The new PDM Team of Visionaries, have been busy not just doing some necessary housekeeping, but attending to other necessary obligations which my deputy would gladly inform you of.
First of all, I would like to welcome the new additions to our team of visionaries that help up make up our at large team.
This evening I would just like to touch some of the pressing issues at hand and would begin with VAT.
VAT
I take this opportunity to categorically state that the PDM’s Policy on vat is consistent with that of the Private Sector business men and women of this country, the Chamber of Commerce, and the man on the street. That stance is a resounding, unwavering NO TO VAT.
We have signed on with the Anti-Vat Group and I have made a press release consistent with this stance, and a formal party Position Paper has been prepared and would be released shortly.
It is a complicated, onerous and expensive Tax System that has already proven to be economically counter productive to the small Island states in the Caribbean that has already implemented it. It is in fact even more unsuited for our service economy and the decision to implemented it, has not been influenced by the general public majority opinion, now has it been influenced by the peculiar dynamics of our economy in the TCI.
Our position is that the UK cease and desist in moving this initiative forward, and leave any further movement of this to a democratically elected government that would give it the kind of airing and in depth study that is required before any further progression of this VAT.
HEALTH
Inter-health Canada inclusive of the two hospitals, is tantamount to one huge and elaborate fraudulent scheme that appears to be deliberately and disingenuously designed to bilk the public and the TCI government out of tens of millions of dollars annually.
Our people are suffering and dying at a noticeably increased rate, because of the lack of access to the level of health care necessary to keep them alive and well.
So in spite of Inter-Health Canada receiving over $80 Million annually from the coffers of our suffering people, through being heavily taxed by NHIB, and from the government’s treasury, our health care options have decreased and the level of our health care has dropped. Therefore Turks and Caicos people are not getting the bang for their buck, in other words, we are not getting value for money.
The Solution!
A PDM administration will relieve our people of this legally convoluted, onerous financial scheme, by either taking legal action to unravel the corruption or the worst case scenario, get rid of our legally binding commitment by paying it off , which require less than what we currently pay for two years.
STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY
It is obvious that the British economic and development policies are not in tune nor in tandem with the dynamics of an Island economy, much less a service economy such as our here in the Turks and Caicos.
For example, while under normal circumstances, one may consider some major policy shifts in regards to offering incentives to “would be” developers in Providenciales, the same could not be true in the lesser developed Islands.
As a matter of fact, if we are going to remain competitive in this investment climate in the region, it is obvious that some incentives may have to be offered in some instances even in Providenciales until we can regain our strong economic footing.
Additionally, it is not in the least practical nor acceptable that an interim administration put in place development policies for an incoming democratically elected government.
These sentiments were in fact made known to the acting governor in a recent meeting between him, the Permanent secretaries and the new PDM leadership.
This the acting governor concurred with and stated that it was merely an exercise to establish some form of guideline that an incoming administration may or may not find acceptable.
POLICY MAKING
Another flawed policy that was making the islands circuit, was that Policy would be made by the Permanent Secretaries and ministers would be obligated to work in accordance with those policies.
Any civilized person knows that, that approach is in effect, in reverse.
The deputy governor also agreed with me that Policy making would be the responsibility of the elected government and Permanent Secretaries would be expected to work along with ministers to carry out those policies.
THE TWENTY EIGHT STORY PROPOSED HOTEL DEVELOPMENT This proposed development project is attractive to many and that is understood in a depressed economy such as ours, where jobs are as scarce as gold and many people need to be put to work as soon as possible. Besides, it’s a great project overall.
However responsible political leaders have to exercise a sense of responsibility, even if it’s popular to go with a flow. This is not the sort of thing that one should use as leverage simply to gain votes.
Because of the policy issues involved, such as the height of the buildings, which is four times higher than the highest existing building in Grace Bay, this is going to involve a major development policy change.
In pursuing this change, consideration is going to have to be given to both the negative and the positive effects this major change is going to have on the existing tourism developments in the area.
Consideration must also be given as to the possible effects such a develop may have on our existing low profile Grace Bay Shoreline that has been a subtle self-selling point.
Therefore it is too complicated an issue to be undertaken by the interim administration and elections being just three months away, it is something that an elected government should take under its wings for consideration.
One of the factors that may be easier to adopt is the acceptance of such building heights in some location other than Grace Bay.
ECONOMY
Uncontrollable factors such as, the unstable world economies, the escalating threat of terrorist activities globally, the global increase in national disasters, the escalating military tension between nations which threatens the availability and shipping of essential goods such as fuel and foodstuffs, and which also threatens the movement of passengers to fuel our tourists based economy, sends a strong signal that can no longer be ignored, that is, that our economy, our national security and our ability to merely survive as a people, is far too vulnerable.
If we want to once again become a first world country, then we not only have to consider these issues, but we have to take deliberate steps to mitigate these distressing factors.
Furthermore, our economy is currently top heavy with taxation and is far too dependent not only on tourism as an industry, but tourism in its singularity aspect which we now embrace. This must change.
If we want to be in the major leagues, then we’ve got to stop playing governmental softball and graduate to baseball, we as a government and people must demonstrate our worthiness of being in the major league by showing that we can not only pitch fast ball.
We must develop an economy that is more insulated against these unavoidable external forces.
While there has been over the past three years and even during the latest PNP administration, vigorous efforts to widen the franchise, a PDM government’s focus would be to broaden our economic base, thereby diversifying our economy to make it more vibrant, more resilient and more sustainable over the long haul.
OBAMA IMPORT TAX
This proposed US import tax on Turks and Caicos Goods, is a direct blow to our already fragile and ailing economy.
In fact, it is a direct blow to our fishing industry which affects mostly Providenciales and South Caicos but especially South Caicos where fishing accounts for nearly all industrial and economic activity.
This is an issue that requires a strong, experienced and knowledgeable government to effectively deal with this forthwith.
In the first instance, it is obvious that the financial data used to justify this initiative is totally erroneous.
Even if the data was factual, the overall economic, industrial and unemployment plight of the Turks and Caicos could not handle the imposition of this tax.
A PDM government would act swiftly to present our case to the US Government to have this decision rescinded forthwith in an effort to protect our already fragile fishing industry and our struggling fishermen.
The Governor
When we met with the deputy governor about two weeks ago, I requested a hard copy of the budget and I got it. But most importantly, I requested a copy of the Hospital Agreement, I didn’t get it, he said I needed to request it from the substantive Governor.
So this morning I met with his Excellency the governor briefly and arranged for him to meet my team:
I also requested a copy of the Hospital agreements which the governor promised to look into.
Additionally, I enquired as to provision being made for a budget that caters to a Ministerial Government that would be installed after November 9th of this year.
It was also mentioned that there needs to be ample preparations made in advance to facilitate a smooth turnover, equipping ministers with the backup manpower, office space and finances that we will require to function effectively and efficiently as a government
