Connect with us

TCI News

TCI: More Local Businesses Need a Piece of the Pie

Published

on

#Providenciales, March 26, 2019 – Turks and CaicosIAs we prepare for the Turks and Caicos Empowerment Conference this weekend, one of the challenges I believe that will be highlighted is that  many local businesses are not getting a piece of the pie. One of the primary reasons is the challenges with the Public Procurement Process and the other challenge is the fact that many resorts have concessions and no need to support local businesses.

Because of the challenges, many businesses refuse to participate in the procurement process and so sometimes it appears the same set of people are winning the bids. Perhaps it is because they are the only ones submitting bids.  This article however, is not about other local business but about businesses operating outside of Turks and Caicos and are able to bid on Government jobs.

The Procurement Ordinance

Businesses outside of TCI can bid on tenders

Based on the current procurement ordinance and the tender evaluation criteria, it seems businesses outside of TCI are competing with locally registered businesses on the public tenders. Some of these international companies are the suppliers themselves and therefore have competitive advantages over the local businesses. In fact, I am aware of a few local businesses that lost the bid to the international supplier because the international supplier bid on the same job and of course the bid was lower. Is this fair? Is it right to have an outside business to compete with a local company especially if the local company can provide the services? How are we going to empower our local businesses?

Discrimination

Section 8 of the Procurement Ordinance specifically state they want to encourage completion and effective competition requires non-discrimination. In my opinion, the fact that the international suppliers can bid on a job is a discrimination in itself.

Also, the fact that local businesses are paying the local fees, local payroll costs, NHIB, NIB and are actively operating and participating in TCI, they have more overhead costs than the international suppliers. Isn’t this creating a disadvantage and in so doing isn’t this discrimination? Furthermore, local businesses are required to prove they are in good standing with NHIB and NIB when submitting tenders. What do the international companies have to prove?

Construction Contracts

For construction contracts in particular, the contractor is required to put up a bond of approximately 20% of the value of the contract. This can create major cash flows for businesses and so only a few businesses may be able to bid on the jobs due to their cash flow position.  I understand the rationale for the bond as it is form of protection and surety for the completion of the job.  Ironically though, some contractors do not have to put up any bond at all when bidding on jobs in the private sector?

Recommendations

I believe the tender process should be in a tiered process. Any projects that are expected to cost $2 million or less should be restricted to a Turks and Caicos Registered Company and that company should be in full operation for at least a year and of course have a valid business licence in the Turks and Caicos

Only specialized services or goods that local companies cannot source should be open to international companies if the value is less than $2million.

The construction bond should be set perhaps between 5 and 10 percent depending on the value of the job. This will provide an opportunity for other businesses to participate in the process.

Statutory Bodies need to follow the same recommendations as there are a number of them that they are ordering things from abroad and therefore do not support the local businesses.

Conclusion

If we want to empower our local businesses and see their companies grow, then we need to allow only local companies to participate in the tender process.

It is already a challenge for some local business to get business in the private sector and the only opportunity they perhaps have is to participate in the Public Sector bidding process.

I know Governments want the best value for their money. If the locals tender bid too high then re tender the jobs. The same way Governments want to ensure locals are hire before issuing a work permit, this same principle should apply to the tender process. Give the qualified local businesses  the first opportunity.

By: Drexwell Seymour

Continue Reading

News

The Turks and Caicos Islands Featured in Top Canadian Publications  

Published

on

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (March 25th, 2026) The Turks and Caicos Islands has been enjoying increased visibility across Canadian media, as Experience Turks and Caicos continues to strengthen the destination’s presence in that key market.

In recent months, Experience Turks and Caicos hosted several Canadian travel writers who have since been highlighting the beauty and diversity of the destination across a range of key publications.

“Inviting and hosting writers from both travel trade and consumer publications is a key part of our public relations strategy to boost the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said Interim CEO Consultant, Mr. Paul Pennicook. “As a result of this exposure, combined with our efforts to train travel advisors and increased airlift out of Canada, we have seen an uptick in arrivals from what is one of our top source markets. I would like to thank those journalists who continue to showcase the beauty of our multi-island destination.”

Among the most recent coverage are articles by Patricia Lee and Jennifer Bain, who visited the islands in early March.  Bain journeyed to Little Water Cay alongside Jasmine Thomas, Executive Director of the Turks and Caicos National Trust, and Senior Visitor Experience Officer Luis Serpas.  Her feature, published in National Parks Traveller, explores the Trust’s work to protect the endangered rock iguana in an article titled “Protecting Endangered Rock Iguanas in the Turks and Caicos Islands”.

Both writers also visited South Caicos, with Bain highlighting the destination’s charm in her piece “South Caicos: Away from the Crowds in Turks and Caicos”, published in A Taste for Travel, where she outlined eleven experiences in what is affectionately known as the Big South.

Lee, who also explored North Caicos and Middle Caicos, captured the essence of the country’s lesser-visited islands in her Vancouver Sun feature, “Beyond the Beach: Discover the slower, gentler beauty and charm of Turks and Caicos’ less-visited islands”.

Last November, Experience Turks and Caicos hosted a group of five Canadian travel writers on a familiarization trip. The group visited Providenciales and South Caicos, and experienced the luxury of Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort.

That visit resulted in a four-page spread in the March issue of Châtelaine Magazine, a leading French-Canadian women’s publication popular in Quebec. In the feature, “L’archipel du lâcher-prise (The Archipelago of Letting Go)”, writer Philippe Lépine explores the beauty, luxury, and spirit of the islands. From indulgent dining experiences to the discovery of a candle at Island Organics that transforms into massage oil, the article paints a vivid picture of relaxation and discovery.  Reflecting on the Island Fish Fry, Lépine writes, “People eat, talk loudly, dance, and leave satisfied, with light hearts and, no doubt, a lovely creation found at one of the kiosks run by a local artisan.”

Writer Tim Johnson, also part of that group, chronicled his experience in South Caicos in the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest-circulation daily. In his article title “A Sleepy Caribbean Dream”, he highlighted the flourishing wildlife, excellent diving and pristine waters.

Continue Reading

News

Flow TCI supports ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ at Inter-Primary Track and Field Championships  

Published

on

Turks and Caicos Islands (March 25, 2026) — Fresh off an impressive high school track and field season, the Turks and Caicos Islands celebrated another outstanding showcase of young talent at the 2026 Inter-Primary Track and Field Championships, held March 18 to 20 at the Turks and Caicos Islands National Stadium.

The three-day event brought together enthusiastic students, coaches, parents, and supporters from across the islands, all eager to cheer on the next generation of athletes as they demonstrated their skills on the national stage.

As the Official Media Sponsor, leading telecoms provider Flow proudly built on the momentum of February’s Inter-High Championships, ensuring the accomplishments of the nation’s youngest athletes were streamed live via social media and broadcast on Flow TV’s Channel 111. This comprehensive coverage allowed family members, alumni, and sports fans near and far to follow the action in real time, giving the athletes added visibility and recognition for their hard work.

Despite challenging weather conditions, the junior athletes delivered three days of grit, sportsmanship, and record-breaking performances – strong indicators of a bright future for the country’s athletic development.

Flow further supported the event by keeping the stadium connected through the provision of broadband services and by participating in trivia intermissions, where several lucky attendees won Flow gift cards.

Carlencia Lightbourne, Senior Marketing Specialist, Flow Turks and Caicos, presented silverware and awards, along with Flow-branded merchandise bags to the winners of Flow’s headlined 200-meter races.

“Our partnership with the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission is built on a shared vision for the advancement of our youth, and witnessing the determination and resilience these primary school athletes displayed has been truly inspiring,” said Joanne Missick, Country Manager, Flow Turks and Caicos.

“We are proud to provide the infrastructure and platforms that showcase their hard work and encourage the next generation to chase excellence.”

Continue Reading

News

ISU Community Caravan Delivers Essential Services to Granny Hill North

Published

on

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 25 March 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) successfully hosted its Community Outreach Caravan on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Messenger Baptist Church in Five Cays, delivering a range of essential services to residents of the Granny Hill North informal settlement and surrounding communities.

This latest engagement marks the fifth Community Caravan executed by the ISU, and the fourth held in Providenciales, with one Caravan being conducted in Grand Turk. The initiative forms part of the Unit’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community relationships while improving access to vital support services within informal settlements.

Residents who attended the event benefited from a range of services provided through a collaborative effort with key partners, including the Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit, the Primary Healthcare Department and the Dental Unit, all of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, the Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross, Menzies Optometry, the Rotary Club of Providenciales, and the TCI Diabetic Association. Services delivered included health screenings and checks, oral health education and products, and the distribution of essential home supplies such as bedding and fabric blinds. In addition, residents received vital eye health and diet and exercise education to help improve health outcomes.

The ISU extends sincere appreciation to the clergy and congregants of Messenger Baptist Church for their exceptional hospitality and unwavering support in facilitating the event. Their contributions, both prior to and during the exercise, played a critical role in ensuring its success.

Gratitude is also extended to the residents of Granny Hill North and all participating partners whose collaboration and engagement contributed to a meaningful and impactful outreach effort.

The Community Caravan initiative is closely aligned with the ISU’s broader Social Needs Assessment Survey, which continues to serve as a key mechanism for understanding the realities faced by residents in informal communities. The survey is designed to capture detailed information on living conditions, access to essential services, public health concerns, and infrastructure needs, ensuring that future interventions are data-driven and responsive to community priorities. 

Trained social surveyors have been deployed within the Granny Hill North community to conduct household-level assessments as part of this ongoing initiative. Residents are encouraged to participate, as their input will directly inform future planning, policy development, and targeted support programmes aimed at building safer and more sustainable communities.

The ISU remains committed to working alongside communities and partners to deliver impactful initiatives that improve quality of life and support long-term development across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING