David Burt is continuing his meetings with European officials and financial-sector leaders this week, with international tax policy and insurance regulation high on the agenda.

The Premier and Minister of Finance met officials in Brussels on Tuesday before travelling to Paris yesterday, supported by Aliyyah Ahad, Bermuda’s representative to the European Union, and the Government’s Brussels Office.

In Brussels, the Premier met Thomas Ossowski, Germany’s permanent representative to the EU, to discuss international economic and regulatory matters.

He also held talks with Pierre Wunsch, governor of the National Bank of Belgium, and senior insurance supervision officials. The discussions covered regulatory co-operation and developments that affect international financial centres.

The day ended with a meeting with Philippe Leglise-Costa, France’s permanent representative to the EU, and members of France’s finance team. Solvency II, securitisation and international tax developments were among the issues discussed.

The discussions come as Bermuda marks a decade of full equivalence with the European Union's Solvency II insurance regulatory regime, a status that grants Bermuda reinsurers access to European markets and recognises the BMA’s role as group supervisor of international insurers.

The meetings also take place as European regulators are implementing revisions to Solvency II, while Bermuda's insurance industry has been pressing European policymakers on the treatment of Bermuda insurers under the EU’s securitisation framework.

Mr Burt and the delegation met representatives of the Swiss Mission to the EU yesterday before travelling to Paris, where they held meetings with business, financial and regulatory leaders.

The Paris programme included discussions with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration and the Direction générale du Trésor, part of the French Ministry of Economics, Finance, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.

Bermuda opened its Brussels Office in 2019 to strengthen ties with EU institutions and member states on matters affecting the island’s international business sector.

The Premier is due to return to Brussels for the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers’ 19th annual International Insurance Dialogue Conference, as well as more meetings with EU officials.

The Abir event brings together insurance supervisors, policymakers, standard-setters and industry representatives to discuss he international insurance market.