Govt explores partnership with Singapore’s Civil Service College
The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands is exploring innovative systems in Singapore as it continues to pursue opportunities for educating the country’s civil service employees.
Last week, Her Excellency Anya Williams, Deputy Governor, along with several of her Caribbean counterparts were in Singapore to explore opportunities for training and development in the Southeast Asian country.
Deputy Governor Williams noted that continuous training and professional development is essential to the success of every organization, and while visiting Singapore on official business, it was a pleasure for her and colleagues from Anguilla and the Cayman Islands to meet with the senior executives of the Civil Service College of Singapore to discuss opportunities for public service training and development.
Eighteen years ago, while serving as the Budget Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the now Deputy Governor, had the opportunity to participate in a two-week Budgeting and Public Financial Management Training Program at the Singapore Civil Service College, which proved to be very invaluable.
The Civil Service College (CSC) was established as a statutory board under the Public Service Division in 2001, providing education to civil servants of the Government of Singapore.
As the public sector's main institution for learning, research and staff development, the Civil Service College is committed to designing and developing programmes that support competency-driven growth in public officers, ensuring that they have the ability to not only grow in the public service but to thrive.
Marine Branch & Police Force is asking the public to exercise responsibility when at sea.
The Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is asking members of the public to exercise responsibility when venturing out at sea.
On January 26th, 2024, officers received a report that three persons left South Caicos for Providenciales onboard a fishing vessel.
While heading back to South Caicos, the vessel ran out of fuel in the Moxi Bush area.
The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) assisted.
On Sunday, 21st January 2024, marine officers responded to separate distress calls in Providenciales.
The first incident occurred at 4:30 pm when a vessel with three occupants encountered difficulties and had to be towed to the Southbank Marina.
At 7:00 pm, officers responded to another distress report south of the Long Bay area.
The vessel was located with two persons on board.
The rescued occupants were unharmed.
The RTCIPF can confirm that for 2023, the Marine Branch rescued 20 persons (16 males and four females) at sea.
Sea Safety Tips to be mindful of include:
*Checking the weather and tides.
*Ensure you have sufficient life jackets, First Aid kits, dry food, and water to sustain you and your team for 24 hours.
*Carry a means of calling for help. For example, a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, a personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a VHF/DSC radio signaling device.
*Don’t Drink and Boat. Alcohol impairs judgment and decision-making.
*Have a passage plan and share your plans: Tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back. If you do not return as planned, they can raise the alarm.
*Ensure sufficient fuel is in the vessel before departing from shore. Use less than half of your fuel to take you to your destination.
National Tourism Debate Competition reached a pivotal milestone
On Monday, 22 January 2024 the National Tourism Debate Competition reached a pivotal milestone as four distinguished high schools have emerged as semi-finalists, setting the stage for an epic competition scheduled to take place on Monday, February 5, 2024.
The semi-finalists, Maranatha Academy, Precious Treasures, A. Louise Garland Thomas High School and Clement Howell High School, have demonstrated exceptional skill and acumen, earning their rightful places in the upcoming round of the competition.
Their participation promises to deliver a spirited and thought-provoking exchange of ideas, showcasing the intellectual prowess and oratory excellence of the students.
The National Tourism Debate Competition is a collaborative effort led by the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, and has received crucial support from the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College.
This collective effort underscores a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of the islands' youth in the tourism industry.
The first round of the competition not only showcased the talent and potential of the students but has also emphasized the vital role they play in shaping the future of the islands' tourism sector. As the competition progresses, it is expected to generate heightened interest and engagement within the community, further underscoring the significance of empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators.
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS POST NSC MEETING
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, and the Hon. Premier Charles Washington Misick, co-chaired a special meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Security Council (NSC) on 30 January 2024, at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales.
The meeting was called following the fatal shooting incident on Grand Turk on Friday 26 January. Council Members extend their sincere sympathies to the families and friends of those affected by recent incidents.
Criminal Justice Outcomes
The primary focus of the meeting was to understand the factors that may have led to recent incidents involving individuals released from His Majesty’s Prison (HMP), the risk reduction oversight of such individuals and the effectiveness of the coordination between criminal justice partners in their ownership of criminal justice outcomes. In attendance were senior leadership from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), the TCI Regiment, TCI Border Force, HMP and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The NSC was apprised of the recent two incidents involving individuals who had been released from HMP where they had been held on remand and sought briefings on the effectiveness of liaison between the RTCIPF, the office of the DPP and wider criminal justice agencies in respect of case progression, including the assessments made to public safety that inform representations at bail hearings.
The NSC instructed criminal justice partners to review its coordination and ownership of dependencies to support case progression. The NSC will seek to engage with the Judiciary as part of this review in support of work to drive targeted action in the delivery of timely justice outcomes.
Further to this meeting HE the Governor and the Hon. Premier have been apprised of yesterday’s fatal incident that included an individual who had been released from HMP following the end of his sentence. Work to establish multi-agency risk reduction strategies as discussed at the NSC will seek to address HMP exit arrangements and risks to public safety.
Law Enforcement Operations
For January, there have been eight separate discharges of firearms (three in Grand Turk and five in Providenciales), two fatalities and six wounded, of which one is critical.
The RTCIPF continue to draw on information and intelligence to underpin the work of multi-agency operations under Operation Reclaim III and Operation Shepherd in tackling irregular migration and organised crime across TCI, including the importation of illegal firearms, ammunition and drugs. Some arrests and searches have been carried out.
The support of the TCI Regiment to the RTCIPF, particularly with the Vehicle Check Points is proving of significant value. Since the NSC was last updated on 05 January 2024, 2,542 cars overall have been stopped with multiple traffic tickets issued, and cars removed from the roads due to lack of insurance. Some individuals have been detained for various infringements. The NSC noted its thanks to the public for their cooperation.
In reviewing ongoing security requirements, the NSC agreed on operational recommendations to extend the arrangement. Accordingly, HE the Governor has issued a direction under the Defence Ordinance, to extend TCI Regiment support to the RTCIPF until 03 March 2024.
Investment in maritime capability remains a key focus. Work is underway with the UK Joint Maritime Security Centre and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to increase surveillance measures in support of marine domain awareness and law enforcement operations. The TCI’s collaboration with international partners – including the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, US Customs and Border Protection and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - continues to underpin operations and enhance capability.
To assist police investigations, the public is asked to contact 911, the RTCIPF Serious Crime Unit at 649-232-8752, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information anonymously on these incidents or any other information in respect of activity that may be of concern.
Follow-up questions are welcomed and can be directed to nationalsecurity@gov.tc
IMF warns UK government against further tax cuts
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has "advised the UK against further tax cuts", as it launched its latest assessment of the world economy.
It said preserving public services and investment implied higher spending than was reflected in the government's current plans.
The IMF suggested the Treasury's pencilled-in spending cuts from this year were unrealistic.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said tax cuts could be a big help in boosting growth.
Mr Hunt has hinted heavily about more tax cuts in his upcoming Budget in March.
The IMF is an international organisation with 190 member countries, including the UK. They work together to try to stabilize the global economy.
One of the Fund's jobs is to advise its members on how to improve their economies.
The latest comments from the IMF came as it downgraded its forecasts for UK growth next year from 2% to 1.6%, partly as a statistical consequence of growth having been revised higher during the pandemic years. This better performance leaves less room for growth to catch up in later years.
The UK's growth last year and this year is expected to remain sluggish at below 0.5% and 0.6% respectively, the second-slowest in the G7 major economies, behind Germany.
The IMF also assumes fewer Bank of England rate cuts than in financial markets, calculating that rates will remain at 5.25% in the first half of this year. The Bank is then expected to cut by half a percent over the second half of the year.
Treasury sources said the government was slapping down the IMF for its advice on tax cuts, which derives from the organization's research for its annual in-depth health check of the UK economy.
It comes at a sensitive time ahead of the Budget and a general election where the chancellor hopes to mark out a key dividing line with the opposition on a smaller state, with lower public spending and lower taxes. The Treasury sources said that the improvement in UK growth prospects arose because of the chancellor's targeted business investment tax cuts.
On Tuesday, Mr Hunt received the first draft of the numbers on the public finances from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) - the government's independent forecaster - including an indication of the room for maneuver that might be used for tax cuts or spending increase.
OBR head Richard Hughes recently said a description of the government's penciled-in post-election spending plans as a "work of fiction" was "generous" because the "government hasn't even bothered to write down" its plans for individual departments.
If the government sticks to its spending plans, then lower interest rates and a stronger economy could increase the chancellor's room for maneuver against his self-imposed borrowing targets by as much as £20bn per year.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said last week that promises of tax cuts during general election campaigns may have to be rolled back as the UK economy faces some of its worst problems since the 1950s.
TCI 2023 ARRIVAL FIGURES SOLIDIFY ITS STATUS AS A PREFERRED LUXURY DESTINATION
The Turks and Caicos Islands continue to demonstrate it is a preferred luxury lifestyle destination for 2023, welcoming more than 1.5 million air arrivals and cruise visitors.
Air arrivals increased in 2023 to 662,707 visitors, representing a 21.62% increase over 2019. 2023 air arrivals surpassed 2022 air arrivals by 6.56% and exceeded 2021 air arrivals by an impressive 52.38%.
Cruise tourism registered growth in 2023, with 924,250 guests arriving at the Grand Turk Cruise Centre, representing a 25.84 percent increase over 2022. While cruise visitors for 2023 are below 2019 cruise visitor arrivals by 16.85%, Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly expressed optimism for ongoing momentum in cruise tourism visitors for 2024.
The Turks and Caicos Islands’ offers many sights and experiences beyond Providenciales — diving off the third largest barrier reef in Grand Turk, scenic secluded white sand beaches such as Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos, picturesque natural formations such as the Indian Caves in North Caicos and exciting marine activities in South Caicos — recently earned strong exposure in top travel and leisure outlets such as Travel Courier, Travel Offshore Magazine, Travel Off Path and TripAdvisor.
The increased awareness of the natural assets and beauty of Turks and Caicos is demonstrated in the number of leading travel and tourism awards for 2023. The Turks and Caicos was recognised as the Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination and Most Romantic Destination at the 2023 World Travel Awards. The Turks and Caicos Islands has won the Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination every single year since 2015 and our world-renowned Grace Bay Beach captured the Best Beach Award from 2012 to 2014. In 2023, we also captured the #5 Top Island in the Caribbean and The Atlantic in the Condé Nast Traveler's annual Readers’ Choice Awards and was listed as one of the Top 10 islands in Travel + Lesiure’s Readers’ 25 Favorite Islands in the Caribbean.
In October 2023, the Turks and Caicos Islands achieved “Virtuoso Preferred” Destination Status. Virtuoso is an exclusive portfolio of luxury travel partners, comprising over 2,000 preferred suppliers in 100 countries. The Turks and Caicos Islands currently have eight properties that have met the requirements to become Virtuoso accredited, including Amanyara; Beach Enclave; COMO Parrot Cay; Grace Bay Club; The Palms Turks and Caicos; The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos; The Shore Club; and Wymara Resort + Villas.
With new Virgin Atlantic nonstop flights from London, the December launch of Silver Airways from Fort Lauderdale, and the January 20th launch of Delta Airways from Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the Turks and Caicos Islands is providing additional ease and flexibility from the United Kingdom and the United States. Virgin’s non-stop flight from the UK opens the Turks and Caicos Islands to more visitors from Europe while Delta’s route from Minneapolis, its second-largest hub, expands our reach through the Midwestern cities of the United States including Cleveland, Ohio, Merton in Wisconsin, Brandon, South Dakota and Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. Expanding and deepening our reach in our key source markets will enable us to achieve our goals of increasing visitation and spend to the benefit of all of our residents throughout the islands.
As Experience Turks and Caicos looks to 2024 and beyond, we are focused on providing travelers with extraordinary experiences. With a thriving tourism sector, industry recognition, and strategic initiatives in place, the future holds great promise as we leverage this important sector to improve the quality of life for our citizens and residents.
Kenyan high court blocks police deployment to Haiti
The Kenyan High Court has blocked the government’s plans to send approximately 1,000 police officers to combat gangs in Haiti.
The judge asserted that the National Security Council lacks the authority to deploy police forces abroad.
The judge’s decision emphasizes a distinction in the council’s powers, allowing for military but not police deployment in international peacekeeping missions.
Kenya had previously volunteered to lead a multinational security force to address rising gang violence in Haiti.
In response to the ruling, Kenya’s government has announced its intention to appeal.
The United Nations this month reported nearly 4,800 killings in Haiti last year, up 119 percent from 2022. It recorded 2,490 kidnappings in 2023, up 83 percent from the previous year.
Border Force Opens New office in North Caicos
A new, fit-for-purpose building to house the Ministry of Immigrations’ Border Force and customer service unit, was on Thursday (January 25) unveiled in Bottle Creek, North Caicos.
Declaring the new location open, Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Hon Arlington Musgrove noted that it was a long time getting to this point. He said the event is an unfolding of his vision for the people of North and Middle Caicos, and as their representative, he is proud to have brought it to them.
The new building is intended to afford residents enhanced access to the ministry and advanced government service on the twin islands.
The opening of the office is an extension of the government’s integration of the Customs Department, Immigration Department, and Work Permit Unit into one intelligence-led-Border Force.
The opening of the office in the Twin Islands also signals the start of phase two of the transformation to a Border Force.
Phase one was launched in October 2023, and saw the implementation of the Border Force, while phase two will be – among other things - the opening of inland units so as to further enhance TCI’s border security.
As this transition progresses, the inland element of the Border Force will be brought to life, delivering all customs and immigration enforcement, alongside the establishment of one combined services function.
The new function will strive for an innovative approach to customer service, bringing the consideration and delivery of all applications in one place to allow the government to monitor response times and more efficiently meet demands.
Later in 2024, Border Force plans to introduce digital borders, including automation for low-risk travellers, biometrics to drive security and, for the first time, one end-to-end system containing the details of all known non-citizens in the Islands.
The Customs Department, Immigration Department, and work permit unit will gradually transition to the Border Force over the next few months, aiming to launch all units within the Border Force in April 2024.
Czech Republic signs a deal with the United States to purchase fighter jets....
The Czech Republic’s government signed an agreement with the United States on Monday to acquire 24 U.S. F-35 fighter jets as part of a deal worth about 150 billion Czech koruna ($6.6 billion), the biggest single purchase for the Czech military.
Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová and U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet signed a memorandum of understanding for the deal. The Czechs also signed a letter of offer and acceptance, the final step in completing a contract between the governments.
The Czech government approved the deal in September of 2023.
The first of the 24 fighter jets should be delivered in 2031, with the rest by 2035. The American aircraft will replace the 14 JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden that are currently used by the Czech army.
The Czechs will pay almost $5 billion to the U.S. for the aircraft, training of pilots, ammunition and other costs. The remaining money will be used to finance an upgrade of the Caslav air force base in central Czech Republic, fuel and training of staff.
The Czech ministry has been negotiating the deal with the United States for more than a year during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
CONCACAF Qualifying groups, schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026
Groups and schedule for the first and second round matches of the CONCACAF Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 announced Monday:
FIRST ROUND
March 22, 2024
Anguilla vs Turks and Caicos Islands
US Virgin Islands vs British Virgin Islands
March 26, 2024
Turks and Caicos Islands vs Anguilla
British Virgin Islands vs US Virgin Islands
* The aggregate score winner in each Play-off will progress to the second round
GROUPS
Group A: Honduras, Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Bermuda, Cayman Islands
Group B: Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Bahamas
Group C: Haiti, Curaçao, St. Lucia, Barbados, Aruba
Group D: Panama, Nicaragua, Guyana, Montserrat, Belize
Group E: Jamaica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Dominica, Winner Play-off 2
Group F: El Salvador, Suriname, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Winner Play-off 1
SECOND ROUND
June 5, 2024
(A) Antigua and Barbuda vs Bermuda
(B) Trinidad and Tobago vs Grenada
(C) Curaçao vs Barbados
(D) Nicaragua vs Montserrat
(E) Guatemala vs Dominica
(F) Suriname vs St. Vincent and the Grenadines
June 6, 2024
(A) Honduras vs Cuba
(B) Costa Rica vs St. Kitts and Nevis
(C) Haiti vs St. Lucia
(D) Panama vs Guyana
(E) Jamaica vs Dominican Republic
(F) El Salvador vs Puerto Rico
June 8, 2024
(A) Cayman Islands vs Antigua and Barbuda
(B) Bahamas vs Trinidad and Tobago
(C) Aruba vs Curaçao
(D) Belize vs Nicaragua
(E) Winner Play-off 2 vs Guatemala
(F) Winner Play-off 1 vs Suriname
June 9, 2024
(A) Bermuda vs Honduras
(B) Grenada vs Costa Rica
(C) Barbados vs Haiti
(D) Montserrat vs Panama
(E) Dominica vs Jamaica
(F) St. Vincent and the Grenadines vs El Salvador
June 11, 2024
(A) Cuba vs Cayman Islands
(B) St. Kitts and Nevis vs Bahamas
(C) St. Lucia vs Aruba
(D) Guyana vs Belize
(E) Dominican Republic vs Winner Play-off 2
(F) Puerto Rico vs Winner Play-off 1
June 4, 2025
(A) Bermuda vs Cayman Islands
(B) Grenada vs Bahamas
(C) Barbados vs Aruba
(D) Montserrat vs Belize
(E) Dominica vs Winner Play-off 2
(F) St. Vincent and the Grenadines vs Winner Play-off 1
June 6, 2025
(A) Antigua and Barbuda vs Cuba
(B) Trinidad and Tobago vs St. Kitts and Nevis
(C) Curaçao vs St. Lucia
(D) Nicaragua vs Guyana
(E) Guatemala vs Dominican Republic
(F) Suriname vs Puerto Rico
June 7, 2025
(A) Cayman Islands vs Honduras
(B) Bahamas vs Costa Rica
(C) Aruba vs Haiti
(D) Belize vs Panama
(E) Winner Play-off 2 vs Jamaica
(F) Winner Play-off 1 vs El Salvador
June 10, 2025
(A) Cuba vs Bermuda
(A) Honduras vs Antigua and Barbuda
(B) St. Kitts and Nevis vs Grenada
(B) Costa Rica vs Trinidad and Tobago
(C) St. Lucia vs Barbados
(C) Haiti vs Curaçao
(D) Guyana vs Montserrat
(D) Panama vs Nicaragua
(E) Dominican Republic vs Dominica
(E) Jamaica vs Guatemala
(F) Puerto Rico vs St. Vincent and the Grenadines
(F) El Salvador vs Suriname
* Group winners and runners-up (12 teams in total) will progress to the third round