News

Ministerial Statement

Published

7 years ago

July 27, 2017

Turks and Caicos, July 27, 2017 – Providenciales – Salutations: Whilst many are delighting in engaging in negativity, a number of positive things are happening for these Islands. My Government is committed to continuing to keep its people informed through Town Hall Meetings, Press Releases, Press Conferences and social media. I am also pleased to announce that over the next few weeks, we will be making scheduled appearances on Radio and TV networks.

Mr Speaker, the Premiers Office coordinated a Policy Agenda and from time to time in accordance with the Code of Conduct and the Standing Orders of this House through ministerial statements, Ministers will make major statements on policy.

As Premier and Minister of Finance, my Office and Ministry has been focusing on major policy initiatives and today I highlight a few.

POLICY UPDATES

PUBLIC CONSULTATION POLICY

Mr Speaker in light of the recent challenge to Government processes in the area of consultation, my government recognized the need for greater consistency in our approach to consultations, planning and practice allowing both public official and interested parties a sense of what may be expected from a consultation; structured analysis of submissions to consultations will also help to ensure a balance of viewpoints contribute to policy-making.

Mr Speaker as Premier a Paper was presented to Cabinet to introduce a Public Consultation Policy. This document provides the first edition of the guidelines and consultation policy, to be regularly reviewed and updated annually. All officials involved in the preparation of legislative or policy proposals or in their evaluation should read these guidelines including officials and managers who are responsible for ensuring the quality of stakeholder consultation.

Mr Speaker, the proposed policy document is divided into two sections, section one outlines the key consideration in the preparations of consultation, the strategic plan and minimal requirements. The following section outlines the steps involved in the consultation process and planning.

These Guidelines have been produced as a practical guide for use by Government Departments, public bodies and any other organisations that may wish to consult with stakeholders. The Guidelines will also be of use to those who are interested in participating and responding to consultations. In this context, Mr Speaker, they are aimed at giving stakeholders a clear sense of the standards of consultation that should be expected from public bodies. The Guidelines are particularly relevant to public bodies with regulatory responsibilities, as consultation in advance of making regulations is accepted good practice and, in a number of cases, mandatory.

While not designed as a prescriptive list, the Guidelines set out the different aspects that public bodies should consider when engaging in consultation.

MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVES WITH CDB

Mr. Speaker, my government in its quest to ensure that development planning is comprehensive, and covers all aspects of the national economy, have partnered with the Caribbean Development Bank to assist the TCI in undertaking three critical technical assistance studies that would benefit these islands in the medium to long term.

Solid Waste Management

Mr. Speaker just last week my Government hosted a team from the Bank to discuss an Integrated Solid Waste Management approach to the generation, treatment and disposal of waste in these Islands. Mr. Speaker, Solid Waste Management involves everybody throughout the length and breadth of these Islands, and it is my Government’s intention to advance a technical assistance loan from the Bank to assist us in updating the waste management strategy for the country as well as designing the best option for waste disposal on each Island.

Our Islands do not always depict our country’s tagline and as we clean up the streets and communities, we must put in place proper management systems that will address littering, indiscriminate dumping and management of landfills also known for us as dump sites. Public education and fines will also be hallmarks of the new Policy.

Coastal Protection and Management

Another important technical assistance study Mr. Speaker that the Government is advancing is the loan assistance related to Climate Resilient Coastal Protection and Management that we had hoped would have been before us today for debate. This technical assistance will focus on a feasibility study and prepare designs for coastal protection works on the islands of Grand Turk, Salt Cay and Providenciales. Shoreline management plans for the Islands will also form part of this technical assistance.

Transport Study

Mr. Speaker, the technical assistance grant for the Transport Study was approved in 2016 under the previous administration, but very little progress was made to date. Mr. Speaker during last week, my Government made a commitment to move this project forward in an effort to ensure that there is a transport master plan study review of the road network, ports and airport is completed.

Mr. Speaker these three critical assistance projects can transform these Islands as we envisage the future with spill off industries and employment opportunities arising from converting waste to energy; we look forward to the recommendations for developing our road network and upgrading our port facilities. Mr Speaker our future looks even brighter as we plan for implementing mitigation measures for strengthening our sea defences against climate change impacts.

INVESTMENT POLICY STATEMENT

In 2015 TCIG underwent a review of the current Investment Policy. An Investment Policy Working Group.

The Working Group was tasked with reviewing the current Investment Policy, with specific focus on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and its challenges in light of the Government’s goal of achieving “Inclusive Economic Growth’.

The Working Group reviewed the policy and further developed some key questions to aid the policy makers in their consideration of a revised policy.

It was found that the main challenges were:

Encouragement of Development Order being interpreted ‘too narrowly’ as if only pertaining to ‘Bricks & Mortar’ projects, despite this not being explicit in the policy
Incentives focused primarily on Customs duties – other incentives needed to be considered
Review the Investment model – the traditional approach of giving incentives to Invest and then re-couping through Tax is limited in TCI as no direct taxation.
Vetting of investors – there was a need to build capacity of Invest TCI and Ministry of Finance for there should be a robust 4 factor test, namely (i) Is the project ethical/legal, (ii) Does the investor have relevant experience to ensure success, (iii) Does the investor have a team that can deliver to completion and (iv) demonstration that ensures the investors are serious.

Methodology & Approach

The Working Group reviewed the policy and further developed some key questions to aid the policy makers in their consideration of a revised policy.

Following the discussions on this the Consultant developed a White Paper and recommended an Inclusive approach to consultation, i.e. a Stakeholder Consultation. The Consultation was a one day consultation was carried out on May 16^th, 2017 with a mixed group of Stakeholders drawn from across different sectors. Along with the White paper several key questions were developed for discussion under 4 Session headings. The intent was to stimulate Stakeholders thinking concerning the Investment climate overall. These questions were circulated prior to the stakeholder consultation meeting and discussed during the Stakeholder engagement:

Session 1: Investment Targets

What sectors/sub-sectors in the TCI have investment potential? And why?
High end tourism?
IT Development Center? If yes, what areas?
Financial Services Hub?
Agriculture Development? If yes, what areas?
Fisheries? If yes, what areas?
Manufacturing? If yes, what areas?
SMART Specialization?
Medical Tourism?
Retiree Tourism?
Other
How should these sectors be marketed?
What should be the role of the private sector in the promotion? And who should join TEAM TCI? How should TEAM TCI activities be funded?
How much appetite is there for Invest TCI being a One-Stop-Shop for investment?
Is there a role for cooperative marketing in investment promotion?

Session 2: Enabling Environment

Looking at taxation and the delivery of government services, there was much discussion as to what we must do to create a more enabling business environment?

Session 3 – Incentives

What are the current priority sectors are? Should there be any others added to this and why?

Does the Government wants foreign investors to assist in community projects and MSME development. Should this be as part of the Development Agreement process? If so what suggestions are there to accomplish this objective?

My Government is keen to the finalization of this Policy next month and to ensuring that we create a new environment.

PROPERTY REFURBISHMENT POLICY

Introduction

The Turks and Caicos Islands has developed into a “high end” travel destination, providing 4 and 5 star accommodations to upper income families. The Island’s resort clients expect a high level of quality in their accommodation and are prepared to seek other alternatives if the quality falls to unacceptable levels. In order to encourage investors to maintain a very high quality level, the Turks and Caicos Islands has traditionally provided incentives as part of Development Agreements to encourage ongoing refurbishment.

Recently a number of Development Agreements have expired and developers have or have expressed intentions to submit requests to the Government to obtain duty concessions for the continued refurbishment of their properties. In response to the queries, the TCI Government Cabinet agreed to establish a new Refurbishment Policy to cover tourism lodging facilities and designated restaurants in the Islands. This Policy will outline the background to the Government’s refurbishment activities, discuss the rationale for providing incentives and outline the types and length of time for the incentives.

Policy Rationale

In the Caribbean high-end property developers face high construction costs, high and rising utility costs and high labour costs combined with intense competitive pressure to attract travellers. All of these factors place significant pressure on corporate profitability according to independent research firms. Moreover, property developers pay significant taxes during operations (e.g. customs duties, customs administrative fees, work permit fees, business license fees) and contribute significant indirect tax revenue garnered from their customers (e.g. food and beverage taxes, departure taxes).

Despite the intense competition and higher costs of doing business research has found that renovation is critical to a hotel maintaining global standards and being fresh and technologically aligned. While resort owners have a desire to maintain high quality facilities, if profit margins shrink there is pressure on owners to forego maintenance spending which results in the steady degradation in the resort product. In turn, this lower quality leads to lower occupancy rates which in turn leads to reduced rates to owners and lower tax revenues to Government.

The Goal of the Government’s new Refurbishment Policy is to “ensure that vacation properties and designated restaurants in the Turks and Caicos Islands are maintained at a high international standard to ensure high occupancy levels, competitive room pricing and a superior customer experience.”

The TCI Government also has a financial interest in maintaining, high quality facilities. If the Islands high end hotels can maintain a higher daily hotel rate and higher occupancy, Government tax revenues from the various taxes on the tourism sector would remain high and the country’s brand would be enhanced. If the refurbishments do not occur, then product quality declines and with it prices and/or occupancy rates leading to a reduction on Government revenues.

AIR BnB

Currently, the Turks and Caicos Islands are experiencing a significant increase in the number of home owners entering the tourist accommodation business via vacation villa/home rental.

These properties are booked online directly from the owners, property management companies or websites that offer vacation villa/home rentals, such AirBnB, VRBO (Vacation Rental by Onwer), HomeAway etc.

My Government recognizes the potential of this industry as a tremendous business opportunity for our local business persons, however, as we take steps to ensure the development and sustainable growth of this sector, we must ensure that it is managed in a well regulated environment/manner to the benefit of the business community and Government.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the area of Air BnB is a critical area which like VRBOs must be regulated for several reasons. TCI has developed itself as a high end destination, we must be able to ensure that the rental properties are of that such that is commensurate with my brand. Therefore Tourism is working to complete all the inspection guidelines to support strict compliance with standards set. We must also be mindful of the vulnerability of persons renting in homes in highly bushed or secluded areas. Once registered with proper addresses, security concerns can be addressed.

This (Mr. Speaker) must be a priority for the Ministry of Finance as a recent review of the websites offering property listings for the island of Grand Turk (alone) indicated that there are approximately 26 properties offered, however in comparison, the Revenue Control Unit, the department that is responsible for regulating the sector only had 9 properties registered.

In an effort to ensure compliance with our current tourist accommodation legislation by businesses and business persons currently operating in this sector, my Government has granted approval for the Ministry of Finance to commence official discussions with AirBnB with the objective of establishing a MoU.

The intent of the MoU would be to ensure that all TCI properties listed with AirBnB are complying with all laws regulating the tourist accommodation sector, eg the Business Licence Ordinance, the Hotel and Tourism (Taxation) Ordinance and the Tourist Accommodation Ordinance. This will also ensure that the standard of our tourism product (brand TCI) is maintained.

It is envisioned that, should a MoU be established between TCIG and AirBnB, it would be a guide for working with the other businesses/websites that offer vacation villa/home rental properties listed in the TCI.

Mr Speaker my Government is committed to creating policies and carrying out initiatives that will better the lives of our people. Mr Speaker we are working on behalf of our people and we will continue to keep them informed using every forum that is available to us.

Press Release: TCIG

Caribbean News

AN EASTERN CARIBBEAN GEM IS UNEARTHED

Published

2 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

~SANDALS® RESORTS OPENS ITS 18^TH RESORT IN SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES~

April 17, 2024, Montego Bay, Jamaica – In an intimate ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating Sandals Resorts’ entry into the largely undiscovered destination of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the only Caribbean born superbrand welcomed its first guests to a nature-forward experience brimming with island inspiration and stirring ‘Sandals Firsts’.

Witnessed by government officials, Sandals executives, guests and resort team members, an emerald green ribbon, representative of the island’s flag and lush surroundings, was cut signaling the official opening of Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International Adam Stewart, spoke on what the opening of the hotel chain’s 18^th resort meant for the brand, the island and the Caribbean at large. “This is a multi-generational act in the making that began with my extraordinary father Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart and Prime Minister Gonsalves many years ago. They flirted heavily about flying the Vincy flag not only here but in all the other islands across the Caribbean that Sandals has its operations. Little did we know that 43 years later the Sandals brand would grow from one 99-room hotel in Montego Bay to a top 500 brand known on the world stage as a super brand. The only Caribbean born commercial super brand known across the United States, Europe and Canada with over 84% brand penetration and recognition,” he shared.

He expounded further on what he dubbed the Sandals Effect, a confluence of things that happen when Sandals comes to town. “First and foremost, we market the destination, both St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The landscape that makes up this incredible archipelago will benefit. Directly and indirectly for linkages, tour operators, taxi operators, restaurateurs, musicians, farmers, fishers, entrepreneurs, hardware store operators, the entire ecosystem and connectivity we plan to make sure that the entire world knows.”

With Sandals’ expansion to the island, airlift has increased exponentially with more availability on the horizon. According to Adam Stewart, numerous airlines have adjusted their schedules in anticipation for the demand. “American Airlines used to fly twice per week to and from the Argyle Airport, since April the airline has increase to four times per week and is expected to have daily flights by the end of 2024. Air Canada and Virgin have increased their airlift with JetBlue and United Airlines now flying to the island for the first time. Nationals and visitors will have the opportunity to fly more conveniently and we will continue to grow. ,” expressed Stewart.

The resort, in May 2024, is expected to host some 300 top travel advisors from around the world, the largest contingent of international travel professionals to ever visit Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Dr. The Honourable, Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in his main address added further credence to the impact Sandals has on his country and the CARICOM community. “During COVID, unemployment went up, there was a decline in economic activity in the region. At the time we also had volcanic eruptions, Sandals came to us with a proposal to recruit Vincentians and send them to their resorts across the Caribbean to be trained. We had to evacuate 20,000 persons with some in shelters for four to six months. Along came a friend in Sandals who said they could ease some of the pressure providing opportunities for 500 people and these little things talk to me about partnership. This might have been small for Sandals but it was a huge thing for us in the condition in which we found ourselves and I want to thank Sandals and Adam.”

“It is an understatement really to call Sandals a brand. It has become an existential part of our Caribbean civilization. This civilization is tailor-made for tourism and Butch Stewart has helped to shape this aspect of the material to help sustain us. I think that when the history of the 20^th into the 21^st century is written, there would be a towering place for this legend,” The Hon. Gonsalves continued.

In honour of the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Prime Gonsalves in opining that the relationship he enjoyed with the late founder made him “one of us” shared a remarkable plan to celebrate his memory and contributions to tourism and economic development in the region. “The government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had indicated to Sandals that we will build the road coming to the entrance of the hotel. Having built it, we will call it the Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart Boulevard,” the Prime Minister announced proudly to stirring applause from the audience.

Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines offers 301 rooms and suites across 50 lush-laden acres, authentically embracing its Saint Vincent location with an experience that is as thoughtful as it is meticulously local.

News

Sandals Foundation and Partners Install and Commission 750 Gallon Ultra-filtration Water Tank at Enid Capron Primary School

Published

2 hours ago

April 17, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

MEDIA RELEASE

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, April 17, 2024 – “Thousands have lived without love, but no one has ever lived without water,” according to poet, W. H. Auden. More than 500 students and teachers at the Enid Capron Primary School in Providenciales stand to benefit from a 750 gallons filtration water tank system valued at almost US$15,000 courtesy of the Sandals Foundation, Beaches Turks and Caicos and SIP Water, distributers of ICON LifeSaver®. The system that was recently installed will be able to use harvested rain water along with its ultra-filtered system to provide potable water.

This project had SIP Water, which is the Caribbean Distributors for ICON LifeSaver®, install and commission the system which was handed over to the administrators of the Sandals Foundation adopted school. ICON LifeSaver® is a British company providing some of the safest, potable water purification solutions in the world through supporting organisations.

Paul Girling, Director of SIP Water says, “This system is able to change untreated, contaminated water into ultra-pure, micro-biologically clean drinking water. Its multi-filtration system removes all micro plastics, bacteria, protozoan cysts and viruses to a minimum level of 99.99% without the need for any electricity or chemicals”.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services and Member of Parliament for the Five Cays area, Hon. Rachel Taylor was present as the system was commissioned. “This is a landmark achievement for the school and the community of Five Cays. This location is an emergency shelter and with the Atlantic Hurricane season not far away, having this in place will serve our students well and by extension, the community. We are grateful for the continued partnership with Sandals Foundation and Beaches Turks and Caicos in giving back to the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Taylor shared.

Beaches Turks and Caicos Managing Director, James McAnally shared, “this project is a giant step towards ensuring the basic necessities in our community are safe and sustainable. We continue to grow and look at new ways to serve in the areas of education, the community and the environment. This tank will go a long way in helping to improve the quality of life of the children and faculty in the Five Cays community especially during times of disaster.”

Principal at Enid Capron Primary School, Sophia Garland elatedly shared, “our students’ health will be improved as they consume more water daily. This system will provide for us a level of sustainability throughout the school and the community. As an educational institution, we continue to celebrate partnerships with corporate entities that seek to support key infrastructural needs of the students, staff and wider community.”

The ICON LifeSaver® product is environmentally friendly. As a leader in sustainability, this will help in the reduction of plastic bottles. The filters are reusable and typically have a 1-2 year span. This is a patented ultra-filtration technology which is independently tested to the highest portable water standards.

Captions:

Header: Paul Girling (left), director of SIP Water, Sophia Garland (2^nd left), principal of the Enid Capron Primary school, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services, and Joe Lovegrove, Operations and Technical Director of LifeSaver gave thumbs up sign to the completion of the project.

1st insert: Joe Lovegrove, Operations and Technical Director for LifeSaver takes his time to insert one of the six filters that the filtration system that was recently installed and commissioned at the Enid Capron Primary School.

2nd insert: Enid Capron Primary School teachers share a moment with the ICON team following the successful completion of the installation of the water filtration system with Paul Girling (left) director of SIP Water and Joe Lovegrove Operations and Technical Director for LifeSaver.

Caribbean News

Foreign Minister Provides Update on Transitional Presidential Council for Haiti

Published

3 hours ago

April 17, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#Kingston, Jamaica, April 17, 2024 – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, says significant progress has been made with the publishing of names of the members of the Transitional Presidential Council for Haiti.

The names of the members were published on April 16 in the Le Moniteur. Haiti has been experiencing a humanitarian, security, socio-economic and political crisis.

Establishment of the Transitional Presidential Council for Haiti was the landmark outcome following a high-level meeting of regional Heads, international partners, and Haitian stakeholders on Haiti, on March 11, which paves the way for a peaceful transition of power and the road to free and fair elections.

The high-level meeting was hosted by Jamaica and chaired by Guyana.

“The landmark outcome was the document which sets out the agreement to establish a transitional presidential council, comprised of seven voting members and two non-voting members, and the agreement that, on the establishment of the Council and their naming of a Prime Minister, Prime Minister (Ariel) Henry and his Council of Ministers would resign, paving the way for a new political process towards new free and fair democratic elections,” the Minister said.

Senator Johnson Smith was speaking today (April 17), at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

“I just wanted to update that the process made significant progress yesterday (April 16), when the official decree naming the members was published in Le Moniteur in Haiti, as required by their legal procedures,” she stated.

She noted that queries arose when the decree was previously published without naming the members of the Council.

“The Council members have now been named… which we believe will set a new path, or rather a new energy behind the process which is under way,” the Minister said.

“There are still some issues that are being sorted out in terms of the content of the decree, but it has included the criteria that had been agreed in the outcome declaration of March 11, and does set the way for the next procedural steps on the path back to democracy,” she added.

The Minister noted, too, that a political accord has been developed by the Transitional Council, which builds out their areas of responsibility and sets a framework for how they will function.

“So, that has built a lot of confidence, in the sense that there is clarity around how it is they plan to vote internally and operate the areas of focus, including, of course, the establishment of the Provisional Electoral Council and a National Security Council that will manage arrangements in respect of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, which has been authorised by the UN,” she said.

Senator Johnson Smith encouraged members of the international community to provide support for Haiti.

“The partners continue to meet; the US, of course, has been the primary proponent of funding for the MSS, but we continue to encourage all members of the international community to provide support, even as they are providing support to other conflicts across the world. We also continue to thank Kenya for their willingness to lead the initiative,” she said.

The Minister said training for the multinational mission that will provide support to the Haitian National Police Force is also progressing.

“So again, I remind this is not an intervention. It is not a military intervention. It is not a takeover. It is a provision of necessary and practical support to a national police force that is outgunned and outmanned in the face of criminal gangs,” Senator Johnson Smith said.

The Minister noted that training is going well. “We have 59 members of the Royal Bahamian Defence Force, 50 members of the Belizian Defence Force here training at the JDF with support and engagement by members of the Canadian Defence Force, who again are all here in partnership, looking at how we can work towards restoring peace and stability in Haiti to set the stage for free and fair elections,” she said.

Contact: Chris Patterson

Release: JIS

CAPTIONS:

Photographer: Yhomo Hutchinson

Header: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, addresses today’s (April 17) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

Insert: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, converses with Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Information, Hon. Robert Morgan, at today’s (April 17) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.