Above: Cayman Premier Alden McLaughlin

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin heads to London Saturday to attend the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council next week.

The council, which begins on Monday, is being hosted by Mark Simmonds, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for the Overseas Territories.

The council meets once annually to “provide a forum for the exchange of views on political and constitutional issues between the governments of the Territories and the UK Government,” according to a release.

“Our goal in the Cayman Islands is to build sustainable economies, create jobs and drive prosperity,” McLaughlin said in a statement. “Once we do these things, we can ensure a better quality of life for our citizens and visitors.”

On Tuesday in London, McLaughlin will hold a dinner for “current and potential future Friends of Cayman” at the InterContinental Hotel in Westminster.

A UK Overseas Territories business forum will be hosted on Thursday.

McLaughlin is being joined on the visit by Governor Helen Kilpatrick, Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton and three other officials.