After a rush to purchase before Stamp Duty was increased in June, Turks and Caicos Sotheby's International Realty President/Broker Joe Zahm says the Turks and Caicos real estate market continues to show steady activity.

The introduction of a General Services Tax has been deferred and a suggestion to implement a temporary driver's license has been withdrawn, according to a October 11 statement by the Ministry of Finance. However, effective this month, taxes on vehicle rentals, fuel and telecommunications will be increased and next month the cost for importing goods will rise.

In the House of Assembly on Grand Turk October 9, Peter Beckingham was sworn in as Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands. After the ceremony, H.E. Gov. Beckingham gave the following inaugural speech:

After two years as governor of Turks and Caicos, career civil servant Ric Todd returned to the United Kingdom in late September for a short break before reporting for his next assignment – High Commissioner to Cyprus – in early 2014.

Sept. 24, 2013 TCIG press release - The Energy & Utilities Commissioner and the Electrical Inspectorate Unit in the TCIG Department of Planning is calling all electricians and electrical contractors on the islands of Grand Turk and Providenciales to two important meetings relating to proposed mandatory licensing.

Following discussions with himself and the Premier, Dr. Hon. Rufus Ewing, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Washington Misick will no longer have Lottery & Gaming as a part of his portfolio.