TCI Cabinet Meeting held historically in North Caicos, Bellfield Landing

#TurksandCaicos, June 22, 2023 – Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 16^th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 14 June 2023 at the Bellfield Landing on North Caicos.

All Members were present with the exception of the Hon Minister for Health.

At this meeting Cabinet:

• Was updated on the recent spate of murders and actions going forwards, in particular with the imminent arrival of recently trained RTCIPF officers to strengthen ongoing investigations.
• Discussed the Treatment Abroad Program and agreed next steps.
• Discussed proposed capital related projects for utilities and multisector regulation under the Fortis G15 Project and agreed next steps.
• Approved a business case for the redevelopment of the Howard Hamilton Airport on Providenciales with consideration for procurement via Public Private Partnership, the amendment of related ordinances and instructions to facilitate procurement for Cabinet approval and for these to be submitted to the House of Assembly before end September 2023 for consideration.
• Approved amendments to the National Physical Development Plan preserving Water Cay as an uninhabited island and with Little Water Cay maintained and studied for environmental protection and sustainability.
• Approved an implementation strategy of three short term programs under the National Housing Policy, coving concessions for residential developers, home improvements programs for existing homeowners and, community renewal and infilling.
• Approved amendments to the National Investment Policy 2023, influencing greater Foreign and Domestic Direct Investments and policy formation aimed at removing barriers to local business expansion, and support in marketing and promotion work.
• Approved for the TCI Government to conclude negotiation on a development agreement with Hamilton Education Foundation Ltd for the development of a medical school and connected facilities on Providenciales.
• Approved an adjustment to the Financial Services Commission’s salary structure, bringing this in line with local and regional comparators and improving the effectiveness of the Commission.
• Approved a contract extension and amendment for Economic Substance Consultancy to provide advice, assistance, and an IT portal strategy in regards to the removal of the Turks & Caicos Islands an EU list (“EU blacklist”) of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Members also approved funding for the IT Portal Strategy.
• Was updated on the outstanding asylum cases and the responses that will be given by the TCI Government and H.E. the Governor. Members discussed lessons learnt and steps being taken to manage this issue.

Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.