On December 6, 2021, the Department of Trade, Industry, and Fair Competition hosted “The Consumer is King” Campaign Launch at the Beaches Turks & Caicos in Providenciales. The Campaign aims to raise public awareness about the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Consumer Protection Ordinance by highlighting the rights of consumers and the obligations of providers.
Key among the dignitaries in attendance were H.E. Nigel Dakin, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands; the Hon. Charles Washington Misick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands; and the Hon. Erwin Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Trade, and Investment. In addition, a wide cross-section of stakeholders from across the TCI represented government departments and agencies, retailers, private sector umbrella groups, academia, and the press.
Throughout the event, participants were given the opportunity to learn more about the Campaign’s objectives, which include to promote dialogue on the impact and application of the Consumer Protection Ordinance; to preclude unfair/ misleading business practices; and to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable members of the community.
Representing the interests of the business community, the TCI Chamber of Commerce presented on the role of providers towards the implementation of the Ordinance, while the Department of Environmental Health enlightened participants on consumer safety issues in the TCI. Notably, a dramatic performance by students from the Clement Howell High School emphasized the real-world applicability of the Ordinance. The Panel Discussion segment, which featured panelists from pertinent government departments and the private sector, provided an outlet for frank and meaningful discussions on the key provisions of the Ordinance. Video presentations and interactive activities were also utilized by the Department of Trade to highlight the Campaign’s theme: “Consumer Protection is Everybody’s Business”.
Immediately following the Campaign Launch, the Department of Trade hosted a series of informational exchanges across the TCI to educate consumers and providers about their rights and obligations, respectively. The Department of Trade Team visited Grand Turk and Salt Cay on December 7, 2021; North and Middle Caicos on December 8, 2021; and Providenciales on December 10, 2021. However due to unforeseen circumstances, the visit to South Caicos was postponed until early January 2022.
As the institutional guardian of consumer rights in the TCI, the Department of Trade will continue to disseminate information about consumer rights through its “Did You Know” Series. This Series aims to provide easy-to-remember tidbits of information about the Ordinance using a variety of media channels. Additionally, it is intended to educate stakeholders about the Consumer Complaints Mechanism.
The Department of Trade is also actively promoting its Consumer Protection Jingle Competition. High school students from across the TCI are invited to showcase their creativity by developing a jingle which endorses the slogan: “Consumer Protection is Everybody’s Business”. The winner will receive a trophy and $1500. Furthermore, the winning jingle will be used in future promotional activities for “The Consumer is King” Campaign.
For further information about consumer protection in the TCI, and how to enter the Consumer Protection Jingle Competition, visit
