PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands : The Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture proudly concluded its highly impactful series of Parent Training Workshops across the islands, aimed at empowering parents with the skills and knowledge needed to support children with special educational needs. These workshops represent a significant step in building stronger partnerships between families and the education system while fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding.

Held on Grand Turk, North Caicos, and South Caicos, these interactive sessions provided parents with valuable insights into identifying and addressing their children’s unique needs. The sessions were hosted by the speech-language pathologist and behavioural analyst of the SENS department. Topics included behaviour management strategies, communication techniques, and resources available to enhance their children’s learning and development.

Director of Special Education, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, emphasised the importance of these workshops, stating, “Parents are their children’s first and most influential teachers. By equipping them with the tools they need, we empower not only the children but entire families. This series of workshops demonstrates our department’s commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and excellence in special education.”

The workshops saw robust participation, with attendees expressing gratitude for the practical advice, hands-on activities, and opportunities to connect with other parents and professionals. Parents in South Caicos especially shared their enthusiasm, highlighting how these sessions gave them renewed confidence to support their children’s educational journey.

The Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, praised the initiative, stating, “This program highlights our government’s unwavering commitment to education for all. These workshops are a testament to the power of collaboration between parents, educators, and the community to ensure that children with special needs receive the support they deserve.

This initiative is part of the department’s broader efforts to ensure no child is left behind. Over the past year, the Department of Special Education has served over 250 children through therapy, assessments, and camps, hosted eight professional teams for screenings and evaluations, and transformed the SNAP Center into a thriving educational hub.

The department thanks all stakeholders, facilitators, and parents who made this series of workshops a resounding success. Together, we are paving the way for a more inclusive future where every child can thrive.

For more information about the Department of Special Education and upcoming initiatives, please contact sens@gov.tc.

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE,

INVESTMENT AND TRADE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 3 December 2024: The Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade is pleased to announce significant progress in the approval process for the Cost-of-Living Relief Programme. As of 11:00 PM on Saturday, 30 November 2024, we have successfully processed the initial batch of applications. Our team has worked diligently to ensure that applicants receive the support they need, and we are committed to maintaining transparency throughout this process.

It is important to note that applications are randomly distributed for approval, with the processing team having no control over the order of approvals. This impartial method ensures fairness and equal opportunity for all applicants. The designated portal manages the distribution of applications, facilitating a streamlined approval process.

The following statistics reflect the engagement from various islands up to 11:00 PM on Saturday, 30 November 2024. Overall, the program received a significant number of applications, with a total of 15,614 submitted. Of these, 5,019 applications have been processed in the first batch, representing an overall approval rate of 32.1%. Please note that the overall total includes duplicates, and as a result, the final total may be lower.

The Ministry would like to inform approved applicants that cheque distribution will commence on Wednesday, 4 December 2024 using a batch system. A list of approved applicants will be provided for each batch. The lists will also be accessible via www.gov.tc.

For the payment schedule, approved applications will be paid on the following dates: Batch 1 – 4^th December, Batch 2 – 11^th December and Batch 3 – 18^th December, 2024. All approved applicants will be paid no later than 20^th December 2024.

Cheques will be available for collection across the islands at the following locations: The Treasury on Providenciales, St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Dillon Hall on Grand Turk, and the Sub-treasuries on South Caicos and North Caicos.

Collection hours have been established for the convenience of applicants, with cheques available Monday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and on Fridays from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

Please be advised that cheques are for in-person collection only. There will be no deposits to any bank accounts for the Cost-of-Living Relief Programme. To collect cheques, applicants must present their reference number along with a valid form of identification at the time of collection.

For relief recipients who are disabled or confined to their home (in Turks & Caicos Islands), the Treasury will provide a cheque delivery service. To utilise this facility, approved applicants or his or her representative are asked to make a written request, for the delivery of the cheque to colreliefsupport@gov.tc.

The request must include the following:

• a copy of the approved applicant Government Issued ID
• application number
• phone number and
• address for the cheque to be delivered.

Please be aware that once issued, cheques are valid for six (6) months from the printed date. After 20^th June 2025, any uncollected cheques will be voided and cancelled. Lost or stale-dated cheques will not be reissued.

We encourage all applicants to stay informed and seek any assistance needed during this process. For further inquiries, please contact colreliefsupport@gov.tc.

The Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade strives to ensure that every eligible applicant can access the relief grant, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this significant endeavour.

Click here to view the list of approved COLR Batch 1 applicants: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lTFsjde6F1QphjxfGsgwyFYHHRhvw4A0/view?usp=sharing

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – December 3rd, 2024 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands (Invest TCI) remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth through its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Programme. This flagship initiative has proven to be a cornerstone of local business development, providing critical financial support, technical assistance, and customs duty concessions to bolster entrepreneurship.

Programme Highlights

Since its inception in 2016, the MSME Programme has committed over $3.66 million, with $1.58 million disbursed as of March 2023, benefiting 180 MSMEs in priority sectors such as tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and public transportation. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, the programme supported over 50 projects, distributing $861,000 in cash grants, $159,180 in technical assistance, and $325,100 in customs duty concessions as highlighted in the MSME Annual Report 2023- 2024.

The MSME programme has recently expanded to include new priority sectors, increasing the total number of priority sectors to 16, thus enhancing its relevance and ability to address the evolving needs of the local economy. With a strong focus on inclusivity and accessibility, the program ensures that Turks and Caicos Islanders remain its sole beneficiaries.

While Providenciales continues to be the largest recipient of program funds, reflecting its role as a key economic hub, significant support has also been extended to other islands such as Grand Turk, North Caicos, and South Caicos. This underscores the programme’s far-reaching economic impact across the archipelago, fostering growth and development throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Commitment to Governance and Transparency

Invest TCI continues to place transparency and governance at the forefront of its MSME Programme. A multi-sectoral committee meets monthly to evaluate proposals and make recommendations to the Minister of Finance, Investment, Trade, and Public Policy for approval.

In alignment with the MSME Development Ordinance 2015, the programme enforces strict monitoring and evaluation measures. Currently, 153 concession orders are actively monitored, with annual inspections conducted over a five-year period. These efforts ensure compliance and effective utilization of benefits, with over half of the supported projects remaining actively operational, underscoring the programme’s role in strengthening local businesses and economic resilience.

Streamlining the Application Process

Invest TCI has simplified the MSME application process to enhance accessibility and efficiency. Entrepreneurs can now complete a streamlined single-page online form, allowing applicants to submit their supporting documents digitally, and schedule consultations with MSME team members.

All approvals are published in the Government Gazette, and programme updates are shared across Invest TCI’s digital platforms, ensuring stakeholders are informed of progress and opportunities. Stakeholders are encouraged to follow Invest TCI on social media for timely updates and announcements.

Driving Results and Future Expansions

A recently concluded Impact Study, completed in July 2024 and based on the OECD DAC framework, evaluated the MSME Programme’s effectiveness. The study revealed that 74% of beneficiaries experienced enhanced sales, improved product development, and job creation, underscoring the programme’s transformative impact.

With 91.4% of allocated funds committed in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the programme demonstrates strong resource allocation. Recommendations from the study will guide future operations, address disbursement bottlenecks, and enhance technical support.

Invest TCI’s proactive measures to expand programme capacity include increasing staffing to enhance monitoring and improve service delivery. The agency has also advocated for additional funding to support its growing roster of MSMEs.

Looking Ahead

Invest TCI is advancing its Business Linkages Policy to strengthen relationships between small businesses and larger enterprises, creating a cohesive ecosystem of shared success. By emphasizing governance, accessibility, and strategic growth, the MSME Programme continues to empower local entrepreneurs, bolster economic resilience, and ensure the benefits of development remain within the Turks and Caicos Islands. Entrepreneurs and businesses are encouraged to visit Invest TCI’s MSME webpage to learn more about the programme and follow Invest TCI on social media for regular updates and opportunities.