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Statement from the Leader of the Opposition on the Recent Tragedy in Providenciales

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The heartbreaking news of the mass shooting at the Hookah and Cigar Lounge on July 27, 2025, is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for our government to take decisive and innovative action to combat gun violence in the Turks and Caicos Islands. My deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones affected by this senseless act of violence.

While I commend the swift response of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the ongoing efforts to bring those responsible to justice, it is clear that more must be done, not only to respond to incidents as they occur but to prevent such tragedies from happening in the first place. We cannot afford to be reactive; we must be proactive.

I believe the following key measures should be prioritized immediately:

  1. Youth Diversion and At-Risk Youth Employment Programs: Developing targeted youth diversion initiatives that steer at-risk young people away from criminal activity. Providing meaningful employment, skills training, and mentorship opportunities can create alternatives to involvement in violence and gangs. Investing in these programs is essential to breaking the cycle of violence and fostering positive community engagement.
  2. Enhanced Intelligence and Modern Surveillance: Investing in cutting-edge technology, CCTV upgrades in all communities, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring systems to improve our surveillance capabilities. Modern surveillance tools can significantly enhance our ability to detect and dismantle illegal gun networks before violence erupts.
  3. Enhanced Border Security: To effectively combat violence and ensure the safety of our communities, we must greatly strengthen our border security measures to prevent the illegal entry of guns, drugs, and undocumented immigrants. This requires a coordinated effort involving increased surveillance at ports of entry, improved customs inspections, and enhanced intelligence-sharing with regional and international partners. We must also invest in advanced technology and training for our border security personnel to identify and intercept more illegal vessels and landings more efficiently.
  4. Community Engagement and Education: Building stronger relationships between law enforcement and communities, fostering trust, and encouraging residents to participate actively in crime prevention efforts. There must be an encouragement of a culture of vigilance and empowering residents to report suspicious activities without fear of retaliation. Rewards, such as the current $10,000 offer, are important, but community trust and cooperation are vital.

Most importantly, I call on the government to elevate the issue of gun violence and national security to the forefront of our national conversation. Gun violence is not just a law enforcement challenge; it is a threat to our social fabric, our economy, and our islands’ safety. It must be the main topic in policy development, public discourse, and government appropriations. Adequate funding, strategic planning, and a united front are crucial to safeguarding our country both now and for our future.

In conclusion, the government must immediately enact a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach that combines enforcement, prevention, and community engagement. The safety of our citizens, residents, and visitors depends on our collective commitment to building a safer Turks and Caicos Islands.

I urge the government to prioritize these initiatives and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that tragedies like this are prevented in the future. Our people, our visitors, and our islands deserve peace and security, and it is our shared responsibility to make that an immediate reality.

 

Hon. Edwin A. Astwood

Leader of the Opposition

Turks and Caicos Islands

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The Department of Trade, Industry & Fair Competition to Host Export Readiness Workshop Under the theme “Empowering TCI Businesses for Local Growth and Global Markets.”

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, February 12, 2026 — The Department of Trade is pleased to announce the launch of its Export Readiness Workshop Series, a key component of its Trade Technical Assistance Programme.

This workshop series will address priority areas critical to small business development in the Turks and Caicos Islands, offering practical guidance and hands-on support in the following areas:

  1. Standards and Quality – Identification of and compliance with regulatory and market requirements
  2. E-Commerce and Digital Trade – Expanding access to regional and international markets

The workshops will be held February 24–27, 2026 and will be delivered in an in-person, interactive format.  Each session is tailored to specific business sectors to ensure targeted support and practical application.

  1.  Workshop 1 – February 24, 2026 | Agricultural Activities and Light Manufacturing (Food & Beverage)
  2.  Workshop 2 – February 25, 2026 | Light Manufacturing (Arts & Crafts)
  3.  Workshop 3 – February 26, 2026 | Light Manufacturing (Clothing, Jewelry & Apparel Accessories)
  4.  Workshop 4 – February 27, 2026 | Light Manufacturing (Cosmetics & Skin Care)

Entrepreneurs and business owners are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their operational capacity, improve export readiness and position their businesses for sustainable growth.

To register, please complete the registration form via the following link Capacity Building & Export Readiness Workshop – Fill out form

For more information, please contact the Department of Trade, Industry and Fair Competition.

☎️Phone: (649) 338-3703

Email: tradetci@gov.tc

Stay updated on announcements by following @tcidepartmentoftrade on Facebook, Instagram, and @MadeInTCI on   TikTok

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Experience Turks and Caicos and Aquila Host Product Development Workshops to Strengthen Sister Islands Tourism  

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PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, successfully hosted a Product Development Workshop for tourism stakeholders from North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and South Caicos on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15, 2026.

The workshop was designed to support tour operators, entrepreneurs, and tourism-related businesses as they adapt to the evolving demands of the global tourism industry. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and structured sessions aimed at reimagining existing tourism products and developing new, innovative, and sustainable experiences that are market-ready and aligned with current visitor expectations.

Throughout the workshop, attendees were equipped with practical tools and strategies to develop high-impact tourism offerings, strengthen product packaging and pricing, assess market readiness, and enhance value creation. Emphasis was also placed on collaboration, partnership development, and the promotion of sustainable practices to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a fresh, competitive, and appealing destination.                                                                                                                                                                                            More than 20 participants representing tourism businesses across the islands took part in the training sessions.

“Experience Turks and Caicos has a responsibility to ensure that all communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands benefit from tourism. These workshops are designed to equip local businesses with the essential tools and knowledge needed to maximise the opportunities within the industry, and we look forward to supporting their continued growth,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant.

Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Candesha Mills the Product Development Manager at Experience Turks and Caicos said: “We are actively working on destination development by supporting our stakeholders as they reimagine their products and experiences. Workshops like this are critical to helping businesses identify opportunities for collaboration, create bundled offerings, and develop cohesive tourism experiences that align with emerging trends and evolving visitor expectations.”

The workshops were facilitated by Ms. Ambra Attus, who guided participants through strategies for designing distinctive and engaging tourism experiences that resonate with today’s travellers.

She said: “Product development is where destinations truly define their identity, and these trainings are designed to help operators in North, Middle and South Caicos create experiences that are not only market-ready, but meaningful, high-quality, and rooted in what makes these islands truly special. These sessions reflect a forward-thinking commitment by Experience Turks and Caicos to invest in their people and in the long-term quality of the destination’s tourism product. Aquila is proud to be your training partner.”

The workshop also featured the Invest TCI MSME Team, who were on site with an information station available throughout both sessions. Stakeholders had the opportunity to engage directly with the team, gain insights into the MSME Programme, and learn more about the range of support services, incentives, and resources available to assist business growth and development.

Experience Turks and Caicos commended participants for their commitment to investing in their businesses and contributing to the continued enhancement of the destination’s tourism product. The organisation expressed appreciation for the active participation and innovative ideas shared during the session, which are expected to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable growth of tourism in North and Middle Caicos and South Caicos.

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Illegal Structure Removed During Crown Land Enforcement Exercise in Five Cays  

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 5 February 2026: The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with partner agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Silverado Wells in Five Cays.                                                                                                                                                                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 Immigration and Border Services, 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 an illegal concrete structure on the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, a Section 22 Notice of Illegal Occupation was posted on the structure. Following the failure of the responsible party or parties to comply within the prescribed timeframe, enforcement action was authorised.

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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