Turks and Caicos Office of the Premier

IX BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 the country could open up for business sooner and implement financial leniencies where possible. “By the middle of last year, 88% of the population were vaccinated twice. We assisted businesses by reducing expenses, and certain taxes, particularly import taxes and lowering STEM duties, land transfers, and providing grants for small businesses,” says Premier Misick. The government has also assisted local islanders with expenses by contributing $2,500 over the last few years. And these grants have not stopped due to the inflation issue caused by the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Another element where the government has assisted businesses is reducing the import duties on products that keep the hospitality industry fresh and clean. Also, they have waived the duties on new construction projects. Collaborating with businesses and sticking to the principles of inclusive growth means there is a healthy relationship between all parties. As an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, the role of the Premier is to focus on domestic matters and management, while the UK is responsible for international affairs and security. It’s important that the Premier maintains a good working relationship with the UK and ensures that all frictions are resolved constructively. Turk and Caicos Islands have eight ministries that all operate with the same level of responsibilities regarding various social and economic needs. “One of my primary roles is to ensure all policies are signed and a good strategy is in place. Our mandate on promises we made to the people of Turks and Caicos Islands matters; they vote for us,” says Premier Misick. Another element of Premier Misick’s role is to measure and keep a record of how the government delivers on its promises to the citizens of Turks and Caicos Islands, or as Premier Misick puts it, “We need to deliver what the people of Turks and Caicos Islands call their best life.” Turks and Caicos Islands are focused on transitioning to a modern economy by utilizing technology. A significant reason for this adaptation is the simple fact that there are not enough people on the islands to carry out all the government functions required. For future development to take place, locals must employ all the technological assets at their disposal. A move that the government has made to accommodate this, is the introduction of a single national ID that will make it easier for people to work across all sectors. With a country of its size, Turks and Caicos Islands were bound to have issues with filling employment roles. Currently, roughly two-thirds of the population are from other parts of the world, including many from neighboring nations. These shortages extend to semi- and unskilled labor, but the country struggles