News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Statement of condolences by the National Chair of the PLP - Jan 17, 2018 - 3:17:55 PM


Statement from the Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party on reported plane crash

Our party is very saddened to learn of the loss of life which came as a result of a reported plane crash this morning, departing out of North Andros.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the community of North Andros in particular and our nation as a whole and especially to all the families that feel great pain and loss today...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
A message from Turks & Caicos Minister of Tourism, Ralph L. Higgs - Sep 27, 2017 - 10:14:19 AM

Come back to Turks & Caicos; come enjoy our lifestyle, our people, and our hospitality, which the world has grown to love.  We are open to serve you. The Turks & Caicos Islands that the world has grown to love is still here for you to come and enjoy--our casual luxe lifestyle, our friendly people, and our warm hospitality are all waiting for you!

Hurricanes Irma and Maria did not break us, they did not steal our ability to love and serve. These storms only exposed some of our vulnerabilities which we must strengthen. While the vast majority of our tourism infrastructure sustained minimal damages, several of our communities received direct hits from Irma

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Ministry of Education: Death of Two Students - Sep 26, 2017 - 4:50:21 PM

It is with profound sadness that we write to inform the public that one of our students, Eugene Woodside of Albury Sayle Primary School, was the unfortunate victim of a stray bullet from a shooting that occurred on Monday, September 25th.

We also regret to inform the public of the untimely passing of 16 year old Aaliyah Mackey of Stapledon School, who passed away in hospital earlier this morning...

News : Bahamas Information Services Updates
All Clear given for the Turks and Caicos Islands - Sep 8, 2017 - 7:24:00 PM

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has issued an “ALL Clear” for the Turks and Caicos Islands, which was pummeled by the Category 5 Hurricane Irma in a trail of destruction and killing at least 14 people.

Hurricane Irma has pummelled the Turks and Caicos Islands after leaving a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, killing at least 14 people, according to the BBC news on Friday, September 8, 2017...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Saint Lucia congratulates new Bermuda Premier & Government - Jul 20, 2017 - 8:26:17 AM

The Government of Saint Lucia extends congratulations to the new Premier of Bermuda, Honourable David Burt, who was officially sworn in yesterday, July 19th 2017.

At 38 years old, Mr. Burt is Bermuda’s youngest Premier, and took the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) to victory in Tuesday’s poll with a win of 24 seats in the 36-seat parliament, securing a majority.

“On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Government and People of Saint Lucia, we wish to send our best wishes to the new Bermuda Government and look...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
World Travel Awards coming to Turks and Caicos - Mar 10, 2017 - 11:17:08 AM

World Travel Awards has revealed that Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa will host the Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony 2017.

Situated on 12 miles of crystal white sand on Grace Bay, Beaches Turks & Caicos will welcome leaders from across the region on Saturday 16th September as they gather to see who among them has been voted the pinnacle of the travel industry.

This will be the fifth time World Travel Awards has visited Turks & Caicos, following glittering ceremonies at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa back in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2012...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
"Caribbean Must Think Beyond Status Quo At Turks & Caicos Conference" - Sep 7, 2016 - 10:27:04 AM

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY - Caribbean leaders need to throw out the old play book, and think big - beyond the status quo.

That's the word from Felicia J. Persaud, CEO and founder of Invest Caribbean Now (ICN), to delegates at the just concluded Invest Turks & Caicos 'Enhancing National Competitiveness Conference.'

Delivering keynote remarks at the TCI event on the topic 'Dimensions of Competitiveness in the 21st Century: A Global Perspective,' Persaud said that
the Caribbean region is being left behind...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Ralph Higgs Resigns as Turks And Caicos’ Director of Tourism - Aug 3, 2016 - 5:36:54 PM

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands  – The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board today announced that after 20 years of employment, Ralph Higgs has tenured his resignation as Director of Tourism, effective September 30, 2016.

Under Higgs’ directorship, the Turks and Caicos Islands received numerous accolades from the likes of TripAdvisor, CNN, Condé Nast, Forbes, and the World Travel Awards. The destination also experienced a steady increase in tourist arrivals annually. In 2014, Higgs became the first winner of the Caribbean Travel Award’s Tourism Director of the Year for taking the Turks and Caicos Tourism brand to new heights, helping to lead the destination to the best year-over-year improvement in tourist arrivals of any destination in the Caribbean...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Mary Lightbourne appointed as Turks and Caicos’ Deputy Director of Tourism - Apr 24, 2016 - 4:48:23 PM

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands  – The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board is pleased to congratulate Mary Lightbourne on her successful appointment as the new Deputy Director of Tourism.

Lightbourne is no stranger to the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board as she brings with her 23 years of a diverse track record of work experience, of which 15 were spent at the Tourist Board taking on progressively responsible roles. She was previously employed as the Registrar of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and most recently employed with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government in a senior-level position as the Head of Secretariat to the Minister of Education...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Turks and Caicos mourns the loss of music legend Prince - Apr 22, 2016 - 3:18:46 PM

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (April 22, 2016) – The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr. the Honorable Rufus Ewing and the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Porsha Stubbs-Smith, on behalf of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands expresses heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fans of the incomparable Prince.

Prince was a homeowner and frequent visitor of the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands.  He was often seen enjoying the sites of the islands and mingling with locals and visitors alike. On his many visits he also worked with local artists helping them to improve their craft...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Michael Misick's attorney responds to Sandals statement - Jan 30, 2016 - 5:12:20 PM

I represent former Premier of Turks and Caicos Islands, Mr Michael Misick in association with Mr Adrian Kayne at Mr Misick's trial in Turks & Caicos on various corruption offences.

My attention has been drawn to a media release that has been issued on behalf of "Sandals-related companies" and carried in various media.

I feel constrained to issue this response on behalf of my client.

It is my view that the statement has been a consequence of the practice of the prosecution of issuing daily releases of its unproved opening...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Sandals statement on payments made to Michael Misick - Jan 29, 2016 - 6:25:22 PM

TURKS & CAICOS -- On Tuesday, January 26, 2016, Andrew Mitchell Q.C. in continuing his opening statement in the criminal trial of former Premier of the Turks & Caicos, Michael Misick and others, stated that payments were made to Michael Misick by one or more Sandals-related companies. It is a fact that those payments were made.

The matter first came to light in the course of investigation by the US Department of Justice. This triggered a series of internal investigations by Sandals to determine the source of the payment and the responsible parties., Tom Scott, a retired Federal judge and partner in the Florida law firm, Cole, Scott & Kissane, was retained by Sandals to assist with the investigation and a highly reputable forensic accounting firm in Washington D.C...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Michael Misick and defendants on the Privy Council Appeal dismissal - May 14, 2015 - 11:56:40 AM

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands  - We note that the British Privy Council has dismissed our appeal which was brought to ensure that there is judicial independence in the Turks and Caicos Islands as there is in mainland Britain. They have also dismissed our appeal to ensure that we are able to have a fair trial as is the case in Britain; that is, a jury trial.

What these two decisions revealed is that the British judicial system is rigged against us from top down. The same system that is responsible for the appointment of judges in Turks and Caicos Islands is also responsible for the appointment of judges at the Privy Council. Clearly, today ranks were closed to protect the establishment...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
National Tree Restoration Strategy for TCI Government Launched - Apr 7, 2016 - 1:11:47 PM

Caicos Pine Recovery Project partners will officially hand over the National Tree Restoration Strategy to Turks & Caicos Islands Government on Wednesday, 6 April 2016.

Part of a long-term partnership between the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the expert-written strategy will be presented formally to the Ministry of Tourism, Environment & Culture, and launched into practice.

The Strategy documents the best practices for the conservation of the National Tree after two years of intense research on the unique ecosystem...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
PDM deeply saddened by tragic fire at Helena J. Robinson High School - Jan 29, 2016 - 5:59:07 PM

Today,  January  28,  2016,  we  have  been  shocked  and  saddened  by  the  news  of  a  fire  at  HJ  Robinson,  the  only  high  school  in  the  nations  capital.  While  we  wish  to  express  our  deep  sadness  of  this  unfortunate  and  tragic  development,  we  wish  to  comfort  the  many  students  and  families  who  have  been  also  deeply  impacted  by  this  act  of  apparent  arson.  Our  hearts,  prayers  and  thoughts  are  with  you  as  you  strive  to  educate  and  equip  yourself  and  face  the  challenges  of  coping  with  this  new  reality.    The  many  photographs  circulating  this  morning  on  social  media  paint  a  vivid  picture  of  the  difficulties  you  face  in  the  coming  years.    

The  Leader  of  the  Opposition  has  been  briefed  by  party  officials  including  Hon.  Edwin  Astwood  and  Hon.  Derek  Taylor  who  are  both  on  the  ground  and  at  the  scene  and  is  today,  through  this  release...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
PDM opens candidate selection process - Jan 25, 2016 - 1:37:52 AM

The Peoples Democratic Movement in preparation for the upcoming General Election is hereby notifying the voting public that it is opening its process for candidate selection.

The Party’s Constitution makes provision for the selection of candidates and qualifications for elected office in section 24 but namely:

a. Be members of the Party in good standing, b. Be registered voters and c. Satisfy the qualifications for membership of the Legislature as laid down by the Constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
TCI Appoints New Director of Agriculture - Dec 3, 2015 - 11:30:25 AM

Ms. Wilhelmina Kissoonsingh has been recently appointed as the Director for the Department of Agriculture.

Ms. Kissoonsingh has a very diverse background and started her career in Agriculture as a Field Extension Officer advising farmers on ways to improve their production. Later on she worked in the Private Sector as an agronomist, developing and researching techniques to improve Agriculture and later moved up the ranks to planning and implementing agricultural programs for the entire country of Trinidad.

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
New manufacturing opportunities coming to Grand Turk - Nov 20, 2015 - 8:48:42 AM

Grand Turk, TCI, BWI – Paul Day of Grand Turk Development Enterprise (GTDE) announced today that he has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Howard D. Nash of Creative Investment Holdings Ltd. to assist him in completing a Technology Transfer of a number of propriety Canadian Manufacturing Technologies to Grand Turk. While many opportunities are being discussed for TCI two of the most prominent are:

A new manufacturing facility to produce stay-in-place concrete wall forming systems that promote easy construction in all types of climates. The factory on Grand Turk will produce and manufacture from raw materials, a complete range of Extruded Polymer Forms to enable the construction of a full range of structures...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
TCI Conch Festival set for November 28th - Nov 12, 2015 - 8:12:16 PM

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – Plans for the 12th Annual Turks & Caicos Conch Festival, are well underway with a weekend-full of activities on the tropical getaway Providenciales, the world’s #1 island and best beach. The popular beachside event attracts tourists and locals alike to celebrate the country’s most famous delicacy, historical icon, and number one export…CONCH. The main event will take place on Saturday (November 28) in the charming Blue Hills area of Providenciales, outside of Three Queen’s Bar & Restaurant...

News : International : Caribbean News : Turks & Caicos Islands
Caribbean Kitchen Returns to ANUGA 2015 - Sep 18, 2015 - 10:13:53 AM

Bridgetown, BARBADOS - Once again a selection of Caribbean Speciality Food and Beverage companies will be gaining growth from the international markets when they showcase their products at the ANUGA 2015 trade fair, under the umbrella platform Caribbean Kitchen.   ANUGA is the world’s leading food fair for retail trade, food service, and the catering market with around 6,800 exhibitors from 100 countries expected to display their goods to 155,000 visitors.    Spanning the entire 284,000 m² fair grounds in Cologne, Germany, ANUGA takes place from 10 to 14 October 2015...