In an opinion piece published on October 15, 2026, the author argues that the Turks and Caicos Islands must establish both a Sovereign Wealth Fund and a Citizen Wealth Fund. This proposal aims to capture revenue from the nation's ongoing development boom to create long-term stability and direct wealth for residents.
The commentary suggests that while the National Wealth Fund Ordinance (2017) provides a legal framework, the government must now implement it to prevent wealth from leaving the territory. Potential funding sources include a development impact fee of 1–3% on projects exceeding $50 million, alongside portions of tourism taxes and Crown land lease revenue. The author projects that with these streams, a national fund could surpass $100 million within five years. The proposed Citizen Wealth Fund would be owned collectively by citizens to support housing, education, and retirement through direct dividends.
The author cites successful regional models in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago as proof that small nations can build national reserves without oil wealth. The piece concludes that the government must move beyond temporary subsidies to build permanent financial structures. This shift is presented as a moral imperative for governance, requiring leaders to prioritize long-term national security over political convenience to ensure residents become owners rather than spectators in their own economy.