GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin welcomed Curacao Prime Minister Ivar Asjes to the Cayman Islands Monday (21) morning.

The two leaders met privately at the Legislative Assembly Building where they discussed tourism, budgets, economic diversification and the challenges of being Overseas Territories.

Curacao became an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in October 2010 in a change of constitutional status, which dissolved the Netherlands Antilles.

Mr. Asjes is the fourth and current Prime Minister of Curacao, having taken over office in June this year.

Mr. McLaughlin learned that Curacao has one mega pier for berthing large cruise ships and that a second pier is being contemplated. He told Mr. Asjes about the efforts on Grand Cayman to put in a berthing pier through proper tendering and public/private partnerships.

Deputy Premier Hon. Moses Kirkconnell joined the pair to share tourism ideas and the way Curacao has been able to waive certain visa requirements to entice tourism. In addition to tourism, Curacao depends on its oil refinery for income, as well as international finance.

Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Asjes both agreed that their countries need to diversify their investments to help grow their economies.

PHOTOS:

1.         Cayman Islands Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, left, accepts a gift from Curacao Prime Minister Hon. Ivar Asjes. Mr McLaughlin favoured the Prime Minister with a plaque of the Cayman Islands crest and a fish fashioned from a piece of Caymanite. Photos: Tammie C. Chisholm

2.         From left, Cayman Islands Deputy Premier Hon. Moses Kirkconnell, Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, and Curacao Prime Minister Hon. Ivar Asjes discuss tourism in the two countries.

3.         Cayman Islands Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin presents a plaque of the Cayman Islands Coast of Arms to Curacao Prime Minister Hon. Ivar Asjes.