Dear Editor,
Despite my personal position regarding the current monetary union with Curaçao (I favor dissolving it and officially “dollarizing” the St. Maarten economy; in other words ... after 10 years stop wasting more time and energy trying to feed a dead horse), I must commend the management of the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS). In a clearly worded, professional and instructive five-page letter, they responded to the April 21, 2020, letter from the President of Parliament (PoP) of St. Maarten.
In it, the CBCS addressed the six urgent action points listed in the PoP’s letter. The bank’s management clarified inaccuracies and provided proper context to suggestions/demands made by the parliamentarian.
I don’t have any way of knowing if the CBCS expected their letter to become publicly available, but their well-crafted document is written in a way that it can be understood by the man or woman on the street (including me). The content was carefully explained, the language direct and the tone professional.
Monetary economics and central bank policy are complex topics for which I often turn to friends and associates who are smarter and certainly better qualified than me, for explanations and/or clarifications. This particular response/letter, however, provides facts and figures that leave no doubt that the CBCS wants their message to be broadly understood.
Without using technical or complicated jargon, the CBCS management explain what they can and cannot do. They named the applicable rules and regulations and provided references for those so inclined to fact-check (it certainly shows that they did their fact-checking).
The bank’s message is loud and clear so there can be no question about the truth and the source of their statements; whether it is the PoP’s suggestion that the CBCS tells local banks how to conduct their business (by, for instance, telling the CBCS to insist that commercial banks fully and unconditionally postpone mortgages), or explaining the mechanism for protecting the value of our local currency (rather than a haphazard issuance of bonds as suggested by the member of Parliament).
The CBCS management also lists the expertise they have provided to government and parliament over the years.
So, to sum up what I take away from the now public response: The CBCS uses five pages to explain and educate the President of our Parliament about his 6 urgent action points; but according to me there is a deeper message sent here, which in local parlance could be summed up as follows: Mr. President, wheel and come again!
Michael J. Ferrier
By Michael ‘Mike’ Willem
It’s frightening times, especially for small business owners. To pour one’s resources, time and passion into a business only to see it devastated within a few months is difficult. In an effort to address the economic fallout of covid-19, the government quickly provided funding. Unfortunately, there is no way of ensuring that the most vulnerable sector, small businesses, can count on all they need in terms of assistance (of all natures) to remain afloat. This must be recognized, and there one must look for other ways to mitigate the consequences, how painful these might also be. And the reason is very simple: we need all possible businesses to stay afloat, so that the unemployed have some jobs to return to over time.
Until that time, there are several things small business owners may do to weather the COVID-19 storm:
- Make certain you utilize available resources: Familiarize yourself with the government programs that have been announced, if you have not done so yet. Ask questions of your local lender, CPAs, economic developers and fellow business owners. Make certain your applications and supporting documents are precise and complete.
- Determine who needs to be paid: Have a conversation with suppliers, providers and landlords. Ask for a payment plan which is fair to you and the people to whom money is owed. Consider your personal expenses. Can you reduce them and use the savings for your business? Ask your accountant to review your balance sheets and to make recommendations for more efficiencies.
- Talk to your staff: Ask for ideas and input. We’re in this together. Brainstorming may lead to credible ideas which can be implemented into successful strategies. Encourage everyone to search for innovative and effective methods to curb losses.
- Diversify your market: Do you sell a product that may be utilized for another application? Research! Ask! Just some examples: If you have a restaurant and are known for great seasonings and sauces, why not package them and sell them on-line ? If you own a house-cleaning business, diversify to offer sanitizing and disinfecting services. Many gyms and fitness clubs are providing virtual instruction, in addition to the traditional business that may have been curtailed as a result of social distancing protocols.
- Use this time to train: Every business owner wishes he or she had more time to train employees, learn a new system or upgrade skills, especially in light of your new business model. Use this time as an opportunity to begin that training. Find links to webinars, virtual learning and online playbooks. Ask your employees if they have an interest in furthering their knowledge
- Find new ways to deliver your product or service: Most restaurants are offering curbside delivery but what about retailers? Whether you are a small gift shop, florist or larger store, develop an online app that asks: “Do you need a gift? For what occasion? What is your price range? Do you need it wrapped?” Provide a list of items which are readily available for sale, offer a method for making a purchase and provide curbside pickup. Several stores are offering a virtual tour or a FaceTime browsing option, allowing customers to view items easily. This approach may become a permanent part of a business’ operating model. Be inventive!
- Reach out to your customers: Let your customers know you value them and are anxious for them to return. Send a handwritten note. Include a coupon for a buy-one-get-one offer when you reopen, or a discount on an item or service. Send an email or post a message on your Facebook page. If you don’t have a social media page, get one! Ask your customers to give you some thoughts or ideas on how you can stay engaged and what services you might be able to provide.
This pandemic will end. Use this time to assess your business model, become more efficient, engage your employees, negotiate with your vendors, and enhance and customize some of your services. And try not to panic. We will persevere and may even find better ways in which to operate our businesses.
~ Michael “Mike” Willem is a former Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, acting Minister of Justice, former Member of Parliament and former Island Council Member. He currently works as a consultant. ~
Now the COVID-19 epidemic is spreading fast over the world and has seriously undermined global public health security. No country can tackle this disease on its own. It is the time more than ever that the international community needs solidarity and cooperation. At the crucial time for every country to fight against the disease, however, I have heard few organizations are disregarding the facts, denigrating and smearing China. They try to undertake the so-called “class action”, and demand China accountable and compensate for the epidemic. This is totally baseless and is confusing the public. Hereby I would like to address the following facts.
- China responds to the epidemic and develops international cooperation in an open, transparent and timely manner.
There is criticism that China ignored and concealed the situation during the early phase of the epidemic. But actually, through China’s timeline of epidemic prevention and control, it is quite clear how Chinese government responded to the epidemic in a timely and decisive manner, and how China shared epidemic information as well as developing cooperation with the international community openly and transparently.
On December 27, 2019, relevant Wuhan authorities received the first report of suspected cases. From January 3, 2020, China started to update the WHO and relevant countries about COVID-19 on a regular basis. On January 7, China CDC identified the first novel coronavirus strain. On January 12, China shared with the world the whole genome sequencing information of the coronavirus, which has been critical for diagnosis and vaccine development in other countries. Although there was limited scientific research data for reference at the beginning of the outbreak, China responded promptly and received high evaluation from international experts.
As reported by major media in the world, on January 23, Wuhan, a city of over 10 million people, was put under quarantine, which was unseen before. China has made great achievements in public health over the past a few decades. If it was not due to the fierce virus, why would China choose for a lockdown during the Chinese Spring Festival? China has adopted the most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough measures to prevent and control the disease. With the efforts and sacrifice of Chinese people, China has contained the spread of the virus in just over two months, and has made great contributions to the international efforts to combat the virus.
- It is neither reasonable nor legal to demand compensation from China.
China is one of the victims of the epidemic, and is the first country to report the COVID-19 cases, but that does not necessarily make China the origin of the novel coronavirus. Not long ago, the WHO concluded based on the research of many scientists that the new coronavirus came from nature. As for its origin, no conclusion has been reached yet. It’s a complicated scientific matter that should be the subject of study for scientists and medical experts.
I have noticed there are reports of cases in the US and some other countries which are believed to be earlier than those in Wuhan. There is still lots of discussion among scientists about the origin of the virus. In this regard, we should have the basic concept that there is a process to understand a new virus. With the development of the epidemic, scientists will have a more clear understanding of the nature of the virus, which will definitely help mankind to win the battle against the epidemic.
Regardless the origin of the virus, at this particular time people should focus on domestic epidemic control and international anti-epidemic cooperation. To this end, medical personnel in various countries are making their efforts to save lives regardless of personal safety. During this period, the hype to blame China is tantamount to spreading political virus, which is more terrible than the virus in nature.
Meanwhile, as for accountability, there is no legal basis. No international law supports to blame a country that first reported an epidemic. And there is no precedent as well. Has any country been blamed or held accountable after major outbreak of AIDS and H1N1 flu?
The Dutch Caribbean islands were also hit by the epidemic. Over the past two months, nearly 200 confirmed cases have been reported. However, the islands responded in a timely manner and controlled the epidemic through measures including travel restrictions, shelter-in-place orders and curfews. I am pleased to see that the relevant measures have achieved positive results. There has been no large-scale community transmission of the virus, and also no new cases among the islands in the past one week. Relevant measures are being gradually eased and it is expected to resume normal life in the following period.
I am also pleased to see that the Chinese communities have organized themselves to actively donate masks and other necessary anti-epidemic materials to local police departments, hospitals, etc., and donate daily products to poor families in the community. It demonstrates the traditional virtue of Chinese people of sharing weal and woe.
Since January, I have maintained communication with government officials and medical experts, exchanging epidemic prevention technology, introducing China's progress fighting against the epidemic, and providing all possible assistance.
China sincerely upholds the concept of building community of shared future for mankind. Since the outbreak, countries around the world have been understanding it in a more intuitive way. Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that unity and cooperation are the international community’s most potent weapon to overcome the pandemic. I believe that as long as we are united and support each other, we will be able to win the battle against the disease at an early date.
Li Yigang
Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Willemstad
Dear Editor,
Calling all designers.
As an outsider, resident who spends approximately 8 months a year here; looking at artist’s conception of new resort in The Daily Herald, I have a comment for people’s thoughts.
With all possible designing skills available, shouldn’t something more appropriate for a beautiful Caribbean Island be designed, instead of something that looks like it belongs on a Los Vegas Strip in US, or on a Hong Kong main artery.
How about Caribbean style, which could be done, without losing bed count.
It certainly would be more attractive to the tourist population.
L. Ruth M.
Dear Editor,
In this piece of writing, I am giving public recognition to the late David Mills for his services to the community of St. Maarten in retrospect. David, as he was affectionately called, was the father of the late Vance James, Jr. a former Island Council member, and leader of Government of St. Maarten. He was a man of many skills. A sailor turned businessman, a natural-born salesman, and a great sea captain. David Mills was very active in transporting cargoes from the twin islands of St. Kitts and Nevis to St. Maarten in his early days.
He brought food supplies, building materials, and soft drinks for the people of St. Maarten from the twin-island state. David was one of the early pioneers risking his life, crewmen, and cargoes through a dangerous channel at night between St. Maarten and St. Kitts with his small vessel, Lady James. Upon arrival at the Great Bay Pier in Philipsburg Harbor, he was greeted by the “sounds of the conch shell.”
“I was filled with enthusiasm on arrival, and was praised for his great entrepreneurial spirit by the people of the Island,” said Mills. David Mills came from Dieppe Bay, a small quiet village on the Western side of St. Kitts, overlooking St. Eustatius, Saba, and a view of St. Maarten in the background. On hearing of so many sad and horrific stories about fishermen lost at sea, small boats overturned in the channel, and men eaten by sharks. I sometimes wonder how did he manage these perilous journeys with men on board and supplies through the dangerous “Statia Channel.”
“St. Maarten should never turn its back on St. Kitts,” said Mills. He brought English language textbooks, agricultural supplies, soft drinks, building materials, medicines, and the list goes on. Most of his times in St. Maarten, he used to wear mostly short pants, white tee-shirt, sailor-type shoes, a cap and dark pair of shades.
David Mills was a big supporter of the late Dr. Claude Wathey. “I always told Vance James, Jr. to stay out of politics, but he doesn’t listen, and I never voted for him because of that,” said Mills.
“My voyages to St. Maarten with cargoes were never easy. It was breath-taking at times, especially sailing through the Statia Channel. Sometimes my crewmen would ask, Are we going to make it to St. Maarten with all these supplies on board?” “Yes, we will make it,” said David. He was a very positive person.
David Mills was the first to set up a soft drink distribution company on St. Maarten, and because of him Coca Cola is here today.
It is so sad in retrospect to see such an important person who did so much for the people of this country was never recognized for his contributions to the community of St. Maarten. David Mills, aka Vance James, Sr., you are truly a shining star in my book of heroes looking over this little island. You always said to me in the past that one of these days someone will set sail from the twin-island state with a larger vessel loaded with more supplies of materials and foods for the people of this country (St. Maarten).
This is a short COVID-19 relaxer for all those readers who love to read non-fiction stories about great people.
Joseph Harvey
