Above: Governor Ric Todd

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Turks and Caicos Governor Ric Todd departed Sunday for a two-day visit to Haiti.

Todd is being joined by Minister of Border Control and Labour Don Hue Gardiner and Clara Gardiner, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Border Control and Labour. The delegation will discuss “further strengthening of joint work with the Haitian authorities to combat illegal migration and developing partnership and business and human relations between TCI and Haiti,” according to a statement from the Governor’s office.

Turks and Caicos and Haiti have experienced some tension in the past few years over the issue of illegal immigration.

“Building TCI’s relationship with Haiti has been our priority for some time,” Todd said. “Most recently, Haiti’s Premier Lamothe visited TCI. TCI and Haiti have a shared interest in ensuring that migration between our two countries is regulated and managed through the proper channels, and this visit is evidence of the continuing commitment of both countries to achieving this goal.”

Todd said that, in addition to the immigration talks, he would also meet with a TCI business delegation that will also be visiting Haiti this week.

“The two visits underline the importance of the relationship between TCI and Haiti, and the efforts that are ongoing to strengthen the business and human ties between the countries,” he said.