News
‘Consumer is King’, a first effort by the TCI Department of Trade launched on Monday
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, December 7, 2021 – To a room of retailers and commercial business owners, the government minister with responsibility for Finance, Investment and Trade made a bullish statement and it forecasts the potential future of Turks and Caicos consumerism.
“I don’t want to see where people say uhhh it’s pretty good for the Caribbean, I want them to say it’s pretty good
period. The service that you get here shouldn’t be watered down because you’re in the Caribbean.”
The charge came from Finance Minister. E.Jay Saunders at the launch of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s ‘Consumer is King’ campaign on Monday.
The campaign which is now in full swing with a visit to Grand Turk planned for today (December 7) and visits to North and Middle Caicos planned for Wednesday aims to educate TCI citizens about their rights under the Consumer Protection Ordinance.
Deputy Premier, E. Jay Saunders said one of his goals for the TCI was to get consumer standards on the islands on par with those in North America and the UK. During his address, he expressed how difficult it was to do something as simple as buying a laptop online.
He said. “There is a distinct gap between the ‘haves’ in North America and ‘have-nots’, us in the Caribbean but as consumers, we want the same things …That is why consumer protection is important…this is the step towards getting our standards to where they [North America] are.”
He says it was his hope that through the Department of Trade, Turks and Caicos consumers would experience ‘no difference’ in the quality of service available to them in stores on the island in comparison to those worldwide.
He cited the Department as ‘instrumental in educating Turks and Caicos consumers about their rights.
Lisandra Colley, the Director of the Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition also spoke at the event. Ms. Colley debuted the campaign’s new tagline ‘Consumer Protection is Everybody’s business’ and reminded islanders that this was more than a tagline.
“The campaign aims to promote dialogue on the impact and application of the Ordinance, prevent unfair and misleading practices in the marketplace and to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable members of our community,” she stated at the opening, which was held at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
The director said the launch was not a one-off event, telling the attendees that, “This is a continuous campaign until every resident in the TCI is aware.”
Following the declaration, Colley announced the next phase in the government’s bid to make Turks and Caicos residents more aware, is a cross-country awareness initiative.
The initiative which is in Grand Turk today will run from December 7th to 10th and aims to impart information about the ordinance to consumers one on one. She announced North and Middle Caicos as the next stop on December 8th, South Caicos on December 9th, and the Providenciales on December 10th.
The Department’s efforts did not end there.
They also hope to reach their goal by educating a ‘large majority of islanders’ by distributing small bites of information about the ordinance using ‘Did you Know’ across different types of media.
A jingle competition for TCI high school students will also be held early next year in a bid to make the information as accessible as possible and further engage parents noting that, “When students have access to information, parents by default have to learn something from it.”
Director Colley expressed the hope that attendees would have been enlightened by the launch and charged them to share what was learned with their customers, staff and constituents across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In attendance and helping to open the Consumer is King campaign, were Washington Misick, TCI Premier; Nigel Dakin, TCI Governor and executive members of the Turks and Caicos Chamber of Commerce.
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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