The Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), in partnership with FinTech Bermuda will host the inaugural Bermuda Tech Week 2019, which kicks off next week at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.

Making the announcement at a news conference held on Monday, Premier David Burt said the joint initiative is part of an ongoing bid to “have the island recognised globally as a stable, well-regulated location” to build “the economy of the future”.

The Premier noted that the “significant energy” put into “developing a FinTech industry in Bermuda”, has already “yielded eight (8) active offices with 31 new jobs”.

But he said: “The overall technology industry, not just FinTech, will be important for Bermuda’s growth and development.

“Our vision is to have the island recognised globally as a stable, well-regulated location for all technologists and innovators who are building solutions that will power the economy of the future.”

To further build on that vision, the Government hosted an international technology conference last year, “to show the world that Bermuda is a first class, blue chip,technology friendly jurisdiction”.

“The aim was to host technology thought leaders, innovators, developers, and creators in Bermuda, for a week of insightful deliberations about the future opportunities presented by emerging and disruptive technologies.

“We also wanted to show them the Bermuda ecosystem and why Bermuda should be the domicile of choice for technology companies and start-ups,” said Mr Burt.

“The response to our outreach has been excellent, and I am delighted that we will be hosting the inaugural Bermuda Tech Week 2019, which kicks off next Monday and runs from October 14 – 18 at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.

“If you haven’t registered, I suggest you do so quickly,” he added.

“This initiative provides five days of industry driven events focused on emerging technologies.

“Tech Week begins on Monday, October 14 with the annual Bermuda Technology and Innovation Awards Presentation and Reception, publicly recognising the outstanding achievements being made in information technology in Bermuda.”

A Liquidity Summit will be held on Tuesday, October 15, “an event focused on leading and emerging trends across the world of finance,presented by Hub Culture”.

“This is the second year that Hub Culture will be hosting the Liquidity Summit in Bermuda and we’re pleased to have them a part of Tech Week’s line-up.

“Middle and high school students from across Bermuda also stand to benefit. They will participate in the Bermuda Tech Education Summit, also taking place on Tuesday, October 15, hosted by the Fintech Business Unit.

“The education summit will bring together leading academics, technology companies and local students, as they explore fields of study that will significantly improve Bermuda’s competitiveness, by helping students prepare for the digital future.

“This will also be a time expose our student to the free technology training that the Government has made available to all residents of Bermuda,” said Premier Burt.

KPMG Bermuda will host ‘Defend and Detect’ – a technology and technique event “showcasing how technology and business ideas can come together to solve complex challenges in managing regulatory risk and compliance”, on Tuesday.

“The evening will see a networking reception that brings together attendees fromthe Bermuda Tourism Summit and the Bermuda Tech Summit, hosted by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and the Bermuda Business Development Agency(BDA).

“On Wednesday, October 16, the Bermuda Business Development Agency will host the Bermuda Tech Summit, under the theme ‘Focused on the Future’.

“This all-day summit is free to attend and will explore the transformational impact of technology on investment and business models, in a wide range of industry sectors relevant to Bermuda, from hospitality and financial services, to telecommunications and insurance,” said Mr Burt.

The Premier also disclosed that Tech Beach, previously held in Miami, Jamaica and Trinidad, will be coming to Bermuda for the first time on Thursday and Friday, October 17 and 18.

In closing, he urged local residents to register for the events “so that Bermudians can learn, grow, develop and make our contribution to the fourth industrial revolution, which is being driven by technology”.

“We hope to see all of you at Bermuda Tech Week 2019.”

To register online visit bermudatechweek.bm.