In a first for the Island’s new administration, Premier Michael Dunkley is in Washington DC with Grant Gibbons, Minister of Economic Development.

Meetings are due to begin on Wednesday with Congressional Members in the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the pair are to return to the Island on Friday.

Mr Dunkley said his time in the United States capital would afford “a unique opportunity to continue to strengthen the relationship we have with the United States”.

“As this will be this Government’s first official visit to Washington, we are looking forward to meeting some key decision-makers on Capitol Hill,” he added. “We look forward to a very busy schedule of meetings and the opportunity to discuss initiatives and programmes that are mutually beneficial to both our jurisdictions.”

Meetings have been arranged with key figures on Capitol Hill, as well as the Treasury Department. Mr Dunkley and Dr Gibbons are also expected to meet with the UK’s ambassador in Washington.

A Government spokeswoman said the trip would update the Island’s “long-standing friends” on matters of mutual interest, as well as allowing for introductions with Members of Congress where there is “an interest in current Bermuda issues”.

This will be the first official trip to Washington by a Premier in almost a year.