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GOVT. SIGNS US$50 MILLION MOU TO STRENGTHEN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

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KINGSTON, Sept. 24 (Jamaica Information Service): Government has signed a US$50 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank, to strengthen the business environment in Jamaica to enable further private sector investment.

The loan agreement was signed by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips and Senior Private Sector Development Specialist with the World Bank, Thomas Vis, during the launch of the programme at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge on September 24.

The initiative, which has been dubbed the Foundations for Competitiveness and Growth project, will be implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) over a six-year period from August 2014 to June 2020.
Dr. Phillips said the project will enhance competition in the business environment, facilitate strategic private investments and support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The Minister informed that the project will also provide resources for private businesses to undertake pre-feasibility studies in relation to strategic investment projects that are to be implemented.
“It will also facilitate the development of technical studies for critical sectors that the country may choose to emphasise as part of its growth strategy,” he said.

Dr. Phillips noted that in this vein there is a need to explore much further, the global dynamics of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, pointing out that this is an area where Jamaica can make a significant mark. “This is an area where we can put tens of thousands of Jamaicans to work,” he argued.

For his part, Mr. Thomas said the project represents an element in a larger partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the World Bank, and is aimed at advancing the prospects for growth, as the country goes through a strenuous economic reform programme that forms part of the agreement with the IMF.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Vivian Brown, said a part of the Government’s role, as it strives for greater economic growth and job creation, is to facilitate and enable private investment, both domestic and overseas, in the Jamaican economy.

“It is our belief that this project will support that strategy,” the Permanent Secretary added.
Director General of the PIOJ, Colin Bullock, said under the project, new and existing businesses will benefit from streamlined regulations and processes, opportunities for public-private partnerships as well as training and access to financing.

“It is a timely initiative, as there are investment opportunities available to the private sector, which can be facilitated by enhancement of the business environment,” he noted.
Mr. Bullock said the project seamlessly aligns with the Government’s growth agenda and directly supports the achievement of goal three of the National Development Plan, Vision 2030, which is to make “Jamaica’s economy prosperous.”

Chief Executive Officer, Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, Dennis Chung, said the private sector strongly welcomes the initiative, noting that “it will finally allow us to tackle critical areas affecting our ability to be competitive and grow the economy.”
He emphasised that sustainable economic growth is only possible with the growth of the SME sector, where new innovations tend to be created.

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Crime

Police Report NEW MURDER, No 44 for 2024

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Turks and Caicos, December 7, 2024 – “Homicide detectives of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are actively investigating a homicide in Five Cays, Providenciales.

Initial reports indicate that shortly after 10 pm yesterday (December 06th), the Police Control Room received several calls stating that gunshots were being heard in the area of Sandy Land.

RT&CIPF officers responded to the given location and found the lifeless body of a male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds about the body.  The victim was later identified as NEIL RIGBY, 52, of Five Cays.

The RT&CIPF offers condolences to Mr. Rigby’s relatives and friends.

The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information that may help in this investigation to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information anonymously.

Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app.

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Minister response to Trump deportation

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Statement from the Minister of Immigration

Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands

 

 

 

Turks and Caicos, December 5, 2024 – The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands categorically states that we will not, under any circumstances, accept deportees from the United States or any other nation who are not citizens of Turks and Caicos. Our country’s immigration policies are clear and firmly rooted in the principles of sovereignty, the protection of our borders, and the welfare of our people.

Turks and Caicos, like all nations, has the sovereign right to determine who may reside within its borders. The unilateral imposition of third-country deportation policies, such as those reportedly under consideration by the incoming Trump administration, is fundamentally at odds with international norms and legal standards.

We are deeply concerned about any suggestion of displacing individuals to countries with which they have no connection. Such policies disregard the cultural, social, and economic implications for receiving countries and the humanitarian impact on the individuals affected.

We remind all stakeholders that Turks and Caicos is already facing significant challenges managing irregular migration and the accompanying strain on our resources. We will not permit external policies to exacerbate these challenges, nor undermine or dictate our national security.

Our Government remains committed to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with the United States and our other international partners. However, we are steadfast in our commitment to protecting the interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands and upholding the integrity of our immigration system.

To be clear: The Turks and Caicos Islands will not participate in any program that seeks to forcibly relocate individuals here against their will, or ours.

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Reported Weekend Incidents

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Turks and Caicos,  December 03rd, 2024 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is actively investigating incidents involving an attempted robbery and a reported armed robbery in Providenciales on November 30 and December 02, 2024.

Incident 1: Attempted Robbery at Service Station

Shortly after midnight on November 30, 2024, officers responded to a report of an attempted robbery at a Service Station on Leeward Highway. Based on preliminary reports, a lone male approached the premises from a black Honda Fit vehicle. The suspect, armed with a firearm,

struck an employee, causing a wound. The suspect fled in the car. At the same time, the employee was transported to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where he received treatment for his injuries.

Incident 2: Armed Robbery at Eatery

On November 30, 2024, at approximately 6:57 p.m., the police received a report of an armed robbery at an eating establishment in Blue Hills. Two masked individuals, one armed with a firearm, entered the premises and robbed patrons. No injuries were reported, and the suspects fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.

Incident 3: Robbery/Malicious Injuries to Property

On the evening of Monday, December 2, 2024, a male driver was proceeding along Walter Cox Drive when he stopped to drop off a passenger. While reversing, an unidentified male armed with a cinder block demanded the driver exit his vehicle. The driver complied and was robbed of personal belongings. The suspect proceeded to use the cinder block to shatter the rear passenger side window before fleeing the scene.

We urge anyone with information about these incidents to come forward.

Individuals can contact the Serious Crime Unit at (649)-232-6696 or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.

Additionally, persons are asked to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app and provide information.

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