Minister Saunders: Building a “Tech Forward” Government for a Global Turks and Caicos

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Turks and Caicos, June 20, 2025 – Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy, Hon. E. Jay Saunders, says the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) must embrace a future where digital tools, innovation, and technology shape the way government and society function; he was speaking to a packed room at the recently held, Turks & Caicos Islands Business Outlook.

In those remarks, Saunders laid out his bold vision for transforming TCI into a “tech forward” government — one that uses cutting-edge solutions to make life better for its citizens, while positioning the country as a global player in the digital economy.

“The most influential people in the world today are the ones driving innovation and creating technology that impacts billions,” Saunders said. “We in the Turks and Caicos must think globally — and act with ambition — if we want to shape our own future.”

Saunders stressed that building a smarter, more efficient government is not just about convenience — it’s about national competitiveness, economic growth, and sovereignty. “If we lag behind in technology, we risk being left behind altogether. But if we lead, we can become a beacon in the region and beyond.”

As part of his ministry’s growing Innovation Agenda, Saunders outlined several priority projects:

• Digitizing Government: Ongoing work to move key government services online, reducing red tape and improving transparency and accountability.
• Digital National ID: The creation of a secure, modern ID system to streamline services and enhance both convenience and national security.
• Broadband Expansion: A major push to provide affordable, high-speed internet across the islands — with a strong focus on making access universal in public schools.
• Growing the Tech Ecosystem: Encouraging the development of a local tech sector by fostering education, entrepreneurship, and public-private partnerships.

“The world we live in today is shaped by the ideas of people like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the late Steve Jobs,” Saunders observed. “Why can’t we inspire our own innovators here in TCI? Why can’t the next global tech idea come from a young person on these islands?”

Saunders believes that by embracing innovation at every level of government and society, the Turks and Caicos can foster a culture of creativity and opportunity. His goal is not only to deliver better services — but to build a nation that competes and collaborates on the global stage.

“This is about creating an environment where our young people, our entrepreneurs, and our citizens can thrive in the digital age,” he said. “I want to see Turks and Caicos as a small country with a big influence — powered by the talent of its people and the possibilities of technology.”

Turks & Caicos Business Outlook, in its second year was staged at the Messel Ballroom of the Palms Resort, Providenciales.