance at the Commonwealth High Commissioners' Banquet, and participation in the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit, in which he highlighted the role that jurisdictions such as Jersey can play in supporting access to finance across the Commonwealth.
Minister for External Relations and Financial Services, Senator Ian Gorst, said:
"I was delighted to reaffirm the positive impact that the CWEIC can have across a range of important policy areas – from tackling the climate emergency to helping to source the investment to aid nations across the world with their continuing recovery from the pandemic.
"I am grateful to the Council for its ongoing support and look forward to their continue support across a busy year of activity for Jersey and the wider Commonwealth family."
Lord Marland, Chairman of the CWEIC said: "CWEIC is pleased to have the Government of Jersey's support and, as a strategic partner, we continue to see the benefit of our deep and strong relationship.
"The coming year will be an exciting one for the CWEIC, with COP26, the rescheduled Commonwealth Business Forum, and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. This, alongside a range of activities CWEIC have planned will provide Jersey, and its fellow partners on the Council, the opportunity to make the most of the Commonwealth network, which continues to go from strength to strength."
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