OCTOBER 14TH, 2017 – OCTOBER 21TH, 2017
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VOLUME 13 - NO. 38
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DUTY-FREE EXEMPTION EXTENDED TO DECECEMBER 31 by Hayden Boyce
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Sharlene Robinson says the duty exemption period has been extended to December 31, 2017. “ W i t h Providenciales impacted as it was, our main revenue stream will certainly still a major downturn,”she said, noting that the country stands to lose tens of thousands of dollars following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. “Whilst we continue to determine the extent of our losses, we have made the decision to provide immediate relief to our people in various
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Sharlene Robinson ways: 1. T w o Duty Free Exemption Orders were signed within days allowing persons who are importing relief items for distribution for Humanitarian purposes and not for resale as well as an Order to allow residents (be
it businesses or individuals) to import items listed and approved; 2 . The Governor also under his Emergency Powers allowed for a waiver of the Customs Processing Fee (Fee); 3. Duties and CPF were also waived on fuel. Some will notice a reduction in this as well. The Premier told The SUN that as Minister of Finance she has taken a Paper to Cabinet to also allow for a 3 month relief for our former TC Invest performing loans. “All of these saw a further knock on revenues but was certainly necessary based in the climate that we were in. The
Government carefully considered its position and provided a 6 week period for the duty free exemption on certain items imported. The initial period was to ensure that persons (who were able) and Insurance Companies move with greater urgency to carry out repairs as we remain in an active Hurricane Season,” the Premier stated. “We are pleased that many have responded and that claims are being settled. The Government committed at the outset to keep this under review and have already determined that a further extension can be granted.” Continued on Page 2
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FLOW Turks and Caicos restores services throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands after Hurricane Irma
D
elleriece Hall, Country Manager of Cable & Wireless Communications, operators of the brand Flow, confirmed that the majority of Flow’s mobile and fixed network has been restored to customers throughout the Islands, following the significant devastation of Hurricane Irma. “Connectivity to family, friends and loved ones is essential, especially during times of crisis, and as providers of core communication services in the region, we knew we had a tremendous responsibility to restore services as quickly as possible” said Delleriece Hall, country manager of C&W. “I am happy to report that Flow was the FIRST to restore mobile services in North and Middle Caicos, South Caicos, and Grand Turk. While there are restoration
Delleriece Hall, Country Manager of Cable & Wireless Communications delays in some areas, due largely to the unavailability of electricity, our teams continue to work around the clock to restore services as quickly as possible,” the Country Manager said. Speaking onC&W/ Flow broader hurricane recovery efforts in the TCI, Hall outlined the Company’s support during the hurricane. Forcustomers, Flowwaived bill payments for fixed services as well as broadband and TV Rentals for September. Continued on Page 2
LISARAYE ORDERED TO TESTIFY AT SIPT TRIAL An American court has summoned LisaRaye McCoy, the exwife of former Premier Michael Misick, to testify in the ongoing Special Investigations and Prosecution Team (SIPT) trial, after she initially refused to cooperate with prosecutors. The SUN understands that McCoy was summoned under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) which the United States of America has in force with the Turks and Caicos Islands and several other countries worldwide. MLATs, which are negotiated by the to facilitate cooperation in criminal matters, allow generally for the exchange of evidence and information in criminal and related matters. In money laundering cases, they can be extremely useful as a means of obtaining banking and other financial records. Lead Prosecutor, Queen’s
THANK YOU
LisaRaye McCoy
Former Premier Michael Misick
Lead Prosecutor, Andrew Mitchell, QC.
Counsel Andrew Mitchell, worked with the Department of State and the Department of Justice to have the actress summoned. McCoy will not be in Turks and Caicos Islands, but rather, she is expected to give evidence by way of a video-link next week.
If, for some reason, she fails to respond to the summons and refuses to appear to give evidence, she could be subjected to sanctions by the American courts. McCoy, who is from Chicago, previously testified against Misick
during the 2009 Sir Robin Auld Commission of Inquiry. Among other things, she acknowledged she spent as much as $200,000 a month, but she said it was necessary to buy new hats, gloves and suits to fit her “first lady lifestyle.”
Thanks a million to FLOW for keeping us continuously connected throughout Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Your staff proved yet again that you’re the most reliable, caring, trustworthy telecommunications network and provider in the Turks and Caicos. From Management of Turks and Caicos SUN, Airport Hotel, Occasions Ballroom
THANK YOU
We wish to express sincere thanks and gratitude to the management and staff of FORTIS TCI for restoring power to the Airport Hotel Plaza very shortly after Hurricane Irma. Our situation demanded great ingenuity, flexibility and resourcefulness and your workers demonstrated those qualities in abundance. From the management and staff of Turks and Caicos SUN, Airport Hotel, Occasions Ballroom, Tumble Totz Daycare.