RTC Director

Cabinet Statement Wednesday 21 August 2013

His Excellency the Governor, Ric Todd, chaired the 18th meeting of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ (TCI) Cabinet on Wednesday, 21 August 2013 at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk.

All Ministers were present at the meeting, except the Minister for Health and Human Services, who was on leave.

At this meeting Cabinet: 

·         Concluded, in the light of papers from the Minister of Finance, and having taken account of input from the Blue Ribbon Commission, that it would not proceed with the planned introduction from 1 October 2013 of the proposed GST on Professional Services and the Temporary Licensing Fee (Visitors Driving Permit). It further decided that the revenue from these taxes  thus forgone, which was in the budget and the FSPS, would be found by adapting the current tax system.

To this end it agreed to: increase the Stamp Duty on vehicle hire to 12%; increase the Communications Tax from 10% to 12%; to introduce a 10 cents per minute levy on incoming international phone calls; and to increase fuel duty by 10 cents from 75 cents to 85 cents per gallon. All these changes will take effect from 1 October 2013.

Cabinet further agreed to: advise the Governor to approve some amendments to the designation of restaurants for tax purposes in accordance with Hotel and Restaurant Taxation Ordinance CAP 19.09 (2009); and instruct the Commissioner of Revenues to make further and urgent efforts to recover unpaid arrears to the Scholarship Fund;

·         Discussed appointments to the Audit Committee, which it has decided to create in accordance with section 16 (9) - (13) of the Public Financial Management Ordinance 2012. It agreed to the appoint the following persons to be members of the Committee: Mr Nigel Hearnden (Chairman); Mr Neville Adams; Ms Edith Cox; Mr Neil French; Mr Bennett Alexander Stubbs; and Mr Cecil Arnold; 

·         Agreed to the proposals from the Attorney General (AG) that the draft bill on the Human Rights Commission and the draft bill on  Company Management(Licensing) (Amendment) be submitted to the  House of Assembly at its next sitting; 

·         Considered a report by the AG on work carried out to deliver TCI’s international commitments on transparency and cooperation in the area of international financial services. It approved, and agreed to issue, a statement on the TCI Action Plan to Prevent the Misuse of Legal Persons and Legal Arrangements:

                                                                                   'THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS’

0 0 1 415 2366 Tripple M FM 19 5 2776 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-GB JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}

ACTION PLAN TO PREVENT THE MISUSE OF LEGAL PERSONS AND LEGAL ARRANGEMENTS

1.  The Turks and Caicos Islands recognises and supports the need for transparency in relation to the establishment of corporate entities, including legal arrangements, and is committed to supporting initiatives that seek to establish international standards applicable across the board to all financial centres irrespective of location or grouping.  In this vein, the Turks and Caicos Islands is committed to fully implementing the revised Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards in order to improve the transparency of the ownership and control of companies and legal arrangements.  This is a matter of good corporate governance as well as a means to tackle a wide range of illicit activity.  In recognition of its long-standing policy to support and be a part of promoting international stands to ensure cooperation in all sphere of business and other areas, the Turks and Caicos Islands commits to the following action plan on beneficial ownership information:        

a)    Having already required beneficial ownership information to be obtained and maintained by companies, continue to make reforms to ensure that the international standard for companies to obtain and hold adequate, accurate and current information is met and keep under review its legislative and administrative regime, in consultation with stakeholders, to ensure full compliance with the revised 40 Recommendations of the FAFT in relation to the keeping of beneficial ownership information;

b)    Develop a national risk assessment framework (considered essential for measuring effectiveness and adequately preparing for the fourth round of mutual evaluation on AML/CFT compliance) in consultation with the Money Laundering Reporting Authority (MLRA) and other relevant stakeholders; discussions are underway with international bodies providing necessary tools to be completed by the second quarter of 2014;

c)    Further strengthen the current legislative and administrative supervisory and inspection regime to ensure that beneficial ownership information to be maintained by legal entities (and trusts) and agents is being maintained and properly tested in a manner that assures timely availability of adequate, accurate and current information to the Financial Services Commission and other competent authorities; this will be done following consultation, including whether it should be centrally or publicly available;

d)    By January 2014, abolish bearer shares in order to remove the anonymity associated with bearer share companies;

e)    Improve the supervision and enforcement of those who facilitate company formation by reviewing the supervision and enforcement of trust and company service providers.

·         On the basis of a paper by the Premier, discussed road safety issues on the Leeward Highway on Providenciales. It decided, as an immediate step while work is done on the feasibility of roundabouts and traffic lights, to install three and four way STOP signs at specific intersections identified by the RTCIPF. The Road Safety Department and the RTCIPF will also prepare and disseminate appropriate information about correct uses of these STOP signs;

·         Held a discussion on a paper by the Minister for Home Affairs and Environment about amendments to the National Parks Ordinance. It instructed AG’s Chambers to prepare draft legislation on: the addition of new Protected Areas and amendment to existing Protected Areas; the confirmation of existing navigation channels and provision for the creation new ones; permitting appropriate low/no impact use of Protected Areas, such as eco-tourism; and ticketing powers for Enforcement Officers in Protected Areas. The draft legislation, when agreed by Cabinet, will be subject to public consultation before a final Cabinet decision;

·         Considered a paper from the Minister of Finance about work on transforming the business environment on TCI to encourage investment and economic growth in the context of funding from the EU under the 10^th EDF. It underlined the importance it attached to this work, approved public consultation on the issues and decided that a further statement would be made by the Finance Minister. It further decided that it would agree a Reform Strategy by mid December in order to make a request for disbursal of the first tranche of EU money,  3 million euros, before the end of Financial Year 2013/14;

·         Heard and welcomed a presentation by Mr John Costigan of IBC Airways about the company’s plan to begin a twice weekly direct flight from Grand Turk to Fort Lauderdale commencing in November 2013;

·         Finalised and agreed the Policy Guidelines for Official Travel by Government Officers proposed by the Premier;

·         Agreed that the Premier would submit to the House of Assembly a Government Motion proposing the establishment of a Select Committee of the House on Constitutional Reform;

·         Discussed and agreed a proposal from the Minister of Finance to establish an Infrastructure Working Group, including representatives of the private sector and non-government experts, to consider TCI’s long term infrastructure needs and funding routes, both public and private. The Group’s initial report to Cabinet will be made before the end of November;

·         Noted the need for TCI to have a strategy on debt refinancing to ensure that TCIG is able to refinance its debt from 2016 independently, effectively and sustainably. It therefore agreed a proposal from the Minister of Finance to set up a Debt Refinancing Delivery Team, chaired by the Premier,  which would hold responsibility for the coordination of refinancing preparations and subsequent reporting to Cabinet and the UK Government. The Team would draw on expert advice as appropriate;

·         Considered and agreed proposals from the Minister of Border Control and Labour to amend a number of fees and revise and amend a number of application forms;

·         Heard a report from the Minster of Border Control and Labour about the visit to Haiti from 11-13 August which he had made with the Governor. Cabinet welcomed the visit and the report. It considered, and authorised as a basis for negotiation, the text of a draft Memorandum of Understanding  submitted by the Minister on cooperation between TCI and Haiti in combating illegal migration and other related issues;

·         Considered a proposal from the Minister for Border Control and Labour to amend the Immigration Regulations to permit a limited number of Permanent Residency Certificates to be made available on the basis of investments above a certain level in a home or a business. It requested further legal advice from the AG in order to consider the matter again at its next meeting.

Cabinet noted that 21 August was the 50^th birthday of the wife of the Minister of Government Support Services, Mrs Ruthanne Lightbourne, and offered her their congratulations on the occasion.

Cabinet will hold its next meeting on 4 September 2013.

by RTC Director

GOVERNOR MAKES FINAL VISIT TO NORTH AND MIDDLE CAICOS

Turks and Caicos Islands’ (TCI)  Governor Ric Todd will make his final visit to the islands of North and Middle Caicos on Thursday, 29 August 2013 ahead of his departure in September. 

Although TCI has more than 40 islands or Cays, there are six populated family islands. Todd made it a key aim of his tenure to move beyond the capital on Grand Turk and the most populous island, Providenciales, to see for himself what are known in TCI as the family islands of North and Middle Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay. He does so to ensure that he better understands the needs of people living on the more outlying islands.

He will be accompanied on his visit by TCI Government District Commissioner Ms. Donna Gardiner and Senior Administrative Officer, Mr. Tueton Williams.

His visit will include:

·         Inspecting of the works to repair the Middle Caicos Causeway with Roger Harvey of Public Works

·         Visiting Middle Caicos Clinic

·         Holding a public Town Hall Meeting at Conch Bar Community Centre at 11.30am-12.30pm

·         Visiting the historic Wades Green Plantation site for the first time

Governor Todd leaves TCI to take up a new diplomatic posting in September, with Peter Beckingham being sworn in as the new Governor of TCI in October.

by RTC Director

PET (DOG &CAT) FOOD RECALL

The Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs is alerting the public to a pet food recall issued in the United States of America by Procter & Gamble Company (P&G).

As the Turks and Caicos Islands purchases most of its pet foods from the United States, the Department of Agriculture is convinced that trade in these products is a likely pathway for pets and pet owners in the TCI to become infected.

Consequently, pet owners and businesses, in particular, are being urged to pay attention to this important alert and take urgent steps to remove any of the items identified from sale and distribution. All commercial enterprises must check pet food in stock for Trade Name, Lot Code, and UPC Code.

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has voluntarily recalled specific lots of dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No Salmonella-related illnesses have been reported to date in association with these product lots.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Signs/symptoms of Salmonella: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should seek medical attention.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will only have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your local veterinarian or the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Veterinary Services (Animal Health Services Division).

A list of the foods and the relevant codes will be published on the government website www.gov.tc for perusal.

Retailers seeking compensation from their suppliers can contact P&G toll-free at 800-208-0172 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST), or via website at www.iams.com¹ or www.eukanuba.com²

by RTC Director

SIPT'S TOP LAWYER SPEARHEADING MAJOR LAWSUIT AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS INTEGRITY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN

by RTC Director

TCIG Warns Of Cyclospora Outbreak Affecting Fruits and Vegetables From The US

As a result of warnings issued by the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC), the Ministry of Environment, Home Affairs and Agriculture is alerting residents and visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to possibility of infection with the parasite Cyclospora from the consumption of fruits and vegetables originating from the United States.

Cyclospora are single-celled parasites that mostly live in tropical environments which, when ingested can result in gastrointestinal symptoms resulting in diarrhea, fever, flu-like symptoms, weight loss, bloating, fatigue, vomiting and loss of appetite. Hospitalisations may occur from dehydration associated with prolonged diarrhea.

As of August 15, 2013, the CDC was notified that at least 576 persons in 19 states were affected, with 29 of those cases in Florida. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the organism originated from produce imported into the US from Taylor Farms in Mexico.

TCIG’s Plant Health Services Division (PHSD) is warning that this outbreak has the potential to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands due to its close proximity to Florida and the huge trade in fruits and vegetables from the USA to the TCI.

Importers of fresh produce are therefore reminded to exercise due diligence by ensuring that fruits, vegetables and plant products for import into these islands are safe. All such products originating from the US or imported into the US and re-exported MUST be approved and duly inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors prior to export to the TCI.

Consumers of fresh produce are being reminded to carefully and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables with potable water and dry before consumption. Cyclospora is said to be difficult to remove and the CDC reports that the organism may be resistant to chemicals such as bleach and chemicals.

Farmers who import fruits, vegetables with roots, seedlings and other materials for propagation MUST also ensure that they are obtained from areas not known to be contaminated with Cyclospora or any other disease causing organism that can impact our people, plants, animals or environment.

To mitigate the possible impact of the outbreak on the TCI, the Department of Agriculture has introduced strict a Sanitary and Phytosanitary System. This requires that that every importer of plant, fruits and vegetable (Regulated Articles) MUST apply for an Import Permit prior to importing these products. Incoming travellers who transport such items in their carry-on or checked luggage, MUST declare them to the Agriculture Services and/ or Customs Authority for inspection

An Import Permit is issued after Plant Services is satisfied that the items for import pose no risk to the Turks and Caicos Islands and through scientific investigation.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CYCLOSPORA

1.      Cyclospora has two life stages: One is an active organism, and the other is a dormant stage called an oocyst. When people swallow the oocyst, they become active in the body, causing uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms.

2.      How does it get into food?

The dormant oocyst is excreted through human stool into the environment, where it can contaminate fruits, vegetables, or water.

Humans are the only hosts for this organism. Farm-workers can get ill in the fields near fruits and vegetables, or if they do not follow proper hygiene measures.

3.      What kinds of foods are usually affected?

Outbreaks in the United States are typically associated with fresh fruits and vegetables, according to the Center for Disease Control. Fresh raspberries imported into the US from Guatemala sickened more than 1,000 people in 20 states in 1996.

Other outbreaks have been associated with fresh basil, lettuce, and snow peas.

4.      Does cooking or freezing eliminate the risk?

Yes. Commercially canned and frozen fruits and vegetables have never been implicated in an outbreak.

5.      What about washing fruits or vegetables?

Washing all fresh fruits and vegetables, including fresh herbs and fruit that you plan to peel is highly recommended. Drying all kinds of fresh produce with a paper towel to wipe away any residue that might still be clinging after a rinse is also recommended.

Cyclospora can be really sticky and hard to wash off fruits and vegetables. The CDC says organism also seems to be resistant to bleach and other chemicals like iodine.

TCIG’s Department of Agriculture is actively working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to obtain all relevant information on the Cyclospora outbreak, including the geographic distribution, incidence rate, and pathogenesis.

by RTC Director