RTC Director

Financial Services Commission partners with Bahamas Institute of Financial Services to provide TCI Trust Industry with training.

The Turks and Caicos Financial Services Commission (FSC) in collaboration with the Bahamas Institute of Financial Services will host a one-day Trust Administration seminar on Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 at the Regent Palms in Providenciales.

The Trust Administration seminar aims to provide those in the Trust Industry including professionals from the regulatory authority with training and good understanding of   Trust structures that will shortly become available. Participants will gain a broad perspective of the legal and administrative responsibilities in the Trust & Fiduciary Services Industry.

Following the circulation of the new draft Trustee Ordinance to Trustees Association and Bar Association for comment, this seminar is seen as a timely event for the Industry.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Mrs Andree Piche, President of the Association of Professional Trustees, said: “This event comes at a very opportune time for the Trust Industry in the TCI especially in light of the recently released draft Trust Ordinance.”

She further added: “The Association is very pleased by recent efforts taken by the Government and FSC to revitalise the Industry. We strongly support educational events such as this one and hope that it will be well attended by the financial sector.”

The seminar will be conducted by Mrs. Leona Mitchell, a well-known expert with 32 years experience in banking with responsibilities for managing various aspects of Trust services in the Bahamas and internationally.

Sessions during the day will outline the definition as well as the purpose of Trusts and thoroughly examine issues surrounding key roles of parties to a Trust arrangement, legal duties of trustees, types of Trust documents/arrangements and basic validity of Trusts.

The day will conclude with an insight into the future of the Industry and a discussion on general licensing and regulations of Trust companies.

 The new Trust Ordinance is the result of collaboration between the Industry and the Financial Services Commission. The collective aim is to bring TCI laws up to date to allow "Private Trust Companies", "Vista Trusts" and "Purpose Trusts", which are now available in The Bahamas, Cayman and British Virgin Iislands.

by RTC Director

FIRE AT KISHCO

RTC News has learnt that a container at the Kishco store on the 5 Cays roads caught fire yesterday morning in Providenciales.

Onlookers told our news team that the fire started in one of the older of the 2 containers.

The Fire Department responded immediately to the 911 call, 3 trucks rushed to the scene and was able to control the blaze.

Management of Kischo while not available for an official comment admitted that the loss of the items will heavily impact the stores bottom line.

by RTC Director

27-year-old male Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Controlled Drug

27-year-old Joseph Lewis has pled guilty to the charge of Possession of a Controlled Drug Namely Cannabis.

The guilty plea by Lewis comes as a result of an incident, which occurred on Saturday July 13th, 2013 in Blue Hills, Providenciales. Tactical unit officers conducted a stop and search on a vehicle driven by Lewis and during that search, sixteen grams of suspected Cannabis was found. Lewis was subsequently arrested on suspicion of Possession of a Controlled Drug namely Cannabis and the suspected Cannabis was seized.

Later that same day, he was formally charged and released on one thousand dollars bail to appear before Resident Magistrate Jolyn Hatmin in the Magistrate’s Court Number Two.

Lewis appeared before Resident Magistrate Jolyn Hatmin earlier today (Wednesday July 24th, 2013) and pled guilty. As a result of the guilty plea entered by Lewis, he was fined three thousand dollars ($3,000.00USD) to be paid by Tuesday September 24th, 2013 or ninety days imprisonment.

The Magistrate ordered that the sixteen grams of Cannabis be destroyed.

by RTC Director

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AGENTS ENJOY A WEEKEND ESCAPE IN TCI

Twelve (12) international travel agents including representatives from Consultoria e Negó-cios Tu-rísti-cos in Brazil and Luxury St. in Moscow were treated to true TCI hospitality when TCHTA hosted its 5th annual TCI Destination Weekend Escape from July 18 - 21, 2013.

Accommodated at Venetian Ridge Villas & Spa, Regent Palms, Ports of Call Resort, The Alexandra, Beach House, Point Grace, Ocean Club Resorts and Villa del Mar, the agents were given first hand knowledge of what their clients truly experience while vacationing in the TCI through the Association's Weekend Escape initiative.

Speaking at a Cocktail Reception compliments Blue Haven Resort, TCHTA's Association Executive Stacy Cox said, "Our TCI Destination Weekend Escape programme continues to be a hit with travel agents who sell the destination as they are given the opportunity to visit TCI, as well as stay at and tour some of our amazing hotels courtesy of TCHTA and its members. This then better allows them to promote and sell the destination. Our aim is that through this initiative TCI leaves a long-lasting impression with the agents and reinforces the fact that we have a first class destination for all travellers."

Cox also added, "The TCHTA would like to extend special thanks to its members who so willingly sponsored rooms or services in order to make the Weekend Escape possible. This year Hemingway's hosted the agents to lunch and the boat trip to North and Middle Caicos was facilitated by the Tourist Board and Caicos Wheels. I am also pleased to note that through our recent Sales Blitz in Brazil there has been increased interest in the destination with our first Brazil travel agent from Campo Grande participating this year."

Weekend Escape 2013 was definitely a resounding success, putting TCI in a good position for the upcoming winter season and beyond with all participating agents announcing their continued commitment to promoting and selling the destination on their return.

by RTC Director

TCI to Integrate Climate Change Adaptation Strategies into National Disaster Plan

 TCIG is seeking to include Climate Change Adaptation strategies into the disaster management system of the Turks and Caicos Islands in a region-wide collaborative effort that is expected to prepare vulnerable Caribbean nations for the effects of climate change.

As part of these efforts, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) COMMENCED hosting the two days of consultation which got on the way today July 24 and will conclude tomorrow July 25, 2013.

The consultation aims to, among other things identify existing, alternative and viable options for disaster risk reduction and will examine the TCIG draft Country Work Plan which charts a course of action for 2013-2020.  It is also intended that the consultation will help the TCI to integrate climate change considerations into a draft climate smart CDM country plan.

Specifically the consultation will seek to:

•         To develop an awareness of climate change and climate change impacts at the national level including existing development challenges, vulnerabilities and future risks focusing on hydro-meteorological hazards and events;

•         To identify existing and alternative adaptation options for disaster risk reduction nationally sectorally and gaps in current capacities;

•         To prioritise and sequence viable adaptation options into entry points and actions that build on the current comprehensive disaster management country work programme framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Dr. Virginia Clerveaux kicked off the consultation with her opening remarks Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies Conference Room, 

by RTC Director

Radar Station receives Coastal Station License, Changes Call-sign

The Turks and Caicos Coastal Radar Station has been designated a licensed Coast Station and now has a new permanent call sign, “Provo Radio, Papa Romeo.”

The Radar Station received its official designation as an official Coast Station on June 11, 2013, which meant that (TCCRS) Turks and Caicos Coastal Radar operations had to undergo a name change from its present call sign “Provo Radar” to “Provo Radio” Papa Romeo. They will however continue to monitor “VHF 16/74”.

Since its official opening in September 2012, the station’s “Provo Radar”, call sign was a temporary one pending the receipt of its official Coast Station license from the Telecommunications Licensing authority, in line with international rules governing the assignment of radio and broadcast frequencies.

The Radar Station is government operated, providing 24 hour coverage to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Since its commission last year, the Station has provided vital services to international and local Boaters, and had been a vital tool in Border protection since it commissioning last year.

“No doubt, Boaters will continue to refer to us as “Provo Radar”, however we hope Boaters will quickly adopt the name Provo Radio,” Radar Supervisor Rodman Johnson said.

Whilst the call sign changes, this multi-functioning facility will keep its present name (TCCRS) Turks and Caicos Coastal Radar Station. While its main role is marine traffic surveillance, the facility will continue to work in collaboration with the Ports Authority and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police force Marine division, in areas of: law enforcement; monitoring all calls from vessels on local and international voyages; issuing navigation warnings and weather forecasts as well as aid in search & rescue.

Radar Supervisor Rodman Johnson told RTC News, ‘we are here to provide the Boating community with any information necessary to enhance your safety in our waters and sea ports.’

by RTC Director