“The best is yet to come”

BY OLIVIA ROSE

Premier Washington Misick has promised a renewed drive by his government, and stronger policies with greater implementation for the benefit of Turks and Caicos Islanders.

He lauded the last two years of his government as “a promise kept” in line with PNP’s manifesto, but acknowledged the difficulties in navigating external factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the supply chain issues.

During his State of the State address at Brayton Hall in Providenciales on Monday, February 27, he said that the government was still able to rescue the economy, create a climate for better-paying jobs, increase the minimum wage, develop needed infrastructure while investing heavily in human capital to support the growth and development of the TCI.

The national address was held in recognition of the Progressive National Party (PNP) Government’s second year in office after winning a landslide 14 to 1 victory against the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) on Saturday, February 19, 2021.

The territory’s leader acknowledged that his Government came to office in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic, and has successfully steered the TCI back on the path of prosperity.

Reflecting on his Government’s accomplishments and the challenges encountered during its incumbency, he said: “On February 19, 2021, our country was in the midst of a pandemic that had crippled the world.

“Our people faced fear, as Covid-19 brought death and destruction to our island.

“So many had lost their jobs, could not see their families could not pay their rent, and sadly, some are even living in their vehicles.

“It was a desperate time, there was uncertainty about the future. You call upon the progressive National Party to lead these islands out of the pandemic, reconstruct the economy and restore hope.

“You elected the PNP in a landslide victory and charge us with a mandate to rescue the economy, create better-paying jobs, develop high quality and lasting infrastructure, create a healthcare system that is accessible and delivers quality care and create an immigration policy that will support the development of our islands.

“We listened and we took your concern seriously, our commitments to you are outlined in a carefully crafted document, the People’s Contract.”

The Government’s manifesto styled as the “People’s Contract”, covered plans, programmes, and initiatives relating to the economy and jobs, food security, health care, safety, security and justice, education, crown lands, housing, infrastructure, environment, youth, elderly and the disabled, immigration, digital government, poverty alleviation, and accountability.

He said: “Over the past two years, we have had much progress, and although we have seen delays in some areas, we are persistent.

“We have also added new priorities as global and local changes demand.”

He stressed that his government promised the populace transparency, honesty, and accountability at every step of its journey, and will continue to deliver on that promise.

“I have kept that promise, I have spoken to you on many occasions about the challenges we face, our efforts to reorganise the government for better service delivery, modernise the economy, and confront global issues that are significantly affecting our country.

“We still have so much more to do to improve our lives and the prospects of future generations.” the territory’s economy and create more jobs for citizens, Misick said his administration has focused much of its attention on modernising the drivers of the economy, and the policies and programmes implemented are “showing good results”.

He said: “Under this PNP administration, the economy is roaring back, and all the significant economic indicators are trending in the right direction.

“New investments in the tourism industry are at an all-time high and importantly investors are showing interest in all islands.

“The cruise sector is at 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels with over 700,000 landings in 2022.”

Along with this, the government has expanded the MSME programme and increased cash grants for the qualifying sectors, and removed tax holidays from new development agreements to improve future revenue for investment in social development.

“We have established TCI Finance – a sister entity to Invest TCI, the focus is to attract global financial services converting the Turks and Caicos Islands to a preferred FINTECH destination.”

He noted that a National Delivery Unit has been established to ensure the efficient delivery of priority projects.

“Every project, every piece of legislation and every dollar spent must be guided by sound policy, delivered on time, within budget and of maximum benefit to our people, this unit will help drive that insurance, the minimum wage is $9 an hour. It’s been a while coming but the new rates will take effect on April one this year, employers cannot pay less than the minimum wage.”

Coupled with this, he opined that his Government has made “sweeping improvements” for public servants.

He said: “The new 6% pension and gratuity programme for persons employed after 1982 reinstated 25% gratuity for persons employed before 1982.

“Made a deposit of $8.4m into the public service pension fund and an additional 2 million will be invested this year

“We gave a 4% across-theboard salary increase to public servants, police salaries have been increased by 10%, and increase the immigration Task Force allowance by 100%.” process”, the Premier added.

Alleviating Hardship

Despite the global economic fallouts triggered by the pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the lingering effects of these shocks on the world at large, the TCI is emerging stronger with a more robust economy stimulated by unprecedented tourist arrivals, the Premier pointed out.

“When we took office, we move quickly to help ease your burdens, fix the economy and restore hope.

“Building on the efforts of the previous administration, we devised and implemented a travel policy that facilitated a rapid increase in visitor arrivals, this has paid off.

“But we know that even with our strong economy, the long-term effects from the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and problems with the global supply chain are causing severe hardships for many, many of you.

“That is why we have provided status holders and British Overseas Territory citizens up to $2,500 in stimulus payments.

“Forgiven over $15 million of legacy debt and penalties for small business owners; given stimulus and grants to operators within the food sector.

“And recently, we have approved a 28 per cent increase in the national minimum wage from $6.25 to $8 per hour.

“For workers in security, manufacturing, construction, banking, financial services and

In an effort to ease the burden of inflation which has led to higher fuel and food prices, the Government has reduced the customs processing fees from 7.5% to 5% and removed all customs processing fees from breadbasket items and essential home products.

Coupled with this, Misick reminded that the fuel tax was also reduced from 85 cents to 64 cents per gallon, and residential electricity bills for September to December of 2022 were subsidized.

As part of the government’s poverty alleviation measures, social assistance which was $500 monthly for up to three children per household was increased to $1,000 per household.

He added: “We moved foster care assistants from $120 to $300 weekly per child for up to three children per household and changed the rules so that persons between 60 and 65 years old can work full time and receive their pension.”

Investing In Human Capital

Premier Misick who underscored the importance of the territory’s human capital in creating a more robust workforce and inclusive society, stressed that investments have been made to ensure more access to quality education and skills training for citizens.

He said: “We believe that the long-term success of the Turks and Caicos will only happen if we invest heavily in human capital development.

“You see, that begins with a good education and improved