News
“Bite greater than the Bark” says Deputy Premier as TCI put on Grey List
By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, March 22, 2022 – The Turks and Caicos Islands is back on the EU Grey List as a non-cooperative tax jurisdiction along with several other Caribbean countries, including two which are in an even more precarious category; the black list.
E. Jay Saunders, the TCI’s Deputy Premier said however, this is an unfair characterization when he made the reveal last week about the listing in the House of Assembly.
“What happens when a country is on put on the list of Non-Cooperative jurisdictions Mr. Speaker? Well according to the European Council website, its member states “will act together to put pressure for reform”. Mr. Speaker, as I am sure you’re aware, this is one of those rare times when the bite is greater than the bark,” said the Minister in parliament.
He also acknowledged that the list is not a desirable place for any country and has vowed to get the Turks and Caicos out the unfavourable category.
“Mr. Speaker, as the guardian of the financial services sector, I am pleased to say to the people of the Turks & Caicos Islands, especially those who work in financial services, that one country that is not on the list is the Turks & Caicos Islands. Mr. Speaker, jurisdictions that do not yet comply with all the EU international tax standards, but have committed to reform, are included in a state of play document (Annex II). This is the list that the Turks & Caicos Islands is currently on, and I’m happy to say that once a jurisdiction meets all its commitments, it is removed from the annexes, and this is what we’re aiming to achieve.”
The ‘EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes’ identifies non-EU countries that “encourage abusive tax practices which erodes member states corporate tax revenues.
According to several published reports, the Turks and Caicos has not ‘remedied failures of meeting one or more of the requisite standards within a specific timeline’ landing them on Annex ll of the list.
The KPMG report on February 28th confirmed that The Bahamas, TCI and others were added to this list since February 4.
The Turks and Caicos was last gray listed in May 2018 for ‘the existence of tax regimes that facilitate offshore structures which attract profits without real economic activity. The situation was then rectified in 2019 by former Premier and Finance Minister, Sharlene Robinson who, in a statement said she had worked with stakeholders to avoid this negative listing and country was removed.
Now the TCI is back to this unattractive place for financial services and business practices.
“Mr. Speaker, the EU has a program to address what they deem as “harmful tax practices” by countries. The EU aim is to have countries comply with a set of “objective tax good governance criteria, which include tax transparency, fair taxation and implementation of international standards designed to prevent tax base erosion and profit shifting.”
Mr. Speaker, on the 24 February 2022, the European Council ruled on the revised EU list of Non-Cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Countries on the list are described as encouraging “…abusive tax practices, which erode [EU] member states’ corporate tax revenues”. What happens when a country is on put on the list of Non-Cooperative jurisdictions Mr. Speaker? Well according to the European Council website, its member states “will act together to put pressure for reform”.
The Deputy Premier stopped short of saying the country was on the grey-list, but did offer the assurance that the TCI is committed to reform.
“I want to take this time to congratulate the Ministry of Finance team, particularly Mr. Henry Saunders, Director, Financial Transactions Information Exchange, and his team; and the PS of Finance, Mrs. Athenee Harvey-Basden and her team; who worked very hard to ensure that we met the requirements to be included on Annex II, and who are working very hard for our jurisdiction to be removed from the Annexes altogether.”
Other countries named to the Grey List are: Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Israel, Montserrat, Russia, Tunisia and Vietnam. Trinidad and Tobago and the US Virgin islands have been named as countries with harmful tax practices; these have been ‘Black Listed.’
The Turks and Caicos and other ‘grey-listers’ have until October to shape-up.
Caribbean News
Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital
policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key
government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.
The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.
The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and
posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.
The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.
February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.
“Sometimes I look at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like there would be a red flashing light that tells you that
there’s something wrong with a car and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the same thing. It gives you warning signs to look into that symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.
Dr. Hanicak said self-checks are going to be a little different for everyone.
However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such as unexplained weight loss, blood in your urine, bumps and bruises that won’t heal, and changes in bowel habits.
For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could be a sign of something more serious.
He also suggests doing regular skin checks and documenting any moles or spots that start to look different.
“Realize that you are your own person. There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you. You’ve got your own set of ideas, your own family history and your own genetics. Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing that we would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak.
Dr. Hanicak notes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with.
Press Release: Cleveland Clinic
