News
TCI 10-Year projection boasts 3,000 jobs, 47% more rooms and $792M in Revenue
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, December 29, 2023 – The Turks and Caicos’ 10-year Economic Projections were revealed at the launch of the National Investment Policy on December 8, 2023 and it means 47 percent more resort rooms, 3,000 more jobs and nearly $792 million dollars calculated as in the pipeline.
Salik Garland, Investment Services Executive expressed optimism for the growth of Room Count in the Turks and Caicos.
“What we actually expect is for the growth to continue in the way that it has been doing,” he said.
Room Count was the first factor itemized and according to a 2020 report conducted by the TCI Tourist Board, room count was an estimated 4,646 in the Turks and Caicos, says Salik Garland, Investment Services Executive.
Providenciales, Garland points out, had over 4,000 of those resort rooms followed by Grand Turk with 155 rooms and coming in third was North Caicos with 124 rooms.
Though with less inventory, noteworthy were the luxury accommodations at Parrot Cay with 106, South Caicos with 87, Pine Cay with 38, Middle Caicos with 13 and Ambergris Cay with 10 resort rooms.
Garland informed that the room count is expected to increase by more than two thousand within the next 10 years.
This has to do with projects under Development Agreements or pending, Garland says.
“The projection shows an increase in room count by an additional 2,166 rooms, which is a 47 percent increase in the 2020 figures,” he maintained.
This growth is anticipated between 2024 and 2028 and according to the Investment Executive, by 2033 or in ten years, 10,000 rooms are expected to be in the TCI’s inventory, doubling the 2020 numbers.
When it comes to job creation, Mr. Garland informed that more than 3,000 jobs are coming over the next 10 years, with strong growth between 2023 and 2028, due to the Encouragement of Development Ordinance. He pointed to projects approved or pending Development Agreements as fueling the job market.
In terms of national earnings, the Turks and Caicos will naturally reap impressive dividends, according to Invest TCI.
“The projected revenues to be received by TCIG over the next ten years by projects that currently have a Development Agreement; pending Development Agreement; or have had a Development Agreement expired within the last year but are still actively operating; we are estimating close to eight hundred million dollars in revenue,” Garland says.
It’s an estimated total of seven hundred and ninety-one million, nine hundred and fifty-five thousand, eight hundred and seventy point three four ($791,955,870.34).
The New Policy is now available on the Invest TCI website and also boasts100% duty free suite of concessions for domestic investors and a plush red carpet roll out for housing project investments.
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – Officers from the Serious Crime Unit (SCU) of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have made a breakthrough following boat thefts in the TCI.
On May 19, 2024, FARIDSON JEAN BAPTISTE, a Haitian national, was charged with the following offences:
- Theft of TCI boat Marauder
- Theft of TCI boat Jupiter
- Theft of TCI boat Team Baja
- Handling Stolen Goods
- Assisting Illegal Entry into the TCI
Mr JEAN BAPTISTE was initially detained on April 5 th 2024, while attempting to enter the TCI on a high-powered boat that was reported stolen. At the time of the interception, thirty (30) irregular migrants were being transported.
Mr JEAN BAPTISTE remains in custody pending a court date. The arrest and subsequent charges against Mr Jean Baptiste follow a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation by the SCU and the Haitian National Police.
These investigations resulted in the recovery of boats and other property stolen from the TCI, which were retrieved from several locations in Haiti.
The recovered property has an estimated value of over $1.2 million.
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – The Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force conducted joint road operations alongside the TCI Border Force on May 13th and 16th, 2024, focusing on crime reduction, illegal migration, and road safety.
These efforts aimed to ensure compliance with Road Traffic regulations and yielded significant results. During these operations, THIRTY-EIGHT (38) individuals were detained for immigration violations, and SIXTY-SIX (66) were reported for traffic offences. For April and May 2024, overall joint operations have resulted in ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY (120) persons detained for immigration purposes, and ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-NINE (199) reported for traffic violations.
Acting Inspector Damian Mitchell emphasised the interconnectedness of road traffic compliance, crime, and illegal migration.
He stated, “These operations focus on addressing each critical area.”
Division B and Community Policing head Superintendent Dwight Gardiner noted a general increase in public compliance with traffic regulations during the first quarter of the year.
Superintendent Gardiner encouraged road users to adhere to all aspects of the law, stating, “Let us all strive to keep our roads safe for everyone and reduce crime in our communities. Adhere to the rules of the road. Thanks to our law enforcement partners and you, members of the public.”
Motorists are especially urged to comply with regulations regarding vehicle window tints. Violations carry a substantial penalty of $250 per window.
The RTCIPF and TCI Border Force thank the public for their cooperation and continued efforts to maintain safety and order on the roads.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – An undocumented Haitian male, aged 20, faces charges related to gang activity and firearms.
He was apprehended along with others in a small blue car in front of Sunny Foods Supermarket on South Dock/Five Cays Road on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2024. Providing the name JAMES SIMON to the police, he was accompanied by a 16/17-year-old (name withheld) who faces charges of unlawful entry.
The accused is charged with illegal possession of a Black Glock 44 (serial number AEBE402) containing 10 rounds of 22LR ammunition on South Dock/Five Cays Road, Providenciales.
Additionally, he is alleged to be one of three individuals involved in a morning robbery at 809 or Chances, Blue Hills, Providenciales. The robbery, captured on video, involved the gunpoint theft of a female’s white handbag containing $799.00.
He has been remanded until the next sufficiency hearing on July 7th, 2024. Appearing in court on Monday, May 13th, he was represented by Mr. Ashwood Forbes, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions represented by Ms. Enjaleek Dickerson.
He was arraigned on the following charges:
- Gang membership
- Robbery
- Possession of a firearm for the benefit of a gang
- Possession of ammunition for the benefit of a gang
- Unlawful entry
- Possession of a firearm
- Possession of ammunition
Both individuals are Creole-speaking.
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