Premier and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Dr. the Hon. Rufus W. Ewing, this week represented the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Annual Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC) in London United Kingdom.
The four day series of meetings, held from December 1-4, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was attended by the Leaders of the thirteen UK Overseas Territories and spanned a range of pertinent issues facing the Territories, including Border Control & Security, Repatriation of Passports, migration and deportation and Environmental Protection and Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for Green Initiatives.
Premier Ewing, who was also joined by the Governor H. E. Peter Beckingham at this year’s JMC, co-presented on Wednesday evening’s session on Health, highlighting the need for the UK Government’s support in collaborating the procurement of medical supplies and their need to assist the Overseas Territories in the preparation efforts to protect their citizens from major health treats and pandemic outbreaks like the Ebola Virus. Premier Ewing in highlighting the challenges that Overseas Territories face with Health, noted that the recent threat of the Ebola Virus and the necessary preparation and execution of protection measures costed the Turks and Caicos Islands some one million dollars in un-budgeted funds. The Premier further noted that particularly in the Turks and Caicos Islands and other multi-island countries, the issue of multiple ports and limited resources also presents Governments with challenges in border detection of illnesses.
On the matter of the Environment, the Premier, noting that the environment, in particular the pristine beaches, is the major attraction for the many visitors that the country receives every year, also lobbied for the re-establishment of the Conservation Fund for greater support for the protection of the environment.
The week culminated on Wednesday evening with discussions towards the eventual agreement of an action document, communique, that will guide the initiatives of both the Territories and the UK Government over the next twelve months.
On Thursday morning the Premier attended bilateral meetings with James Duddridge, Minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories and The Rt. Hon. Desmond Swayne, Secretary of State of the Department for International Development (DFID) to address matters of national concern including constitutional concerns, the state of the economy in relation to the small and medium businesses (SME) and support for combatting illegal immigration and national security.
While in London, the Premier will also be hosting a Turks and Caicos Islands Reception on Friday evening in celebration of the opening of a Turks and Caicos Islands Home Office in London that will cater to the furtherance of the country’s interests in the areas of Tourism, Investment and Financial Services. Expected to be in attendance are Leaders of the Overseas Territories, Turks and Caicos Islands Students, residents living in the United Kingdom, tourism partners, potential investors and friends of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
