MUMBAI – “Good government is not principally about steel, glass, bricks and mortar. Good government is about serving people so that they can live, learn, work and play in a sustainable and solid community;” Premier Ewart Brown told 2000 Rotarians in Mumbai today. He was invited to be their keynote speaker, using the theme ‘Go Forth and Serve.’ The Premier used Bermuda’s recently announced National Service Plan as one example of a Government that is “putting its money where its mouth is.”
Earlier in the day, the Premier visited the Outbound Travel Mart, a large tourism event where Bermuda has a booth. He also visited the Whistling Woods Film Institute, where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement allows Bermudian students to attend the famed institute at reduced rates. Later, in the afternoon, the delegation heard a presentation from executives of Dr. Shetty’s Health City. Dr. Shetty is a world-renowned cardiac surgeon.
Premier Brown is in India this week with a delegation to build stronger ties with this largest democracy in the world. India is emerging, along with China, Russia and Brazil, as a new economic superpower. Today, Dr. Brown concluded several meetings with key businesspeople in Mumbai (once called Bombay), the commercial capital of India.
Premier Brown (center) with H. E. the Governor of the State of Maharashtra, K. Sankaranarayanan and Mr. Walter Lister, MP
In addition to the Premier, the delegation includes Mr. Walter Lister, MP and Chairman of WEDCO; Bermuda’s Ministry of Finance Negotiating Team; Crown Counsel, Mr. Huw Shepheard, Attorney General’s Chambers; and Mr. Malcolm Moller, of Appleby Global, based in Mauritius.
Dr. Brown said, “I think these meetings went very well. We learned a lot about each other and this was an important first step to take in building stronger ties with this huge market. It can do nothing but benefit Bermuda.”
On Monday, Feb. 8, the Bermuda delegation travels to Chennai (once called Madras) for another round of meetings and continued negotiations. Chennai is the commercial capital of south India.
