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Turks and Caicos Premier statement in PDM Administration, year three report

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#TurksandCaicosIslands – January 20, 2020 —- STATEMENT MADE ON JANUARY 7, 2020 – The Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson and Cabinet Ministers updated the general public during a press conference on Tuesday, January 7 2020 on their achievements for the year 2019; their third year since coming to Office in December 2016.

Each minister provided extensive updates on their respective ministries and shared priority areas and plans for the year 2020. Premier Robinson brought updates on the Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade, Statutory Bodies and The Office of the Premier Local Government and Community Affairs. Among the achievements attained in 2019 were:

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·       Passed three surplus Budgets and critical supplementary

·       The Home Owners Policy came into effect

·       The critical work with CDB to look at the provision of capital access for businesses progressed and the tender was released to complete these works

·       Introduced Amnesty Program for tourism related businesses that allowed over 20 businesses to start fresh

·       Purchased a building for the new Technical and Vocational Institute

·       Organized and facilitated the Mission of the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC) to discuss TCIG’s Revenues in an effort to revamp our Revenue Collections System

·       Government Storage fees waived for a period

·       Reestablished the Trade Department

·       TCI Represented at Ministerial level at the Social Security Annual General Meeting in Belgium and at the Meeting of the Global Forum

·       Completed the Regulations and Standards for the Consumer Protection Ordinance and the Regulations for the Credit Union Ordinance. Both were brought into effect last year.

·       Completed the Vision 2040 Document and secured quotes for its critical roll out.

·       Funded the reintroduction of Increments for the Civil Service

·       Approved and implemented salary advance for Civil Servants, funded the Consultancy Review of the TCI Pension and Terminal Benefits

·       Funded critical repairs for Police Stations

·       Conducted Actuarial Reviews for all of Government Pensions (which included for the first time Pensions under the Retiring Allowance Ordinance – Politician’s Pensions), NIB and NHIB.

·       Reopened the newly refurbished JAGS International Airport in Grand Turk and approved critical projects for the TCIAA including: –

Salt Cay new airport runway. Photo by Salt Cay Community in Action

o   Salt Cay Airport Redevelopment

o   New Fire Trucks

o   South Caicos Terminal (out to tender)

o   Fire Hall for Grand Turk (under construction)

o   Combined Services Building and Fire Services Building for Provo (out to Tender)

o   Office Building for Provo (currently being evaluated)

·       Advanced critical projects to redevelop all the ports in TCI

·       Invested funds to provide further support of developing the Financial Services Sector.

·       Appointed a new CEO and Deputy CEO for the Civil Aviation Authority in the persons of Peter Forbes and Arthur Bassett.

·       Appointed a Local Government Modernisation and Review Committee and concluded its consultations around the Islands

·       Purchased vehicles for District Administration and reopened the newly refurbished DC’s Office on Salt Cay.

·       Agreed plan to launch a Climate Change Symposium to heighten awareness and action

·       Progressed the ban on other harmful plastics; enacted restrictions on the importation of polystyrenes and plastic straws

·       Introduced an incentivized scrap metal policy for the removal of scrap metal from the Islands

·       Progressed the National Security Strategy

·       Investment in policing including: building repairs to RTCIPF Headquarters, purchased a new plane, begun implementing CCTV in Grand Turk, acquired a new police boat and other critical equipment

National Hero – Most Excellent, the late Rt Hon JAGS McCartney

·       Reinstated JAGS McCARTNEY DAY

·       Commissioned the first Musicians of the Turks and Caicos Music Festival

Commenting on the achievements for 2019, Premier Robinson stated: “We are a beautiful, blessed country and we must be grateful to God for his many blessings. Thanks to His Excellency the Governor, the Honorable Ministers, Cabinet colleagues and above all Team Finance, Team Premier’s Office, Public and Private Sector for a collective effort in bettering the lives of all Turks and Caicos Islanders.

As we reflect on the past year, I cannot overlook some of our unfortunate actions as a people. Offering destructive criticism, sitting on the sidelines creating problems for every solution has no place in TCI’s next decade. Too many of us continue to be irresponsible in our use of social media particularly in circulating false accounts of criminal acts and sloops, and this only leads to irreparable damage to our reputation and wasted use of resources. This for me is of serious concern. The tenor of 2020 must be different; let us put country first.

We must move forward on the path of restoration, decentralization and modernization towards attaining Vision 2040. We have much to do in a short time but we must persevere and we will.”

Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.

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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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