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Invest Turks and Caicos Celebrates MSMEs at Awards Gala and Dinner  

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#TurksandCaicos, November 23, 2023 – Invest Turks and Caicos (Invest TCI) hosted its first awards gala and dinner, “The MSMEs”, on November 17th at the Shore Club, honoring the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that have demonstrated exceptional resilience and commitment through the MSME Programme.

Under the distinguished Patronage of the Honourable E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment, and Trade, the event gathered MSMEs, sponsors, government officials, key stakeholders, and the dedicated staff of Invest TCI.

The evening, marked by elegance and entertainment, featured captivating performances by Janardo Laporte and Julian Garland and a comedic act by Almando Rigby. The master of ceremonies, Courtney Robinson, skillfully engaged the audience, ensuring the smooth flow of the evening.

Ten categories showcased the diversity of talents within the MSME sector, with twenty-four nominees representing various business sectors. Nominees were rigorously evaluated by an independent panel of judges based on their compliance with the MSME Programme and other strict judging criteria.

Congratulations are extended to the winners of the MSME Awards 2023:

  • Business Maestro:TCI Junkanoo Museum
  • Wonder Woman:Island Organics
  • NextGen Icon:Aunty Nann’s Homemade Delights
  • Digital Transformer:Genesis Next Media
  • Entrepreneur of the Year:Willique Atelier
  • Micro Business of the Year:Karsyn’s Fountain of Life Alkaline Water
  • Startup of the Year:Tasty Treats
  • Champion of the Cause:TCI Junkanoo Museum
  • Innovative Business Idea:Island Mystique
  • The People’s Choice Award:Genesis Next Media

The People’s Choice Award, the most anticipated award of the night, allowed the public to cast their votes for their favorite business, with Genesis Next Media capturing the most votes and emerging as the winner.

Alexa Cooper, Vice President-SME at Invest TCI, expressed gratitude, saying, “The MSMEs were a celebration honouring our entrepreneurs during Global Entrepreneurship Week and embodied our commitment to spotlighting and empowering our MSME Programme recipients. This event underscores the remarkable potential within our MSME community. Compliance was pivotal in selecting 24 nominees across various categories, acknowledging their adherence to programme standards and resilience in business.

Our understanding of the challenges entrepreneurs face in establishing and expanding their ventures drove us to make these awards a pivotal initiative for Invest TCI. It’s a beacon of recognition and support for their exceptional efforts.

Heartfelt congratulations to all nominees and especially to the outstanding winners. Mere nomination stands as a testament to their dedication and hard work, embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship and success.”

CEO of Invest TCI, Angela Musgrove stated, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the exceptional MSMEs nominated and recognized at the recent MSME Awards Gala. This event celebrated not just their achievements but also their resilience, innovation, and vital contributions to our business community. Your passion and dedication inspire us, and we at Invest Turks and Caicos remain committed to supporting your growth and success.

We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to our valuable sponsors, The Strand, The Hartling Group, Sobethy’s Turks and Caicos, Misick and Stanbrook, Windward Development, Stanbrook Prudhoe and Miller Simons O’Sullivan, and all other key stakeholders. Your invaluable contributions were integral to the success story of the MSME Awards.”

For more information about Invest TCI and upcoming events, please visit www.investturksandcaicos.tc.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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