BHB Redevelopment Project Meeting

It is  certainly a pleasure for me to be here to share in talks with you about some of the opportunities and some of the benefits of participating in the redevelopment of the King Edward Memorial Hospital.

The construction industry, like many other sectors in Bermuda is now feeling the impact of the global economic challenge.  There is a growing scarcity of new projects which renders the hospital project particularly important to the industry.  Your mere presence confirms your interest in participation. 

Ironically, as we commence these discussions, my colleagues are in another place to commence a series of discussions centered around Government’s fiscal policies and the impact that these policies will have on the economy.

Our fiscal policies are designed to provide Bermudians and Bermudian companies with opportunities to work and to participate. 

Many of you will already be aware that $12 million dollars has been set aside so that the construction sector is engaged in a series of projects over the course of this upcoming fiscal year. 

And of course, the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation continues its work to provide a series of small projects to graduates of its incubator programme and will continue to do so until these funds are exhausted.

This is evidence of a Government that is determined to assist your sector to weather the storm.

I have invited you here today because the hospital re-development project is of national importance.  It is being developed for the residents of Bermuda and we are committed to ensuring that as many Bermudians as possible have the opportunity to participate in its re-development.

Today, representatives from BCM McAlpine will share details with the industry that quite frankly are not typically shared publically.  These details will include the project schedule, the projected labour and projected subcontractors and suppliers required and other proprietary information.  Our collective goal is to work collaboratively and to be as open and transparent as we can. 

Certainly I cannot promise that every company represented here today will ultimately be selected to work on this project.  Further, I need to make it clear from the outset that in order for this project to be successful some foreign labour will indeed be required.  However, I pledge to work to ensure that local companies are  provided with an equal opportunity to compete.

To be successful however you will have to make some commitments.  It’s not business as usual. 

You and your employees may be required to engage in training in specific areas to develop specialist skills that are essential to the project; skills that you may not already possess.  Please talk to BCM McAlpine about the specific skills that will be required.  Gather as much information as you can before submitting your bids so that you know exactly what is required and you can demonstrate how your company will be in a position to provide it.

The National Training Board, the Department of Labour and Training and the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation stand ready to assist you.  Their services are consistent with my Ministry’s mandate. 

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry was created to strengthen the local economy and bring a sharper focus to the connectivity between the needs of the workplace and the availability of appropriately trained resources. 

I urge you to work with us as we endeavour to assist you in acquiring the tools that will be the necessary to ensure your participation in this and other projects.

Shortly, you will hear about timelines, work schedules, the selection process and how to register an interest.  There will also be time for questions and an opportunity to collect and complete the required documentation.  Before I turn the mic over however, I want to take this opportunity to thank BCM McAlphine for their willingness to participate in this public meeting and for their commitment to the local workforce.

Thank you all once again for your presence here today and for your interest in the hospital redevelopment project.

I wish you all much success.

Thank you.