GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman
Islands - Premier Hon. Alden
McLaughlin said he is saddened to hear of the passing of the former
Prime Minister of Barbados, the Right Honourable Owen Arthur, who
left this earthly realm Monday, 27th July.

“He served his people well, leading his country
for 14 years from 1994 to 2008; the longest-serving Barbadian Prime
Minister to date at the time of his death at the age of 70. He also
served as Leader of the Opposition from 1993 to 1994 and again from
2010 to 2013. In his later years he was appointed Professor of
Practice: Economics of Development at the University of the West
Indies (UWI); a role he held until his passing.

“Many in the Cayman Islands may fondly recall
Mr. Arthur’s visit in September 1999 to our Islands when he served
as co-chair of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting, which he
expertly guided, alongside then-Financial Secretary Hon. George
McCarthy.

“From the early days of the Caribbean Financial
Action Task Force, Mr. Owen proved to be a strong ally and tireless
advocate for the Cayman Islands and other Caribbean nations that
benefited from his expert knowledge, statesmanship and diplomacy.

“Mr. Owen was a Caribbean
visionary who promoted the advancement of all Caribbean countries. In
March 2012, while serving as Leader of the Opposition, he gave the
keynote address for the 50-50 Caribbean Conference hosted by the
University College of the Cayman Islands, speaking of the emerging
place of the Caribbean in global political and economic arenas.

“Mr. Owen Arthur will also be
remembered for his unwavering advocacy of CARICOM pushing for the
advancement of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). He was
instrumental in establishing a Secretariat Office in Barbados and
worked tirelessly to move the CSME forward. I shall always remember
his passion about the economic advancement of Caribbean people as
well as his love of Caribbean cricket.

“I, the Government and the
people of the Cayman Islands extend our most profound condolences to
his wife, Julie, and two daughters Sabrina and Leah, extended family
members, and the people of Barbados including members of the
Barbadian community residing here in the Cayman Islands. He will
always be remembered for his many contributions to his beloved
Barbados and its people and to our Caribbean region. May his soul
rest in peace.”