PAGE 

Local businesses to get more money through MSME grants

Micro, small and medium-sized business owners in the TCI will now be able to apply for additional funds from the Government to help weather economic storms.

This comes as the House of Assembly recently passed the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill 2022.

“A business that has been granted a concession order can apply after six months for an additional cash grant up to $10,000, but to be eligible for the additional grant, those businesses will need to show that they have met certain KPIs”, the Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade Hon Erwin Jay Saunders explained.

Saunders who presented the bill to the House of Assembly on Thursday, December 1, said that within a 12-month period, eligible businesses will be able to receive total cash grants of up to $20,000 for Micro enterprises, $30,000 for small enterprises, and $40,000 for Medium enterprises.

He said: “Previously, only Micro businesses were eligible to receive grants and that was up to $10,000.”

Saunders stressed that the enhancements to the MSME programme come at a time when the Turks and Caicos Islands are at a critical juncture.

“On one hand, the global economy faces enormous challenges in a post-covid environment, leaving businesses in recovery mode, and particularly putting a strain on small businesses; but on the other hand, Mr Speaker, through our government’s prudent handling of the economy, the TCI has been able to revitalise itself, and as it stands now, it presents enormous opportunities for local businesses to grow and thrive, and most of all, contribute to the sustained growth of these islands.”

The Finance Minister underscored that the amendment to the ordinance which will enhance the grant of concession orders to all entrepreneurs (and would-be entrepreneurs) will have significant economic benefits to the islands.

He said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the US economy: they create two-thirds of net new jobs and drive U.S. innovation and competitiveness.

“A new report shows that they account for 44 percent of US economic activity, this is a significant contribution…”

“In commenting on the findings, Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy Major L. Clark stated that “… small businesses continue to be at the forefront of driving innovation, jobs and economic growth.

“These findings mirror what is happening in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Micro, small, and medium enterprises are no less important to the TCI economy”, he added.

He pointed out that more than 90% of businesses across the TCI

Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd.

Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. Blythe Duncanson - Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Faizool Deo - Sports Editor (At Large) Cord Lowe - Graphics Consultant (At Large) Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com

Follow us on:

Facebook: facebook.com/tcweeklynews Twitter: twitter.com/tcweeklynews1 Instagram: @tcweeklynews1 are micro, small, and medium enterprises, and they contribute to more than half of the country’s GDP, and employ more than 40% of the workforce.

CONCESSION ORDERS

Governed by the ordinance, the MSME programme makes provision for the Government to provide Concession Orders to qualifying locally-owned businesses operating in identified priority business sectors.

The Concession Orders allow the company or start-up access to specific benefits, including cash grants, customs duty reduction and/ or technical assistance depending on the size of the business.

As part of the amendments, a small business will also be able to receive a reduction in customs import duties on capital equipment, raw materials, and spare parts for the construction of a project of up to a maximum of $10,000 for a micro-enterprise, $25,000 for a small enterprise, and $100,000 for a medium enterprise.

Additionally, businesses can also receive a Technical Assistance Grant of up to $5,000 for micro enterprises, $10,000 for small enterprises, and $15,000 for medium enterprises.

Saunders said: “Start-up businesses are also eligible to receive a cash grant of up to $10,000 for Micro enterprises, $20,000 for small enterprises, and $30,000 for Medium enterprises.

Coupled with this, the application process for the grants was also simplified, as some residents have bemoaned the complicated system in the past.

He said: “Regardless of how high we increase the grant amounts, it will be all for naught if businesses can’t access it.

“Persons have been complaining that the process was too lengthy – the application form was five pages.

“We have now reduced that application process down to two pages. Mr Speaker, I know of only two previous times in the history of the world when a complex process was made so simple – the introduction of the 10 Commandments (c1446BC) and the introduction of the iPhone (January 2007)”, he added.

A micro enterprise is a business that is registered under the Business Licensing Ordinance with no more than five employees; no more than $500,000 in assets; and no more than $250,000 in annual turnover.

A small enterprise is a business with no less than six employees, but not more than nineteen employees; no more than $1,000,000 in net assets; and no more than $1,000,000 in annual turnover.

While a medium enterprise is a business with no less than twenty employees, but not more than twenty-five employees; no more than $2,500,000 in net assets; no more than $2,500,000 in annual turnover; and has been in operation for a minimum of ten years.

The minister revealed that for the period beginning from the 1st of April 2022 -the 30th of November 2022, the government issued 24 Concession Orders to the tune of $365,830.00.

Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade Hon Erwin Jay Saunders

Dockyard shooting leaves two hospitalised

– no fatalities, gun recovered

Police are investigating the circumstances under which two men were shot during the midmorning hours of December 4.

Last Sunday, sometime around 9:27am, the police control room received a call of gunshots being heard in the vicinity of Dockyard in Providenciales.

A team of officers were dispatched to the location where they found two men wounded from gunshot injuries. At the scene, the police officers recovered a gun suspected to have been used in the shooting.

Acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams who visited the scene the same morning, in a statement following the incident stated that the Force is aware of video footage of part of the incident being circulated. “I wish to remind the public to desist from circulating such images as they can impede the ongoing investigation.

“In addition, if you are in possession of any footage taken, I kindly asked that you hand it over to the police as this may assist with the furtherance of our investigations,” Adams advised.

He said the shooting does not appear to be gang-related, however, investigators will follow the evidence wherever it leads.

“The RTCIPF is appealing for witnesses to come forward and tell us what you know. We are committed to ensuring your safety and security in these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Additionally, persons with information on this incident or other illegal activities are asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

All calls are answered in the United States and managed by Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers which is a non-profit and not a police agency. The calls are anonymous and cannot be traced in the United States or the TCI.

Bloodline Row: Government clarifies its position on third-generation citizenship

BY DELANA ISLES

The government has cleared up misconceptions and unclear language emanating from the last town hall meeting which caused quite a stir among residents.

Immigration and Belonger status have always been hot topics in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but during the November 21 public meeting it became a touchy one.

At that meeting, the Minister of Immigration, Hon Arlington Musgrove announced the government’s intention to take an amended Immigration Bill to the House of Assembly, with a specific aim of granting thirdgeneration Turks and Caicos Islanders the opportunity to apply for citizenship.

Following up on this announcement, comments made by the Premier, Hon Charles Washington Misick sparked some confusion and displeasure.

The Premier told the meeting: “One of the things we have to do is decide what our population is going to look like, in the next 10, 20, 30, 50 years… we have to make a decision in this country whether we want to expand our population, by our own bloodline.

“However, are we going to continue to import people, give them work permits, give them PRCs, and then give them status, while we have our own people next door, only qualified to the second generation?

“It would be far better if we extend that status to our own bloodlines… so that is one of the considerations that you as the public will have a say in… and that is what the government's feeling is on this matter.”

These were the polarising comments that set off a slew of online commentary.

Many residents were displeased and perplexed why the government would want to grant citizenship to any additional group, while the territory is losing its young bright minds because of the lack of opportunities for them on island.

Others also questioned why the focus is on Bahamians, as people of TCI lineage are from other countries as well.

During the meeting this is what the Premier had to say regarding this issue: “We have to be comfortable in our own skins because I hear people all the time, criticising TI-Bahamians.

“People who've been away… for many years, whose parents left, and they have come back, and they left for the first place in order to make a better living.

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick (third from left) makes a point during the town hall meeting in Provindenciales. Also in photo (l-r) are the Minister of Border Control and Immigration, Hon Arlington Musgrove; Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Erwin Jay Saunders; Minister of Education, Hon Rachel Taylor; Minister of Physical Planning, Hon Jamell Robinson; and Minister of Health, Hon Shaun Malcolm.

“So, we have to decide who we want here, whether we want our own people bloodline to come back and live and benefit from the growth here, or whether we prefer, total strangers, to do it.”

Displeased residents are calling for better opportunities to be provided for native TC Islanders before any further move is made to allow anyone else into the territory.

Similarly, non-native Belongers expressed their own worry at the Premier’s comments, with speculations as to the government’s intent to close the path to citizenship off to expatriates who work, live and contribute significantly to the Islands.

IMMIGRATION MINISTER CLARIFIES

Earlier this week, Minister Musgrove sought to clarify the misconceptions, reiterating that his government’s intention is to strengthen ties with the diaspora and to welcome them as the first option for population expansion for the future.

He stated that the government wants to manage the future of the TCI’s population by attracting the return of members of the diaspora as the first option for imported growth, and by recognising second and third-generation descendants as Turks and Caicos Islanders by right.

He explained: “The simple truth is that the population of our country is growing by leaps and bounds year on year, through accidental status, if you will, work permit holders attaining PRC who are then naturalised as BOTC. In the same token, Turks and Caicos Islander Status numbers have largely remained flat in comparative periods.

“When we look at the current state and projections for the population, as noted in the recent Population Policy Consultant’s Report, it is estimated that we are increasing in size at rates of four and five per cent, when we should be managing a controlled two per cent growth rate instead.”

The minister further noted that even if they manage to bring the rate down to two per cent, it is projected that by 2040, the population will be near or about 50,000 with tight immigration control measures, but it is still estimated that Turks and Caicos Islanders will only be 15,000 in number, less than a quarter of the population, maximum.

“This is not sustainable for us as a people which, based on today’s birth and death records, could cause near extinction if certain steps aren’t taken.

“So, we are looking at how this can be balanced.”

He said the task of the Immigration and Population Council is to determine the treatment of births in the TCI, the control of accidental status by work permit and PRC, and the growth in the number of TC Islanders.

Musgrove said that while the council’s proposals will be taken to consultation, it is the government’s contention that it is better to increase the number of Islanders with descendants of their own flesh and blood in the first instance, and then by other means – be it local childbirth to foreign parents, or by grant.

Musgrove assured that the government is not deaf to the concerns of the people.

“We understand that there is inherent risk in opening our country to further generations, but we must recognise that there is inherent risk in opening our doors to anybody. So, the answer to those concerns is internal policing and security strategies.”

He added that while the Bahamas was mentioned, as the TCI’s closest neighbours, with the largest diaspora of Turks and Caicos Islands descendants, the extension of status by right to second or third generation, will be to all, not just Bahamas-based Turks and Caicos Islander nationals.

He said none of this will be done in a haphazard way, and that incentives for young people to remain in TCI, to return and thrive, will be a major part of their strategy, as well as incentives to encourage childbearing among Turks and Caicos Islanders.

“So, I ask the public to be patient and to know that, again, this is the work being undertaken by the Council.

“There will be widespread consultation with the public because we have to engage everyone in shaping our future, and this is what this government is committed to doing - working with the people and for the people, always,” Minister Musgrove stated.

Public Appeal

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is appealing to any member of public who may have any information on any crimes. They can contact Chalk Sound Police Station on 338-5901 or make use of the confidential reporting system through Crimestoppers on 1-800-8477.

SHOULD LEGAL STATUS BE REVOKED?

Premier Washington Misick said the Government is "fully onboard" with revoking the legal status of people who commit serious offences, including murder in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Misick said a policy to strip serious offenders of their legal status in the territory is currently being drafted. His remarks came in response to a recommendation made by a resident during a town hall meeting in Providenciales recently. As an unprecedented crime wave gripped the territory in recent weeks, residents have not only called on the Government to ramp up crime-fighting measures but also to revisit the status laws and rescind them when necessary. Speaking at the meeting held at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex, a resident who raised the matter said: "We need to implement deprivation of citizenship that is conducive to the public good, for those who pose a threat to the TCI by committing heinous crimes, cause harm to society." What are your thoughts?

Needed measures

I was wondering when they were going to get around to doing so!!! IT IS ABOUT DAMN TIME!!!

Native TC Islanders need more support

In the UK, the power to revoke UK Citizens can and has been used. Even though it is done sparingly, it does comply with UN Convention on Reduction of Stateless (UN, United Nations, UN Treaties, Treaties. 29.3.66), Retrieved 6.12.22. "Paragraph 3 (a) of Article 8 of the Convention, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 8, the United Kingdom retains the right to deprive a naturalised person of his nationality on the following grounds, being grounds existing in the United Kingdom law at the present time: that, inconsistently with his duty of loyalty to Her Majesty, ii. HAS CONDUCTED HIMSELF IN A MANNER SERIOUSLY PREJUDICIAL TO THE VITAL INTEREST OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY."

Let's also talk about ensuring that Turks and Caicos Islanders by descendants have exclusive and/or more benefits in our own country. It means that indigenous Turks and Caicos Islanders would pay less fees for NIB and NHIP. It would mean restricting ALL business licence for Turks and Caicos Islanders only, where investors and BOTCs have to partner with a Turks and Caicos Islander to conduct business here. TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDERS first! We are an endangered species here and must be protected.

Make anyone who can trace their ancestors in the TCI prior to 1950 automatically a Turks and Caicos Islander up to the 5th generation. The "prior to date" needed for limitations purposes.

UK must change their laws to allow citizenship for persons who can show heritage up to three or four generations including Turks and Caicos Islanders born outside the jurisdiction.

Legal status is not written in stone

A Weekly News column that puts you on the spot for your opinions on the issues of the day

An ill-conceived measure

This is a rather bizarre, far-reaching and draconian step on the part of the current Government. The initiative to revoke one’s status owing to murder is subject to debate as in one instance, no one has the right to take another’s life. The penalty is, therefore, outside of life sentencing, a removal from the territory.

It does not go far enough. The "eye for an eye doctrine" has been removed by the Privy Council in London, the TCI’s final Court of Appeal. It is a hapless initiative, and one wonders if this measure would make it out of the AGS Chambers or survive a proper Human Rights Review?

It is not a safe or proper exchange in this proposed transaction. A life lost and owing purely to the incident of nationality or residence and in the case of a Non-Turks & Caicos Islander, the Governor is considering a precarious notion to rid the islands of that “cancer”. What about the TC Islander youth, who is dispossessed of “humanity”, given to privilege and decides to unlawfully take a life?

You have many instances in certain Caribbean nations where family and friends are part of the judicial oversight, the privileged son or daughter takes an innocent life, and that offspring is protected from any kind of prosecution.

I believe that some of the killings taking place in the TCI are by children of highlyprivileged persons, persons of power, men who spoil their sons and bring them up as if they are above the law. Consequently, the judicial system, without the aid of the death penalty, wouldn’t be able to do anything about that except wring its hands in frustration. It is an ill-thought-out idea and will not go anywhere to dealing with the culture of crime and criminality taking the streets of the TCI by this Generation X. the callous murderer has little concern for life and limb. Much less talking about a status that he cares little for. The mindset of the usual killer is getting that immediate sense of revenge or exacting some hurt and pain for the moment.

To think of this measure, deportation or the revocation of status, cannot be seen as effective or a viable deterrent. It signals more than ever that the Government has run out of ideas for developing an effective deterrent to crime and street killers. More effort should be given to stemming the current spate of crime.

Revocation of a criminal’s status is subject to legal challenge and a long and drawn-out judicial process. Too much time would be wasted trying to get them out of the country and sending them to their home country, which would not want them back anyhow.

Death penalty needed

Maybe this Government should develop a policy dialogue with the public and Official Opposition. Such dialogue would ably inform the policy-making process on what is an effective crimefighting deterrent. Thought needs to be given to restoring the death penalty, even if by lethal injection. Life imprisonment is not an option. They know parole is somehow possible. There should be scanning machines all over the islands

CONTINUED 

BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR

Want to become a contributor or have a suggestion for a Talk Back topic for us? What questions do you think we should be putting to the public? And what are your thoughts on it? Call our news team on 946 4664 or email tcweeklynews@gmail.com