Global Economy & Marketing TCI By Zhavargo Jolly
This week the International Monetary Fund changed its estimated predictions for 2013, stating that countries like China, Brazil, India & Mexico, a group that accounted for a significant portion of last year’s 3.1% growth in the world economy have slowed considerably.
It was projected the global economic growth would increase to 3.3% in 2013, but new figures suggest that the numbers will be the same as last year. In developing nations like India and Brazil, this decrease in growth is mostly due to the inability of these countries’ leaders to enact difficult economic and political reforms, which would help to continue foster good relationships with foreign investors. To the surprise of many, the only major country that is doing better than previously thought is Japan; the Prime Minister and his government have been trying to revive the economy through aggressive enactment of monetary and fiscal policies. The IMF now believes Japan will grow 2 percent this year, up from its April prediction of 1.5 percent. Last year, Japan’s economy grew 1.9 percent.
So what does this have to do with the Turks & Caicos Islands? A lot, Turks & Caicos Islands has been declared “Open for Business”. Well, I can rent a 2,500 sq. ft. space put some inventory in it and declare my store open for business but, if I don’t research the current sales trends to determine the right type and amount of inventory to purchase and sell, employ highly trained personable staff and aggressively market my store through the right forms of media tools, am I truly open for business? The plain answer is no. It is our responsibility to take all the necessary steps to place ourselves in a position to compete for inward investment due to the high level of competition in the world today. And this means extensive policy changes, removing considerable amounts of red tape, political reform to promote governmental stability and streamlining certain bureaucratic processes.
Now it’s very easy to criticize, but that’s not my goal. I see an opportunity to market the Turks & Caicos Islands in a very unique fashion. It is impossible to add to a Rembrandt or to augment a Van Gogh, I dare you to improve on da Vinci’s Mona Lisa or enhance Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; it just can’t be done. And that’s fine, because in my opinion there is nothing more truly amazing than the potential represented by a blank canvas. It represents many opportunities and possibilities; it can be made into something far greater than anything Van Gogh, da Vinci or Rembrandt ever made, it really all depends on the painter or painters. This is how I see my Turks & Caicos Islands, with the need for policy changes and many of our governmental processes still being in an evolving embryotic phase, this gives us the distinct advantage of the blank canvas.
This is how we market our country to large scale global investors, look out your window and see the green shrubbery, clear white sand and turquoise water, so much of which is still untouched. Show these groups the true potential and opportunities of the Turks & Caicos Islands which is still considerably in its early developmental stage and allow them to be a part of the creation process. We have had many individual investors in the past that saw the potential with their own eyes only one time and that was all the convincing needed, so much so that they not only became contributors to our economic growth, they made Turks & Caicos Islands their home.
Persons like Stan Hartling, Mark Durliat and Harold Charles, just to name a few, all contributors to Turks & Caicos Islands economic growth and all Turks and Caicos Islanders. The truth is any individual or group that has the opportunity to lay eyes on what we have to offer here in the Turks & Caicos Islands are always captivated by the natural beauty and the potential it represents, it’s time to complete the work of art! “Turks & Caicos Islands: Endless Opportunities through Endless Potential”
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN OUR EDITORIALS ARE NOT THOSE OF THE MANAGEMENT & STAFF OF RADIO TURKS & CAICOS.
PREMIER’S MINISTERIAL STATEMENT AT THE 8TH SITTING OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
Mr. Speaker, members of this Honorable House, my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, a pleasant good morning. I would like to thank my almighty God for his goodness and mercies and the strength to carry on, for he is my light and my salvation.
I wish to take this opportunity to extend birthday wishes to both the Hon. Leader of the Opposition and the Hon. Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I woke up this morning with a heart burdened with questions as to whether or not I should carry on. Mr. Speaker, as per the usual, I asked my Lord for strength, guidance, wisdom and determination, and because of those I am here standing before you in this honorable House this morning.
Mr. Speaker, the past few weeks of duty in the Office of Premier of this country have been a reality check. You see Mr. Speaker, I was taught all my life to be honest, to be law abiding, to play by the rules as these are the best of policies to which one should adhere to safely see oneself through life. Mr. Speaker, to some extent these guiding principles are true, but in the current socioeconomic and political context of our beloved Turks and Caicos Islands, these qualities do indeed at times appear to be pointless and are the constant root causes of frustration as the rules are not in our favor. Mr. Speaker the rules that I am referring to are the constitutional rules of this country which give the Governor the uncensored power to do whatsoever he pleases. Mr. Speaker, if these powers were consistently used in the interest of Turks and Caicos Islanders to better their lives we may not have a problem. The difficulty, Mr. Speaker, is if government plays by these current rules, it would be to our detriment as we would not be serving the best interest of our people. What is unfair is, if Turks and Caicos Islanders attempted to challenge the status quo, it would also be to their detriment, so essentially we can't win for losing. However Mr. Speaker I am a fighter. I am a leader and if I am going to die I would prefer to die trying and challenging the status quo.
Mr. Speaker, we came to government, elected by the people to improve their lives and well-being, not just economically and socially but also, more importantly, to improve their lives democratically. Mr. Speaker, the people of these islands elected us to make decisions in their best interest, to represent them, but the government of the people is having some of the most difficult times, being bound by chains and whipped when we try to break free in the interest of the people.
Mr. Speaker, the economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands has shown many positive signs of growth, as evidenced by our GDP which has grown by 3.4%, there are also major investments such as the Shore Club and the West Caicos development that were stalled and are now well on their way towards initiating activity. Very soon other developments like Dellis and Ambergris Cay will come along, and with new interested investors engaged, I am very optimistic that this economy will rebound completely. However, Mr. Speaker this growth must be to the betterment of the lives of our people who must be able to capitalize on the opportunities that would be presented to them. Mr. Speaker, the only way we can guarantee this in an environment of unfair competition is by strengthening our Belonger preference policies as we grow and diversify our economy and as we streamline and make more efficient, our business and labour policies. Mr. Speaker, we are about leveling the playing field not making it uneven. Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell my Turks and Caicos Islanders that we are mandated to empower them through protection of reserved categories of business and capital and investment facilitation and that we shall do. I can let the EU know now, that if the EDF grant of 15 million which is intended to improve and streamline business practices, has as its goal the removal of Belonger reserve categories as a trade off, then they can keep their money as this will not happen under my watch at this time in our current economic state.
Mr. Speaker, Tourism is our main industry and it has served us and continues to serve us well even during to downturn in the economy. However, we are vulnerable to economic shocks and unless we diversify our economy we would always remain vulnerable and at high risk of not being able to withstand economic downturns. Mr. Speaker that is why we have begun the process of facilitating other industries, such a manufacturing and processing, and identifying trading partners for the importation of raw materials to serve these industries. Mr. Speaker our neighbours of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas and other Caricom countries in close proximity may serve well as trading partners and allies, so too do other first world countries like the US and Canada. Mr. Speaker the diversification of our economies into the manufacturing and processing industry will, in addition to boosting the economy, create jobs and promote Turks and Caicos internationally with goods labeled " Made in the Turks and Caicos", these results all having an overall impact of lowering the cost of goods and cost of living.
Mr. Speaker, we are continuing to venture internationally to promote these islands to investors in an effort to encourage more new investments and major infrastructural developments. Mr. Speaker on September 22nd, I will be one of the key note speakers at the KPMG Miami Infrastructure conference where I will be presenting three key major infrastructure investment opportunities, namely the Phase 2 Providenciales Airport expansion with new international arrival and departure areas, the East Caicos Mega Port and Resort Facility and the Caicos Causeway. These projects we see as life changing projects for these islands that will bring economic prosperity and sustainability and diversify our bread basket.
Mr. Speaker, as a government, in addition to expanding this economy and providing jobs, a task that we are feverishly doing, we are also obligated to providing educational opportunities and adequate an educational environment for our people. Therefore Mr. Speaker, I would love to take this opportunity to welcome all of the school children back to school and congratulate them on their achievements that brought them to this level in their educational endeavours. Likewise, I would like to congratulate and thank those deserving parents, and teachers, for their hard work and support of all of those students whose academic achievements were outstanding. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the Ministry of Education and the Education Department for the provision of scholarships and educational opportunities for our students. Mr. Speaker, there were also a number of organizations such and the Seventh Day Adventist Church, The Baptist Union, The Rock of Jesus Ministries and others who made provisions for school supplies, scholarships and financial support, I thank these organizations and individuals and encourage them to continue to give back to their community as we raise this nation.
Mr. Speaker, the return to school in terms of readiness has been challenging and we as a government stepped up to the plate to address those challenges and for this I thank my Minister of Education and her team, however, there were challenges that we were unable to solve but not for lack of trying. Mr. Speaker, the matter of the over-crowding of the Clement Howell High School is still of grave concern for our government. We have tried to secure both capital and recurrent expenditure funding so as to split the Clement Howell High School as a short term measure to relieve the over-crowding, whilst we prepare for the building of a new high school facility in the medium to long term. But Mr. Speaker this did not come to fruition. Mr. Speaker the British Government's focus is on using our surplus to pay down loans whilst our people suffer and are deprived of educational opportunities. Mr. Speaker, as a Government we are motivated to find solutions to our financial challenges to meet the basic needs of our people. But whilst we are forced to raise taxes to meet loan obligations and provide educational and social services for our people, the British government continues to drain our purse with unchecked expenditure being incurred by the Civil Recovery Team and SIPT. Mr. Speaker, this situation is unbearable and just unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, I am hereby holding the AG and the Governor accountable for these actions and am calling on them to give account and justification for funds that we could be using on our children, sending them to school in proper and healthy environment. And Mr. Speaker whilst on the topic of health, likewise the hospitals which are another possible source of concealed internal hemorrhage, will be put in check, also providing funds that can be used more effectively either in healthcare or elsewhere. Mr. Speaker, our Cabinet yesterday had a presentation of the Interim Hospital Audit and an action plan has been devised to address the issues being highlighted in the interim audit. This healthcare situation will be fixed.
Mr. Speaker, I have made public my dissatisfaction with the recent actions by the outgoing Governor to make a strategic re-appointment of the Attorney General despite the objection of myself, my government, the Leader of the Opposition and the People of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I have taken the liberty of outlining my reasons for my stance on this issue and I am asking all Members of the House of Assembly to join together with one voice on this issue.
Mr. Speaker and Members of this Honorable House, may God continue to bless you and bless these Turks and Caicos Islands. I thank you.
More Opprotunities For Locals
During the eighth sitting of the House of Assembly today, the Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands, under the leadership of the Hon. Premier, Dr. Rufus Ewing, tabled for debate the Fractional Ownership Bill which promises to open scores of opportunities for both Turks & Caicos Islanders and the Country alike.
In what seems to be a host of new Policies and Bills proposed recently, within the last few months, all geared towards driving the growth of the economy and the empowerment of the people, this latest submission will offer both local and international investors the opportunity to pool resources and become joint owners of a single property.
Often mistaken for the more familiar Time Share concept which doesn’t offer the opportunity for purchase, persons entering the Fractional Ownership Scheme would have full ownership of their fraction of the property. This affords a number of unrelated parties the ability to share in and mitigate the risk of ownership of a high-valued piece of real estate. Once a property has been registered under the Fractional Ownership Scheme, the Bill makes provisions for a property to be split into a maximum of twelve fractions of equal value and thus allowing potential owners to purchase as many fractions as they desire.
With the Turks & Caicos Islands being marketed over the years as a high-end luxury destination, and the resulting development of five-star and six-star luxury resorts & condos, very few locals have benefitted previously through the ownership of Condo developments within the Islands as the price of luxury once excluded the common man from such ventures.
However, Belongers will now have a greater opportunity to participate in developments that have the Fractional Ownership Scheme, thus empowering them as property owners with equity and increased net-worth. With the power to borrow against a fraction and to sell, if so desired, Fractional Owners will have more financing options available to them and the ability to have access to two or more homes and to share the cost of maintaining the property.
The Hon. Premier commented, “The Fractional Ownership Bill was a vision of my government as a means of empowering our people, to drive development and to stimulate the economy. At a fraction of the cost, our people can become property owners and have increased equity that would allow them to have access to financing that, otherwise, they perhaps would not have had. This financing provides the ability to realize some of the dreams of Turks & Caicos Islanders who perhaps want to become the entrepreneurs that a growing economy needs for job creation and stability. Additionally, this Bill increases the likelihood that people would build condos, town homes or stand-alone vacation homes and this means work for our contractors, electricians, carpenters, masons, architects etc., thus re-energizing our construction industry and thereby sending a global message of a strengthening economy. I see this Fractional Ownership Bill as a win-win for our people and our country as this type of activity attracts investors to our shores while ensuring that Turks & Caicos Islanders are not left behind.”
Fractional Ownership Schemes, once reserved for luxury jet liners and boats have over the years been extended to include high-end real estate and are currently operating in countries internationally, like Europe, the United States and Canada, as well as in regional countries like Barbados, Antigua, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
The Bill, which is expected to pass during the next sitting of the House, also provides for the formation of Fractional Management Companies, similar to that of Property Management, and persons can look forward to the prospects of employment in new job titles such as a Fractional Manager within these companies.
Governor Presents Queen's Birthday Honours
Three Turks and Caicos Island (TCI) public servants were invested with Birthday Honours by Governor Ric Todd on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, at his official residence, Waterloo, Grand Turk today, Thursday, 5 September 2013.
The British Empire Medal (BEM) was awarded each to Shirlen Albert Forbes for services to the development of statistics in the TCI and to Angela Musgrove for services to youth development in the TCI.
Desiree Downes who work in the Attorney General’s Chambers was awarded an Honorary MBE for services to legislative drafting in the TCI.
“I would like to publicly thank Angela, Shirlen and Desiree for their many years of outstanding public service,” said Governor Ric Todd.
Police Report for September 05th, 2013
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating a number of incidents reported between Wednesday September 04th 2013 and Thursday 05th September 2013 within the districts of Providenciales, including:
• Two (2) Burglaries, during the commission of these crimes, one (1) black Samsung Galaxy 4 Cell Phone, one (1) Gray Toshiba Laptop, a green bag containing (1) red Sail Kite, one (1) blue mini Laptop and two (2) Snorkel Gear, 250cc Electrical Generator and one (1) 19 inch Samsung Plasma television were stolen.
• One (1) Attempted Burglary, during the commission of this crime a window was broken.
• One (1) Theft, during the commission of this crime a gold chain was stolen.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are also investigating an incident reported between Wednesday September 04th 2013 and Thursday 05th September 2013 within the districts of Grand Turk:
• One (1) Theft, during the commission of this crime a quantity of bicycle tryes were stolen.
Arrest
A 41 year old male of Five Cays was arrested on Suspicion of Handling Stolen Goods in relation to a Burglary which occurred on Thursday August 01, 2013.
Sentence
Nineteen year old Derek Hamilton Jr. pleaded guilty to the offence of Unlawful Carnal Knowledge before Justice Joan Joyner yesterday (Wednesday September 04, 2013) where he was sentenced to twelve (12) months suspended sentenced for eighteen (18) months.
TCIG Cabinet Meeting for September 4th 2013
His Excellency the Governor, Ric Todd, chaired the 19th meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 4 September 2013 at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk.
All Ministers were present. When the meeting convened, it was agreed that prayer be offered by the Governor on the occasion of his last Cabinet meeting.
At this meeting Cabinet:
· Heard a presentation by Mr Gary Brough of KPMG on the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospitals Actual Clinical Costs audit. Cabinet underlined both the importance of health policy and that the clinical costs of the healthcare contract were a significant element of TCIG spending. It considered in detail the issues highlighted by the KPMG audit. It agreed that the Minister of Health would, in the first instance, arrange to pass to the Contract Management Board a number of issues and areas for concern which Cabinet discussed and highlighted. It further agreed to hold a further discussion on the basis of feedback from the Contract Management Board and a paper from the Minister of Health either at its next meeting or the first meeting in October;
· Agreed to a proposal from the Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture that Mr Quinton Elry Lightbourne be appointed Chairman of the Higher Education Advisory Board (HEAB). It noted that he was currently a member of the HEAB and further agreed to keep under review and consider in due course whether to appoint an additional member to the Board to take the position vacated by Mr Lightbourne;
· Considered a paper from the Minister of Finance about the draft Development Agreement with Beaches and agreed that, subject to the clarification of one issue, the Governor should sign the Agreement;
· Taking account of further advice from the Attorney General, following the 18th meeting of Cabinet on 21 August, returned to its discussion of a proposal from the Minister of Border Control and Labour for an amendment to Immigration Regulations to permit Permanent Residence Certificates to be granted to certain categories of investors. Cabinet reaffirmed its approval for the policy intention of the Regulations and considered its provisions and clauses in detail, in particular those relating to definitions and controls. It asked the Minister and the Acting Attorney General to bring back to the next Cabinet a final draft of the Regulations, which would also highlight those few issues remaining for Cabinet’s decision;
· Noted and welcomed that the contract of the Chief Financial Officer, Mr Stephen Turnbull, is extended to 31 March 2016.
Further information on the issues addressed by Cabinet will be provided by Ministers in due course.
Cabinet noted that the Premier would be away from the islands on official duty from 6 – 15 September attending the mid term-meeting of the Heads of Overseas Territories on Gibraltar and that the Hon Akierra Missick, Deputy Premier, would be Acting Premier for this period.
The Governor thanked all his Cabinet colleagues for the opportunity to work with them.
Cabinet will hold its next meeting on 18 September 2013.
Premier's Ministerial Statement at the 8th Sitting of the House of Assembly
Mr. Speaker, members of this Honorable House, my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, a pleasant good morning. I would like to thank my almighty God for his goodness and mercies and the strength to carry on, for he is my light and my salvation.
I wish to take this opportunity to extend birthday wishes to both the Hon. Leader of the Opposition and the Hon. Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I woke up this morning with a heart burdened with questions as to whether or not I should carry on. Mr. Speaker, as per the usual, I asked my Lord for strength, guidance, wisdom and determination, and because of those I am here standing before you in this honorable House this morning.
Mr. Speaker, the past few weeks of duty in the Office of Premier of this country have been a reality check. You see Mr. Speaker, I was taught all my life to be honest, to be law abiding, to play by the rules as these are the best of policies to which one should adhere to safely see oneself through life. Mr. Speaker, to some extent these guiding principles are true, but in the current socioeconomic and political context of our beloved Turks and Caicos Islands, these qualities do indeed at times appear to be pointless and are the constant root causes of frustration as the rules are not in our favor. Mr. Speaker the rules that I am referring to are the constitutional rules of this country which give the Governor the uncensored power to do whatsoever he pleases. Mr. Speaker, if these powers were consistently used in the interest of Turks and Caicos Islanders to better their lives we may not have a problem. The difficulty, Mr. Speaker, is if government plays by these current rules, it would be to our detriment as we would not be serving the best interest of our people. What is unfair is, if Turks and Caicos Islanders attempted to challenge the status quo, it would also be to their detriment, so essentially we can't win for losing. However Mr. Speaker I am a fighter. I am a leader and if I am going to die I would prefer to die trying and challenging the status quo.
Mr. Speaker, we came to government, elected by the people to improve their lives and well-being, not just economically and socially but also, more importantly, to improve their lives democratically. Mr. Speaker, the people of these islands elected us to make decisions in their best interest, to represent them, but the government of the people is having some of the most difficult times, being bound by chains and whipped when we try to break free in the interest of the people.
Mr. Speaker, the economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands has shown many positive signs of growth, as evidenced by our GDP which has grown by 3.4%, there are also major investments such as the Shore Club and the West Caicos development that were stalled and are now well on their way towards initiating activity. Very soon other developments like Dellis and Ambergris Cay will come along, and with new interested investors engaged, I am very optimistic that this economy will rebound completely. However, Mr. Speaker this growth must be to the betterment of the lives of our people who must be able to capitalize on the opportunities that would be presented to them. Mr. Speaker, the only way we can guarantee this in an environment of unfair competition is by strengthening our Belonger preference policies as we grow and diversify our economy and as we streamline and make more efficient, our business and labour policies. Mr. Speaker, we are about leveling the playing field not making it uneven. Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell my Turks and Caicos Islanders that we are mandated to empower them through protection of reserved categories of business and capital and investment facilitation and that we shall do. I can let the EU know now, that if the EDF grant of 15 million which is intended to improve and streamline business practices, has as its goal the removal of Belonger reserve categories as a trade off, then they can keep their money as this will not happen under my watch at this time in our current economic state.
Mr. Speaker, Tourism is our main industry and it has served us and continues to serve us well even during to downturn in the economy. However, we are vulnerable to economic shocks and unless we diversify our economy we would always remain vulnerable and at high risk of not being able to withstand economic downturns. Mr. Speaker that is why we have begun the process of facilitating other industries, such a manufacturing and processing, and identifying trading partners for the importation of raw materials to serve these industries. Mr. Speaker our neighbours of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas and other Caricom countries in close proximity may serve well as trading partners and allies, so too do other first world countries like the US and Canada. Mr. Speaker the diversification of our economies into the manufacturing and processing industry will, in addition to boosting the economy, create jobs and promote Turks and Caicos internationally with goods labeled " Made in the Turks and Caicos", these results all having an overall impact of lowering the cost of goods and cost of living.
Mr. Speaker, we are continuing to venture internationally to promote these islands to investors in an effort to encourage more new investments and major infrastructural developments. Mr. Speaker on September 22nd, I will be one of the key note speakers at the KPMG Miami Infrastructure conference where I will be presenting three key major infrastructure investment opportunities, namely the Phase 2 Providenciales Airport expansion with new international arrival and departure areas, the East Caicos Mega Port and Resort Facility and the Caicos Causeway. These projects we see as life changing projects for these islands that will bring economic prosperity and sustainability and diversify our bread basket.
Mr. Speaker, as a government, in addition to expanding this economy and providing jobs, a task that we are feverishly doing, we are also obligated to providing educational opportunities and adequate an educational environment for our people. Therefore Mr. Speaker, I would love to take this opportunity to welcome all of the school children back to school and congratulate them on their achievements that brought them to this level in their educational endeavours. Likewise, I would like to congratulate and thank those deserving parents, and teachers, for their hard work and support of all of those students whose academic achievements were outstanding. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the Ministry of Education and the Education Department for the provision of scholarships and educational opportunities for our students. Mr. Speaker, there were also a number of organizations such and the Seventh Day Adventist Church, The Baptist Union, The Rock of Jesus Ministries and others who made provisions for school supplies, scholarships and financial support, I thank these organizations and individuals and encourage them to continue to give back to their community as we raise this nation.
Mr. Speaker, the return to school in terms of readiness has been challenging and we as a government stepped up to the plate to address those challenges and for this I thank my Minister of Education and her team, however, there were challenges that we were unable to solve but not for lack of trying. Mr. Speaker, the matter of the over-crowding of the Clement Howell High School is still of grave concern for our government. We have tried to secure both capital and recurrent expenditure funding so as to split the Clement Howell High School as a short term measure to relieve the over-crowding, whilst we prepare for the building of a new high school facility in the medium to long term. But Mr. Speaker this did not come to fruition. Mr. Speaker the British Government's focus is on using our surplus to pay down loans whilst our people suffer and are deprived of educational opportunities. Mr. Speaker, as a Government we are motivated to find solutions to our financial challenges to meet the basic needs of our people. But whilst we are forced to raise taxes to meet loan obligations and provide educational and social services for our people, the British government continues to drain our purse with unchecked expenditure being incurred by the Civil Recovery Team and SIPT. Mr. Speaker, this situation is unbearable and just unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, I am hereby holding the AG and the Governor accountable for these actions and am calling on them to give account and justification for funds that we could be using on our children, sending them to school in proper and healthy environment. And Mr. Speaker whilst on the topic of health, likewise the hospitals which are another possible source of concealed internal hemorrhage, will be put in check, also providing funds that can be used more effectively either in healthcare or elsewhere. Mr. Speaker, our Cabinet yesterday had a presentation of the Interim Hospital Audit and an action plan has been devised to address the issues being highlighted in the interim audit. This healthcare situation will be fixed.
Mr. Speaker, I have made public my dissatisfaction with the recent actions by the outgoing Governor to make a strategic re-appointment of the Attorney General despite the objection of myself, my government, the Leader of the Opposition and the People of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I have taken the liberty of outlining my reasons for my stance on this issue and I am asking all Members of the House of Assembly to join together with one voice on this issue.
Mr. Speaker and Members of this Honorable House, may God continue to bless you and bless these Turks and Caicos Islands. I thank you.
Kanye West Bank $3 Million For Performing At A Kazakhstan Wedding
When you are Kanye West, you can collect $3 million for a short performance at a wedding.
Last weekend the G.O.O.D. Music rapper traveled to Kazakhstan to perform at a wedding last weekend.
Yeezy was invited by President Nursultan Nazarbayev to perform at his grandson’s wedding.
According to TMZ, Kanye West was paid a whopping $3 million to perform on Saturday night at the Almaty’s Hotel Royal Tulip.
President Nursultan Nazarbayev is accused of being a dictator and is rumored to be worth billions of dollars.
Shaggy And Ne-Yo “You Girl” Tops Billboard Digital Chart
Shaggy is gearing up to release his new album “Out Of Many, One Music” on September 24.
The reggae star is already enjoying some success with the second single off the album “You Girl” featuring R&B singer Ne-Yo.
“You Girl” debut at No. 1 last week on Billboard’s Digital Reggae Singles chart after selling 4,216 copies.
The track was produced by Sly and Robbie, Sting International and Steven ‘Lenky’ Marsden.
The album Sly and Robbie presents Shaggy “Out Of Many, One Music” will see appearances from Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, Beres Hammond, Konshens, Jimmy Cozier, Cocoa Tea, Joe, Ne-Yo, Tessanne Chin, Peetah Morgan, Tarrus Riley, Chronixx and Samira.
US box office scores record summer
The US box office hit a record $4.7bn (£3bn) over this summer with a 10.2% increase in revenue from last year.
Films such as Iron Man 3, Man Of Steel and Despicable Me 2 helped boost numbers, despite a summer of flops including The Lone Ranger, After Earth and The Wolverine.
An unusually large number of summer releases also saw cinema attendance rise by 6.6% to about 573 million.
Iron Man 3 was the biggest hit of the summer, taking $408.6m (£263m).
Although a portion of the record revenues can be attributed to rising ticket prices - which increased on average by 27 cents (17p) - industry figures have attributed the growth to a packed summer of films.
John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theater Owners, said the bumper takings were a clear sign of industry strength.
However, he suggested studios were jamming too many blockbuster releases into too narrow a summertime window.
"A few of those films suffered because of the congestion," he told Associated Press.
"In January and February of this year, we had very little product and we had very few big budget movies. Maybe one of the takeaways of the summer is: We've got a whole bunch of movies, let's spread a few of them out a bit more and take advantage of the whole calendar."
But Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian said the situation was unlikely to change as Hollywood studios traditionally capitalise on the school holidays in the summer months to target the widest audience possible.
Some of the unlikely hits of the summer included lower budget horror films The Purge and The Conjuring, as well as comedies This Is The End and We're The Millers.
While The Lone Ranger - which cost more than $215m (£138m) to make - was the biggest flop taking just $88.4m (£57m) in the U.S.