News
Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos opens in Turks and Caicos with private ribbon cutting
#TurksandCaicos, June 24, 2021 – Everyone speaking at the private ribbon cutting ceremony of Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos believes this resort is going to bring a new level of prosperity to the islands and said so in their remarks. Everyone speaking also had a slew of people to thank because the ahead of schedule completion and opening of the resort has been a long time coming.
From the Premier however, there was more than an excitement about the prospect of prosperity; there was a message with a strong appeal.
“We look forward to the economic benefits that your opening will bring to the Turks and Caicos Islands and appeal to your sense of corporate responsibility to do right by the people of the TCI and our fragile environment by ensuring that they are given every opportunity to excel within your organization, and to ensure that your operational methodology is sensitive to the environment,” said the Premier, Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade.
The brief ceremony held in the lobby of the new hotel was very private and low key. Media had the day before been invited on property for a more intimate exchange; there would be no independent coverage of the event by local media.
According to the media release from the Ritz-Carlton, Walter Gardiner Jr, local developer and broker for the property and Roberto Stipa, from the Hotel Ownership Group, who had gratitude for all three administrations which ushered the project to fruition were on the succinct agenda.
“Our sincere appreciation to the three premiers and cabinet that went through with the project the Honorable Rufus Ewing, the Honorable Sharlene Cartwright and the Honorable Charles Washington Misick.
Roberto also thanked Mr. Walter Gardiner, the shareholders of Hotelco, Marriott International, the construction and contractors team, his family and the local community and the Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos.
“This project would not have been possible because of their dedication, perseverance and expertise we were able to move this project along, completing it during one of the most difficult years”.
On hand for the ribbon cutting yesterday were: Governor Nigel Dakin and his Wife; Deputy Governor – Anya Williams and Mr. Williams; Deputy Premier – E. Jay Saunders; Leader of the Opposition –Edwin Astwood; Minister of Tourism – Josephine Conolly and other House of Assembly and Honorable Government Dignitaries.
The resort’s General Manager, Mr. John Hazard expressed gratitude to the property ownership team, Marriott International, designers from Coleman Partners Architects, as well as the people of Turks and Caicos Islands.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as the General Manager for this idyllic resort and start creating guests for life in this world-class destination,” Hazard stated. “It is an honor to lead this talented team of Ladies and Gentlemen aiming to create memorable experiences, inspire life’s most meaningful journey through The Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards and gracious hospitality leaving indelible marks on all of our guests.”
Cutting the ribbon were the Premier, Walter Gardiner, Robert Stipa, Josephine Connolly and Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos General Manager, John Hazard.
#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – The Integrity Commission advises that the Register of Interests for Members of the Turks and Caicos Islands House of Assembly, as at 31st December 2022 has been completed.
Members of the House of Assembly are required by the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution, Section 103(2), and the Integrity Commission Ordinance (the Ordinance), as amended, Section 52(1), to file with the Commission, Statements of Registrable Interests. The Commission would, therefore, like to inform members of the public that, it
has compiled the information contained in these Statements of Registrable Interests and has produced The Register of Interests 2022 for the Members of the House of Assembly, as at 31st December 2022.
The Register of Interests 2022 is now available for public inspection at the following locations:
- House of Assembly in Grand Turk
- Office of the Premier – Grand Turk and Providenciales
- Office of the Integrity Commission – Grand Turk and Providenciales (during the hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm from Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 4:00pm on Fridays.)
- Office of the District Commissioner – Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Salt Cay and South Caicos.
The Register can be viewed at these locations during normal working hours or at a time that is convenient for the respective offices.
For further information or any assistance please contact the Integrity Commission:
By telephone at: 946-1941(Grand Turk Office) or 941-7847 (Providenciales Office) By e-mail at: secretary@integritycommission.tc or info@integritycommission.tc
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, September 29, 2023 – With moves to deepen ties, governments of The Bahamas and Qatar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to solidify agreements in principle surrounding the development of aviation and other related services.
This is according to Chester Cooper, The Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation in a Facebook post.
This comes after The Bahamas Government in a press release on September 24th, revealed that Cooper, was set to meet with the head of Qatar Airways to have talks regarding “multiple mutually beneficial aviation opportunities for both countries.”
The release also said the deputy prime minister and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation are working on “forging strategic partnerships with several Middle Eastern countries to strengthen ties to The Bahamas and the Caribbean,” and this new signing is indicative of such efforts.
Following the September 25th signing, on September 27th, Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General of Tourism for The Bahamas informed via Facebook some details of the agreement saying, “we have now established a framework for cooperation and formed strategic partnerships with Qatar Airways, Qatar’s Transport, Aviation and Investment Agencies and The Qatar Aeronautical Academy, that will benefit our country.”
Regarding further efforts for the improvement of The Bahamas, Cooper announced on Facebook again on Tuesday September 26th that both countries are working to make Nassau a passenger hub for Latin America and the Caribbean adding that talks are being held for Grand Bahama as a cargo hub.
Additionally, as the press release informed, Cooper is preparing for an on ground visit of Bahamasair domestic operations by Qatar Airways Technical team sometime in October.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#Guyana, September 29, 2023 – Guyana is making moves to become the primary food production center for the Caribbean, going ahead with plans to develop a USD$14 million regional food hub.
In fact, as reported by the Observer, the facility has already been identified on the country’s Soesdyke /Linden Highway.
Guyana seems to really want this to become a reality and Zulfikar Mustapha, Agriculture Minister, expressed this,
highlighting what Guyana has over its Caribbean sister Islands.
“We want Guyana to be the food hub, the primary production hub of the Caribbean so that we could supply the Caribbean. What we have, our colleagues in the Caribbean don’t have. We have arable flat land and abundant fresh water,” he said, adding that with the multi-million dollar US investment, the country can, “modernise the infrastructure, and start ramping up the productions.”
Also, the Agriculture Minister pointed out that the project is geared to make for a more competitive local Agriculture industry as well as developing high-yielding varieties, pest-resistant and climate-resilient varieties.
Additionally, in the facility’s development, Guyana, Mustapha said, will work with Belize.
In fact, with more on Belize’s involvement, Dr. Ashni Singh, Finance Minister, informed that the Government is in talks with the Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley about sourcing inputs from northern Brazil and transporting them through Guyana to Barbados and vice versa.
Singh also reportedly revealed that the project will help develop the growing logistics industry in Guyana.
Considering regional food import cost, with this development, Guyana is the leading Caribbean Community country pushing ahead with plans to reduce the multi-billion dollar regional food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025, the Observer says.
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