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Caribbean Financial Action Task Force XLIV Plenary, November 2016 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

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8 years ago

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Providenciales, TCI, November 8, 2016 – This week, the Turks and Caicos Islands hosts for the first time, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) XLIV Plenary and Working Groups Meetings at the Tropicana Plaza, Providenciales from 7-10 November 2016.

By way of background, the Turks and Caicos Islands was unanimously elected as Deputy Chair of the CFATF, the premier Anti-money laundering and combating terrorism financing regional compliance body, at its XLII Plenary in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on 24th November 2015.  Hon. Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles holds that position as Attorney General and Prime Contact of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

That election leads to the Turks and Caicos Islands becoming the Chair of the CFATF during this week’s Plenary hosted by the Turks and Caicos Islands on Providenciales. The current chair of the CFATF is Trinidad and Tobago and that position is held by Trinidad and Tobago’s Attorney General Hon. Faris Al Rawi.

The CFATF is an FATF-style inter-governmental regional body for the Caribbean which plays a critical role in promoting compliance through monitoring and evaluating member states in an effort to achieve compliance with the FATF Recommendations. The FATF is the premier global inter-governmental organization that sets the standards for preventing money laundering, combating terrorist financing and the financing of weapons proliferation (AML/CFT).  Globally 180 jurisdictions have joined the FATF and FATF-style bodies.

Compliance with the FATF internationally endorse standards protect the integrity of the global financial system by increasing the transparency of the financial system (making it easier to detect criminal activity) and give countries the capacity to successfully take action against money launderers and terrorist financiers.

The benefits of compliance with the FATF standards include –

1) securing a more transparent and stable financial system that is more attractive to foreign investors

2) ensuring that financial institutions are not vulnerable to infiltration or abuse by organized crime groups

3) building the capacity to fight terrorism and trace terrorist money

4) meeting binding international obligations and avoid the risk of sanctions or other actions by the international community

5) avoIding becoming a haven for criminals

The CFATF comprises 26 countries from South and Central America and the Caribbean, with a total population of approximately 80 million persons. These countries include Jamaica, the Bahamas, Venezuela, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, Belize and the Cayman Islands.

The Turks and Caicos Islands was last evaluated by the CFATF in 2008 and will be assessed again under the new FATF standards as to the effective implementation of the AML/CFT public sector and private sector systems in the first half of 2017. Work has begun on the completion of a National Risk Assessment within the Turks and Caicos Islands with public and private sector participation.

This week’s meetings will primarily deal with the recent evaluation of Jamaica. About 175 delegates from regional governments and public bodies charged with monitoring compliance with AML/CFT matters have travelled to Providenciales to attend the Plenary and related meetings and events hosted by the Attorney General’s Chambers partnering with the Ministry of Finance, the Customs department, the Ministry of Tourism, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Financial Intelligence Agency, the Financial Services Commission, the Financial Industry Association, the Bar Council and the British Caribbean Bank.

The Plenary and meetings are held in closed sessions and are only open to registered delegates, however, there will be an Opening Ceremony open to invited guests and the media scheduled for 9am – 9:45am on Wednesday November 9, 2016 at the Tropicana, the Bight, Providenciales.

Braithwaite Knowles said; “It is an honour to accept the Chairmanship of the CFATF on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This demonstrates the commitment and capacity of the Turks and Caicos Islands to transparency in our financial systems and to playing a key leadership role in regional efforts to achieve compliance with these important standards.”

For further information, please contact by email: twilliams@gov.tc

 

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InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group 

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4 days ago

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May 14, 2024

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

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Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

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5 days ago

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May 13, 2024

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#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE  BRISCO, 30,  of  Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

  • One Count: Robbery
  • One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
  • One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

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Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged  

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5 days ago

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May 13, 2024

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#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

  • One Count: Robbery;
  • One Count: Gang Membership
  • One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
  • One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.

  • One Count: Possession of a Firearm
  • One Count: Possession of Ammunition
  • One Count: Unlawful Entry

Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of  Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY. 

The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.

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