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THE PEOPLE’S TERM!

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#TurksandCaicos, June 30, 2021 – Mr. Speaker, having heard the Hon. Premier’ presentation of the 2020/21 Appropriation Bill, I am indeed proud to be a part of this team Of People Centered Government. The desire as expressed by our Premier to move our people from poverty to prosperity is actualized in this budget. And why Mr. Speaker is this so. It is so because people are central to the economic and social development of our country. Mr. Speaker, there is a symbiotic relationship between economic development and social development; the Premier has demonstrated this.

And Mr. Speaker, as I listened attentively to our Hon. Premier, I heard ‘people’ mentioned at least 20 times throughout the presentation. What does this mean Mr. Speaker? It means that the People’s Term is here. It means that this Government led by the Hon. Premier is committed to the words of wisdom found in Proverbs 23:7 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act.” It simply means Mr. Speaker to treat others right.

As I said Mr. Speaker, the Premier has demonstrated that this government is on its mission to do right by our people. Let us for a moment Mr. Speaker look at all the right things that have been done for the people of our country.

A FEW LIST HERE
Mr. Speaker: Our Government Droped a 15 million Stimulus Grant after few days coming yo office. We paid $1000.00 to every TCI & BOTC 18 years and older. More Good News Mr. Speaker, The People now have up to September 1, 2021 to collect their cheques.. WE COME FOR THIS WORK!! PNP.

Mr. Speaker: Our Government approved write-off interest and penalties on Outstanding Contributions for NIB & NHIB up to February 28, 2021.

Mr. Speaker: Our Government approved the waiver of Outstanding Customs Warehouse Rent up to March 31, 2021.

Mr. Speaker: Two weeks in Offic, Our Government removed Import Tariffs from all Essential Supplies used for Sanitation, Hygiene and Safety Purposes, including PPE’s for a period of six months. Starting March 2021 – September 2021.

Mr. Speaker: If You’re A Homemaker, A Farmer, A Doctor, A Taxi Driver, A Fisherman or Hotel.. Our Government Will Not Leave You Behind.

Mr.Speaker: Oh..If You’re A Youth, University Student or Young Business Person in this Country. This Government Will Not Leave You Behind..

Mr. Speaker: This Government in this 2021/22 has made spending on Infrastructure and the Social Development of this Country and PEOPLE TOP PRIORITIES.

Mr. Speaker, I mentioned the symbiotic relationship between social and economic development. Let me turn now to the social and economic aspects in this budget. Mr. Speaker, social development is about improving the well being of every individual in society so they can reach their full potential. 

Ø  It means investing in people; 
Ø  it means giving our people a good sound education where innovation and creativity are nurtured (support this with some numbers from the budget)
Ø  It means releasing our people from the grips of poverty by ensuring the creation of quality jobs that support decent standards of living;
Ø  It means ensuring that our young and innovative population have the opportunity to become entrepreneurs on the path to success and inclusion in the wealth of this country. As our Deputy continue to say, so that they can live their best lives here.

Conclusion 

Mr. Speaker, The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said 
“Economic development cannot take a nation forward on its own. We need a society and economy which complement each other. We need to take care of the poor, deprived and left behind sections of society.”

You will find Mr. Speaker representations of this in this budget. Mr. Speaker, this government did not run its campaign on promise. It entered into a binding Social Contract with the people of this country. This budget reflects that commitment. I lend my unwavering support to this budget. 
May God continue to direct and guide the leadership of our dear country and bless this beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands. 

HON.SHAUN DAVID MALCOLM

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USA Caribbean Investment Forum: Partnering for Sustained Development in the Caribbean 2023 Event Recap

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The USA Caribbean Investment Forum took place over two days last week at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square. The event, hosted by the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) in partnership with representatives of the CARICOM Consular Corps (namely, the Consulates General of Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Antigua & Barbuda), brought together government officials, investment promotion agencies, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from the Caribbean diaspora to connect, engage in thoughtful discussions, and explore investment opportunities throughout the Caribbean.

Fostering International Collaboration

The event featured distinguished speakers and representatives from both the US and Caribbean governments. Consuls General Mr. Mackie Holder (Barbados), Mr. Jerome Andre Laveau (Trinidad & Tobago), and Mr. Rondy McIntosh (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) along with Jeanette Moy, Commissioner of the NYS Office of General Services, Edward Mermelstein, NYC Commissioner of International Affairs, and Molly Bauer, Industry Development Associate from the NY Governor’s Office, shed light on the initiatives that New York City, which is home to so many Caribbean Diaspora, is implementing to support economic collaboration between the regions.

Engaging with Global Leaders

Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister for Tourism & Ports, Cayman Islands, and Chair of Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Hon. E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment, Turks and Caicos Islands delivered insights via keynote speeches and held candid discussions during panel and Q&A sessions. The event served as a unique opportunity to communicate in an open and honest forum with two esteemed leaders from the Caribbean about investing in the region.

Promoting Investment Opportunities

CAIPA welcomed representatives from Invest Barbados, Invest Dominica, Grenada Investment Development Corporation (GIDC), InvesTT (Trinidad and Tobago), Invest Turks and Caicos, St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA), Invest St. Lucia, Invest St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the Bahamas Investment Authority, the Curacao Investment and Export Promotion Agency (CINEX), and the Sint Maarten Ministry of Tourism, Economy, Transport and Telecommunications, to discuss various opportunities for investment in their respective countries and how their agencies support and facilitate potential investors.

Hearing Private Sector Success Stories

Private sector companies including the St. James School of Medicine, Century21 Guyana, Ethniv, and Homestrings joined the forum to discuss their current active projects in the Caribbean.  They detailed how they’ve worked with local governments and institutions to successfully launch and operate their businesses in the Caribbean, along with the potential opportunities for continued growth.

Understanding How Caribbean Financial Institutions Facilitate Investment

The Forum brought together key representatives from Caribbean financial and economic development institutions: IDB Lab (Ms. Magdalena Coronel, Chief Investment Officer), the National Commercial Bank Jamaica LTD (Mr. Jeffrey Brown, Head, Loans Structuring and Syndications), USAID (Mr. Mervyn Farroe, USAID representative for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean), and the Caribbean Development Bank (Ms. Lisa Harding, Private Sector Development Specialist) to detail how these organizations facilitate and support private investment in the Caribbean.

Forging Connections

Attendees had the opportunity to meet directly with CAIPA member countries during business meetings.  These one-on-one conversations were valuable opportunities to speak directly with key stakeholders in order to advance projects and forge direct relationships.

The inaugural USA Caribbean Investment Forum was a great success due to the collaboration and engagement from individuals representing a wide range of sectors, organizations, and countries – all united under the goal of driving economic growth in the Caribbean and taking advantage of the enormous opportunities available in the region.  CAIPA and the representatives of the CARICOM Consular Corps are proud to have facilitated these conversations and supported deepening of relationships with key stakeholders throughout the US and the Caribbean.  We look forward to our next event, which will be held on 6-8 March in Miami (Caribbean Logistics Investment Conference 2024) – focused on attracting investments into logistics and transportation by sea and air as well as e-commerce logistics and industrial logistics parks throughout the Caribbean.  Stay tuned for more details!If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the CAIPA mailing list, please visit: https://www.investincaribbean.org/news-center/sign-up-for-our-newsletter to sign up for our newsletter.

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Babies exposed to Fentanyl at daycare, one dead and Mayor expresses outrage

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

#USA, September 26, 2023 – A New York woman was arrested for murder following the death of a 1-year-old boy at her daycare centre which authorities say was also being used to store illicit drugs.  Grei Mendez was charged with one of her tenants, a male, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, over the shocking incident.

One-year-old Nicholas Dominici died of a suspected fentanyl overdose after being exposed to the drug in the daycare.  In an update from the NYPD via Facebook live, we learned a kilo of fentanyl had been sitting in the same place where the children napped; three other babies reportedly had to be revived with a fentanyl antidote Narcan.

They were all two years old or younger.

Eric Adams, New York City Mayor, was enraged by the incident.  He described it as ‘total madness.’

“Less than the size of a fingernail can kill an adult, so imagine what it would do to a child, you are irresponsible as an adult if you have this inside your home,” he said, “this is probably one of the worst days I’ve had walking into the Bronx– sitting down with those parents– what do you even say?”

Joe Kenny, Chief Detective on the case, revealed that around 2:41 on September 15, they responded to calls of three unconscious children at the licensed daycare centre.  Emergency Medical personnel quickly recognized the symptoms and administered the antidote, saving two lives.  Only two hours earlier, a mother had picked up the fourth child, who began to exhibit symptoms at home.  He was administered Narcan as well.

All the children had fentanyl in their systems.

The accused are facing charges of murder, attempted murder and depraved indifference.

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TWO SEXUAL Assault Cases begin in Providenciales Supreme Court

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, September 26, 2023 – On Monday 25th September 2023 in the Providenciales Supreme Court before her Ladyship Ms. Tanya Lobban Jackson and a seven member Jury to be empaneled, there are TWO sexual assault/rape cases are listed to commence.

TRIAL 1: NICHOLL PRUDHOMME allegation date is on January 17th, 2022. The defendant is represented by Ms. Sheena Mair, who is also on bail.

The reported virtual complainant in this case is an adult in her 20’s.

TRIAL 2: DARROL FORBES allegations totaling six counts linked to alleged sexual abuse of one of his underage daughters.

The incidents, for which Forbes is being tried, range in dates from June 1st to August 31st  in 2020.

Forbes is represented by Keith James and is on bail.

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