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.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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