Chamber President welcomes “the opportunity to support a data-driven approach”
Photos: Alexa Lightbourne, Minister of Home Affairs (supplied); Entrance to the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce (file)
Government of Bermuda Press Release:
Earlier this week, at the request of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, addressed members of the organisation’s Economics Committee in a virtual meeting that focused on the Ministry’s strategy to address Bermuda’s cost of living.
This was Minister Lightbourne’s first formal meeting with the Chamber since she assumed her new role. And the engagement was both timely and productive, taking place against the backdrop of ongoing global economic volatility and geopolitical uncertainty. The session formed part of the Minister’s commitment to deepening collaboration with Bermuda’s business stakeholders and partners.
Minister Lightbourne said, “The rising cost of living is a shared concern across all sectors of our society and economy. I am committed to an inclusive and data-informed approach that brings government and industry together to find sustainable solutions. I appreciated the Chamber’s invitation and the insights offered by its Economics Committee.
“Our Ministry’s cost of living strategy is about more than short-term relief. It’s about long-term structural fairness, ensuring that Bermudians can afford essentials like food, energy, and housing, while supporting businesses to remain competitive and resilient. Whether through tax reform, energy regulation, or pricing transparency, we are working to close the gap. I look forward to continuing this work in partnership with all stakeholders.”
The Minister provided a detailed overview of the Ministry’s priorities, including plans to enhance affordability across critical areas such as energy, food, and market fairness. The Chamber, as a business-minded organisation advocating for its diverse membership, engaged in an exchange of ideas and committed to continuing meaningful dialogue and data-sharing to support evidence-based policymaking.
The Chamber of Commerce expressed appreciation for the Minister’s willingness to engage in meaningful discussions.
Following the meeting, Chamber President Marico Thomas said, “We appreciated the opportunity to engage with Minister Lightbourne and gain insight into the Ministry’s plans to address the high cost of living—an issue that impacts both businesses and families across Bermuda. A core part of the Chamber’s mission is to advocate for a healthy, sustainable environment where business can thrive, and central to that is the success and wellbeing of employees.
“We also welcome the opportunity to support a data-driven approach by highlighting the realities of the current operating landscape—an area where our Economics Committee has invested considerable effort in measuring and documenting key trends. For our members, the cost of doing business and the cost of living remain pressing concerns, consistently echoed in our ongoing stakeholder discussions. The Chamber believes meaningful progress will come through sustained dialogue, high-quality data, and collaborative problem-solving that delivers practical outcomes for all stakeholders, while being mindful of unintended consequences and the uncertainties ahead. We look forward to building on this engagement with the Ministry of Home Affairs as they pursue this important mandate.”
As a reminder, last week Minister Lightbourne launched the Government’s public survey aimed at gathering insights from residents on their experiences with the cost of living. Members of the public are encouraged to visit www.costofliving.gov.bm, to participate in this national survey. The deadline for the survey is the end of April.
