Existing 2015 rates remain in effect following public pushback at town hall meeting

Turks and Caicos, May 12, 2026 – Businesses across the Turks and Caicos Islands now have until May 31, 2026, to complete payment of their business licence fees under the existing 2015 fee structure, after the government quietly stepped back from proposed increases which had triggered strong public concern earlier this year.

The clarification came in a March 30 notice issued by the Inland Revenue Department following a government town hall meeting held in Providenciales, where residents and business owners sharply questioned the scale of proposed fee hikes, particularly for smaller Family Island operators.

In the notice announcing the commencement of the 2026 business licence renewal period, government confirmed:

“The existing fee structure implemented in March 2015 will remain in effect.”

Businesses renewing during the April 1 to April 30 application period will therefore continue paying under the current rate schedule while government reviews broader proposed amendments to the licensing framework.

Under the renewal arrangement, businesses are expected to submit applications during April, with payments due by May 31.

The issue had become increasingly contentious after details surfaced of substantial proposed increases affecting several business categories.

During the Providenciales town hall meeting, North Caicos businesswoman Rosemary Jolly publicly challenged the proposed hikes, arguing they would disproportionately impact businesses in North and Middle Caicos where economic growth and infrastructure continue to lag behind Providenciales.

Jolly highlighted examples including:

• property management fees proposed to rise from $750 to $1,000,
• small auto dealership fees jumping from $1,350 to $5,000,
• and car wash licence fees increasing from $125 to $500.

At the same meeting, Premier and Finance Minister Charles Washington Misick defended the broader review process, noting that the business licence framework had not undergone comprehensive revision since 2015 and arguing the changes were intended to modernize the system and better align fees with current economic realities.

The Premier also pointed to the absence of direct taxation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, describing business licence fees as one of government’s primary mechanisms for collecting public revenue from commercial activity.

Still, the latest Inland Revenue Department notice strongly suggests stakeholder concerns influenced government’s approach.

“The Government continues to consider stakeholder feedback and is working on amendments to the Business Licensing framework,” the March 30 statement said.

Further details on future changes are expected following completion of the legislative process.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

Territory to enter capital markets despite strong reserves and zero-debt reputation

Turks and Caicos, May 12, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands is preparing to borrow approximately US$360 million through the global capital markets, a landmark financial move unveiled by Premier and Finance Minister Hon. Charles Washington Misick during a high-level investment address in London.

The borrowing programme — equal to more than half of the country’s recently approved roughly US$550 million national budget — signals one of the most consequential fiscal shifts in modern Turks and Caicos history.

The announcement came during the Caribbean Council Annual Reception at the House of Lords on May 6, where Misick addressed UK investors, diplomats and business leaders on the territory’s economic future and investment strategy.

The Premier described the borrowing as part of a “medium-term borrowing program – the first in over a decade” aimed at financing infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education and the digitisation of government services.

Importantly, this was not the first indication of government’s intentions.

In April, during debate in the House of Assembly ahead of the Easter holiday weekend, Misick unexpectedly signaled that the country was preparing to enter the capital markets and confirmed government had already begun seeking a debt advisor to structure the borrowing arrangements.

“We can’t have a platinum credit card… and have no debt,” the Premier told Parliament at the time, arguing that the country’s strong financial position should now be leveraged to address long-standing national needs.

That early disclosure came with little public consultation and immediately raised questions about the scale and timing of the proposed borrowing.

Now, in London, the Premier has put hard numbers behind the vision.

The US$360 million financing proposal comes despite Turks and Caicos continuing to boast one of the strongest fiscal positions in the Caribbean region, including no existing public debt, approximately US$430 million in reserves and an “A-minus” sovereign credit rating with a positive outlook.

“By selectively leveraging its stellar credit profile, TCI aims to optimize its balance sheet,” Misick said in the London address, while insisting the territory would remain within “strict fiscal guardrails.”

The Premier told the London audience the borrowing would help fund:

• infrastructure expansion,
• housing access,
• healthcare,
• education,
• digitisation initiatives,
• fibre connectivity,
• national ID systems,
• and other major public investments.

The speech strongly suggests government is now transitioning from a conservative savings model toward a more aggressive development financing strategy designed to accelerate modernization and economic diversification.

Misick also emphasized that Turks and Caicos is now seeking more selective investment partnerships, stating:
“We are no longer simply welcoming capital; we are curating it.”

While no lender or financing institution was publicly identified, the London presentation appears aimed at positioning the territory before international financial markets and institutional investors as government prepares to formally pursue the borrowing initiative.

The World Bank is headquartered in Washington DC, not London, though London remains one of the world’s largest global financial centres and a key hub for sovereign financing, institutional investors and international banking.

The proposed borrowing plan is expected to spark significant national discussion, particularly as residents continue raising concerns over infrastructure delays, digitisation setbacks, cost-of-living pressures and government execution capacity.

Still, the Premier argued the country can no longer afford delay.

The message from London was clear:

Turks and Caicos intends to use its financial strength not simply to preserve stability — but to finance transformation.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – 7 May 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) has achieved ISO 9001:2015 Certification, marking a defining and historic milestone for both the institution and the nation.

TCICC is now the first organisation in the Turks and Caicos Islands to be certified to this internationally recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standard. While three other organisations within the country hold ISO certifications in different standards, TCICC stands as the first and only organisation to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, the global benchmark for quality management and continuous improvement.

This achievement positions TCICC not only as a national leader, but as a forward-thinking institution deliberately building a future grounded in excellence, accountability, and global relevance.

A Defining Moment in Institutional and National Transformation

ISO 9001:2015 certification affirms that TCICC operates with structured, measurable, and continuously improving systems that ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality academic and administrative services.

This milestone is the result of a rigorous, institution-wide transformation that has strengthened:

• Consistency and quality of academic and administrative services
• Student and stakeholder satisfaction
• Operational efficiency and transparency
• Risk management and compliance frameworks
• Evidence-based, data-driven decision-making

More than a certification, this achievement reflects a disciplined commitment to excellence and reinforces TCICC’s role as a catalyst for human capital development and national progress.

Excellence in Execution: An Institution-Wide Achievement

The certification was led by the College’s Quality Assurance Unit under the leadership of Mrs. Venessa Buchanan-Williams, whose strategic direction and disciplined execution were instrumental in achieving this milestone.

Supported by a cross-functional team of process owners across all divisions, the initiative represented a truly institution-wide effort. From academic affairs to student services, human resources, finance, IT, marketing, and operations, every unit contributed to embedding a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Mrs. Buchanan-Williams, Quality Assurance Manager and Project Lead, stated:

“ISO 9001:2015 required more than documentation. It required transformation. It challenged us to examine how we work, how we serve, and how we improve. What we have built is not a system for certification, but a system for sustained excellence.”

Leadership Perspective: Excellence by Design

Dr. Candice Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of TCICC, described the achievement as a transformational milestone:

“This is not simply the attainment of a certification. It is the institutionalisation of excellence. At TCICC, we have made a deliberate decision that quality will not be incidental; it will be engineered, measured, and continuously improved. Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification signals to our students, partners, and the nation that TCICC is operating at internationally recognised standards, while remaining deeply committed to national development. As we advance our vision of becoming the first choice for education and training in the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond, this milestone ensures that our foundation is not only strong, but globally competitive.”

Governance Commitment to Quality and Accountability

Chair of the TCICC Board of Governors, Mrs. Sheba Wilson, highlighted the governance perspective:

“The Board remains committed to ensuring that TCICC operates with the highest levels of accountability, transparency, and excellence. Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification as the first organisation in the Turks and Caicos Islands to do so is a clear demonstration that the College is not only meeting expectations, but setting new benchmarks for institutional quality within the region.”

National Recognition and Government Endorsement

The Honourable Rachel Marshall Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, commended the College:

“This achievement represents a significant step forward for the Turks and Caicos Islands. TCICC has demonstrated that our national institutions can operate at the highest international standards. As the first organisation in the country to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, the College is setting a powerful precedent for quality, accountability, and excellence across all sectors. This milestone strengthens confidence in our education system and underscores TCICC’s vital role in developing the human capital needed to drive national growth and competitiveness.”

Embedding a Culture of Continuous Improvement

ISO 9001:2015 is not an endpoint; it is a framework for sustained excellence. Through its Quality Management System, TCICC will continue to:

• Conduct structured internal audits and management reviews
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks
• Enhance stakeholder satisfaction through responsive service delivery
• Strengthen governance and accountability mechanisms
• Drive innovation in teaching, learning, and institutional operations

This ensures the College remains agile, responsive, and future-ready in an evolving global education landscape.

Positioning TCICC for the Future

As the first organisation in the Turks and Caicos Islands to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, TCICC is strategically positioned to:

• Expand regional and international partnerships
• Increase student enrolment and stakeholder confidence
• Enhance global competitiveness
• Lead national dialogue on quality assurance and institutional excellence

This milestone demonstrates that TCICC is actively shaping the future of education and institutional excellence in the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond.