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Minister and Government’s Plan for TCI Tourism is a Pipe Dream:

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#TurksandCaicos, February 7, 2023 – The Hon. Minister for Tourism is intentionally misleading TC Islanders about her Government’s plans for Our Country’s leading industry, Tourism, and about the treatment of the Tourist Board’s staff.  The only thing the staff of the Tourist Board has received so far from the organization, along with their separation letters, is complete demoralization. How does the minister expect the staff to feel and perform over the next four months? Why not give the staff their monetary package now so they can invest it or use it to prepare themselves for their transition into their own business or new employment? That is thoughtful and the humane thing to do at this time, Madam Minister.
The Hon. Minister’s assertion that the new DMO, which will be a Public Private Partnership (PPP), is the answer and not the further marginalization of our people, is a Pipe Dream.  At best the assertion is theoretical and not based in TCI reality.
We have had a number of PPPs here in the TCI and no one can point to a single case where our people haven’t been screwed by them – so much so, that our country cannot enter into a PPP arrangement without the expressed communicated approval of the British Government (HMG). This position taken by the British with respect to PPPs in the TCI, I suspect, was not taken because PPPs are bad things (they have their place and purpose). However, in Our Country’s case, this is a requirement perhaps, because we have been taken to the cleaners every time we have entered into PPP agreements with the Private sector. Has TCIG secured the blessing of HMG for this proposed PPP and did it sign off on the funding mechanism for the PPP? Is this not using public funds to promote in part private interest?
 Hon. minister as soon as possible let us see the proposed make up and structure of the proposed DMO/ PPP. Show us how our people will maintain control or retain the final say in how Tourism develops in Our Beautiful Country.
 No country dissolves a successful public agency, especially one with an acceptable track record, to privatize it.  Such action is viewed with cynicism and is quite often associated with political cronyism.
Hon. minister it is true that some destinations in the region have restructured the way tourism is marketed and managed in their country. However, I am not aware of a single country in the Caribbean, or in the world for that matter, which has seen the growth that TCI has realized on the small budget the Board has had to work with, then demolish the said organization like you and your government are proposing.
I am all for working closely with the Private Sector when there are areas of common interest and mutual benefit. But we must remember that the  vast majority of the private sector is all about Bottom Line and beholden only to its shareholders, even at the expense of our people and the destruction of our environment.
Hon. Minister, I am sure that you are aware that there is very little left in the Turks and Caicos Islands which is Ours, or that we control. Almost all of our prime land, for tourism development, is out of our hands; our economy is largely owned and driven by others. Everyday we are becoming more irrelevant in our own country. Please remember or be aware that he who owns the land, owns the country. He who owns the economy controls the country. And he who owns the land and controls the economy at the same time, is king. We are lacking in all of these areas and one day it will manifest itself undeniably so. Be warned.
Regards,
Ralph L. Higgs

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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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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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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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