TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
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1.
Present Government considers development of the economy
more important than independence.
2.
Constitutionally advanced. Very little scope for further
advance except to independence.
3.
Economy very weak. Depends on in-shore fishing (lobster
and conch) and tourism. Club Mediterranée about to start
building a holiday village on Providenciales.
4.
Aid badly needed. At present we give £1.5 million budgetary aid, over £1 million capital and £0.5 million
technical cooperation each year. In addition, we have provided
£6 million special aid grant for a new airport and roads on Providenciales in order to encourage tourism.
5.
With no natural resources (other than fish) but with fine
beaches and reefs, the development of the TCI depends on
tourism. The Club Med. Village, the first large tourism
development, will not be completed before the end of 1984. Although other tourism projects are planned, it will be a long
time before the economy is viable. Until then, the Government is not prepared to contemplate a move to independence, although
it remains an ultimate goal.
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