TCI News
Reader-friendly Budget published at TCI Gov’t site; explains historic $290m allocation
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday July 26, 2018 – The largest budget in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands was passed on Friday July 13, 2018 and a reader-friendly version is now published online, said Premier and Finance Minister Sharlene Robinson today.
“This year we continued the Citizen’s Guide to the Budget and you can find it at www.gov.tc which is a short overview of the Budget’s contents and I present to you, this today, highlighting critical spending and projects for this financial year.”
The 2018-2019 Budget communication was delivered on July 10, 2018 and national spending for this fiscal period is put at $290,014,177.41. Absorbing the largest share of the new Budget are Health Care and Education, explained the Finance Minister in a media debriefing at her Providenciales office.
Despite commendation for the Turks and Caicos for presenting a bigger budget, there is skepticism from observers including the Official Opposition PNP, which charges that the PDM Administration did not deliver on its commitments during the last fiscal year and will fall short again in 2018-2019. The Premier however strongly disagreed. 
“…we were very successful last year, we have 71 or 72 out of 78 projects and only eight projects were cancelled. So we were extremely successful last year and yesterday, we received a report from the Deputy Governor that over 90 percent of those have already reached the contract stage.” Hon Robinson admitted, “…it is an ambitious budget which is why we are introducing additional staff… so that we do have the manpower, we do have the money…”
The Budget is late; the Turks and Caicos fiscal year usually begins in April. Premier Sharlene Robinson explained that the catastrophic blow dealt the islands in the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season forced a delay in the delivery of the new financial year estimates.
“We had a very difficult time trending what our revenues, and I shouldn’t say difficult… we wanted to be careful, it is important to do that. Even though we are reducing our savings by $21m, we have to demonstrate that we are going to be able to replenish it. We also have to demonstrate that we will begin to look back at a surplus budget, because according to the Constitution, you cannot have a deficit budget. So we had to get UK approval for the Deficit Budget for the reduction or pulling money from our savings and proving how we are going to replenish it.”
The Premier, joined by Infrastructure Minister, Goldray Ewing during the media meeting, explained that again the PDM Administration is pleased with the projections for capital spending. Earmarked projects are priced, cumulatively, at over $36.6 million with major projects being road works in Providenciales, a seawall for Salt Cay and reconstruction at public education facilities.
“Included in our Capital Program this year is school repairs with Oseta Jolly as priority, the Community College, Helena Jones Robinson High School, Raymond Gardiner High school – all approved since February this year and of course Marjorie Basden High School and Iris Stubbs Primary School where works have already begun in South Caicos.” Premier Robinson added: “This Budget Year we have Ianthe Pratt, Enid Capron Primary, Mary Robinson primary school, Clement Howell High School and Eliza Simons primary school; they have also included furniture for the Long Bay High School new block.”
Getting double mention was the 8 percent increase in scholarship spending to $4 million; the extra money will enable the Scholarship Board to have more successful applicants. The deadline for requests has been extended to August 17, 2018.
“The scholarships have been increased to $4m and while that is an 8 percent increase we have a large number of students returning and so there is a considerable amount of money in this year’s Budget for scholarships.”
The Budget, which is the second for the PDM Party since being elected to office in December 2016, also projects a deficit of over $10m which will be covered by money in the country’s savings account.
“Of note is the fact that the Budget also projects a deficit and a drawing down of $21 million on the country’s savings, which is the second time since the storm; first in February in relation to the Supplementary Appropriation Bill that we had received the UK’s approval to draw down on our reserves and to run a deficit.”
The link to the six page Citizens’ Guide to the Budget 2018-2019 is below:
http://online.fliphtml5.com/pejq/hdge/
News
The Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”
TCI News
Experience Turks and Caicos and Aquila Host Product Development Workshops to Strengthen Sister Islands Tourism
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, successfully hosted a Product Development Workshop for tourism stakeholders from North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and South Caicos on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The workshop was designed to support tour operators, entrepreneurs, and tourism-related businesses as they adapt to the evolving demands of the global tourism industry. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and structured sessions aimed at reimagining existing tourism products and developing new, innovative, and sustainable experiences that are market-ready and aligned with current visitor expectations.
Throughout the workshop, attendees were equipped with practical tools and strategies to develop high-impact tourism offerings, strengthen
product packaging and pricing, assess market readiness, and enhance value creation. Emphasis was also placed on collaboration, partnership development, and the promotion of sustainable practices to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a fresh, competitive, and appealing destination. More than 20 participants representing tourism businesses across the islands took part in the training sessions.
“Experience Turks and Caicos has a responsibility to ensure that all communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands benefit from tourism. These workshops are designed to equip local businesses with the essential tools and knowledge needed to maximise the opportunities within the industry, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Candesha Mills the Product Development Manager at Experience Turks and Caicos said: “We are actively working on destination development by supporting our stakeholders as they reimagine their products and experiences. Workshops like this are critical to helping businesses identify opportunities for collaboration, create bundled offerings, and develop cohesive tourism experiences that align with emerging trends and evolving visitor expectations.”
The workshops were facilitated by Ms. Ambra Attus, who guided participants through strategies for designing distinctive and engaging tourism experiences that resonate with today’s travellers.
She said: “Product development is where destinations truly define their identity, and these trainings are designed to help operators in North, Middle and South Caicos create experiences that are not only market-ready, but meaningful, high-quality, and rooted in what makes these islands truly special. These sessions reflect a forward-thinking commitment by Experience Turks and Caicos to invest in their people and in the long-term quality of the destination’s tourism product. Aquila is proud to be your training partner.”
The workshop also featured the Invest TCI MSME Team, who were on site with an information station available throughout both sessions. Stakeholders had the opportunity to engage directly with the team, gain insights into the MSME Programme, and learn more about the range of support services, incentives, and resources available to assist business growth and development.
Experience Turks and Caicos commended participants for their commitment to investing in their businesses and contributing to the continued enhancement of the destination’s tourism product. The organisation expressed appreciation for the active participation and innovative ideas shared during the session, which are expected to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable growth of tourism in North and Middle Caicos and South Caicos.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 5 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with
partner agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Silverado Wells in Five Cays. 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 Immigration and Border Services, 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 an illegal concrete structure on the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, a Section 22 Notice of Illegal Occupation was posted on the structure. Following the failure of the responsible party or parties to comply within the prescribed timeframe, enforcement action was authorised.
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.
-
News3 days agoThe Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”
-
TCI News1 week agoIllegal Structure Removed During Crown Land Enforcement Exercise in Five Cays
-
TCI News5 days agoExperience Turks and Caicos and Aquila Host Product Development Workshops to Strengthen Sister Islands Tourism