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Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly Leads Community Connect Meetings in Grand Turk and Salt Cay  

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (July 31st, 2026) – Experience Turks and Caicos, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, has relaunched its Community Connect initiative, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring residents play a central role in shaping the future of tourism across the Turks and Caicos Islands. The meetings began in Grand Turk and Salt Cay, marking the first in a series of engagements that will be held across the country.

Led by the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, the meetings were held on Monday, July 27th, and Tuesday, July 28th, respectively at the Yellowman and Sons Auditorium in Grand Turk and the Salt Shed in Salt Cay.

Community Connect is a series of town hall meetings designed to keep communities informed about the work of Experience Turks and Caicos and the Ministry of Tourism, provide updates on the performance of the tourism industry, and create an open forum where residents can share their concerns, ideas and recommendations for strengthening the tourism product. The initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring tourism development is informed by the voices of the communities it is intended to benefit.

The meetings brought together residents, business owners and tourism stakeholders for open and insightful discussions about the future of tourism on their respective islands. Participants engaged directly with Hon. Jolly and his team, which included Deputy Permanent Secretaries Mr. Arthur Been and Mr. Ronlee James, along with Experience Turks and Caicos Product Development Manager Mrs. Candesha Mills.

Opening the meetings, Hon. Jolly stressed that Community Connect is intended to be a conversation rather than a presentation, giving residents an opportunity to help shape the future of tourism in their communities.

“We are hoping to have a dialogue about the future of tourism in Grand Turk. We want to ensure residents are prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that tourism creates, while also understanding the challenges you see, whether it is cruise tourism development or other issues, so that together we can address those gaps and better prepare our people to benefit,” he said in his welcome address in Grand Turk.

Discussion in Grand Turk covered a wide range of issues, including garbage collection, the culling of donkeys and stray dogs, hotel investment, airlift and the continued development of the island’s tourism sector.

The meeting also featured brief remarks by Mr. Donte Francis of the Grand Turk Enhancement and Sustainability Agency (GTESA), who provided an update on projects completed and those currently in the pipeline. He noted that GTESA has completed 22 projects to date and is awaiting Board approval for an additional 14 initiatives.

In Salt Cay, discussions focused largely on community infrastructure and essential services that, while not directly tourism-related, play an important role in supporting the visitor experience and the island’s long-term tourism potential. Residents raised concerns about the frequency of flights and ferry service to Grand Turk, the absence of ambulance and emergency medical services, and ongoing water supply challenges.

Reflecting on the discussions, Hon. Jolly reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with communities to ensure they play an active role in shaping the future of tourism.

“As I shared during the meetings, our communities have the power to help shape how their islands develop. My responsibility as Minister is to listen, understand the challenges they face, and ensure my Ministry is doing everything possible to create opportunities and remove barriers. I was encouraged by the honest and constructive discussions we had in both Grand Turk and Salt Cay, and I look forward to continuing this conversation across the Turks and Caicos Islands. I want to thank everyone who took the time to attend and share their views.”

Community Connect will continue in the coming months with meetings in North, Middle and South Caicos, as well as communities across Providenciales.

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Crown Land Unit Leads Multi-Agency Enforcement Exercise in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 21st October 2026: The Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise in the Five Cays area of Providenciales on October 8, 2026, as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to address the illegal occupation and unauthorized use of Crown land.

The exercise brought together representatives from the Crown Land Unit, ISU, TCI Border Force and Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Inspections were conducted across several parcels of Crown land in Five Cays, where instances of illegal occupation and unauthorized use had been identified.

During the exercise, a total of seven (7) Section 22 Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance. The notices related to the unauthorized placement of shipping containers and derelict vehicles, as well as the construction of an incomplete concrete structure on Crown land. Where occupants or other responsible persons were not present, notices were affixed to the relevant structures or items.

The exercise forms part of the Crown Land Unit’s continuing efforts to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land and to ensure that instances of unauthorized occupation are identified and appropriately addressed.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds the public that occupying, developing or otherwise using Crown land without lawful authority is an offence under the Crown Land Ordinance. These inspections and enforcement activities form part of a sustained program aimed at safeguarding public lands, discouraging unlawful development and ensuring that Crown land is managed in the best interests of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Crown Land Unit will continue to work closely with the ISU and other partner agencies to identify and address instances of illegal occupation across the Islands. Persons occupying Crown land without authorization are encouraged to comply with all notices issued and to seek guidance from the relevant authorities where necessary.

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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