1. Chamber Program 2012
“New Country, New Approach”
January 13, 2012
The first year of Country Sint Maarten, since October 10, 2010, was a year of
learning and adaptation. In fact the past year served for Government and the
Stakeholders to adapt to the new system and to learn how to act as a country within
the Kingdom of the Netherlands and without the traditional layer of a Federal
Government.
In this process of change, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as the umbrella
organization representing the private sector, must utilize its unique position of being
an Advisor to Government to help and assist in a more effective and result driven
manner, with the ultimate goal being: more sustainability and further improvement of
the Economic Development of Sint Maarten.
For the last few years, the Chamber has embarked on multiple initiatives, some of
them have been completed, and others are in their final stage of implementation. The
Executive Board wishes to finalize all these initiatives on the Chamber program for
the year 2012, while dealing with all current affairs related to the private sector.
The priorities of the Chamber achievements for 2012 can be divided into 3 sections:
Chamber Internal Affairs, Chamber Local Involvement and Chamber Regional and
International participation.
N.B. The list of priorities listed below is not in any chronological order as the Board needs to approve
them and establish timelines and deadlines for their realization.
I. The Chamber Internal Affairs:
Now that the physical revamp of the Chamber’s facility is completed, the
managerial positions filled and the registry software installed, what need to be
done in 2012 is as follows:
1. The GAMMA Software:
Considering the multiple pressures to share the data with certain government
entities, the Chamber registry software must be completely finalized as soon
as possible for the Board to determine the final conditions for its accessibility
by third parties.
The Executive Board considers that this year’s MIS committee (to be chaired
by Mr. Ajay Rawtani) must prepare, in collaboration with the Director, the
Office Manager and the IT Manager, an assessment of the situation and a
plan of action.
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2. 2. The Chamber Personnel:
The Executive Board considers it urgent that a review, an evaluation and the
training of all the Chamber personnel must take place as soon as possible to
determine the different tasks and responsibilities of the employees.
The Director is instructed to prepare of job descriptions of each Chamber
employee, and to identify an independent person/entity to do the evaluation
and prepare the TOR for the training of the personnel. While the personnel
are being trained, a salary scale will be established based on performance.
3. The Collection of the Chamber dues:
An efficient system of collection must be put in place for the collection of
membership dues after which a registry clean-up must be done to be able to
have the most accurate data.
The Executive Board would like to suggest the approach of hiring 2 or 3 local
unemployed youth and to train them for this task. The team will also have the
necessary tools, such as uniforms and transportation. The Director is
charged with the preparation and submission of the different offers for the
uniforms and the transportation vehicle.
4. The Chamber Ordinance & Standing Order:
The Federal Ordinance, under which the Chamber functioning is regulated,
dates as far back as 1945 and amended several times through the years, the
last amendment dates as far back as September 1979. Now that we are
Country, we need to start preparing a “Country Ordinance”. In the planned
ordinance we can adjust certain aspects according to the Sint Maarten
specifics. Once approved by the relevant authorities, the Ordinance will also
serve to place the Chamber in its rightful position, as no mention was made
in the Country Constitution.
The Executive Board thinks that this initiative must start by having a Notary
to make an interactive presentation of the existing Chamber laws to the
Board. This way, while learning about rights and obligations, all Board
Members will have the chance to expose their thoughts and
recommendations. Notary Francis Gijsbertha was identified to carry out this
task and the Director was instructed to initiate the process.
5. The Registry Regulation:
In December 2009, 2 sets of laws were approved by the then Parliament of
the Netherlands Antilles. Some parts of the laws were implemented since
January 2010, other parts still pending and must be finalized as soon as
possible. The most important part to be finalized this year is the obligation of
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3. businesses to include the Chamber Registration number on all their
company letter heads, invoices, bills of order etc.
The Executive Board has identified September 1, 2012 as the deadline for
businesses to comply with this part of the law. This date was chosen as it
corresponds with the termination of the country phone code 599 and its
permanent replacement with 1-721. This way, it will be cheaper for
businesses to comply with 2 regulations with one cost. The Director was
instructed to start preparing a plan of approach, including an information
campaign.
II. The Chamber Local Involvement:
In representing the Private Sector, the unique position of the Chamber as
Advisor to Government allows its involvement at the local level to be more
effective and more productive. This can be done through the Chamber
representatives in the several committees and through ad hoc interventions.
1. The Advisory Committees and the Standing Committees:
Provision is made in the Chamber Rules of Procedure to permit the review
and update of the different committees (Art.16, Art.17 and Art.18).
At this stage of the Country, the Executive Board considers it necessary to
review and update all the committees and their representatives and to
establish more regular and efficient ways of communication between the
Board and the representatives.
2. Collaboration with Government Apparatus:
A definitive approach must be established and approved by the board with
regards to the most legal and ethical way of sharing the Chamber Data
Base. This process must be solely motivated by the willingness to help
government in having their data base updated to seek, among other things,
the Broadening of the Tax Base.
The Executive Board considers that it is time for the Chamber to increase
the collaboration with government in all areas to help improve the
economic climate. Besides the sharing of data, other ways of assistance
could be the initiation of sectoral surveys, the first ones could be in the
Marine sector and in the Condominium/Timeshare sector. The primary
intention of these surveys is to ensure that all businesses operating on the
Dutch Side are registered at the Chamber, while the results of the surveys,
once shared with government, will help to better regulate the economy.
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4. 3. The Business License Advisory:
Since the decision taken a few years ago to have this task fulfilled by the
Chamber management instead of the Licensing Committee, the Board has
not been informed of any major hiccups or difficulties.
Nonetheless, at the indication of the Director that no requests were
received by the Chamber since November 2011, the executive Board find it
urgent to review the entire situation and make a realistic assessment for
the Board to take a decision accordingly. The Director will contact VOSEC
to inquire about the requests.
4. The Labor/Work Permits issues:
In conjunction with the business licensing, and in light of the high rate of
unemployment, especially among the youth, it is high time now to also
assess the situation and advise Government accordingly
5. Further Assistance to Local Small Businesses:
In continuation with the initiative that started last year with the Small Hotels
sector, further assistance is needed from the Chamber, especially with
regards to soft loans through the Development Bank OBNA and/or
Commercial Banks.
In expediting the identification of the different possibilities, the Executive
Board is of the opinion that the Chamber must also take a proactive
approach with the commercial banks and encourage them for more
involvement. E.g. the training program that the WIB did in the past that
included training courses for local small businesses.
6. The Chamber Business Directory:
Determined to be an additional tool of information, locally and regionally,
the business directory should be re-commissioned.
The Executive Board is of the opinion that this initiative should not cost the
Chamber anything in the first place and that it should be implemented
through a transparent public bid, with specific terms of reference allowing
the Chamber possibilities of monitoring and control.
7. Cost of Living and Cost of Doing Business:
The cost of living is an issue that has been frequently raised, especially by
the employee’s organizations. It has also been a concern of the Chamber
through the years, as the maintaining or the decrease of the cost of living
will give more buying power to the employee’s salary. The cost of doing
business is of greater importance to the Chamber as the business
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5. community is often complaining about. As these costs are ultimately carried
over to the consumer, the effects are even greater to the entire society.
The President has indicated that this year, the Chamber must look at this
situation diligently. One of the avenues the President is strongly advising to
look at is the food basket and increase it in quantity and quality. He took
the example of Curacao who just implemented the addition of fruits and
vegetables to their government controlled food basket.
For the cost of doing business, in continuation with the past efforts of the
Chamber to have some relief for the business from GEBE, more areas of
concerns must be added such as telecommunication and interest rates that
could encourage more local investments.
8. The Consumer Protection Act/Authority & BBB:
The Consumer Protection process initiated by SBDF is also an additional
avenue for the Chamber to engage in, along with SBDF and Government,
as it was indicated to Parliament during the meeting last year.
In consideration of the increased number of consumer complaints the
Chamber has been receiving, the President is of the opinion that it is now
high time to join forces with SBDF (the project owner) and Government to
establish this mechanism that will primarily serve, not only the protection of
the consumers, but most importantly to protect the reputation of Sint
Maarten as a shopping destination.
The other consideration, the President is advising, is the establishment of a
Better Business Bureau that will be tasked with the dissemination of
information on best practices with regards to the further protection of
businesses and the consumers. For that purpose, a section of the
Chamber will be remodeled to serve as a Chamber Desk where information
will also be provided for the visitors and potential investors.
9. Security, Crime Prevention and Youth Vocational Education:
The security issues our business community is lately experiencing are
intertwined mainly with the present high youth unemployment. As much as
the Security Camera System that the Chamber has now been championing
for years is an important tool of prevention, it is also equally important to
have a proactive role with government and the businesses in creating more
job opportunities through Training and Education for the unemployed
youth.
With the experience as Chairman of the Security Committee, the President
is insisting that this year the Chamber should play a bigger role in the crime
prevention through training and education. The multiple opportunities that
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6. exist in several sectors must be conducive to much more youth training,
employment and entrepreneurship.
One of the ideas the President is strongly recommending that the Chamber
should explore is the encouragement of youth to be more involved in
studying hotel management, hospitality and culinary arts. This can be done
through the University of St. Martin in similar way what the Hotel Academy
is doing in Curacao
III. The Chamber Regional and International Participation:
Considering the international economic difficulties the United States and
Europe are presently experiencing, Sint Maarten must seriously look at
another pillar to add to the Economy. What could be considered as a realistic
new pillar to consider is becoming a “Supply Platform” similar to what Panama
has to offer, an E-Zone Park offering goods to the region.
With the reputation of Sint Maarten, its geographic location and its
sophisticated infrastructure, the Chamber can lead this process in partnership
with government and the business community.
1. Trade Shows and Trade Missions:
Now that we are a country, the work done in the past 7 years through the
Chamber affiliation with CAIC can be further sustained through the official
support of government to the private sector. In fact, the involvement of
politicians in the attendance and organization of Trade Shows and Trade
Missions often leads to more economic cooperation and development
The Executive Board considers this is a priority and believes that the first
mission should be to Panama. This will permit to the Chamber and the
members to learn about the distribution platform Panama presently enjoys.
In this initiative, the Chamber will also try to make use of the offer made by
Copa Airlines of 10 round trip tickets and to assist us in the logistics of the
mission. A decision was taken to approach the Tourist Bureau for
assistance to start the talks with Copa Airlines. Such initiative will certainly
open additional opportunities from the South American market.
In the same effort, the President is recommending that the Chamber should
seek additional ways in promoting Sint Maarten as a “Shopping
Destination” for the Caribbean. This must be done by talking with the
regional airlines like LIAT and RedJet for them to consider lower fare for
passengers and cargo. To achieve optimal results in this initiative, the
Chamber is collaborating with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Tourism
and the Tourist Bureau to conjointly seek the best possible approach to
achieve this goal.
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7. 2. Regional Economic Summit:
In furthering Sint Maarten exposure to the rest of the Caribbean, holding an
economic summit, consisting of prominent business persons and
government officials, will certainly open multiple opportunities for the local
businesses and for Foreign Direct Investment.
In line with the Chamber decision to host the CAIC 7th Annual Private
Sector Meeting with the region Ministers of Economy in Sint Maarten this
year, the Executive Board thinks that it could be a good idea to include a
Regional Economic Summit. Decisions were taken to inquire about the
projected dates of the CAIC event and to establish a special committee to
be tasked with the early planning. One of the possibilities that must be
explored is EU funding through INTERREG, if the summit is organized in
collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of the French Side.
3. Additional Funding Support:
With the funding from the Netherlands, especially for the Social Economic
Initiative (SEI) is being phased out by the end of 2012, additional sources
of funding need to be explored for the sustainability and the further
development of the economy. Other funding possibilities from the
Netherlands and from other sources must be identified.
4. Advice on CARICOM & OECS Relations:
With the latest decision taken during the Kingdom meeting in the
Netherlands on the autonomy of the different countries in their foreign
economic relations, the Chamber must further emphasize to Government
the urgency to finalize the association with CARICOM. Possibilities to also
join the OECS must be explored and advised to government.
In following up with the Chamber Advice to Government to apply for an
Associate Member status with CARICOM, a decision was taken to forward
a letter to Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams on the issue and to also
request a meeting with her to have an update and further discuss any
bottlenecks.
5. The Dutch Caribbean Association of Chambers:
In following up with the state of affairs on the creation of the DCAC, along
with the chambers of Curacao and Aruba, certain pending issues must be
looked at and determined, e.g. the official language of the association.
After indication by the Director that the process is presently stalled waiting
on the reaction of Aruba Chamber, the Executive Board has determined
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8. that this will be the occasion for the entire concept to be reviewed and
decided upon by the Board.
One of the most important points that raised much discussion last year was
the official languages of the planned association; the majority of the
members were of the opinion that although Dutch is the language, the
English must be also considered. This is very important as Dutch and
English are the 2 official languages of Country Sint Maarten and that most
of our business community are not well versed in Dutch
6. Relationship with the French Side:
Restart the dialogue with the French Chamber of Commerce to seriously
seek ways of collaboration in the development of the island as a whole.
A decision was taken to organize a meeting with the French Side Chamber
to determine a realistic approach toward more effective ways of
collaboration and cooperation.
7. Public Private Partnership:
Revive the decision taken by the Board in early 2011 to have a more
effective approach to the establishment of a Public/Private Partnership with
Government.
Considering the latest decision of the Kingdom partners during their
meeting in the Netherlands, to give autonomy to each country in their
Economic Foreign Relations, the Executive Board is of the opinion that the
Chamber must explore all the possibilities to continue the deliberation on
the Public Private Partnership possibilities. A decision was taken to have a
meeting with Mr. Bert van Geel, who is assigned by Foreign Affairs Ministry
to assist Sint Maarten with its foreign relations, and explore all possibilities.
In this regard, the President is suggesting that a new committee is
established “Regional & International Relations Committee” that will
enclose the CAIC task and all other future opportunities in the building of
the regional and international economic development of Country Sint
Maarten
Additionally, for the establishment of a more effective and coherent
partnership with Government, the creation of a “Public Private Partnership
Bureau” within the Chamber’s offices, is the best way to go.
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