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TCI Cabinet confirms slew of NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT MEASURES

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Turks and Caicos, Wednesday, 30th  – Acting Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams chaired the 18th Meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday July 30, 2025 at the Office of the Governor on the island of Providenciales.

All members were present.

Cabinet at this meeting:

Approved the immediate implementation of a six (6) month moratorium on the issuance of First Time Work Permits and Visas for Haitian nationals in light of ongoing instability in Haiti and the resulting influx of applications from this region, to allow the necessary time to develop and implement an enhanced vetting process and sustainable quota system, aimed at ensuring both national security and the orderly management of labour migration in the long term.

Approved an amendment to Schedule 2 of the Disaster Management Act to expand the definition of a disaster under the Act to include threats to national security as a result of crime, riot or serious disturbance or the reasonable anticipation of any such occurrence

Advised the Governor to direct the Commissioner of Police to perform the functions of the Director of DDME under section 53 and 54 of the Disaster Management Act so that he can direct the use of disaster management powers under the Act, including advising the Governor to impose curfews and disaster areas.

Agreed to establish a policy that operating hours of licensed premises in impacted areas should be temporarily restricted in response to threats to national security as a result of crime in light of the serious disturbances currently being experienced in the Island of Providenciales.

Approved adjusted hours of operation over the next 90 days commencing from 31st July 2025 of – Sunday to Thursday – close at midnight; Friday and Saturday – close at 2:00am. No exemptions.

Approved the strengthening of the support secretariat for the existing Liquor Licensing Authorities.

Agreed to enact legislation for Extraordinary Police Powers to authorize extraordinary powers under controlled and legally supervised conditions.

Agreed to amend the Disaster Management Act to include National Security and Public Order provisions to allow the Commissioner of Police, based on national security assessments, to recommend the declaration of specific locations as Disaster areas, enabling restrictions on movement, the imposition of curfews, revised business hours and other safety measures to restore public order and public safety.

Agreed to initiate a comprehensive review of the liquor licensing regime, including operating hours for clubs, bars, discotheques and one off events to include mandatory police vetting and security assessments for all licensed establishments and events to protect against threats to national security as a result of criminal activity and to maintain public order and public safety.

Agreed to review the legislation prohibiting the use of alcohol by persons 18 years and younger to ensure that there is strict compliance and prohibitive penalties and fines on establishments that violate age restrictions related to the sale of alcohol to minors and to prevent the entry of minors into licensed premises.

Agreed to develop a framework to facilitate the fast-tracking of initiatives to address the eradication of informal settlements throughout the Islands.

Agreed to institute a review of enforcement and evacuation timelines and frameworks, particularly in cases where informal settlements raise national security concerns.

Approved the enactment of legal provisions that shield law enforcement officers from personal liability when acting in good faith under authorized extraordinary powers. This protection is essential for operational morale and lawful aggressiveness in high-risk engagements.

Agreed to assign the Ministry of Innovation, Technology and Energy the lead mandate to develop a Safe City Technology Strategy in collaboration with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and other security stakeholders to implement Smart Street Lighting, CCTV, ANPR, Connected Traffic Policing and other related systems.

Noted the CARTAC Technical Mission Report pertaining to the implementation of a Broad-Based Tax in the Turks and Caicos Islands subject to further technical analysis and public consultation.

Accepted the recommendations of the Education Advisory Board in relation to Financial Assistance (Scholarships) to deserving students allowing them to pursue Tertiary Studies overseas.

Approved an increase in the monthly stipend for eligible TCICC students subject to funding reprioritization within the Ministry of Education.

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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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