Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, November 22nd, 2023 – Invest Turks and Caicos (Invest TCI) hosted its first awards gala and dinner, “The MSMEs”, on November 17th at the Shore Club, honoring the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that have demonstrated exceptional resilience and commitment through the MSME Programme.
Under the distinguished Patronage of the Honourable E. Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment, and Trade, the event gathered MSMEs, sponsors, government officials, key stakeholders, and the dedicated staff of Invest TCI.
The evening, marked by elegance and entertainment, featured captivating performances by Janardo Laporte and Julian Garland and a comedic act by Almando Rigby. The master of ceremonies, Courtney Robinson, skillfully engaged the audience, ensuring the smooth flow of the evening.
Ten categories showcased the diversity of talents within the MSME sector, with twenty-four nominees representing various business sectors. Nominees were rigorously evaluated by an independent panel of judges based on their compliance with the MSME Programme and other strict judging criteria.
Congratulations are extended to the winners of the MSME Awards 2023:
- Business Maestro: TCI Junkanoo Museum
- Wonder Woman: Island Organics
- NextGen Icon: Aunty Nann’s Homemade Delights
- Digital Transformer: Genesis Next Media
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Willique Atelier
- Micro Business of the Year: Karsyn’s Fountain of Life Alkaline Water
- Startup of the Year: Tasty Treats
- Champion of the Cause: TCI Junkanoo Museum
- Innovative Business Idea: Island Mystique
- The People’s Choice Award: Genesis Next Media
The People’s Choice Award, the most anticipated award of the night, allowed the public to cast their votes for their favorite business, with Genesis Next Media capturing the most votes and emerging as the winner.
Alexa Cooper, Vice President-SME at Invest TCI, expressed gratitude, saying, “The MSMEs were a celebration honouring our entrepreneurs during Global Entrepreneurship Week and embodied our commitment to spotlighting and empowering our MSME Programme recipients. This event underscores the remarkable potential within our MSME community. Compliance was pivotal in selecting 24 nominees across various categories, acknowledging their adherence to programme standards and resilience in business.
Our understanding of the challenges entrepreneurs face in establishing and expanding their ventures drove us to make these awards a pivotal initiative for Invest TCI. It’s a beacon of recognition and support for their exceptional efforts.
Heartfelt congratulations to all nominees and especially to the outstanding winners. Mere nomination stands as a testament to their dedication and hard work, embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship and success.”
CEO of Invest TCI, Angela Musgrove stated, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the exceptional MSMEs nominated and recognized at the recent MSME Awards Gala. This event celebrated not just their achievements but also their resilience, innovation, and vital contributions to our business community. Your passion and dedication inspire us, and we at Invest Turks and Caicos remain committed to supporting your growth and success.
We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to our valuable sponsors, The Strand, The Hartling Group, Sobethy’s Turks and Caicos, Misick and Stanbrook, Windward Development, Stanbrook Prudhoe and Miller Simons O’Sullivan, and all other key stakeholders. Your invaluable contributions were integral to the success story of the MSME Awards.”
For more information about Invest TCI and upcoming events, please visit www.investturksandcaicos.tc.
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About Invest Turks and Caicos
Invest Turks and Caicos is the Islands’ Investment Promotion Agency, responsible for enhancing the economy through the attraction, growth and retention of overseas investment; and supporting the growth of local businesses.
We provide a free and confidential service to overseas businesses looking to expand and will work with a company project team throughout the investment process, providing advice and support. This can include:
- Information on the local business climate;
- facilitating contact with relevant Government Departments throughout the investment process;
- advice on Government incentives and concessions to investors;
- introductions to local service providers/suppliers;
- advice on work permits and permanent residency procedures;
- ongoing support following set up.
We also work actively to support local businesses’ growth, including managing and delivering the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise programme, which provides concessions and relief to locally owned businesses.
