News
MSME Programme Managed by Invest TCI Announces Improved Amendments to the Programme
#TurksandCaicos, December 9, 2022 – The Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Programme managed by Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) announced improved amendments to the Programme.
Invest TCI hosted a press briefing on Tuesday, December 6th at 10am at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa to announce the exciting amendments to the MSME Programme. Present at the conference were The Honourable E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment & Trade, The Honourable Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Employment and Customer Service, representatives from various government departments, key stakeholders, MSMEs, the media and other specially invited guests.
April 2016 saw the commencement of the Government’s MSME Programme, which Invest TCI manages with support from the Ministry of Finance. Governed by the MSME Development Ordinance 2015, the programme makes provision for the Government to provide concession orders to qualifying locally owned businesses operating in identified priority business sectors. The concession orders permit a company or start-up to receive specific benefits, namely: cash grants, customs duty reduction, and technical assistance, depending on the size of the business. The recent amendments to the MSME Programme see an expansion in the qualifying sectors, increases in cash grants depending on the size of the business, further coverage for technical assistance and provision for businesses to access an additional $10k if they meet specific KPIs. Additionally, MSMEs will experience a more streamlined application process with user-friendly forms.
The expanded sectors include:
- Heritage/Cultural Historical Preservation Projects
- Public/Mass Transportation
- Healthy Living/Lifestyle
- Food Processing/Food Packaging
- Highly skilled or specialized services such as accountants, surveyors, engineers, Technicians, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)
- Business with a direct correlation to the TVET Programme (majority owned by TVET graduate)
- Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency
- Sea Salt Harvesting/Processing
- Waste Management/Collection
Additional benefits for technical assistance include $5,000 for micro, $10,000 for small, and $15,000 for medium businesses. The cash grant amount increased to $10K for micro, $20K for small, and $30K for medium enterprises.
Commenting on the event, Alexa Cooper, VP of SME Development, stated, “Firstly, I want to acknowledge and thank the team who worked diligently behind the scenes on the amendments to the MSME Programme. With the announcement of these new amendments and Invest TCI’s efforts to promote and streamline processes and procedures, we expect an exponential increase in applications, Concession Orders, and the value of benefits. Our goal is to exhaust the budget and ensure that MSMEs receive the help they need to run successful businesses”.
Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest TCI, further stated, “We encourage locally owned small businesses and start-ups to take advantage of the opportunity and apply for assistance. Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in economic development and creates new enterprise that energizes the economy. We urge more entrepreneurs to contact us at Invest TCI to assist in bringing their projects to reality.”
The Honourable E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment & Trade, remarked, “I am delighted to see these amendments become a reality. As the MSME Programme falls under the Ministry of Finance, I was personally invested in ensuring a successful outcome from Cabinet. Honourable Saunders further stated, “It is our goal to empower entrepreneurs and assist in providing the necessary resources to kickstart their businesses. We want to ensure that Invest TCI’s activities are aligned to strategically focus on MSMEs with deliberate efforts to place greater emphasis on supporting domestic investment and entrepreneurship so that Turks and Caicos Islanders are empowered entrepreneurs and contributors to the TCI economy”.
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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