RTC Director

Turks and Caicos Hosts UWI Open Campus Council Meeting

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) will host the 2019 Council Meeting of The UWI Open Campus. The meeting will be held on Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Shore Club Resort on the island of Providenciales. This is the first time the Turks and Caicos Islands is hosting the Open Campus Council Meeting.

Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, and Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus, Dr Luz Longsworth will address the public session of the meeting, which starts at 9:30 am TCI time.

During the Council meeting, a number of issues will occupy the attention of delegates. These include the Principal’s Report to Council (Open Campus 2017/2018 Annual Report), the Audited Financial Statements, Audit Committee Report, The UWI Open Campus Alumni Report, and the Annual Report of the Global Affairs Canada/Strengthening Distance Education in the Caribbean (GAC/SDEC) Project.

The major discussion point will be the Principal’s Report, which will describe the Open Campus’ contribution to the achievement of The UWI Triple A Strategy.  In the Report, Dr Longsworth will outline accomplishments by the Open Campus under the three pillars of the Triple A Strategy: Access, Alignment and Agility.

The Council Meeting will be held under the Chairmanship of Ambassador Dr June Soomer.

Opening of TCI Country Site

This year’s Open Campus Council meeting takes on special significance as the Open Campus Country Site will reopen in the Turks and Caicos Islands on the same day of the Council meeting. The new Open Campus Country Site in Turks and Caicos is located at Town Centre Mall on the island of Providenciales.

The Site will be officially opened by Honourable Karen Malcolm, Minister of Education in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus, Dr Luz Longsworth, during an official ceremony on Friday March 15 starting at 6:00 pm.

Distinguished Lecture

Following the opening of the Open Campus Country Site, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies will deliver a distinguished lecture on the topic of Reparations. The lecture will take place in the foyer of the Town Centre Mall and starts at 7:30 pm.

“The UWI Open Campus is delighted to re-establish our physical presence in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” stated Dr Luz Longsworth, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Open Campus. “This places the Open Campus in a better position to work strategically with the Government of the TCI and the TCI Community College in building the territory’s human resource capacity and meeting its training needs.”

by RTC Director

Hon. Williams celebrates International Women's Day

As the country celebrates International Women's Day, Minister the Hon. Delroy Williams took time out to reflect on women in the TCI in his 2019 message.

My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, as we join the rest of the World in celebrating International Women's Day which is observed annually on March 8^th , I wish to pay special tribute to all women throughout the length and breadth of our country.

As a people, we take great pride in having a notable number of women in leadership roles and in key positions in both the public and private sector in almost every facet of society.

On behalf of my ministry and my government, I wish to congratulate all women on their various accomplishments, as we honor and celebrate the contributions they continue to make to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In many ways, women represent the strong fabric that keeps society together and shapes the world in which we live. It is obvious that many of our women have successfully mastered the theme and I can boldly say that our country would not be where it is today without the sacrifice, hard work and dedication that our women have made over the years and continue to make.

As we celebrate this year under the theme, "Balance for Better”, I wish to pledge the support of my Ministry and my government to  continuing to develop and strengthen programmes that will advance the rights of women and encourage more of them to strive for excellence and contribute to the development of our country.

Today I also wish to encourage the older women in our society to ensure that the younger ones are not left behind or at risk. We are living in a rapidly changing society and world, so I urge you to be excellent role models for them.

Once again it is my pleasure to wish all women a Happy International Women’s Day 2019.

by RTC Director

PREMIER SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THE AMNESTY

On February 18th, the following Bills were read in the House of Assembly for the first time and it was publicly announced that the Debate would take place on March 4^th and 5^th :

• The Hotel Tourism and Restaurant Taxation Bill (HRTT) which provided an overhaul to the Law passed since 1985 allowing for a modernization of the law and a strengthening of the collection of taxes;
• The HRTT (Amnesty) Bill which allowed for an Amnesty commencing April 1^st and allowing for a waiver of all penalties and payable on any outstanding taxes due and payable under the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism (Taxation) Ordinance for the years up to and including the year ending 31 March 2019.
• The HRTT (Validation) Bill which sought to ratify past actions.

Regrettably not all persons were able to hear the Debate in the House of Assembly where three serving former Ministers quite adequately shared their thoughts on why we were where we are today.

Of particular concern was the Amnesty Bill that offers relief to 41 local and expatriate owned Businesses. I offer again the following facts as stated during the Debate:

1. There has been NO WRITE OFF OF TAXES for any Business.

Financial Implications

• There are currently 41 establishments that are in arrears position of which 7 have been refferred to AG Chambers, 15 have paid the entire principal amount but not the interest (not accruing), and 19 have made no payments. (interest accruing).
• Of the 19 businesses, Beaches TCI and Club Med collectively account for 96% of the amount outstanding. Should these businesses opt to benefit from the Amnesty, $28,638,820 of principal will be collected and $85,191,912 in interest will be forfeited.
• Total amounts in arrear of principal and interest are $29,684,123 and $89,147,690 respectively as at January 31, 2019.

2. On the matter of Beaches, three former Ministers of Finance currently serving correctly summed up the situation as it relates to Beaches. Hon Derek Taylor spoke to the fact that the actions should be considered for what it is: a cleaning up exercise; Hon Royal Robinson offered that it was a matter that the issue has run on so long and now the “chickens have come home to roost and certain adjustments must be made” and Hon Washington Misick stated that he believe that this was a genuine oversight by all Governments: PDM and PNP since 1997. I agree with all save for the fact that I have every reason to believe that the immediate past Minister of Finance had knowledge of this matter and in fact his Party has issued a Release saying that he commissioned the Audit that revealed the Findings. The Audit covered September 2014 – August 2016 and it revealed that though Beaches and successive Governments operated on the understanding that it should pay 60% of the 12% tax, there was no written evidence save a letter written by Hon Washington Misick in 2014 confirming this to be the practise. Despite the findings revealing the oversight on the part of all successive governments, my Government has requested the payment of the full 100% of taxes for this period. I wish to thank the Revenue Control Unit for its work. In addition I wish to assure the public that Beaches and Club Med continues to pay its monthly taxes before the statutory deadline.

As it relates to Club Med, who since its opening has been allowed to pay 40% of the 12% tax under a Development Agreement. This Development Agreement has since expired and the former Administration had continued to collect under the same rate under the expired Agreement.

To this end, the Revenue Control Unit had to assess both establishments on 100% and this is the matter before us.

3. Only Penalties are proposed to be written off. Penalties under the current Ordinance calculates monthly at 10% compounded. For an amount outstanding of $29,684,123, the total penalties are $89,147, 690. To be clear all businesses owing under this Audit are now attracting 240% in interest/penalty on the original taxes owed. As an example if a business owes $10,000 in taxes, it now attracts a penalty/interest of $38,000.00 for the Audit period. While penalties have been put in place to deter late payments, we believe the rate of 10% compounded monthly was too onerous and have reduced the rate and how it is calculated going forward under the new Ordinance passed on Monday.

4. I wish to confirm that local businesses will benefit under this Amnesty. Despite there being no request by the Opposition for a list of proposed beneficiaries, I now release the list of businesses that stand to benefit under the Amnesty Program and encourage them to take advantage of the offer that allows payment plans for up to 2 years. I appeal especially to locally owned businesses that have popular standing. We are more than happy to be able to provide such an opportunity.

by RTC Director

TURKS AND CAICOS POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT FOR THE 6TH MARCH 2019

His Excellency the Governor, Dr. John Freeman, chaired the 6^th meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, 6 March 2019, at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales, in the presence of all ministers. 

A post Cabinet statement from Governor’s Office, noted the approval of a review of the stipend paid by the Government to jurors undertaking jury duty and, in keeping with best practice in the region, to the drafting of a bill to amend the Jury Ordinance to include a provision to obligate employers to continue paying employee salaries during the time they are on jury duty. 

Here’s RTC’s Chris Jarrett with other matters taken up at Cabinet level this week.

Cabinet approved the proposed Companies Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1) Order and directed the Attorney General's Chambers to draft the amendment for execution, with a view to commencing the Order as soon as practicable. 

Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday, approved the appointment of Yaa McCartney as the new Chair of the Public Procurement Board for a period of two years and expressed thanks to Mr. James Astwood for his six years of service as Chair of the Procurement Board.

Cabinet received and reviewed the Third Quarter Report of the financial performance of the Turks and Caicos Government for the period of October to December 2018. 

It approved the establishment of a new Department of Trade, following the passage of the 2019/2020 budget.

Approval was given by Cabinet for a business license application, submitted by Ocean King, seeking permission to operate in a restricted business (fishing), under the Business Licensing (Amendment) Regulations 2014. 

It approved as well the terms of agreement between the TCIG and T-VED Ltd. to enter into negotiations for a development agreement to operate the airport on North Caicos, subject to further consideration by Cabinet.  

Cabinet agreed to the Revenue Department entering into discussions on the development of a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbnb. 

Subject to the granting of applicable licenses under strict conditions and subject to the results of a new Environmental Impact Assessment, Cabinet conditionally approved a planning application from Sun Rise & Set Ltd. and Emerald Point Ltd. for Outline Development Permission to erect a new rock groyne to replace three existing synthetic groynes in Leeward Marina in order to reduce the erosion of the coastline along Crown Land Parcels 60901/78, 27, 29 and 118. 

Subject to public consultation, Cabinet agreed to the drafting of amendments to the Residential and Commercial Development Building height and set back standards, to include more detailed provision for buildings between 7 and 12 storeys high. 

Cabinet noted at Wednesday’s meeting, an update on an action plan by the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) and a number of proposals to address the use of beach accesses. 

It approved as well, recommendations by the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources – DECR - in relation to non-contentious issues, covered in the public consultation for amendments to the National Parks Order.

Cabinet approved recommendations by the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources - the DECR, to carry out a comprehensive environmental impact study in relation to contentious issues covered in the public consultation for amendments to the National Parks Order to remove certain areas from the Chalk Sound National Park. 

At its meeting on Wednesday, Cabinet noted an Information Paper on the medical treatment abroad policy.

Approval was given by Cabinet for the use of a specified, rental space for the Health Regulation Authority. 

Cabinet approved the Attorney General Chamber's recommendation on settlement terms in a Civil Recovery case. 

It also approved terms in respect of a request from the United States of America, seeking agreement for the Turks and Caicos Islands to denounce any interest in land that was the subject of Bona Vacantia in the interest of settling claims from fraud victims.

Cabinet on Wednesday, approved a request from Parrot Cay Hotel Management for concessions on Customs duties in accordance with the Refurbishment Policy. 

Approval was given by Cabinet for a Supplementary Appropriation Bill to retire two Contingency warrants being presented to the House of Assembly, as well as instructions to the Attorney General's Chambers to draft the proposed Companies (Amendment to Schedule 3) Regulations.

Cabinet also received an update from the Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control on the recent sloop landing.

It received as well as a report from the Deputy Governor and Premier on TCI's participation in the 17th EU Overseas Countries and Territories Forum and ongoing relations with the EU as well as an update from the Deputy Governor on the status of the EDF 11 program and an update from the Attorney General on the TCI Banking Contract.

Further information on these Cabinet matters will be provided by Ministers in due course. For RTC News, I’m

For RTC News, I’m Chris Jarrett.

by RTC Director

PAHO VISIT TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

The Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services (MoHASHS) recently concluded a successful visit of officials from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) from Monday 11^th – Wednesday 13^th February 2019. The visiting officials included Dr. Esther De Gourville (PAHO/WHO World Representative (PWR) for the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands) and Dr. Keva Thompson (Ministry of Health (Bahamas) National Professional Officer). This visit accomplished the following objectives:-

To discuss the achievements and performance concerns with implementing the Biennial Work Plan (BWP) for 2018/2019.

• To present the Adjusted Hanlon methodology for prioritization of programme areas to be implemented in the PAHO Biennium Workplan for 2019-2020.
• To further the planning for the STEPS survey in 2019.

The BWP is the PAHO budgetary planning tool that is used to assess the regional priorities for the Americas, what the PAHO response is going to be for each priority (e.g. technical assistance, training, financial assistance, provisions of goods etc.) and the associated budgets for each country served.

The Adjusted Hanlon methodology is a recognized, robust, scientific and innovative approach of the method for public health priority setting. This used national feedback to assess what the individual and then regional countries’ priorities areas were according to 25 PAHO health outcomes.

STEPS: The WHO STEP wise approach to Surveillance (STEPS) is a simple, standardized method for collecting, analysing and disseminating data in WHO (World Health Organization) member countries.  Non communicable diseases or chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person. Non communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of deaths globally. Non-communicable disease examples include heart attacks, strokes, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension). The STEPS survey is a sequential process. It starts with gathering key information on risk factors with a questionnaire, then moves to simple physical measurements and then to more complex collection of urine and blood samples for biochemical analysis. By gathering this information through the STEPS survey, the data generated will enable the Ministry of Health to better plan remedial interventions to reduce non-communicable diseases and their risk factors in the TCI.

The PWR commended the MoHASHS for the good quality work produced in the 2018-2019 financial year. The MoHASHS looks forward to future collaboration with PAHO/WHO and the deepening of our relationship as we continue to use their technical assistance to build the human resources for health and systems capacity of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

by RTC Director

Trump Heads to Hanoi for Second Summit With Kim

U.S. President Donald Trump is heading to Hanoi for his second summit with Kim Jong Un amid hopes for a deal that would lead to the North Korean leader to give up his nuclear weapons.

"I think we'll have a very tremendous summit. We want denuclearization, and I think he'll have a country that will set a lot of records for speed in terms of an economy," Trump said in remarks at the White House before departing.

National Security Advisor John Bolton, two months ago, said a second summit was needed because North Korea had yet to live up to the commitments it made last June in Singapore.

A lack of a major breakthrough for the second time could have negative political ramifications for Trump.

"If the president makes substantive concessions, I think he will get serious bipartisan criticism," says James Jay Carafano, the vice president of the Heritage Foundation's institute for national security and foreign policy.

That would "probably be the last thing he needs" amid the possible release this week of a summary of the special counsel's report into ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 election campaign, adds Carafano.

"If the report is good news, a distraction is bad," Carafano tells VOA. "If it's bad news, it will compound his problems."

Some analysts, however, predict there would be scant political damage for Trump as he can just declare a foreign policy victory.

"All it takes is Kim pretending to disarm and Trump pretending to believe him," says Vipin Narang, an associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"So long as Kim doesn't embarrass Trump publicly by testing a nuclear weapon or a ballistic missile, domestically Trump can keep rinsing and repeating," Narang, author of the book Nuclear Strategy in the Modern Era tells VOA. "The advantage for Trump is that Kim's continued expansion of his nuclear weapons program is largely silent, and, at best, shows up on page 10" of local newspapers in the United States.

"If nothing positive happens, the Democratic Party hawks and the media may mock Trump's pretensions and claims to be a master negotiator," says Professor Peter Kuznick, director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University. "But as long as tensions don't re-erupt on the Korean peninsula, most Americans will be satisfied with the status quo and move on to other issues."

If Trump can keep the North Korean leader engaged, diplomatic efforts continue with sanctions still in place and Pyongyang maintains its moratorium on nuclear and missile testing, "Trump can pocket a foreign policy win going into the election," according to Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Rebeccah Heinrichs.

With a status quo for at least another year, the president "can tell his supporters to stick with him so he can 'finish the job' in another four years," Heinrichs tells VOA.

There is anxiety Trump might trade away the presence of U.S. troops in the Far East for concessions by Kim on nuclear weapons or intercontinental ballistic missiles. Such a move, besides alarming allies, could also open Trump to severe political criticism back home from both the left and the right.

"There is concern "Trump will ad-lib concessions to Kim Jong Un without his team knowing about it before hand," says Duyeon Kim, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

"Concrete denuclearization steps don't mean getting rid of things they don't need anymore. It means touching parts of their program that matter, even if they are baby steps at first." She added that a "front-loading on U.S. concessions without getting anything proportionate in return, as Trump did in Singapore, risks losing negotiating leverage very quickly and allowing Pyongyang to dictate this entire process. "

Source-VOA

by RTC Director

DAMIAN WILSON APPOINTED AS POLICY/MEDIA AND CIVIL SOCIETY LIAISON MANAGER

Damian was born and raised on the island of Grand Turk and after spending a few years with then Turks & Caicos Utilities Ltd. (TCU), now Fortis TCI, as a lineman Apprentice/Mechanical Assistant, he gained an Associates Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the TCI Community College in 2006 and began his journey in communications with Radio Turks & Caicos (RTC) as a Radio Announcer/Presenter; simultaneously assuming the role of Sale Representative.

Damian went on to study in the United Kingdom, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree (Hons) in Communications, Media & Journalism from the University of Buckingham and returning to the TCI took up employment with Digicel TCI as a Marketing Communications Executive, with responsibility for advertising and collateral development, digital asset management (including online marketing, social media and website management and assisting with coordinating stakeholder communications. Damian joined the Governor's Office team in 2017 as the Media & Civil Society Liaison Officer, where he managed various aspects of the Governor's Office communications and public relations, including media communications, public engagements, digital asset management, etc.

Commenting on his new appointment Mr. Wilson said; "I have always had a love for communications and connecting with people and am humbled and thrilled to be assuming this new role in my career as a member of the TCI Civil Service, one of the most hard working public sectors I know. This opportunity will allow me to serve the people of the TCI to an even greater extent. I believe that my time in the Governor's Office has been a great experience, one where I have contributed significantly to my role as Media & Civil Society Liaison, but where I have also learned considerably. I am honoured and privileged to be taking on this new role and I commit to bringing even greater dedication, intensity, focus to this role as I did the last. I look forward to what the future holds.”

Commenting on the appointment Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service Anya Williams said; “Congratulations is extended to Mr. Wilson on his recent appointment to the post of Policy/Media and Civil Society Liaison Manager within the Office of the Governor. It has been a pleasure having Damian as a part of the team in that office over the last two years. He is a perfectionist and takes great pride and responsibility in his work, making him a hardworking and trustworthy civil servant.”

In his new role Damian will maintain responsibility for media and civil society engagements, but in terms of Policy, will also be responsible for responding at short notice to numerous enquiries from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other UK government departments on a broad range of issues, including: TCI’s educational and environmental responsibilities and will support the work of the Governor’s Office on disaster management and other regional and international issues affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

by RTC Director