Dear Editor,

  During last week’s press briefing, the Minister of Finance informed one of the reporters about St. Maarten’s current liquidity status. St. Maarten currently holds between 25 to 30 million guilders in its coffers.

  Our annual budget is about 450 million guilders, and we have difficulties balancing our budget. Furthermore, we know that the government has been relying on ad hoc payments such as the sale of its shares in UTS to cover expenses. As a result, we have no budget for capital expenses.

  Many have been asking why our neighboring countries have been receiving financial aid from the Dutch and other international organizations without conditions. That is because they are in more deplorable conditions, according to international standards, when compared to St. Maarten. But don’t worry, St. Maarten is heading there, to deplorable conditions, at this rate. We’ve been having a declining economy since 2014 as all the cabinet changes have been costly for St. Maarten.

  We cannot blame the Dutch or CFT [Committee for financial Supervision – Ed.] for a deal we accepted since 10-10-10. When we’re told we shouldn’t accept the World Bank’s bureaucratic procedures or conditions from the Dutch, we should question what was the alternative, as we’ve been spending so poorly for the last 7 years before Hurricane Irma.

  We became a country that could not take care of its own people in times of disasters. The truth is, we lack long-term macro-economic planning by the St. Maarten Government and that is partially due to political instability.

  The good news is, however, that there is a viable solution and it starts with putting people like me and your readers at the forefront of any policy-making process. This will ensure that hard-working families are able to afford what they need, that we give our entrepreneurs a head start, that we strengthen and diversify our economy and we alleviate poverty in our society.

  People say things haven’t changed over the last 10 years, but they have. Only, the changes have not been for us!

Adonis Cyntje

Dear Editor, 

  Why do people in government continue to take the people living on Sint Maarten for granted? The voters of Sint Maarten should make sure that the MPs Doran, Richardson, Brison and Emmanuel, who walked out of the  session of Parliament on November 4, to make sure the quorum was broken, even though they knew the significance of the proposal tabled by MP Claude "Chacho Peterson. A proposal which would guarantee the workers of PJIA their pay.

  That is one of the most logical and easiest to-deal-with proposal I have heard on Sint Maarten since 10-10-'10. The question I asked myself was, which of those MPs walked into that meeting with the intention of breaking the quorum? For me that was the most logical thing to do, because voting against that proposal would be political suicide. So, just as I expected, they walked out.

  Nine years is a long time for government not to do anything, and for the those MPs (selected, destined?) to walk out of that meeting; a meeting which would guarantee the workers at the airport – an airport which is still been ridiculed by our visitors – at least one month's pay, is showing heartlessness. 

  January 9, 2020 is just around the corner and we are still being taken for granted. I have googled the term "to be taken for granted". Here is the explanation given: To expect someone or something to be always available to serve in some way, without thanks or recognition".

  I googled it because we tend to lose the significance of words along the way. Why am I mentioning this? It is because for years we have supported certain politicians and even though they have not done anything to better the people's lives on Sint Maarten, the people have still voted for them. So, what do they do?  They take the people for granted. (see definition) I do not vote for a party; I vote for a party program. The people surely have experienced it.

  I am calling this to our attention because I think that they (politicians) who continue to take the people for granted by throwing down the government, even though we are still suffering the consequences of Hurricane Irma, have now given us (the people) the opportunity to bring completely new blood into the government of Sint Maarten. Out with the old and in with the new.

  The proposal that Chacho tabled is literally in the interest of the people of Sint Maarten, and members of the temporary government formed, walked out to avoid having to vote on that proposal just because it did not come from them. So, what about the people who voted for them, do not those people deserve something good? 

  This is again proof that those in government are not for the people but for themselves. We must not be taken for granted any longer. MP William Marlin walked out earlier, that is indeed leading, but in this case leading us to destruction. 

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

  The cost to live, better known as the cost of living, over the years has reached to a point where it has made of the middle class the working poor and created a larger divide of inequality between the haves and the have nots. There are consistent complaints about the cost of living on St. Maarten. These complaints in many instances are about minimum wage, the short term contracts, high rents, high food costs, utilities, just to name few.

  What is appalling to me is how some economists come up with all kinds of creative formulas which according to them is an indication of how the economy is functioning. And based on these calculations determine the price at which goods and services are provided. Let me remind them that one size does not fit all.

  It would be interesting at this time to know the consumer price index on St. Maarten or better yet, the increases in the last 5 years. These figures should be readily available at the Department for Statistics (STAT).

  I understood a report came out in which it states that on Curaçao a family of 3 consisting of a mother and two children, the minimum wage should be around NAf. 2,000 (two thousand guilders), whereas on St. Maarten it should be around NAf. 4,000 (four thousand guilders). Realistically one would have to agree that an increase of such a proportion on St. Maarten or anywhere for that matter would be disastrous to the economy.

  What in my opinion should happen is to look at the feared COLA or cost-of-living adjustments and based on the price increases of goods and services over the last 5 years adjust salaries in specific categories. I am sure this suggestion will be met by much criticism by some. But said increase should not be done across the board.

  Persons collecting an annual income of NAf. 48,000 and above should be exempted from collecting the cost-of-living adjustment in the same manner someone earning less than this amount. Let me be clear again unless misunderstood, I am not saying they should not receive the adjustments, but not in the same manner as those earning less than NAf. 48,000 gross annually. The financial experts will have to come up with the formula on how this is to be done.

  This brings us to the matter of the basket of goods. Before I continue, permit me to insert a statement I read recently and it goes as follows: “People, have a right to safe and permanent access to healthy food, sufficient and nutritious; preferably produced at local level and in accordance with their diverse identities and cultural traditions,” end of quote. I will develop this in another article.

  For a number of years now, mention was made of adding additional items to the list of the basket of goods. What is the status on this? It is critical and requires swift action. Food prices have skyrocketed unabated as control has been ad-hoc to non-existent. What has to be seriously investigated is why this phenomenon. Is it that the department is understaffed, lack equipment, not trained or not able to issue fines?

  I asked a question on the floor of the island council sometime in 2005 as to who controlled the importation of goods on the island. In this specific case I was referring to food items. The response by the then-commissioner of economic affairs was, and let me paraphrase, “What do you want me to do, stand in front of the door of every supermarket?” We are talking 14 years ago.

  The other issue that needs urgent attention is the matter of rent. The law is over 50 years old. It only authorizes the rent committee to establish the rental income of a dwelling valued at NAf. 50,000. We know for a fact that prices of homes have increased tremendously over the last decades. It is fact that today homes are valued at $150 thousand and up making this law non-applicable.

  Some landlords charge their tenant the lowest $500 for 1 room. Let me be clear, I did not say a one-bedroom apartment, I said one room. When it comes to a one-bedroom apartment, you are looking at rents of $700 and upwards. I hope you can understand why many persons are living in deplorable conditions.

  The majority of the labor force earn minimum wage of $800 a month. The ones who suffer the most from this are single mothers. I have always heard that your rent should not be more than 30 per cent of your income. Now, where will you find a decent apartment for $240 taking into consideration the minimum wage of $800?

  Then we have arguments made by landlords, and rightfully so, that they have to pay the Bank – mortgage/loans incurred when building their homes/apartments. This means a serious discussion with the Banks regarding interest rates, etc. The Banks in turn will argue that their responsibility is to protect the interest of their shareholders. Then our next option would be the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten. What I am trying to say is that we need all stakeholders to understand the seriousness of the matter and be realistic in our approach.

  Finally, I think it is time to introduce the cash registers similar to those formerly used at the Princess Juliana International Airport. I believe they are already in use on Curaçao.

  Let us begin with the supermarkets. The fact that the anti-poverty organization can sell 8 lemons for $1 and they only bring in one or two containers, what does this mean for those who bring in many more containers? The cost to live.

George Pantophlet

Dear Editor,

  The Second China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. The CIIE is the world’s first import expo held at the national level, and an innovation in the history of global trade. By holding the import fair, China is building a platform that connects China’s demand with the world supply. It not only satisfies China’s domestic consumption and its upgrade, but also provides huge business opportunities for global enterprises. Given the intensified trade protectionism and increased downside risk for the world economy, the Chinese government is actively promoting high-level opening-up, which demonstrates China’s consistent position of supporting free trade and economic globalization.

  The number of participants as well as the exhibition area of the second CIIE will be larger than that of the first expo. Covering an area of 30,000 square metres, the country exhibitions will host 64 nations and three international organizations. Among them are 15 guest countries of honor, including some EU member states, France, Italy, Greece and Czech Republic. The uniquely designed pavilions will showcase each country's development achievements, business environment and special industries. While the business exhibitions cover more than 300,000m2 and are divided into 7 areas, and have attracted more than 3,000 companies from over 150 countries and regions.

  China has achieved tremendous development since the reform and opening-up. It has greatly improved people’s living standards and has formed the world’s largest middle-income group. Consequently, the demand for high-quality imported goods has been increasing. Consumption has contributed more than 70 per cent of China’s economic growth and is now the primary engine of domestic economic development. The “global market” of China has drawn the attention of the whole world.

  While stimulating the high-quality development of its own economy, China has taken a series of measures to promote a higher level of opening-up, including expanding market access, enhancing international cooperation in intellectual property protection, increasing the import of goods and services, and strengthening macro policy coordination with other major economies, etc. According to the Doing Business 2020 study by the World Bank, China ranks 31^st globally on business environment and joined the ranks of the world’s top 10 most improved economies for ease of doing business for the second year. The rankings of a number of indicators, such as contract enforcement are among the highest in the world.

  Foreign investment is thriving with the promotion of quality and expansion of capacity of the Chinese market, as well as the continuous improvement of business environment in China. The World Investment Report 2019 by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development reveals that the foreign direct investment (FDI) in China increased by 4 per cent in 2018 to an all-time high of $139 billion, accounting 10 per cent of world total. China is now the second largest FDI inflow host economy and has become an appealing destination for foreign investment.

  China is also the world's second largest source of outward FDI. In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed to jointly build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road, namely the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In the past 6 years, more than 160 countries and international organizations have signed agreements on Belt and Road cooperation with China. A large number of cooperation projects have been launched, benefiting economic development of participating countries.

  The BRI highlights the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, and is guided by the principle of consultation, contribution and shared benefits. It follows market rules and suits to national conditions of relevant countries. That’s why the BRI has received greater recognition from more and more country leaders and local people, and it has become the most welcomed global public product.

  China and the Netherlands are important trading partners, with bilateral trade volume over 85 billion US dollars in 2018. The Netherlands is where the land and maritime Silk Roads meet, and we two countries have achieved fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation under the Belt and Road framework. Besides, 19 countries from Latin America and Caribbean region have signed documents on Belt and Road cooperation with China. The Dutch Caribbean region has its unique advantages, China would like to strengthen the people-to-people exchange, promote pragmatic cooperation between two sides, and achieve common development.

  China will open its door wider to the world, and will lend new impetus to the open world economy.

Xue Shan

Acting Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Willemstad