GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands (CMC) – The technology-focused special economic zone, (SEZ) Cayman Enterprise City (CEC), says it has welcomed its 250th company into the Cayman Islands.

“This is a significant milestone for CEC since opening our doors for business in February 2012. For the past six years we have worked tirelessly to promote CEC and the Cayman Islands as an ideal base to conduct international business as well as support businesses which have established SEZ companies so that they can focus on growth and innovation,” said CEC chief executive officer, Charlie Kirkconnell.

Cayman’s robust infrastructure, growing digital economy, tax neutrality, and stable political climate alongside CEC’s competitive offerings are supporting technology-based ventures and fostering innovation.

In recent months, FinTech and blockchain development companies have been setting up in Cayman Tech City on a weekly basis. Within five years, CEC conservatively estimates that there will be over 500 businesses in Cayman’s special economic zones, with at least 60 per cent of those operating from within Cayman Tech City.

Earlier this year, a US$39-million plan for the first phase of a new 53-acre campus was approved by the Central Planning Authority.

The George Town location is in close proximity to the newly expanded Owen Roberts International Airport and the master-planned campus showcases environmental architecture and designs to encourage socialisation and collaboration, unlike anything seen in the Caribbean.

“Our goal is to ensure not only that CEC continues to grow, but that the local community directly benefits from CEC’s positive development.

“We look forward to breaking ground on our new purpose-built campus later this year and we see this development project as key to furthering Cayman’s thriving SEZs and ultimately helping to grow and further diversify Cayman’s economy,” noted Kirkconnell.

As of the end of 2017, the CEC development project contributed an estimated US$155 million to Cayman’s economy.