GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands government’s continued strong financial performance is creating opportunities to invest in Caymanians while maintaining prudent financial management.
Unaudited financial results for the first five months of 2026 show core government recorded a $267.9 million surplus, driven largely by revenues exceeding original forecasts, particularly within the financial services sector.
Government continues to forecast operating revenues of $1.288 billion and an operating surplus of $10.5 million for 2026, while remaining fully compliant with all six Principles of Responsible Financial Management.
Against this backdrop, finance committee on 30 June approved $134.3 million in supplementary appropriations to strengthen education, expand cost-of-living support for Caymanian families, invest in critical infrastructure, protect the environment, preserve Caymanian culture and heritage, and reinforce essential public services across the Cayman Islands.
Helping with the cost of living
Recognising the continued impact of global inflation and rising living costs, finance committee approved additional funding to strengthen programmes that directly benefit Caymanian families and vulnerable members of the community.
The Finance Committee and prior cabinet approved funding will:
- Expand the Government’s Summer School Programme to support hundreds more students while helping working families during the summer months;
- Continue Financial Assistance programmes for those most in need;
- Continue the summer stipend policy for bus drivers and bus wardens;
- Continue ex-gratia payments for seafarers and veterans; and
- Complement the Government’s wider affordability initiatives, including the Fuel Relief Programme and increased duty allowances for returning residents.
Together, these measures will help ease financial pressures on families while ensuring targeted support reaches those who need it most.
Building for the future
Finance Committee also approved significant investments that will strengthen the country’s long-term infrastructure and capacity, including:
- Acquisition and completion of educational facilities to address growing student enrolment;
- Strategic public land acquisitions;
- Major road improvements and drainage works;
- Port Authority infrastructure, equipment and strategic land purchases;
- Conservation land acquisitions, including environmentally significant areas such as Barkers and Owen Island; and
- Continued investment in the agricultural sector.
These investments are designed to address immediate national priorities while laying the foundation for sustainable growth and improved quality of life for future generations.
Protecting Cayman’s economy and essential services
Finance Committee approved funding to strengthen the Cayman Islands’ preparations for the Fifth Round Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Mutual Evaluation, ensuring the jurisdiction continues to uphold the highest international standards in combating financial crime.
Additional funding was also approved for Cayman Airways to address extraordinary fuel price increases, engine replacement costs and other unforeseen operational pressures, helping the national airline continue providing the reliable air connectivity that supports Caymanian families, businesses and the tourism industry.
Further investments will strengthen the Cayman Islands Fire Service, expand youth programmes, enhance sporting initiatives, and continue preserving and promoting Caymanian culture and heritage.
Strong finances allow government to invest in Caymanians
Premier André Ebanks said the country’s healthy financial position is enabling government to deliver meaningful investments that improve people’s lives today while building a stronger, fairer Cayman for tomorrow.
“The conclusion of finance committee marks another important step in delivering on our commitment to responsible governance and ensuring the benefits of our strong economy are shared more widely across our community.
“Thanks to revenues outperforming expectations and the continued sound stewardship of the public finances by the ministry of finance, government has been able to invest an additional $134.3 million in strategic priorities while maintaining a projected operating surplus and full compliance with our fiscal responsibility principles.
“These investments will strengthen education, expand affordability measures for Caymanian families, enhance essential public services, protect our natural environment, support agriculture, preserve our culture and heritage, improve critical infrastructure and continue diversifying our economy. They will also help ensure more Caymanians share in our country’s economic success—not only today, but for future generations as well.”
Responsible financial management delivering results
Minister for finance and chairman of finance committee, Rolston Anglin, said the supplementary appropriations demonstrate that prudent financial management enables government to respond to emerging priorities without compromising fiscal discipline.
“The finance committee proceedings demonstrate that sound financial management delivers real benefits for our people. As government’s revenues have continued to outperform expectations, we are able to make strategic investments in education, infrastructure, social programmes, public safety and economic resilience while continuing to project an operating surplus for 2026.
“Every supplementary appropriation approved in finance committee has been carefully considered to address genuine national priorities—whether that is expanding educational opportunities for our children, supporting vulnerable families, strengthening our financial services framework, preserving our environment, or investing in critical infrastructure that will benefit Caymanians for generations to come.
“Importantly, we are making these investments without increasing the level of borrowing approved in the 2026/27 budget. Government remains fully compliant with all six principles of responsible financial management, demonstrating that fiscal responsibility and meaningful investment in our people can, and should, go hand in hand.”
Government finances remain strong
Following the supplementary appropriations approved by finance committee:
- Core government operating revenue is forecast at $1.288 billion, approximately $30 million higher than originally budgeted;
- Government continues to project an operating surplus of approximately $10.5 million for 2026;
- No additional borrowing is required beyond the level approved in the 2026 budget;
- Government remains fully compliant with all six Principles of Responsible Financial Management; and,
- Cash reserves are projected to remain at approximately 94 days of operating expenditure.
The supplementary appropriations approved by finance committee will now be incorporated into a Supplementary Appropriation Bill to be presented to parliament in accordance with the Public Management and Finance Act.