PREMIER EWING ATTENDS UK-CARIBBEAN MINISTERIAL FORUM London, United Kingdom, Tuesday June 17, 2014 – The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) has returned from successful high level meetings with UK Ministers and fellow Caribbean Premiers, Chief Ministers and Foreign Ministers at the bi-annual UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum at Lancaster House, London, June 14-17, 2014. Premier, Dr. the Hon. Rufus Ewing, joined the Forum, which was led by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and Guyana’s Foreign Minister Hon. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett provided an opportunity for the UK and Caribbean to discuss a number of challenges that impact the region. Issues raised were followed by suggestions for new terms of engagement between the UK and the region, particularly in relation to economic assistance, development, investment and immigration. Premier Ewing spoke of the high electricity costs in the Turks and Caicos Islands at a session on energy security, led by UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, Mr. Mark Simmonds. The Forum agreed that the Caribbean was in a unique position to better harness solar energy and other natural resources. Other issues tabled at a separate session with Mr Simmonds included the need to implement a broad based tax in the Turks and Caicos Islands, while providing fiscal relief and reducing the overall taxation burden. Illegal immigration, education and healthcare were also discussed. The Turks and Caicos Islands also fully participated in a Forum session on developing education and skills for economic development. This focused on training and scholarship resources for students from the Caribbean. Premier Ewing committed to ensuring that Turks and Caicos Islands’ students who choose to study in the United Kingdom are aware of the full range of benefits and possibilities that this can offer them. Premier Ewing and Bahamian Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Fred Mitchell, along with other heads of delegation, met with Ministers Hague, Simmonds and the All Party Parliamentary Group where the need for greater political and financial autonomy for the Turks and Caicos Islands was considered. The Premier also met with UK Minister for the Department International Development (DFID) Mr. Alan Duncan, where he discussed a number of issues including the financial outlook for the TCI, the $260m UK loan guarantee, broadening the Turks and Caicos Islands tax base and financial policies that could be of mutual benefit to the Turks and Caicos Islands and UK. Premier Ewing said: “My discussions with Minister Duncan were frank, honest and engaging. I outlined my Government’s position and we both agreed that we will continue to look at ways that we can agree to pay down our debt while lessening the burden that this places on the country.” The visit to London concluded with the Premier attending the UK-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum and a session on tackling crime and improving security in the Caribbean. Commenting on the Premier’s visit, the Governor said: “I am delighted that Premier Ewing was able to attend this important dialogue with UK and Caribbean leaders and Ministers. The Forum covered a lot of ground that is of interest to Turks and Caicos, notably energy and security. “We need to push hard to create a market where the Turks and Caicos Islands can start to use alternative energy, and the forthcoming dialogue the Premier, Minister Lightbourne and I are holding with the Carbon War Room will be another step towards opening the market. “I am pleased that the Premier also held constructive and frank discussions with FCO and DFID Ministers about the Turks and Caicos Islands’ economy and the positive measures the Government is taking to put the country in a stronger financial position. I look forward to discussing next steps with the Premier and his team later this week.” The Premier attended the meetings with Mr. Ronlee James, Head of Secretariat and UK Based Delegates Mrs. Tracy Knight and Mr. Kimo Tynes (All pictured with the Premier). The Premier returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands, Wednesday, June 18, 2014. ENDS
Posted on: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 18:24:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015