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Kimo Tynes Appointed Deputy Director of Communications

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#TurksandCaicos, October 29, 2022 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Tynes as the new Deputy Director of Communications within the Communications Directorate in the Office of the Premier and Public Policy.

Mr. Tynes holds: an Associates Degree in Sociology from Camosun College, Victoria, British Columbia Canada; a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons.) in International Development from York University in Toronto, Canada and a Masters Degree in International Communications from City University in London, United Kingdom.

Having initially began his career at Barclays Bank Plc now CIBC First Caribbean (1999-2003), Mr. Tynes has worked in numerous capacities as a: Public Relations Officer at the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board (2008-2012); a Freelance Public Relations & Communications Consultant in the United Kingdom (2014-2015) and as a Consular Officer in the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands London Office in the United Kingdom for the past seven years from September 2015 to September 2022.

Commenting on his appointment Mr. Tynes stated:  “Recognizing that the Turks and Caicos Islands requires all her sons and daughters to return home to make invaluable contributions to the development of their country, I have taken the decision to transition from my current role in the United Kingdom back to the Turks and Caicos Islands to take up the appointment as the new Deputy Director of Communications in the Office of the Premier and Public Policy.

With a background in financial services, communications and public relations both nationally and internationally, I believe that I can be an asset to the Unit.

I count it an honour and a privilege to accept this new important role and will do the best job I can, to the best of my ability to serve in this new capacity.”

Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service Her Excellency Anya Williams in extending congratulatory remarks to Mr. Tynes stated:  “It is with great pleasure that I extend congratulations to Mr. Kimo Tynes on his appointment as the new Deputy Director of Communications within Communications Directorate in the Office of the Premier and Public Policy.

This post was recently created as a part of the establishment of a new Communications Directorate in the Office of the Premier and Public Policy to replace the Press Unit that previously served under the Office of the Deputy Governor.

The new unit will lead on external communications on behalf of the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and will work to develop and implement a new communications strategy.

We are pleased to have Mr. Tynes serve in this capacity where he will be responsible for helping to lead not only the unit, but also the development of the wider communications strategy and are certain that with his previous educational background and experience that he will do extremely well.

Congratulations on your well-deserved promotion Kimo!

I look forward to great things to come from you and the new Communications Directorate.”

Caribbean News

Millions to come from FSC 

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Revenue from the Turks and Caicos’ Financial Services Sector will more than double in the next few years, if E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister gets his way.  It ‘s one of the reasons the country is investing so much capital into getting off of the EU blacklist and becoming a secure trustworthy financial destination. 

“The FSC’s revenues for 2020/21 was $10.5M— the figures for 2021/22, would be about similar,” he said.  He further explained that $10.5 million from the FSC represented about 2.6 percent of the country’s 408.5-million-dollar revenue.  Though it increased to $14 million in the 2021/22 financial year, finance is still a small fry compared to tourism or even stamp duties but that will change, says Saunders. 

“My revenue goal for the Government by the year 2029 [or] the election after the next election – is $500M.  By that time, I want the financial sector (FSC) revenues to represent at least 5% ($25M).  So that’s my goal for the financial sector by 2029.” 

This goal, should it be met, would increase the Government’s revenue by 100 million dollars, a significant increase in spending power for local upgrades and improvements for Turks and Caicos residents and visitors. 

Saunders says it’s time for the TCI to diversify its sources of revenue to make sure that what happened in the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw residents out of a job for months, will not happen again.  Tourism now makes up around 80 percent of the country’s GDP.  The Minister of Finance wants to push that down to 60 or even 50 percent.  

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Caribbean News

Debrief on Haiti Caribbean heads visit 

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#Haiti, March 17, 2023 – When a CARICOM delegation visited Haiti earlier this month, conspicuously absent was the Turks and Caicos Islands despite being one of the nations most directly affected by the multi-dimensional crisis there.  There is no comment, as yet from the Premier, to say why this was the case.  

Still, from the expedition, CARICOM heads of Government have informed that there will be lobbying in Africa for assistance in Haiti.  They say they have decided that the best course of action for the Caribbean country is to bolster the Haitian National Police and act as intermediaries with Africa and the world.  The decision follows a one day visit on February 27th, and a March 5th meeting chaired by the Bahamas. 

CARICOM says during the trip delegates ‘met with a broad range of Haitian stakeholders to hear their views on the way forward to a Haitian-led solution’. With that in mind it has made a decision on how to proceed.

“The Heads of Government agreed to support the Haitian National Police in their efforts to address the security situation.  The focus of the Community will be the provision of training for the HNP and the provision of humanitarian assistance to HNP and the wider Haitian society, taking into account the challenging humanitarian and security situation”

It’s not clear yet where and how this training will take place.  Also distinctly absent from the report, no more mention of boots on the ground from other countries despite CARICOM Member States indicating they were ready and willing should it come to that.

In addition, recognizing ‘the common historical experiences and the strong African-Caribbean relationship’ CARICOM says,

“Heads of Government also agreed to seek support from African countries for Haiti.  They also agreed to work with the Governments of Canada and the United States as well as the UNDP”

Magnetic Media has reached out to the Premier’s Office to get a full debrief of the February 27th visit (led by Jamaica; including The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago) to learn of Turks and Caicos’ posture following the critical sessions.  

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Caribbean News

New ASHLEY’S LEARNING CENTRE CONCERT

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 17, 2023 – Musicians from the New World Symphony will be in the Turks and Caicos in concert next month and residents are invited to attend in support of the future of Ashley’s Learning Center.

A fairly young orchestral academy based in Miami, the New World Symphony was launched in the 1980s by 1987, Michael Tilson Thomas and Ted Arison,Carnival Cruises founder.  From the 1500 applicants who vie for a spot each year, the symphony accepts around 35 music graduates annually for training fellowships. 

A select few of those graduates will be in country on April 8th headlining at the Ashley’s Learning Center concert ‘We’re all in this together’.  The concert which also feature local artistes will be held at Brayton Hall on Venetian Road from 6 pm to 8:30 pm

Tickets are available ON ISLEHELP  $75 PER GENERAL SEAT $125 PER PREMIUM SEAT $195 PER GALLERY SEAT – with /FREFRESHMENTS. 

For TICKET RESERVATIONs you can call: 649-341-2304 or email  EVENTS@ASHLEYSLEARNINGCENTER.ORG 

 

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