EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF NEW BUSINESS LICENCES

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT

MINISTRY OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INVESTMENT AND TRADE

PUBLIC NOTICE

EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF

NEW BUSINESS LICENCES IN THE CONTRACTOR’S CATEGORY INVOLVING NON-TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDERS

NOTICE is hereby given, for public information, that Cabinet, at its meeting held on 30 September 2026, approved the extension of the moratorium on the issuance of new business licences in the contractor’s category where there is non-Turks and Caicos Islander ownership or involvement, for the period 1 October 2026 to 30 April 2027, pending completion and enactment of the Construction Contractors legislative framework.

1. For the purposes of this Notice, the moratorium applies only to applications for new business licences in the affected contractor categories where there is non-Turks and Caicos Islander ownership or involvement, including where—

(a)       the applicant is a sole trader who is not a Turks and Caicos Islander;

(b)       the applicant is a partnership in which any partner is not a Turks and Caicos Islander; or

(c)        the applicant is a company in which any shareholding, beneficial ownership interest or other ownership interest is held by a person who is not a Turks and Caicos Islander, or by a non-Turks and Caicos Islander associate company.

1. Applications falling within this Notice will be considered and determined by the Permanent Secretary, Finance, in accordance with the Business Licensing Act (Cap. 17.02), the Business Licensing Regulations and applicable principles of administrative law, taking into account the Cabinet-approved policy referred to in paragraph 1.

3. This Notice does not affect existing valid business licences, applications for renewal of existing valid business licences, or applications in the affected contractor categories that do not involve non-Turks and Caicos Islander ownership or involvement.
4. This Notice does not invalidate any business licence issued before the date of publication of this Notice. Any application submitted before publication of this Notice and not yet determined will be dealt with in accordance with law, having regard to the Cabinet-approved policy referred to in paragraph 1.
5. Cabinet further confirmed that no further reinstatement of the moratorium beyond 30 April 2027 will be
   sought absent enactment of the legislative framework or further exceptional circumstances.

Dated this 2^nd day of October 2026.

Issued pursuant to the decision of Cabinet made on 30 September 2026.

Issued by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Trade.