News

Ministerial Statement

Published

9 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

Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform

Published

4 days ago

July 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

By Magnetic Media Newsroom

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

News

Planning for Tomorrow: Why Sustainable Communities Begin with Good Planning

Published

5 days ago

July 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos – Every thriving community tells a story long before the first home is built. The placement of roads, the routing of utilities, the protection of natural resources and the provision of schools, healthcare and emergency services are all the result of decisions made through careful planning. While these elements are often taken for granted, they form the foundation of safe, functional and sustainable communities.

As populations grow and communities evolve, planning becomes increasingly important. It helps ensure that development takes place in locations that can support it, that infrastructure keeps pace with demand, and that public services remain accessible to those who depend on them. Good planning also considers the future, creating communities that can adapt to changing needs while preserving the quality of life enjoyed by current and future generations.

Where development occurs without adequate planning, however, the effects can be felt far beyond the boundaries of a single neighbourhood. Roads may be unable to accommodate emergency vehicles, utilities can become overstretched, and environmental resources may come under increasing pressure. Delivering public services in these circumstances often becomes more difficult and more costly, creating challenges that affect entire communities rather than individual properties alone.

For this reason, sustainable development can only emanate from careful planning. It must be ensured that homes, infrastructure and essential services develop together in a coordinated and responsible way. Every planning decision contributes to the broader picture of how communities function, grow and respond to future demands.

Supporting that process requires reliable information. Accurate data helps planners and policymakers understand where growth is occurring, identify emerging needs and make informed decisions about infrastructure, housing and public services. It also strengthens collaboration among government agencies by providing a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing communities.

Within the Turks and Caicos Islands, this collaborative approach is reflected in the work of the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), which supports a range of initiatives aimed at improving the understanding of informal settlement development. Through activities such as GIS mapping, the Social Needs Assessment Survey and collaboration with partner agencies, the ISU contributes valuable information that helps support evidence-based planning and long-term decision-making.

Strong communities are not built overnight. They are shaped through thoughtful planning, informed decisions and cooperation across government and the wider community. As the Turks and Caicos Islands population continues to grow, maintaining that focus will be essential to creating communities that are safe, resilient and equipped to meet the needs of generations to come.

Bahamas News

Caught in the Net, Not Accused of Wrongdoing

Published

5 days ago

July 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

What the Attorney General must do now to protect Bahamian exports

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

NASSAU, Bahamas — The United States’ decision to impose a 12.5 percent tariff on Bahamian exports is about more than higher costs for seafood, rum and other goods entering the American market. It is a warning that The Bahamas must move quickly to strengthen or clarify its legal framework governing forced labour and supply-chain enforcement.

The tariff, which takes effect July 24, is part of a sweeping U.S. trade action affecting 60 economies following a review by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The review concluded that the listed countries have not adequately prohibited or enforced measures against goods linked to forced labour in global supply chains.

The action follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated an earlier series of Trump-era tariffs imposed under emergency powers. In response, the Trump administration shifted to a different legal authority—Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974—using findings from a U.S. Trade Representative investigation into forced-labour compliance to support a new round of tariffs affecting 60 economies, including The Bahamas.

Importantly, the action does not accuse Bahamian businesses of using forced labour. Instead, it reflects the U.S. view that The Bahamas’ legal or enforcement framework does not yet meet the standard Washington expects.

That distinction matters.

The Attorney General’s Office now has the responsibility to lead the country’s legal response. That begins with determining precisely what concerns the U.S. Trade Representative identified, reviewing whether Bahamian law adequately addresses those concerns and, where necessary, recommending legislative or regulatory changes. If deficiencies exist, legal amendments and stronger enforcement could help position The Bahamas for removal from the tariff list.

The government may also seek formal discussions with U.S. officials while those reforms are undertaken, outlining a clear timetable for compliance and demonstrating that the country is committed to meeting international labour standards.

A Nassau Guardian front-page report on July 24 drew attention to the tariff action, prompting broader questions about why The Bahamas was included among the 60 economies affected by the U.S. trade measure and what steps are now needed to restore full confidence in the country’s trade framework.

For many Bahamians, the immediate concern will be the fisheries sector, one of the country’s largest export industries. Commercial shipments of lobster, conch, fish, crawfish and other products entering the United States could become more expensive because of the additional tariff, potentially affecting exporters’ competitiveness.

The broader lesson is that international trade increasingly depends not only on quality products, but also on strong business relationships and confidence in the legal systems that govern them.

For The Bahamas, this is less a finding of wrongdoing than a reminder that international credibility is earned through modern laws, effective enforcement and trusted partnerships. The challenge now is for the Attorney General’s Office to lead a swift legal review, identify any deficiencies and chart a clear path toward compliance so Bahamian exporters are not burdened any longer than necessary.