TCIG TEAMS VISITS TURKEY ON TRADE & INVESTMENT MIS

The Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, Hon. C. Washington Misick recently returned from a three day trade and Investment mission to Istanbul, Turkey. He was accompanied by the CEO of Turks and Caicos Airport Authority (TCIAA) Mr. John Smith, and Mr. Justin Misick, Aftercare Executive in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Investment Unit.

This mission which spanned over three days from 29 June to 1 July 2015 was at the invitation of Mr. Umut Emirler of Up Capital Strategy – Business Development and Strategic Consultancy. Hon Misick presented the TCI as strategically positioned at the crossroads of the Caribbean, Central, North and South America emphasising the attraction of the islands legal framework, political stability and sophisticated professional cadre as a facilitator for international business.

“As a small island economy with a narrow economic base, we have to open ourselves to new possibilities and seek to attract capital and resources from friendly countries outside of our immediate region” stated Hon. Misick. “This is consistence with our objective of becoming the Monte Carlo of the Caribbean. Given Istanbul’s (formerly Constantinople) strategic position between the east and west, and considering the regional conflicts, there is a real possibility of attracting investment from high net-worth individuals who may wish to diversify to a more stable environment.

“While in Turkey we were hosted by  a number of important commercial entities and trade organisations, such as Turkish Airlines, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, a leading Turkish International law firm, a leading development advisory group, the Foreign Economic Relations Board, and a leading Turkish News Paper. More notably, Turkish Airlines discussed the potential for an air service agreement between Turkey and the TCI; as well as interlining with flights out of Miami into the TCI starting as early as October 2015.

“This trip was an eye-opener to all the trading opportunities between our two countries, with some of the best recognized contractors are in the world, this new relationship may create an opportunity for some of our under-resourced contractors to partner with greater expertise, and resources.

“The Turkish hospitality was superb, and gave my team an opportunity to appreciate the historic importance of Istanbul as a commercial capital.” While in Turkey, the Minister and his team call on the British Counsel General.  The UK maintains a cadre of some 250 commercial attaches in Istanbul emphasizing the importance of Turkey as a trading partner.