Panel to present Bermuda business opportunities in Toronto

TUESDAY, SEPT 25: Opportunity is knocking. That’s the message a high level delegation will present to Canadian opportunities on October 4.

Members from the Bermuda Ministry of Business Development and Tourism, the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX), and financial services executives representing Business Bermuda member companies will host an afternoon series of panel sessions to discuss recent developments in Bermuda.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Business Bermuda, the BSX and host law firm Bennett Jones LLP have orchestrated this business development initiative.

Greg Wojciechowski, CEO of the BSX, said in a press release: “It is always a pleasure to visit Toronto in the fall and to re-connect with the business community there.

“The strong ties between Bermuda and Canada, in terms of trade, business generation and academia, continue to grow, and the BSX is proud to be part of this annual project.”

Cheryl Packwood, CEO of Business Bermuda, said: “Bermuda and Canada have strong economic links that have fueled growth and prosperity for both countries.

“We are very pleased to return to Toronto and look forwarding to continuing the dialogue and discussion with Canadian business leaders that have led to innovation and excellence and fostered so many new business opportunities.”

Ross Webber, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Business Development and Tourism, will open the session with comments on the new Bermuda tourism campaign.

He will be followed by keynote speaker Kevan Cowan, president of TSX Markets Group and group head of equities, TMX Group, who will talk about the opportunities created by the recent strategic investment by the TSX in the BSX, and provide his observations on the mergers and acquisitions trends in stock exchanges globally.

Mr Wojciechowski and Ms Packwood will both be present at the event and participate in the sessions.

The afternoon will feature two panel sessions including a discussion of the benefits for Canadian companies of doing business in Bermuda, specifically the coming into force of the TIEA between Bermuda and Canada, and the implications of Canada’s Ministry of Finance's recognition of the BSX.

This panel will include Brendan Caldwell, CEO of Caldwell Securities, William Woods, CEO of W.Woods & Co, and Steve Woodward, partner at KPMG LLP.

The second panel will focus on the insurance industry, discussing captives, re-insurance and insurance-linked securities. Participants on this panel include Thomas McMahon, president of Cedar Management, and Jason Crane, partner at KPMG LLP.