Dear Editor,
On June 1, 2016, the Minister of Finance stated to the media that there are too many institutions and businesses in St. Maarten that are not affording upward mobility to locals, a practice that must be halted. He was particularly critical about the tourism/resort sector, the Prosecutor’s Office and the Court, saying that locals could not be found in any high or managerial position.
He called on defaulting institutions and businesses “to nurture locals to break through to the managerial positions, so they too can participate in this economy, learn the ropes, because that is the best for St. Maarten. He mentioned if it doesn’t come by evolution, it will come through revolution.”
It is funny to see that the Minister’s actions are quite contrary to what he is saying.
I make that statement because the Minister is looking to take a loan of NAf. 20 million to go to Curaçao to invest in an application developed by a foreign company. Why hasn’t he given companies in St. Maarten the opportunity to bid on this huge project? By doing this he’s not allowing upward mobility of locally operated companies and by default locals. Why isn’t he nurturing local operated businesses? There are companies operating locally that have developed applications for government, there is a locally-owned company with all local employees that developed and successfully implemented the tax application used by our French counterparts.
The Minister also mentioned that the approach of not affording upward mobility to locals also affects the country’s economy and budget, as non-locals amass their wealth and then leave with it as opposed to investing it here, but the Minister is going to purchase an application from a foreign company that will in no way or from contribute to St. Maarten’s economy.
The Minister’s actions are no different to those businesses on the island that are not affording upward mobility to locals.
My advice to the Minister of Finance is: a man’s word is his bond, do not make statements and have your actions contradict your statements, otherwise you are just like the rest of them. Practice what you preach and lead by example.
Jason Peterson
