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Invest Turks and Caicos Launches “Empowering MSMEs” Campaign

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, November 9th, 2016 – Invest Turks and Caicos today launched its “Empowering MSMEs” campaign with the goal of empowering small business owners to fulfil their entrepreneurial ambitions by ensuring financial and technical support through the Government’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) programme.

April 2016 saw the commencement of the Government’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) programme which is managed by Invest Turks and Caicos with support from the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) and Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade.  Governed by the MSME Development Ordinance 2015, the programme makes provision for the Government to provide Concession Orders to qualifying locally-owned businesses operating in any of the identified priority business sectors. The Concession Orders permit the company or start-up to specific benefits, namely: Cash Grant, Customs Duty Reduction and/or Technical Assistance depending on the size of the business.

Invest Turks and Caicos is encouraging locally owned small businesses and start-ups to take advantage of the opportunity and apply for financial or technical assistance or customs duty reduction. “Local business owners can now feel a sense of empowerment with access to various assistance” says, Alexa Cooper-Grant, Vice President of Small Medium Enterprise Development. Additionally, there is complete guidance and support through Invest TCI and the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development (CED). Business owners who are interested in applying receive one on one consultation with representatives of the CED and Invest TCI who offer support with formulating a business plan and completing the application process.

Donna Gardiner, Owner of Caicos Tea Company and recent recipient of $10,000 cash grant, up to $10,000 in technical assistance and $10,000 customs duty exemption, stated, “Working with Invest TCI and the CED has been an awesome experience”.  Ms. Gardiner, further stated, “I would encourage small business owners to take advantage of the opportunity and apply for the MSME assistance. The process has been very easy and it was a great help to get my business off the ground”.

As part of the Empowering MSMEs campaign and to coincide with Global Entrepreneurs Week, the Vice President of Small Medium Enterprise Development will visit the various islands to provide one on one consultation to small business owners interested in applying for MSME assistance. The dates are as follows:

November 14, Salt Cay – 9:00 am- 4:00 pm – Salt Cay Library

November 15, Grand Turk – 8:30 am -4:30 pm – CED Office, Windmills Plaza

November 16, South Caicos – 10:00 am – 4:30 pm – District Commissioner’s Office

November 17, Middle Caicos– 10:30 am- 1:30 pm – District Commissioner’s Office

November 17, North Caicos – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – District Commissioner’s Office

Persons interested in applying are advised to call our office at 338 4779 to make an appointment and to visit Invest TCI’s social media pages @investtci on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for updates.

 

For more information on the MSME Programme, visit our website at www.investturksandcaicos.tc/msme or call our office at 338 4779.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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