Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) has received two prestigious accolades at the 2024 Global Free Zones of the Year Awards, presented by fDi Intelligence, a division of the Financial Times. CEC was highly commended in the Americas under the new Knowledge Zones category and earned an honorable mention for its significant contributions to higher education and workforce development.
This achievement marks the seventh consecutive year that CEC’s special economic zones (SEZs) in the Cayman Islands have been honored by the Financial Times, underscoring the continued success of CEC’s SEZs in driving innovation and economic growth in the region.
he highly competitive fDi awards, evaluated by a global judging panel, recognise free zones that excel in creating value for their regions, with a focus on sectors such as technology, business services, and financial services.
CEC’s recognition in the Knowledge Zones category is particularly notable for its efforts to create a vibrant, tech-focused ecosystem in close proximity to major North American markets. The panel praised CEC for its streamlined immigration and business support services, which have attracted a diverse range of industries including legal tech, decentralised finance, and precious metals.
Education remains a cornerstone of CEC’s mission. In 2023 alone, more than 4,200 Caymanians and residents participated in education and career development opportunities offered through CEC’s non-profit arm, Enterprise Cayman. The zone has also supported the creation of 41 new Cayman-born businesses projects, emphasising its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship within the Cayman Islands.
As part of CEC’s workforce development initiatives, Enterprise Cayman, focuses on bridging the education and earnings gap for Caymanians. This commitment to higher education and skills training earned CEC an honourable mention in this year’s awards. Danielle Myles of fDi Intelligence stated, “[CEC’s] non-profit Enterprise Cayman is working to close the education and earnings gap for Caymanians by offering training, internships, mentoring, networking, and career-focused training.”
CEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Charlie Kirkconnell, commented on the award wins, saying, “We are incredibly proud to be recognised once again by fDi Intelligence. These awards are a testament to the hard work of our team and the thriving community of global businesses that have chosen CEC as their home. Our focus on innovation and education continues to drive our success, and we remain committed to helping our members and the Cayman Islands achieve even greater heights.”
CEC, now home to over 380 companies, provides a comprehensive business support program, offering cost-effective operations, tailored work environments, and streamlined processes that make it one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region. The recognition by fDi Intelligence further cements CEC’s role as a key driver of economic diversification and growth in the Cayman Islands.
