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TCI: Exports weak at just over 1% of Imports; Department of Trade to change the trend

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#Providenciales, June 1, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – A soaring increase in imports has bolstered the country’s revenues generously but the story is far more concerning when it comes to export earnings for the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Statistics Department figures from 2018 expose income from exports as just barely over one percent of income from imports, and the experts have advised the Turks and Caicos to fix this problem.

The biggest export for the Turks and Caicos Islands is rum.  Hard liquor accounts for some 20 percent of the reported $10.5 million in export earnings according to the OEC or Organisation of Economic Complexity. 

The OEC website tracks countries across the globe and gives the TCI a ranking of 210th in the world for exports.  The OEC shares that conch is the second largest export accounting for 11 percent and lobster is third, at 9.3 percent of exported goods in 2017.

The Turks and Caicos Statistics Department reports that in 2018, the country earned a mere $5.8 million from exports.  Imports are listed as have brought in $487.3 million dollars in 2018.   

The Organization of Economic Complexity posts that export earnings have been sinking by an annual rate of over 33 percent since 2012.  The TCI Department of Statistics reveals that exports plummeted in 2017 to a mere $2.3 million in earnings but rose significantly in 2018.

What all facts point to is that the TCI is charting a negative trade balance.  This archipelago brings in over $480 million dollars more in goods than it sends out; at least that this the 2018 picture.

But there a Department coming for that, says Premier and Trade Minister, Sharlene Robinson.  Trade is the facet of her cabinet portfolio which gets the least amount of attention and that fact is expected to be radically altered within this new fiscal year.

“Following the conclusion of the COSME program the Government decided accept and implement much of the proposed recommendations and strategies and consequently approved the establishment of a Department of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs to facilitate the development and growth of trade and business in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The concept of a Department of Trade has already been ratified at the Cabinet Level and Magnetic Media questions about this intriguing announcement revealed that a myriad of opportunities and new legislation is coming to govern trade in the TCI.  

“The department will see three staff members; Director of Trade, Director of Consumer Affairs and Trade Officer all are required to have a legal background. Under the department a National Trade Facilitation Task Force will also be established and will develop and implement a comprehensive action plan on measures to improve and increase trade.”

Although it is very, very slow going, Brexit is influencing this strategy by the Turks and Caicos explained the Office of the Premier.

‘The Premier and Minister of Finance Investment and Trade during her Budget Address for the 2019/20 Fiscal Year said, “The timeliness of this undertaking is especially significant given the anticipated impact on our access to the European market on account of the UK’s planned withdrawal from the European Union. We have commenced discussions with the UK Department for International Trade on participating in future UK free trade agreements should the UK cease to be a member of the European Union”.

Initially, the work of the department will be exploration of opportunities and adequate response to that information with the creation of a climate of trade in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  This is no easy feat.

“The department’s main aim will be to develop bilateral trade agreements or formal arrangements with new and existing trading partners. The Department also seeks to provide assistance to entrepreneurs and businesses (particularly MSMEs) as it relates to laws and procedures governing international trade including exports, rules of origin, market access etc. The aim is also to promote consumer education and awareness and will ensure the enforcement of the Consumer Protection Ordinance (2016).”

As for when the appointments will happen and when the requisite legislation will be drafted, approved and passed into law, there were no specifics.  However, the Office of the Trade Minister did say, “It is expected that support legislation will be completed and posts for Trade Officer and Director of Consumer Affairs filled within the 2019/20 Financial Year.”

The Department of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs will fall under the Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade.

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Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos 

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RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

 

 

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Government

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DELEGATION VISITS WEST MIDLANDS AMBULANCE SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

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Providenciales, Tuesday 30 April, 2024 – A delegation from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, recently undertook a pivotal visit to the West Midlands Ambulance Service in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The visit, which took place from April 21st to April 23rd, 2024, was held under the esteemed patronage of the Ambassador of Health of the British Overseas Territories, Professor Ian Cumming.

Led by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE, the delegation included Ms. Renessa Williams, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, and Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services. This strategic meeting was an integral part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance emergency services within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During the visit, representatives from the West Midlands Ambulance Service provided comprehensive insights into their operations, sharing valuable expertise and offering collaborative initiatives for the development of the TCIs emergency services. Discussions encompassed various aspects, including training and mentoring programs tailored to empower emergency personnel within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The visit marked a significant step forward in our strategy for the advancement of emergency services,” stated Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support extended by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and we look forward to implementing the insights gained to further enhance emergency care within our country. Permanent Secretary Lewis also expressed the Ministry of Health’s gratitude to Professor Ian Cumming for his assistance by way of arranging the visit.”

Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands, underscored the importance of the discussions, emphasizing the poignant exchange of ideas and the potential for meaningful collaborations which signifies a commitment to improving emergency services and ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services expresses its sincere appreciation to the West Midlands Ambulance Service for their warm hospitality and invaluable contributions during the visit.

For additional information, please visit the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

 

 

 

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TCI Court

Eight Months facing Police Accusations and Court, now Pedro Grant Exonerated

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

With no evidence to support their claim, the prosecution has dropped their case against Pedro Jose Alfredo Grant Gallon, the Dominican Republic citizen who was accused of impersonating an officer in September 2023.

The Police, who publicized the arrest and charge, have not yet commented on the matter despite Magnetic Media queries.

Grant, for his part, has always vehemently denied the accusations that he was impersonating an officer and described the circumstances surrounding his arrest as unfair.

He contends that on the evening of July 13, 2023, he was being followed by a strange driver, concerned, he waited until the man pulled off at a bar, then took his license plate number and called the police, but police never came to help Grant. He alleges that the next time he saw them, they came with handcuffs to arrest him. In a search, police found his IDs which included his documentation for humanitarian work with the International Diplomatic Alliance (IDA) and police lights attached to his vehicle. In explaining the possession of those lights, Grant said he told officers that they had been in his car from his time in the Dominican Republic where he was involved in law enforcement.

Since that time, Grant has maintained several facts:

  • The Police did not have a warrant to search his home and car;
  • The Police took his documents including passports and IDs, one of which was issued by the IDA, and to date have not returned them despite being court-ordered to do so;
  • The Police intimidated his wife with threats of deportation;
  • He never showed any ID, flashing lights at the man following him, or claimed to be an officer.

Police have steadfastly refused to comment on the case despite numerous queries into the bizarre circumstances, even with serious allegations like intimidation against them. Grant was officially charged with Impersonating an Officer in September but IDA Head Jerrod Crockett told Magnetic Media despite seizing documents from Grant to support their case, no one even called the organization to see if they were real or fake.

Now, when called to provide evidence to the court as to why they arrested and charged the resident, the police and DPPs office drew a complete blank as Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, confirmed it was a lack of evidence that got the case dropped.

Despite this win serious damage has been done Grant claims, describing his life as a ‘living hell’ and ‘miserable’ since the accusations were publicized.

The IDA says it has been affected as well.

“That really put a hurt on us for the last six to eight months now because of accusations of fraudulent documents that everybody else has seen. We’re trying to prove our legitimacy now because you guys can’t verify any documents— before you put everything out there as public information,” Crockett said of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF)

The president also told our news team they had lost thousands of dollars in funding.

Following the closure of the case we reached out again to police to find out on what grounds Grant had been arrested and charged but no response was issued.

 

 

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