News
Anti-fronting legislation and its importance in the Turks and Caicos Islands
#TurksandCaicos, April 4, 2022 – The question all concerned citizens should be asking our government is, are they willing to work feverishly to push through anti-fronting legislation as hard as they did to push through the Beach and Coastal Vending Ordinance?
This article in part, is a reverberation of a previous one I wrote, addressing this said issue. To my knowledge, as of this date, nothing has been done to tighten the loopholes.
Whilst I’m not totally against the Beach and Coastal Vending Ordinance and its entirety, there are a few line items in the bill that needs to be repealed and amended.
The expediency in which the bill was passed without proper consultation from the general public and relevant stakeholders, it appeared to be for the appeasement of a select few.
Similarly, “fronting” is not in the best interest of our people, which prompted me to bring to light the issue again.
Currently, in TCI fronting is technically not a crime, but in some cases it is certainly a corrupt practice. Over the
years, I have discovered that the easiest way for foreign investors to open a business of any kind, is by “fronting”.
For those who are not familiar with the use of this word, fronting usually refers to a term used to describe the practice of interposing a third party in a transaction or a misrepresentation of facts so as to circumvent the illusory of compliance with the laws of a country.
It’s usually a twofold benefit, it gives the locals an opportunity to become a business partner without having to come up with any sizable out of pocket funds or minimal amounts at best, depending on the scale of the business.
On the other hand, it enables the foreign investors to acquire lucrative business opportunities without having to go through the normal red tape, and eventually making it easier for them to acquire legal immigration status in the long term.
In addition, a foreign partnership company would be in a better position to expand rapidly due to greater access to capital, which could put them at an advantage because of the accessibility to unmatched resources they may have.
At the end of the day, it only superficially benefits historically disadvantaged individuals.
Fronting practices are an all-too-common occurrence in TCI, and usually rely on the misrepresentation of facts regarding the extent of a company’s compliance with its economic empowerment obligations.
In some cases, the local is only involved with the Holding company, but has nothing to do with the day to day operational or financial side of the business. This allows a shady investor to manipulate the books to their advantage.
Fronting can take many forms. For example:
- A company may appoint a local to a prestigious position but prevent them from participating in the management or core activities of the company.
- In some cases, they are paid considerably less than their counterparts.
- They may also sign up as fictitious shareholders in essentially Expats owned and managed companies.
Such practices create the impression that the company has complied with the government’s obligations, but in essence it’s not. 
This also allows the company to take advantage of incentives such as tax breaks or other fringe benefits that come along with being compliant.
We welcome foreign investors’ partnerships, however, if the business practices do not result in real transformation of the company or the flow of benefits to the locals, the appearance of compliance is illusory.
Fronting therefore undermines the purpose of the investment opportunity policies and prevents benefits from reaching those locals it is meant to reach.
It also perpetuates the systemic exclusion of local owned businesses from economic empowerment.
Imperfect though it may be, it would be beneficial for the FSC to draft legislation to introduce a comprehensive definition of “fronting” into our laws. In addition, they should create a new oversight body to investigate allegations of unscrupulous business deals.
The reality is, we know due to the privacy laws and the fear of reprisals, it’s a slippery slope when it comes to the public’s right to know about what is perceived to be shady deals and our duty to report it.
Nevertheless, if it was required by the FSC for these foreign companies with local joint venture partnerships to divulge financial records showing the bank transactions of the 51/49 split or who have the controlling shares, it would be a game changer.
As a people, we must also be brave enough to speak up when we see corruption or things that undermine
the basic principles of our core values.
Until legislation is enacted to address the social and economic imbalances in this country, this sort of shady practices will continue to prevail, leaving underrepresented local business partners with the short end of the stick.
Ed Forbes,
Concerned citizen of Grand Turk
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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