TCI News
TCI leading; seeking British approval for border security modernization through CARICOM
#Providenciales, November 20, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Two significant signing sessions signal two giant steps for the Turks and Caicos Islands in activating the newest security measure in border control. Advanced Passenger Information System, better known as APIS is cutting edge and already over 87 million passengers worldwide have been processed using the system which aims to thwart travel by terrorists.
Now, the Turks and Caicos Islands with legislation enacted in 2017 and consultation and training started in 2018 is well positioned to embrace one of the most advanced border control security systems in the world, according to the country’s Deputy Premier, Hon Sean Astwood.
“The training workshop included the Police, Immigration Department, Airports Authority, Computer Department, Customs, Maritime and Ports Authority. External partners that have been consulted or participated in training included marine operators, cruise lines, airlines, shipping companies and freight forwarders.”
The workshops were facilitated by the Joint Regional Communication Center (JRCC) based in Barbados; the regional manager supports developing the right environment for APIS and it charts the roadmap to instituting the best international practices and engendering stakeholder synergy.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s fact sheet on APIS says it is “A new pre-departure Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) requirement allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to review passenger information prior to boarding for commercial flights arriving into or departing from the United States and for commercial vessels destined for or departing the United States.”
On Monday, Turks and Caicos Border Control Minister, Deputy Premier Sean Astwood announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the TCI and the United Kingdom which will permit information 
exchange with CARICOM, which as a group is agreed to sign onto APIS.
“With the signing of this MOU, the United Kingdom Government formally grants consent to the TCI for the sharing of intelligence among Member States of the Caribbean Community. This morning, I am proud again to state that the signing of this memorandum is a significant and important step to achieving and realizing the full implementation in the APIS in the Turks and Caicos Islands and by extension, improved security for our region.”
The DP explained that APIS, essentially allows Border Control to focus on more high risk passengers and will actually speed up border security processing for low risk travellers.
It was in May 2017 that Deputy Premier Astwood signed the first commitment of the Turks and Caicos to APIS; it was a pioneering step for Caribbean region OTs.
“…making the Turks and Caicos Islands the first CARICOM Associate Member country amongst the six British Overseas Territories to sign onto the Advanced Passenger Information System, the signing marked an historic occasion as the Turks and Caicos embarked upon a path of modernizing our boarder security regime through the cooperation between the United States of America and Caribbean counterparts.”
DP Sean Astwood flanked by the Governor, Premier and officials representing the Royal Turks and Caicos Police, Customs and Immigration Departments expects APIS to add to increased hospitality at the airports in particular.
“This would add value to the processing of our tourists and allow us to maximize our staff at the airport in particular and improve guest experience,” said the Deputy Premier who also explained that APIS would build an 
invisible but tangible information bridge between border control agencies namely: Immigration, Customs, Police, Agriculture and Health and Safety making processing smarter and faster.
“Different agencies frequently operate their own automated systems for passenger processing without any sharing of information. This strict division of responsibility between the agencies means that passenger processing is often unnecessarily prolonged. APIS will bridge and consolidate critical information that can be shared between agencies.”
At the Office of the Premier in Providenciales, the MOU was signed by His Excellency, Dr. John Freeman who is the UK appointed Governor and Premier of the islands, Hon Sharlene Robinson.
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TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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