Dear Editor,

  I have attended many IPKO [Inter-Parliamentary Kingdom Consultation – Ed.] meetings and what always stood out to me is the fact that they are only of a consultative nature because the final decisions have to be carried out by the governments of the respective countries.

  But it has been proven that the one who definitely has the final decision is the Kingdom Council of Minsters especially when we look at the process that takes place in connection with Articles 15 to 22 of the Kingdom Charter.

  This has caused many disputes, which brings me to our famous Dispute Regulation.

  As a matter of fact, former Member of the Second Chamber Mr. van Laar in 2001 and later picked up by Second Chamber Member van Oven presented a draft proposal to make amendments to article 14 and 38 of the Kingdom Charter which would give the other countries more authority as it relates to disputes within the Kingdom.

  I listened to Member of Parliament Mr. Buncamper who wanted to know the status of the Dispute regulation. To my colleague let me state the following: in 2010 a new article 12a was inserted into the Kingdom Charter, giving instructions to the legislators of the Kingdom to make provisions to have disputes between the Kingdom and the countries established by kingdom law. The intention was, and still is, to have disputes handled by an independent organization. The Council of State was targeted to be such a body; however, the Kingdom Council of Ministers did not want the decision or advice of the Council of State to be binding.

  Now after some 10 years of deliberations, proposals and meetings on this regulation, the Kingdom Council of Ministers have decided to put the dispute regulation on the back burner for 3 years, as in their opinion there are more important matters to be addressed.

  I believe that the governments of the countries of Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten should protest against this and have it placed again on the IPKO agenda.

  Another matter which I think is related is the document the “Democratic Deficit” prepared by the late Mavis Salomon and her colleagues. Former Minister of Justice of the Netherlands Hirsch Balin I believe in 1997 made reference to having this dispute dealt with.

  I would like to know the status of this report. And I think it should be discussed in a meeting of parliament.

  Mr. chairman, an issue that might not be related to the upcoming IPKO meeting but  one that is ongoing for quite some time now. I am talking about the challenges our students who have studied in the Netherlands and received loans from DUO are facing. They earn guilders but are forced to pay their loans in the euro currency.

   I understood that in Curaçao a special account was set up where these loans can be repaid in the local currency. I would like to know the possibilities of having such a system established in St. Maarten.

George Pantophlet

Entrepreneurs from different corners of the globe, including Curaçao, have joined forces in partnership to take on a global initiative, combining medical, technological and strategic workforce perspectives into account to remedy and support an ever-growing demand for mitigating the risks involved in our new COVID-19 realities.

  The consortium consists of Cohortias (Mexico), a trusted and reliable clinical research organization (CRO), Azure8 (USA), a reputed medical device company specialized in COVID-related devices and equipment, Aeffect International (Netherlands and Curaçao), a strategic workforce company with the ability to locally execute large-scale people-related operations, and ITS Caribbean & Latin America (Curaçao) a Smart Mobility advisor and solution provider.

  The intent and purpose of the joint collaboration is to remove or lessen the burden held by both private and public entities in their adjustments to much-needed measures in the fight for protection against the novel virus. According to the consortium, the best and only way to avoid quarantines upon arrival and build on a solid method to contain and monitor the virus is through intensive scheduled testing on visitors, people on the frontline and in the end, all citizens. The tests have been thoroughly evaluated out of more than 50 groups of tests based on validity and accuracy (sensitivity and specificity statistics).

  “We have chosen a CE registered test with a sensitivity of 100 per cent and a specificity of 99.22 per cent, considered highly accurate and promising”, says Vipula Tailor, founder and CEO of Azure8. “This scheduled testing protocol combined with personal protection measures, distancing and adjustment of air treatment and ventilation systems should mitigate pressure on the healthcare system.”

  “Specific to this case, we are providing an attractive alternative solution to the existing mandated quarantine in some countries including Curaçao, which could grant the government freedom and assurance to open borders urgently but safely. Visitors and tourists will contribute collaboratively into a negligible fee which in turn will welcome a happier and safer traveller. By the same token, residents and the populace of Curaçao will also feel safer and more comfortable, knowing that island visitors are tested upon arrival, throughout their stay and finally at departure, creating a safe, vigilant and enjoyable environment for everyone,” says Dr. Martin Hernandez Torre of Cohortias.

  The overall medical and operational coordination and management of protocol is headed by the reputed Dr. Martin Hernandez Torre and the operational protocol conducted by CEO Martijn Wallert. Azure-8 with Vipula Tailor would oversee and coordinate the entire supply chain with local authorities and organizations such as Hato Airport and other relevant stakeholders. Aeffect International’s Hans Plesman would spearhead the local execution together with a team of residents working for the company. ITS and Luigi Scutto will provide technological support for tourists and caretakers by developing an application.

  The solution will be entirely customizable based on client needs, introducing a COVID-19 Travel Passport to accommodate visitors, keep record of their scheduled testing, providing useful travel advice on hygiene, distancing, the COVID-19 virus, emergency contact information on the island, and locations of testing facilities. Persons for whom an app is not an option could use a traditional paper booklet as an alternative.

  The solution is based on a well-constructed medical and operational protocol that will be tailored to guidelines provided by the well-known RIVM and TNO of the Netherlands.

Nick Miro

Project Manager at Aeffect International

Dear Editor,

  St. Maarten was not happy with the conditions given by the Dutch. For this reason, many have suggested independence from the Netherlands.

  However, independence is not an indispensable solution to our current problem. This is because our problem is not the conditions presented to us by the Dutch. In actuality, our problem is the inability to take care of ourselves from a fiscal standpoint. As this present crisis continues to unfold in this reality, it becomes more evident that this has been a long-standing issue. Therefore, it is no fault of any particular faction or any current person in government. In fact, given the political instability, no government has sat in office long enough, from 10-10-10 to effect real change.

  Many scholars, as well as the OECD [Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development – Ed.] in 2009, have heeded that small island developing states (SIDS) face several challenges regarding their economic development. St. Maarten, much like many of its SIDS counterparts, also encounters similar economic issues.

  Firstly, St. Maarten is considered small, both in the territory and in population. As a result, there is low economy of scale and higher production cost for goods and services for the government. Additionally, there is a low (or an unknown) level of tax compliance.

  Another notable point is the fact that St. Maarten is vulnerable to external shock; we are highly impacted by what is going on in the global market, particularly the United States. Therefore, our economic success is highly dependent on the policymakers and their ability to anticipate, mitigate, and manage these potential shocks.

  St. Maarten also faces environmental vulnerability, that is heightened by climate change. The most recent being Hurricane Irma in 2017. This is a reminder of our vulnerability and its impact on the single-pillar economy, thus presenting one of the predominant issues: the lack of economic diversification in St. Maarten, as the island has a tourist-based single-pillar economy.

  It is clear that we face many challenges, but the most significant challenge yet is the lack of relevant data. Decisions are difficult to make without pertinent data to give a better understanding of the problem. Taking it a step further, there is a lack of proper Census Data. Census data help us to understand who owns what, who lives where, and what are the needs in various communities. Furthermore, this information ensures that everyone is contributing appropriately, and the country's needs are being met.

  The factors mentioned above render the economy of St. Maarten weak and vulnerable to forces beyond its control. Unfortunately, the GDP [gross domestic product] or GNP [gross national product] per capita may conceal this underlying reality.

  Independence would mean that St. Maarten would have more options. However, these options often also come with conditionality. For example, the IMF [International Monetary Fund] and World Bank usually go for cuts in benefits, with minimal successful outcomes, might I add. Furthermore, with such vast external and environmental vulnerabilities, there would be many possible occasions for the island to be subjected to those conditions.

  Furthermore, the more you borrow, the more debt you will accumulate; this also impacts the extent to which you can borrow or the interest rate you may be given while lending. This will ultimately provide our decision-makers with two viable options, raising taxes or reducing benefits.

  St. Maarten has inherited a challenging financial situation; this is because St. Maarten assumed the debt of the Netherland Antilles. The Netherlands helped reduce that debt to the recommended 30 per cent of GDP. However, this was not enough. The following are a few general short- and long-term suggestions pending proper research and data collection:

Short-term

  Eliminate wastage: Evaluate and reduce resources.

  Strengthen our public financial management system by increasing transparency, accountability, and checks and balances while increasing fiscal discipline.

  A strengthened procurement process for more clarity and to avoid abuse or wastage.

  An environmental fee for our cruise-ship visitors to the island.

  Enforcement of the policies to enable collection fees on government debt.

  Increase the overall culture of tax compliance, strengthen our tax administration.

  Complete a base-line study to evaluate the current development issues, for more elaborate actions and decision making.

  Scope out and commit land to agriculture using local resources and knowledge base to create a sustainable livelihood and food security.

Long-term

  Identify and negotiate the implementation of additional sources of revenue for the government.

  Develop the agricultural sector.

  Research of a tax system that works for all and can support the country's needs.

  Improve data management systems to ensure tax compliance by issuing social security numbers.

  Independence for St. Maarten is not an unattainable goal. However, there is much work to be done before we get there to get there. The Government of St. Maarten had to make tough decisions to get past this situation, which may impact several persons, including the Members of Parliament and the Council of Ministers themselves. However, the focus after that should be on ensuring that we are not in this fiscal position again.

Leandra Cyntje

Dear Editor,

  This is not about Ambassador Ansari, Ambassador has always taken care of his employees. We are grateful to him in many ways if only we can reach him personally. We believe he has no clue on his operations.

  Employees at the Towers of Mullet Bay have to use this newspaper to get Mr. Clarence Derby’s attention. Since, and even before during this pandemic workers at the Towers had not heard anything from our GM Mr. Clarence Derby.

  This was passed on via department heads and coworkers: “Stay home until further notice and receive 50 per cent.”

1. No Meeting.
2. No Memo, nothing at all. Absolute silence from our General Manager Mr. Clarence Derby.

  It’s only fair that the workers speak out so that he can hear us. Two months have passed. Workers are hurting, where is your empathy Mr. Derby? Where is your heart? You have nothing to say?

  We still have everyday financial obligations which have not been put on hold, we have families providing for, groceries to purchase, landlords to pay, mortgages to pay, GEBE.

  Some of your workers’ salaries are under $400 a month with this 50 per cent. What can be done with that? This is abusive, Mr. Derby, can you sleep at night knowing that your workers are hurting? You don’t even pretend to care. You just don’t care?

Workers at the Towers at Mullet Bay