BEGINS

PRESS RELEASE

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS HOSTS TRAINING IN STRATEGIC TRADE AND INVESTMENT

The Department of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs hosted training on the Professional Certificate in Strategic Trade and Investment from 28 September to 2 October, 2020. The training was delivered virtually by the UK-based International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS) to middle and senior management professionals from across the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

There were 13 participants from the Department of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs, InvestTCI, Customs Department, Attorney General’s Chambers and the Strategic Policy and Planning Department. The training supported participants’ understanding of key themes including multilateral trade agreements and the fundamental principles of trade and investment strategies.

Having completed the week-long training, the participants are also eligible for professional membership to the Institute of Leadership and Management allowing them access to a suite of leadership, management and coaching resources.

Commenting on the training, the Director of Trade and Head of the Department of Trade, Industry and Consumer Affairs, Mrs Merida Cable-Lewis stated; “International trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) are drivers of the global economy. The recently held Professional Certificate in Strategic Trade and Investment course was therefore aimed at providing advanced training in the areas of international trade and FDI to encourage enhanced stakeholder engagement on the development and delivery of trade and investment strategies designed to achieve sustainable economic growth in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“An objective that is particularly significant in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (Brexit) which have both presented unprecedented challenges to the global economy and world trade.

“Following its establishment in May 2019, the Department has made significant strides in its efforts to develop and promote trade in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This has been achieved through capacity building initiatives for the MSME sector, encouraging the growth of alternative industries, working to develop policy, legal and institutional frameworks to support trade activity and assisting with the negotiation of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.

“We are grateful to the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment for its support of this initiative.”

ENDS