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Protecting Turks and Caicos Islanders’ Business Opportunities FIRST

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Zhavargo Jolly

PNP All Island Candidate

 

 

Turks and Caicos, December 24, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands have long embraced a “restricted/reserve category” for specific business licenses. This system was created to empower Turks and Caicos Islanders, providing a fair chance to compete in industries where expatriates often have the upper hand financially. These reserved categories, covering sectors like watersports and construction, were designed to keep critical economic opportunities within the local community. It is a vital part of our economic identity, protecting what is rightfully ours.

Yet, despite its noble intent, loopholes in this system have been exploited, threatening to dismantle its purpose and integrity.

The Exploitation of “Fronting”

One of the most egregious practices undermining this system is “fronting.” This scheme sees expatriates leveraging Turks and Caicos Islanders to appear compliant with the 51/49 ownership rule for restricted business licenses. On paper, locals hold the required majority stake in these businesses. But in reality, clandestine agreements strip them of true ownership and economic benefit.

These agreements, often drafted by lawyers, relegate the local partner to a token role, offering little to no profit share, no equity, and no decision-making power. Instead, the expatriate partner enjoys the bulk of the profits and control, while the local partner is reduced to a figurehead—sometimes in exchange for a small stipend. This manipulation undermines the law’s intent, depriving Turks and Caicos Islanders of the opportunities the system was meant to secure.

To illustrate, a recent audit revealed that in some restricted industries, more than 60% of businesses nominally owned by locals are controlled by expatriates through private agreements. This blatant exploitation not only drains wealth but also erodes trust in our institutions.

A Growing Crisis

Fronting is no longer an isolated issue; it has become a systemic problem. Some law firms have built lucrative practices on facilitating these exploitative arrangements, prioritizing profit over principles. These lawyers are complicit in selling out the rights of Turks and Caicos Islanders, encouraging foreign investors to exploit legal loopholes.

This betrayal has far-reaching consequences, eroding trust in the business community, widening economic inequality, and stripping locals of meaningful participation in their economy.

The Fallout for Turks and Caicos Islanders

The impacts of fronting are devastating and far-reaching:

  • Loss of Economic Empowerment:Fronting drains financial resources from the local economy, leaving Turks and Caicos Islanders with no real stake.
  • Erosion of Generational Wealth:By sidelining locals from business ownership, we deny future generations the opportunity to build and inherit wealth.
  • Diminished Representation in Key Industries:Reserved industries are increasingly dominated by expatriates, marginalizing Turks and Caicos Islanders in sectors that were meant to belong to them.

This exploitation undermines the very essence of the restricted/reserve category, betraying the trust placed in the system to protect local interests.

A Call to Action

This cannot continue. To restore fairness and integrity to our business environment, decisive action is required:

Government Accountability

  • Strengthen enforcement of restricted/reserve category regulations.
  • Impose harsh penalties for businesses and individuals involved in fronting, including license revocation and legal consequences.
  • Close loopholes that allow contracts to circumvent ownership rules.

Regulator Oversight

  • Conduct thorough audits of businesses in restricted industries to ensure compliance.
  • Mandate regular ownership and profit-sharing disclosures.
  • Establish independent review panels to investigate complaints of fronting.

Legal Community Reform

  • Develop ethical guidelines prohibiting the facilitation of fronting arrangements.
  • Hold law firms and lawyers accountable for enabling these schemes, including sanctions or disbarment for violations.

Reclaiming Our Economic Future

The restricted/reserve category represents more than just a regulatory framework—it symbolizes the right of Turks and Caicos Islanders to thrive in their own land. Allowing exploitation to persist robs us of that right and diminishes our economic potential.

The time for change is now. We must demand accountability from all stakeholders, enforce our laws, and protect our birthright. By closing these loopholes and fostering a culture of fairness, we can ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders are the rightful beneficiaries of opportunities in reserved industries.

Together, we can secure a future where local entrepreneurs thrive, generational wealth is built, and the spirit of Turks and Caicos Islanders is empowered to flourish for generations to come.

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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News

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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