The Island’s relationships with political and business leaders in the United Kingdom were further strengthened when Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK attended the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester this week.
Mr Bell, who was accompanied by Chief Secretary Will Greenhow and Director of External Relations Della Fletcher, met a range of UK Government and commercial representatives including Ministers and officers from HM Treasury.
He commented: ‘The meetings with the Treasury representatives were particularly positive and reflected the leading role that the Isle of Man has taken on the issues of tax transparency and co-operation. Relations between the Island and the UK have entered a new era as a result of that role and David Cameron’s public recognition that the Isle of Man is not a tax haven.’
The Chief Minister explained: ‘My presence at the Conservative Party conference was part of a continuing programme of targeted external engagement which is developing contacts and understanding with key players in the worlds of politics and business. This is a two-way exercise, enabling us to gain an insight into the issues that could impact on our future as well as providing an opportunity to explain the Island’s value as an economic partner to the UK.’
While in Manchester, Mr Bell also had a meeting with the Leader of the City Council Sir Richard Leese, part of the Chief Minister’s strategy of building political and economic links between the Isle of Man and the North-West of England.
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