Invest Turks and Caicos Islands is highlighting the need to ensure economic growth translates into meaningful opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders.
The agency held its fifth Annual General Meeting on September 15 at The Ritz-Carlton, under the theme “Investment and Opportunity: Building a Stronger Workforce.” Premier and Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment, Charles Washington Misick, said economic progress should not be measured only by the number of developments being built or the amount of capital entering the country.
He stressed the importance of ensuring residents advance alongside the Islands’ economic growth, while also calling for greater attention to the social cost of development and the responsibility of businesses to contribute to the communities in which they operate.
Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam also emphasized the importance of converting investor confidence into lasting economic capacity, including skills development, innovation, enterprise and stronger institutions. Invest TCI Chief Executive Officer Angela Musgrove reported that the agency currently has an active investment pipeline of 53 projects valued at approximately six-point-three-three-five billion dollars.
She also revealed that Invest TCI received 140 applications to its Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise programme during the 2025/26 financial year — the highest number of applications in the programme’s history. Musgrove said the agency is looking beyond the size of investments and focusing on the wider economic impact, including employment, construction activity, opportunities for local businesses and greater participation in the economy. There is also progress under the Heritage Turks and Caicos Islander Investment Policy, with two Development Agreements executed and five projects currently moving through the Heritage pipeline.
A special panel discussion at the AGM focused on how investment can create opportunities beyond employment. The discussion brought together representatives from government, the tourism industry, education, energy and recruitment to examine workforce quality, skills development, career progression and greater local participation. Panelists also discussed the need for stronger partnerships between government, investors, employers and educational institutions to ensure the local workforce is prepared for higher-value and specialized jobs created by continued development.
Invest TCI Chairperson Cindy Ewing said the true value of investment is not only what is built on the Islands, but what is built within its people.
The agency says its focus moving forward will remain on attracting and facilitating investment while strengthening the connection between economic development, workforce development and long-term opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders.
