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TRADE MISSION TO HAITI DEEMED SUCCESSFUL

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DELEGATION IN PORT AU PRINCE

August 16, 2013 — PROVIDENCIALES, TCI – “Trade Mission TCI-Haiti” organised by the Haitian Consulate in conjunction with the Providenciales and Grand Turk Chambers of Commerce, took from the 9th – 13th August 2013.

Supported by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Investment Unit, the main objectives of this mission were: a) to highlight Haiti assets as an international trade hub; b) to identify commercial and business opportunities ideally suited for the TCI private sector participants; c) to engage in dialogue with Government officials on ways to develop and enhance trade between TCI and Haiti; and d) to explore avenues for trade agreements and further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The delegation departed Providenciales for Haiti on Friday, August 9th arriving in Cap-Haitian where they were welcomed at the airport by the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Stephanie B. Villedrouin, who accompanied the delegates on tours of the Citadel Laferrière in Milot and the Museum of Money in Cap-Haitian. Mrs Villedrouin in expressing her happiness about the visit stated that she is looking forward to “leading a reverse trade mission to the Turks & Caicos Islands to discuss further a partnership between the two countries on tourism related initiatives.”

On Friday afternoon the delegates were treated to lunch by the members of the Chambers of Commerce of the Northern region of Haiti and the Tourism Association, and that evening they attended the “Celebration of the Festival of the Sea” hosted the Minister of Tourism.

Saturday morning saw the delegation touring the Industrial Park of the North, where they witnessed among other thing paint being manufactured. Next, the team visited a number of farms, including a multipurpose farm that grows Sisal, Egg Plant, Thyme, and other plant products; while raising bees – for use in the production of honey and wax – and livestock.

The delegates flew to Port-au-Prince late Saturday afternoon where they stayed at the newly completed Best Western Premier in Pétion-Ville. On Sunday morning the delegation visited the Museum of Haitian National Pantheon and the Boutiliers Observatory. Monday morning saw the delegates attending a Press Conference and a presentation on “Doing Business in Haiti” by Andy Rene, General Director of Center For Facilitation of Investment (CFI), whereby in the afternoon the delegates attended a lunch meeting with the Minister of Finance and Commerce, Wilson Laleau. That evening business meetings were arranged for the delegates by the Haitian Chamber of Commerce (CCIH), who matched the delegates with Haitian business of suitable commercial interests. The trip ended on Tuesday with the delegates attending a lunch meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture. After a packed 5 days the delegation arrived back in the Turks & Caicos at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening. The members of the included:

Mrs. Margarette Lemaire, Consul/Commercial and Cultural Affairs Hon. Akierra D.M. Missick, Deputy Premier – Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, and Library Services Mr. E. Jay Saunders, CEO Digicel TCI /President Providenciales Chamber of Commerce Mr. Arthur Been, Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment Mr. Kingsley Russel Been, Chairman Tourism Board Mrs. Rebecca Astwood, Director of Investment Unit Mr. Peter Keriggan , Director EDS Ltd Mr. Andrew Tolleson, PE, D.GE Owner & CEO Tolleson Limited Company Mrs. Deborah Manos, Owner of Tradewinds Dr. Simon Anthony Slattery, MB.BS. MAS., Inter Island Medical Services Mrs. Hazel Hegewald, Regent Palms Hotel Mr. Philip Mcrae Robinson, Inter Islands Builders Mr. John Spencer Missick, Green Acres Farm Mr. Darrel Emmanuel Missick, Green Acres Farm Ms. Deandrea Hamilton, Journalist Magnetic Media Mr. Donald Metellus, PDG Radio VHTC

The delegates flew on Sunrise Airways, a new start-up airline based in Port-au-Prince. Sunrise a co-sponsor of the Trade Mission has just entered the final stages of securing the necessary approvals to begin scheduled flights between Haiti and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

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Energy & Utilities Commissioner says new legislation will help to stabilize energy costs in Turks & Caicos Islands

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 30th November 2023: The Energy and Utilities Department (EUD) of the Turks and Caicos Islands, today reminds the public that the comprehensive Renewable Energy Legislation is currently before the House of Assembly and that the Legislation not only addresses the existing challenges posed by fuel price volatility but also lays the foundation for a sustainable and resilient energy future for the TCI.

In a recent press release, FortisTCI cited global factors such as production cuts and increased demand for fuel, leading to a surge in market prices. The EUD acknowledging these challenges thanks our power supplier for its proactivity when it comes to informing consumers of any changes in the cost of electricity.  Further, the Government of Turks and Caicos wants residents and guests to know that it is committed to taking proactive measures that will transform the energy landscape through robust Renewable Energy Legislation. 

In that vein, Delano Arthur, the new Energy and Utilities Commissioner looks forward to working with FortisTCI in the upcoming days to find innovative and collaborative solutions to reduce the cost of Fuel and Energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  This initiative aims to not only mitigate the impact of volatile fuel prices but also secures a sustainable, reliable and affordable energy future for all of us.

 Key components of the Renewable Energy Legislation include:

  • Integrated Resource Plans: A formal planning process to prioritise renewable energy in addressing evolving energy needs.
  • Competitive Tendering Process: Government-run initiatives to promote healthy renewable energy competition, achieve low-cost energy, and meet Paris Agreement goals.
  • Administrative and Regulatory Measures: Establishing clear processes and responsibilities for all players who are in the renewable energy market.
  • Licensing and Safety Standards: Comprehensive licensing provisions to ensure accountability and safety standards for renewable energy systems.
  • Net Billing Program: Allowing building owners to self-generate and sell surplus electricity back to the grid.

The Renewable Energy Legislation serves as a mitigation against volatile fuel prices. By transitioning to cleaner energy sources and fostering a diverse renewable energy infrastructure, these Islands aim to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. The competitive tendering process introduced in the legislation ensures the selection of the most cost-effective renewable energy solutions, contributing to energy affordability and stability.

As the Islands invest in renewable energy, the increased share of clean, locally produced electricity provides a stable alternative to fluctuating fuel prices. The Net Billing Programme further incentivises distributed energy generation, offering a predictable path for building owners to contribute to the grid and receive compensation, thus reducing reliance on traditional fuel sources.

 

For further information, please contact:

Delano R. Arthur

Commissioner

Energy and Utilities Department

Turks and Caicos Islands Government

eud@gov.tc

649-338-3514

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Caribbean News

CANARI outlines climate priorities ahead of Cop28

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) informed that the Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance, in preparation for the upcoming annual COP28 in 2023, launched its “Caribbean Climate Justice and Resilience Agenda,” outlining the priorities for climate justice and resilience in vulnerable Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS).

 

In a press release, CANARI highlighted that the agenda recognizes the major threat of climate change to the region as well as aims to louden the voices of the at-risk groups “on the frontlines of the climate crisis and catalyze actions for climate justice and local resilience in the Caribbean SIDS.”

 

The priorities stated under the agenda are:

 

  1. Curbing emissions to limit global temperature

increase to 1.5 ̊C

 

  1. Scaling up locally-led solutions for adaptation and

loss and damage

 

  1. Improving access to and delivery of climate finance

for frontline communities, small and micro enterprises, and civil society organizations as part of a ‘whole of society’ approach

 

  1. Scaling up just, nature-based solutions for resilience

 

  1. Supporting a just transition for pro-poor, inclusive,

sustainable and resilient development

 

  1. Promoting gender equity and social inclusion

approaches to climate action

 

  1. Promoting youth and intergenerational equity as

core to the climate response

 

  1. Integrating a rights-based and earth-centered

approach in addressing all these priorities and ensuring climate justice

 

The at-risk groups referred to in the release include small-scale farmers and fisherfolk, rural women producers, income-poor people, elderly and disabled people, Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, migrants, and LGBTQIA+ people.

 

Being cognizant of the severity of the effects of climate change on the Caribbean, CANARI referred to the fact that the very existence of the region is on the line.

 

“If greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated and global temperature exceeds 1.5 ̊C, the impacts of rising sea levels, more intense hurricanes, rainfall variability, ocean acidification, and other changes threaten the very existence of our way of life in the Caribbean and other SIDS that have contributed the least to global emissions.”

 

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Bahamas News

CARICOM Sec Gen speaks on Gender Based Violence

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Rashaed Esson

 

Staff Writer 

 

“Everyone must continue to invest in preventing violence against our women and girls (VAWG). It is an investment in our shared future,” were the words of Dr. Carla N. Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General, as she reiterated the need for solutions against VAWG.

 

She called attention to VAWG as she gave a speech surrounding the annual campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” which runs from November 25 to December 10, 2023.

 

Barnett expresses the well-known fact that VAWG is one of the most prevalent issues affecting all corners of society.

 

“VAWG remains one of the most pervasive forms of human rights violations in the world and cuts across all races, cultures, genders, and educational backgrounds,” she maintained, as she continued to point out the sad reality that this is still a major issue despite regional and global policies.

 

“Despite the existence of regional and global policies and legislation to combat VAWG, weak enforcement and discriminatory practices remain significant barriers to ending VAWG.”

 

The Secretary-General highlighted statistics for VAWG, bringing attention to how serious and embedded this issue is in society.

 

She said that globally, 736 million women—nearly one in three—have experienced violence—physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or even both.

 

For the Caribbean region, she said surveys conducted between 2016 and 2019 inform us that one in two women experience intimate partner violence, which is higher than the global average. 

 

In continuation, Barnett expressed that the campaign calls everyone to action against VAWG, including “development partners, civil society organizations, women’s organizations, youth, the private sector, and the media.”  Also, world governments are being asked to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention.

 

Ending her address, the Secretary-General urged everyone to wear the color orange for the duration of the campaign, as well as on the 25th of each month, “as a symbol of hope for a brighter future where women and girls live free from violence.”

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