By the Caribbean Journal staff

A delegation from Haiti visited Turks and Caicos Tuesday to discuss the former’s plans to open a consulate in Providenciales.

The consulate will allow Haitian residents in TCI to process official documents locally.

It was among the subjects of talks between the two sides. Representing Haiti were Jacques Nixon Myrthil, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Haiti Ambassador to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Antonio Rodrigue and Fortune Dorlean, legal director of Haiti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The consulate will be staffed by four Haitian diplomats, and will also look to build “cultural and commercial” links between the Turks and Caicos and Haiti.

“I am delighted that the Haitian people living in the TCI will soon have formal government representation from a Provo-based consulate,” said Turks and Caicos Governor Ric Todd in a statement. “This will, for example, ensure that it is much easier for Haitians to obtain official documentation.”

The post is slated to open by November.

“The consulate will also provide a focal point of contact for [the Turks and Caicos government] with the Haitian government and facilitate the showcasing of the significant contribution Haitians make to the TCI,” Todd said.