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Invest TCI Celebrates a Decade of Innovation and Impact

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 25th July 2025: As the investment landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands has transformed over the past decade, so too has the role of Invest TCI. Now marking ten years of service, the Agency has helped shape a more inclusive and resilient economy — facilitating over $1.2 billion in investment and supporting hundreds of local enterprises along the way.

A Decade of Investment and Impact

Over the past decade, Invest TCI has supported over 300 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through its MSME Programme. Since the first round of MSME approvals in 2016, the programme has expanded to include sixteen priority areas, creating more opportunities for locals to strengthen and scale their business across a range of industries. The MSME Programme has continued to grow with nationwide outreach initiatives, including island-wide roadshows, playing a vital role in raising awareness of its benefits and offering direct support and guidance to both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.

In 2023, Invest TCI hosted its first MSME Award Ceremony, recognizing outstanding local entrepreneurs who had demonstrated exceptional resilience and commitment throughout the programme. Further strengthening the programme, in 2024, an impact study was conducted to assess its outcomes, measure its contribution to economic growth, and inform future improvements to better serve local entrepreneurs. Notably, also in 2024, one MSME recipient expanded operations and is now being assessed outside the MSME category, which indicates the impact of the programme in nurturing small businesses into sustainable large-scale enterprises.

Invest TCI continues to play a strategic role in strengthening a favourable business environment for investors and bolstering the FDI ecosystem of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The agency has secured over $1.2 billion in foreign direct investments through executed development agreements, creating more than 1000 direct employment opportunities for locals. As due diligence remains a critical component during the vetting process, Invest TCI remains committed to supporting credible, high-impact developments that align with national development priorities. Over the last ten years, the agency has built relationships with global brands such as Ritz-Carlton, IHG, positioning the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for high-end investment and development.  At the same time, the Agency has strengthened ties with renowned local brands, including Grace Bay Club and The Hartling Group; longstanding partners who continue to expand their footprint and contribute significantly to the country’s tourism and real estate landscape.

Recognizing the need to better support a growing and diverse client base, Invest TCI made a strategic decision in 2023 to establish the Business Support Unit to provide dedicated and comprehensive support and training to entrepreneurs and small businesses. As the services offered continued to spread across the country, the agency noticed the need to enhance its presence in Grand Turk. In recent years, small business activity on the island has increased, alongside growing investor interest in Grand Turk’s unique cultural and economic potential.

Global Recognition and Strategic Partnerships

An important element of Invest TCI’s accomplishments contributed to defining the brand and visual identity of the agency. Invest TCI was carefully rebranded in 2017, strengthening the agency’s value proposition to investors. Its unique visual identity has been instrumental in communicating the country’s attractiveness and capturing the attention of international partners.

Invest TCI continues to generate international interest through its active participation in investment–focused international events, and the publication of several thought leadership articles, positioning the Turks and Caicos Islands as a forward-looking, investor-ready destination for investment. This proactive approach has created opportunities for the agency’s team to contribute to international planning committees and assume leadership roles within the global investment promotion community. In 2023, CEO of Invest TCI, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, was appointed as a Director of the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA), a role that strengthens collaboration across the Caribbean, and has increased the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands among international investors.

Through strategic partnerships, projects facilitated by the agency have been recognized at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit, now known as ALIS CALA. The agency continues to provide global exposure for its MSMEs, most recently through its partnership with DMZ Canada. This collaboration has created international growth opportunities for entrepreneurs like Ms. Mary Fulford, owner of Island Mystique, who is now exploring new markets and expanding her business reach.

Leveraging Policy and Sustainability

In alignment with global sustainability trends, Invest TCI continues to champion sustainability by exploring further integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into the investment screening and facilitation process.

In addition to its vital role in attracting investments, Invest TCI actively participates in policy advocacy. To date, the agency has contributed to several policy recommendations, including but not limited to the revised National Investment Policy, MSME and Refurbishment Policies, ensuring the policy environment remains aligned with investor needs and national goals.

Looking Ahead

CEO of Invest TCI, Mrs. Angela Musgrove stated “As we mark this decade of service, we do so with gratitude for our partners, pride in our people, and optimism for the future. Our mission remains bold: to catalyze inclusive, sustainable investment that empowers every island and every entrepreneur across the Turks and Caicos.”

To commemorate this milestone, Invest TCI will host a series of events, including a celebratory Annual General Meeting that will convene government leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to highlight those who have contributed to our economic landscape and explore the next phase of economic opportunities for the islands.

As Invest TCI enters its second decade, its mission remains clear: to drive sustainable investment that benefits the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, builds resilient industries, and strengthens the country’s position on the global investment stage.

Looking ahead, Invest TCI will prioritise a better investor experience through innovative experiences and resources while adopting AI for a seamless process. Invest TCI reaffirms its commitment to continued outreach across the islands to ensure that every community can participate meaningfully in the country’s economic future.

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ELECTRICITY BILL SHOCKER: PELICAN ENERGY WARNED GOV’T

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TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response

PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.

Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.

That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.

Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.

He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.

Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.

Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.

Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.

Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.

His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?

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Cabinet Decides to Slow Down Commercial Crown Land Grants

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PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.

During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.

The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.

The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.

In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.

Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.

Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.

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Developments Outside Providenciales Get Cabinet Attention

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PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.

Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.

The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.

Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.

Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.

Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.

The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.

 

Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)

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