Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 23rd October 2025: Invest Turks and Caicos has announced the official award categories for the upcoming MSMEs, returning on Friday, November 21st, 2025, under the theme “A Celebration of Excellence.”

Held biennially, the MSMEs stands as the premier celebratory event for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The black-tie, invite-only affair will once again shine a spotlight on the visionaries and innovators driving national growth through enterprise, creativity, and purpose.

This year’s awards will feature ten categories, each designed to celebrate a unique facet of entrepreneurial excellence:

• Entrepreneur of the Year – Honouring exceptional leadership, vision, and impact.
• WonderWoman Award – Celebrating the power and influence of women in business.
• NextGen Icon – Spotlighting young innovators shaping the future of entrepreneurship.
• Digital Transformer – Recognising excellence in digital innovation and modernization.
• Champion of Cause – Honouring purpose-driven businesses uplifting community and culture.
• Family Islands Award – Celebrating innovation and resilience beyond Providenciales.
• Marine Enterprise Award – Recognising excellence in water-based and marine industries.
• Beyond Borders Award – Honouring MSMEs expanding TCI’s reach to the world.
• Innovative Business Idea Award – Celebrating creativity that redefines what’s possible.
• People’s Choice Award – Recognising the brands and entrepreneurs most admired by the public.

Alexa Cooper, Vice President of SME Development, shared this year’s theme was chosen to reflect the remarkable growth and maturity within the MSME Programme.

“Over the years, we’ve seen entrepreneurs evolve from small start-ups into industry leaders. Many have expanded their reach, built strong linkages with larger institutions, and are now operating at higher levels of excellence. This year’s theme, ‘A Celebration of Excellence,’ captures that evolution,” said Cooper.

Administered by Invest Turks and Caicos, The MSME Programme remains one of the agency’s flagship initiatives, providing grants, mentorship, and capacity-building support to entrepreneurs across the islands. The programme continues to play a vital role in driving diversification, sustainability, and inclusive growth within the local economy.

Dawn Higgs, Director of the Business Support and Development Unit, highlighted the importance of recognising the diversity and resilience of the small business sector.

“Each category tells a story about the strength and spirit of entrepreneurship in Turks and Caicos,” said Higgs. “From our Family Islands to our marine-based enterprises, every business represents an important part of our economic ecosystem. These awards are about honouring that collective contribution; the creativity, commitment, and courage that continue to move our nation forward.”

While The MSMEs is an invite-only event, the wider community is encouraged to follow along through social media and celebrate the businesses and entrepreneurs making an impact across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

For updates, visit www.investturksandcaicos.tc or follow @msmeprogramme on social media.

By Deandrea Hamilton | Magnetic Media

The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) and the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment joined forces today at the Graceway Grand Turk Supermarket, hosting a public awareness event to mark the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).

The interactive pop-up aimed to educate residents about preparedness and resilience, aligning with this year’s global theme: “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.”

The theme underscores a growing global message — that investing in prevention and preparedness is far more effective than paying for recovery. The DDME team and Regiment officers shared tips on community readiness, storm safety, and individual action, encouraging residents to take simple steps that can save lives and reduce damage during natural disasters.

According to the international campaign, disasters are becoming “more frequent, more costly, and more devastating,” with direct losses topping $200 billion annually. Experts warn that without urgent investment in resilience, such risks may soon become uninsurable.

The global statement also highlighted that every dollar spent on resilience saves four dollars in avoided losses, urging governments and donors to scale up disaster risk reduction (DRR) financing and integrate resilience into all aspects of climate and development planning.