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General Elections will go ahead, says Turks and Caicos Governor

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PRESS RELEASE:  On Friday, 19th February, the electorate of the Turks and Caicos Islands go to the polls to select a Government to lead the Territory through the next four years.

I have been advised by the Supervisor of Elections that everything is in place for the election to go ahead. I’ve been advised by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) that there is nothing to stop the election taking place, and I’ve been advised by the Commissioner that the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force can police the election.  Much preparatory and contingency work has gone into this election and their confidence in making their reports to me give me confidence that the election will be free, fair and secure.

This will be an election like none have so far been. It’s taking place at a time of pandemic when there is community spread and when the COVID numbers are high. To prevent those voting, who are either COVID positive or in quarantine, would have undoubtedly significantly impacted the election result, hence the political, health and good governance consensus that their right to vote must be protected and honoured.

To do that you will see changes.  The election workers will be in full PPE and working behind Plexiglas screens.  You, the electorate will be asked to strictly adhere to all the protocols in place, to socially distance and to ensure you spend the minimum amount of time in the vicinity of the polling booth.  The election count will take longer than in the past and so the result will likely be known later than usual. Polls close three hours later in Providenciales than is normal and there are precautions that have to be taken in terms of protecting those involved in the count that will add time.

Elections are quite rightly moments of excitement and expectation but we ask all those participating in the election to be mature, considered and considerate to your fellow citizens. I’d ask the candidates, those actively supporting the candidates and of course their supporters to remember that the population are voting, amongst other things, on who will manage the next phase of the COVID pandemic, so please do not only be responsible, but be seen to be responsible.

The candidates have their agents able to observe the process and I have asked for two different teams of on-the ground election observers to be present in the Islands: CARICOM and the   . Washington DC based ‘International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ are already here and you will see them throughout the Islands tomorrow. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is also conducting a virtual observation of the election. All three will produce reports.  I, myself, intend to visit every Island on election day so I can witness the election first hand.

Two final points. The first in regard to ‘treating’. As the Supervisor of Elections has already made clear, this is an illegal act. If a candidate has offered you a financial or material inducement to vote, for them, at the very least you have been given wonderful evidence of why you should neither trust them, nor vote for them.  If a candidate has attempted to buy your vote you now know that this person: someone who wants to sit in the legislature; someone who the Territory will rely on to pass laws; to scrutinise legislation; to oversee government spending; someone the Territory will rely on to enforce the rules and fund those that do; are quite prepared themselves to break the law.  In the privacy of the polling station don’t vote for someone you know by their actions, rather than their words, are corrupted and corruptible before the next government is even formed.

Finally the overwhelming message is – if you have the vote, then use it.  Those who are Turks and Caicos Islanders are rightly proud of their heritage and a defining part of Turks and Caicos Islanders status is the right to vote.  Don’t be deterred from voting. Many people have worked hard to ensure the right you have, is a right you should be able to exercise and enjoy on 19th February. Every single vote here matters, and if it is cast we will ensure that every single vote is both counted and therefore counts.  

I end by offering my very best wishes to every candidate, be they independent or hold a party affiliation while offering thanks for the amazing amount of work done by those who organised, those who will oversee, administer and assure the election.   

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Crown Land Unit Leads Multi-Agency Enforcement Exercise in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 21st October 2026: The Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise in the Five Cays area of Providenciales on October 8, 2026, as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to address the illegal occupation and unauthorized use of Crown land.

The exercise brought together representatives from the Crown Land Unit, ISU, TCI Border Force and Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Inspections were conducted across several parcels of Crown land in Five Cays, where instances of illegal occupation and unauthorized use had been identified.

During the exercise, a total of seven (7) Section 22 Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance. The notices related to the unauthorized placement of shipping containers and derelict vehicles, as well as the construction of an incomplete concrete structure on Crown land. Where occupants or other responsible persons were not present, notices were affixed to the relevant structures or items.

The exercise forms part of the Crown Land Unit’s continuing efforts to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land and to ensure that instances of unauthorized occupation are identified and appropriately addressed.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds the public that occupying, developing or otherwise using Crown land without lawful authority is an offence under the Crown Land Ordinance. These inspections and enforcement activities form part of a sustained program aimed at safeguarding public lands, discouraging unlawful development and ensuring that Crown land is managed in the best interests of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Crown Land Unit will continue to work closely with the ISU and other partner agencies to identify and address instances of illegal occupation across the Islands. Persons occupying Crown land without authorization are encouraged to comply with all notices issued and to seek guidance from the relevant authorities where necessary.

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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