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Something Fantastic is happening – and MSME’s are driving it

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Record demand and Heritage investment gains show Turks and Caicos Islanders increasingly seeking their own stake in the country’s booming development economy

 

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS — Something fantastic is happening in the Turks and Caicos Islands investment story. While billions of dollars in major developments continue to dominate the headlines, a record number of Islanders are stepping forward with an ambition of their own: to become business owners and investors themselves.

Invest TCI revealed at its fifth Annual General Meeting that 140 applications poured into its MSME programme during 2025/26 — the highest number in the programme’s ten-year history — while early uptake of the Heritage Turks and Caicos Islander Investment Policy has already produced two Development Agreements, with another five projects progressing through the pipeline.

CEO Angela Musgrove said the agency’s small-business team is now managing a portfolio of more than 300 businesses, with increasing numbers of Turks and Caicos Islanders reaching out for support.

“We continue to see where we have more and more Turks and Caicos Islanders with small businesses reaching out and seeking the support of the agency,” Musgrove told the AGM.

The September 15 meeting, held at The Ritz-Carlton, Turks and Caicos, put numbers behind that momentum. Invest TCI reported $900,000 in cash grants approved — 100% of its allocation — 53 concession orders approved and 214 MSMEs counselled, reaching 178% of target.

The movement comes alongside a massive 53-project investment pipeline valued at approximately $6.335 billion.

The comparison is not dollar-for-dollar. Large-scale developments overwhelmingly command the greater capital. What is changing is participation.

Premier Charles Washington Misick told the AGM that economic progress cannot be measured simply by buildings or capital entering the country, but by whether Turks and Caicos Islanders advance alongside that growth.

Musgrove says the objective now goes beyond grants: building sustainable Islander-owned businesses with stronger revenues, employment and linkages into the wider economy.

That surge has also exposed areas where Invest TCI says its own systems need strengthening. In reviewing its 2025/26 performance, the agency identified MSME disbursement rates, monitoring visits and capacity-building referrals among areas requiring greater attention. Its response includes stronger client follow-up, earlier business-readiness checks and improved tracking and referral systems — changes aimed at moving more entrepreneurs successfully from application and approval into functioning, sustainable businesses.

The challenge now is to turn extraordinary local interest into lasting economic participation — businesses that survive, grow, employ Islanders and increasingly connect with the billions of dollars flowing through the wider development economy.

“One of the things that we want to do is to not simply provide grants, but we want to see stronger businesses remain operational,” Musgrove said. “We’re putting more effort into ensuring that our businesses have support so that we can see revenues of these small businesses increasing, we can see employment increasing and, of course, we can see greater participation in the wider economy.”

For decades, TCI’s investment story centred on attracting investors to these shores.

Increasingly, Islanders want to become the investors themselves.

Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Bahamas News

Schweppes ‘the Art of Mixology’ Dazzles at Paradise Plates with Nemiroff Vodka

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Schweppes, in collaboration with Nemiroff Vodka dazzled guests with handcrafted cocktails during Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger’s annual fundraiser held at Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom.

The evenings’ theme, 70’s: Paradise Disco, inspired bold and delicious sips from Schweppes and Nemiroff.  The beautiful disco themed Schweppes booth, adorned with LED signs, lush greenery and hanging black and gold metallic orbs shined throughout the room.

Schweppes’ brand representatives and mixologists dressed in chic 70’s speakeasy attire engaged attendees throughout the night. Guests enjoyed receiving knowledge of each product and experiencing the vibrant energy of brand representatives.

Nemiroff Vodka, which is locally distributed by Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor; offered a unique variety of vodkas which made the perfect blend with Schweppes. Guests enjoyed, Nemiroff’s Honey Pepper, De Luxe, Burning Pear, Wild Cranberry, and Bold Orange vodkas throughout the night.

Fan favorite cocktails of the night were: the Wild Cranberry Tonic and the Bold Orange Fizz.

Following a positive response at Paradise Plates, CWS is offering Nemiroff and Schweppes specials at local liquor stores for the entire month. With the purchase of any 1-liter Nemiroff vodka, enjoy a complimentary three-pack of Schweppes mixers, to recreate the magic of Schweppes and Nemiroff.

Cara Douglas-Adderley, Senior Marketing Director for Caribbean Bottling (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products and CWS shared the inspiration behind the Schweppes and Nemiroff promotion.

“We are thrilled to have paired Schweppes and Nemiroff for Paradise Plates this year, creating a premium cocktail experience for guests. After receiving such positive feedback, we wanted to extend that experience to consumers at home. Throughout October, consumers can visit their favorite watering hole, buy any 1-liter Nemiroff bottle and receive a free three-pack of Schweppes.”

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to offer Schweppes, Coca-Cola’s premier mixer in collaboration with Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Nemiroff Vodka at Paradise Plates in support of Hands for Hunger’s mission.

For more information on CBC’s philanthropic work, new products and specials, visits www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos gives Enid Capron Primary a pre-term facelift

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has refreshed the grounds of Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays, Providenciales, ahead of the new school year, with a landscaping team from the resort, pruning and cutting back overgrown branches to give the campus a cleaner, safer look.

The project focused on the school’s exterior plantings, where tangled growth had begun to encroach on walkways and outdoor learning areas. The team spent time trimming hedges, thinning dense shrubs and removing deadwood to improve sightlines and airflow around the buildings.

Assistant Landscaping Manager, Kemar Jones said the work at Enid Capron is a regular priority for the department, which views community giving as a core part of its mandate. He noted that supporting local schools, particularly through hands-on environmental work, has long been a focus area for his team.

Jones, said the effort reflects the group’s wider commitment to the islands. “As a team, our goal is to give back to our communities and especially providing support for the environment and education,” Jones noted. “The team is always ready to share our skills with making the school environment more comfortable for our students and teachers.”

General Manager Deryk Meany framed the project as part of Beaches’ broader approach to working alongside the community beyond the resort gates. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we operate as a team not only within the confines of the resort but also with our communities,” Meany added. “Being able to share our varied skills is always our main focus. Providing a comfortable learning environment allows for a greater relationship with our educational collaborators.”

He added that the resort seeks opportunities to support range of school-based initiatives, from environmental and leadership clubs to creative programmes.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. Rachel Taylor described the landscaping mission as a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the Ministry and Beaches Turks and Caicos. “This mission from our major private sector supporter, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a long standing activity,” Taylor said. “At Enid Capron Primary School, we are treated as family. Once we reach out to the resort, they have always responded in a positive way.”

Hon. Taylor said the support is particularly valuable in the areas of education and community development, where consistent private-sector engagement can amplify government efforts.

Nelene Swann, vice principal at Enid Capron Primary welcomed the refreshed grounds as a boost to morale before classes resume. “This is what true collaboration looks like,” she noted. “This is more than a facelift for the school. The team from Beaches Turks and Caicos has shown true commitment in adding to this learning environment for our students and teachers.”

She said the improved landscaping contributes to a more comfortable and inviting campus for all stakeholders. “This is a good way to start the new school year. This facelift will certainly make the facilities here at the school more appealing to our students, teachers and parents.

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