Turks and Caicos, March 18, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Statistics Authority is highlighting the importance of reliable economic data following the release of its latest Trade Statistics Bulletin, which shows the country recorded approximately $227 million in imports during the fourth quarter of 2025.

The detailed report provides a clear breakdown of where goods entering the Turks and Caicos Islands are coming from, the types of products being imported, and the revenue generated from trade-related activity. The figures offer valuable insight into the level of economic activity across the country and the continued demand driven by tourism, construction, and consumer spending.

According to the bulletin, the United States remained by far the largest supplier of goods, accounting for more than $200 million in imports during the quarter. This represents the majority of all goods entering the Turks and Caicos Islands and reflects the territory’s long-standing dependence on U.S. markets for food, fuel, machinery, building materials, and consumer products.

The Dominican Republic was the second largest source of imports, supplying just over $4.1 million in goods, while The Bahamas ranked third, with approximately $1.8 million in imports recorded for the period. The report also noted increasing trade with countries such as China, Panama, Switzerland, Poland, and India, showing that businesses continue to expand their supply networks beyond traditional partners.

In terms of the types of goods being imported, the bulletin shows strong activity in categories such as food and live animals, mineral fuels, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, and chemicals, all of which are essential to supporting the tourism industry, infrastructure development, and everyday life in the islands.

The report also tracks revenue collected from international trade, including fuel tax, customs processing fees, and motor vehicle licensing, providing another measure of economic performance during the quarter.

Officials say the quarterly Trade Statistics Bulletin is an important tool for government, businesses, and the public, offering accurate information presented through clear tables, charts, and graphics that make complex data easier to understand.

For a small, import-dependent economy like the Turks and Caicos Islands, access to reliable statistics remains critical. By continuing to publish detailed trade reports, the Statistics Authority helps ensure that decisions about growth, investment, and development are based on sound information.

Turks and Caicos Islands is seeing increased attention on maritime security and regional defence cooperation, with Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam leading a series of national security engagements aimed at strengthening the territory’s ability to monitor and protect its waters.

In recent days, the Governor hosted the Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, during an official visit which focused on regional collaboration, leadership and maritime awareness.

According to the Governor’s Office, the meeting explored opportunities for closer cooperation among defence and security institutions, including training partnerships and improved coordination across the Caribbean.

Vice Admiral Wemyss-Gorman, who made history in 2022 as the first woman to serve as head of the Jamaica Defence Force, was described as a trailblazer in international military leadership, with more than three decades of service and multiple national honours. Her visit underscored what officials called the importance of shared responsibility in confronting modern security threats in the region.

The engagement comes as Turks and Caicos continues to place growing emphasis on maritime enforcement, particularly as illegal migration, trafficking and transnational crime remain major concerns across the region.

Just days later, the Governor also oversaw a specialised inter-agency maritime security training programme conducted with the support of INTERPOL.

The exercise brought together personnel from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, Border Force, Fisheries Protection and the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Officials said the training focused on strengthening operational readiness and improving coordination among agencies responsible for protecting the territory’s maritime domain. Participants reviewed maritime law, examined regional threat trends and worked through scenario-based exercises designed to simulate real incidents at sea.

The programme forms part of the work of the National Security Council, which falls under the responsibility of the Governor under the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution, where national security remains a reserved matter for the United Kingdom.

Authorities say the ongoing training and regional partnerships are intended to build stronger enforcement capability and ensure agencies can respond collectively to increasingly complex security challenges across the islands’ vast ocean territory.

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 18 March 2026: With enforcement initiatives ongoing for 2026, the Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to report that 90% of tourism accommodation properties were registered in 2025.  Using data from AirDNA, approximately 1,300 properties were identified across Turks and Caicos, with over 1,200 now accounted for in the Department’s licensing system.

The initiative was led by Quality Assurance Officer Donessia Skippings and Regulations Specialist Sasha Arthur, who coordinated the preparation and distribution of enforcement letters nationwide and managed the inspection schedule for Accommodation Controllers Kevin Lightbourne, Claudenise Jean, and Patral Handfield. The team carried out the enforcement drive while maintaining their regular responsibilities for licensing tourism accommodation properties.

The Department first notified the public of the Enforcement Letter Initiative in July 2025, as part of its mandate to uphold tourism standards and enforce a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance with the Tourism Regulations Ordinance 2023. The initiative has resulted in a significant increase in registered properties, rising from 50% compliance the previous year to 90% in 2025.

Tourism Accommodation Inspectors and Controllers are trained to assess factors that enhance the guest experience in line with international tourism quality standards. The inspection process ensures that properties meet key safety and service criteria, helping to prevent situations where a visitor’s experience could be compromised due to missing or inadequate amenities. For example, proper pool safety signage helps reduce the risk of guest injuries. Compliance also contributes to the broader development of Turks and Caicos, as fees collected support infrastructure development and the maintenance of government assets.

By partnering with the Department of Tourism Regulations, property owners help strengthen the tourism product and reinforce the reputation of Turks and Caicos as a trusted destination, giving stakeholders confidence when welcoming visitors and assuring them that their properties meet the standards approved by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

Director Avi Adams, commenting on the success of the initiative, stated: “I commend the responsiveness of those who have received letters and taken the necessary steps to become licensed. Your cooperation is vital in safeguarding our tourism industry and preserving it for future generations. Enforcement continues in 2026; we encourage property owners and managers to renew their licenses promptly to avoid fines or legal action. We look forward to seeing even stronger compliance numbers in the year ahead.”

“Achieving 90% compliance in accommodation registration is a significant milestone for the Turks and Caicos Islands and is a clear indication that our enforcement efforts are working and that accountability is strengthening across the sector. We will continue to take a firm but fair approach to enforcement, as maintaining standards is essential to protecting the integrity and global reputation of the Turks and Caicos tourism industry.”