Dear Editor,
After previously shining the light on “Call Centers” as an avenue to diversify the economy, the topic today will surround “Trade Fairs”.
A trade fair and/or exhibition is a congregation of showrooms where different vendors are under one roof. Fair and exhibitions constitute the means of presenting goods and/or services with the intention to attract the visitor’s attention which in turn would be grasping their interest in the goods or products displayed.
St. Maarten is already a major hub throughout the Caribbean region with the plus side being – no duties on our imports. On St. Maarten, we currently import almost everything in large quantities, i.e. supermarket products, hair/beauty products, formal/casual clothing, shoes, etc. Vendors from various departments on St. Maarten can have the opportunity to act as the middleman between the products they already import and their neighbouring islands such as Statia, St. Barths, Anguilla, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, etc., who are already somewhat dependent on St. Maarten.
To include, St. Maarten also consists of a few local manufacturers, e.g. Nectar SXM, Guava berry, Etna, etc. So not only the vendors who import goods can have an opportunity to display their products on display, but local manufacturers will also gain the opportunity to mass-produce their product for wholesale. In turn, this would in fact broaden the reach of a product locally produced on our island, St. Maarten.
An event like this can be best hosted by the Ministry of TEATT [Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication – Ed.] in collaboration with the business community and the Chamber of Commerce. The combination of these departments can send out invitations to the merchants of our neighbouring islands through their respective chamber of commerce.
In regard to funding, and creating an attractive product that is inviting:
A vendor/exhibitor list could be created.
A formal fee could be imposed towards the vendors/exhibitors in order to secure their position in such a fair. With, of course, the government’s aid in such a case.
Our wholesalers can be approached and urged to provide special rates to first-time attendees, which in the future would no longer be applicable.
To perhaps give impetus to this initiative, the first trade fair turnover could be waived from TOT [turnover tax], which would encourage more exhibitors to get a booth.
Some benefits to list:
We stand to see a growth of the economy with additional visitors.
Hotels and restaurants stand to gain more volume.
Taxi drivers would see an increase of movement.
PJIAE [airport] sees an influx of passengers.
Local merchants will acquire higher exposure thus generating more turnover.
Better networking opportunities throughout the Caribbean region.
Further solidifying the “hub” status of St. Maarten.
Growth is needed via new ideologies; a fair and/or exhibition is not impossible to achieve. As mentioned above, we already are one foot in with our major imports and our few local manufacturers, including good relationships with our neighbouring islands. The factor of creating a “trade fair package” to invite those merchants from our neighbouring islands is the second step to take. This Trade Fair can eventually be a yearly event and act as a catalyst of economic activity on our island.
All in all, we are in a position to benefit greatly; a win-win situation, St. Maarten can be in the position to increase inter-island tourism, and merchants from various departments see more business from off-islanders, thus achieving inclusive growth for the country.
Viren V Kotai
Dear Editor,
As residents of the beautiful island of St Maarten, we must understand the impact of our daily actions on the environment. One simple, yet highly effective, practice that we can adopt is recycling. Although it is important, recycling is not yet a widespread habit on our island, and it is time for us to take notice and act.
Recycling has so many benefits for our environment. By recycling, we can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, conserve valuable natural resources like timber, minerals, and oil, and decrease the release of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Landfills can release toxic chemicals that can contaminate soil and groundwater, but recycling can help to minimize this problem.
Unfortunately, recycling is not yet widespread on our island, and this is largely due to a lack of resources and facilities. Currently, there are only a few recycling centers, and they are not equipped to handle the vast amount of waste produced. This means that much of the waste ends up in landfills or littering the streets.
In addition to the lack of infrastructure, there is also a lack of education and awareness about the importance of recycling. Many of our fellow residents may not understand the impact of recycling or how it works. They may also be hesitant about the time or cost involved in sorting and delivering recyclable materials. These are all obstacles that we need to overcome in order to increase the level of recycling on our island.
So, what can we do to help? It's simple – we need to work together as a community to promote and encourage recycling. This could involve creating new recycling facilities, offering educational programs, and providing incentives for individuals to recycle. The government and local organizations can also collaborate on a comprehensive waste management plan that incorporates the development of recycling facilities and programs.
In conclusion, recycling is a vital environmental practice that we should all support. By working together, we can create a culture of recycling on our island, conserve our precious resources, and leave a cleaner, healthier world for future generations. At the end of the day, it's about showing compassion for our fellow residents and for the planet we call home.
S.M.R.
Initials used at author’s request.
Dear Editor,
I am aware that there are more and more people who realize that not everything that is said by politicians is kosher. on Tuesday, I went to pick up something to eat and I sensed that two of the clients' attention was on me. When they were leaving one of them came over to me and said: "Mr. Russell, you should ask Grisha why Sint Maarten does not want solar energy.” It was not someone who I had spoken to in the past, so I just smiled and he left. That was his observation, but I, in turn, would suggest that now that the DP is in campaign mode, we should ask those who we definitely know could give us the answer to that question, to let us know.
I think that it would be difficult for Wescot, who has served us for so long in several capacities, to deny knowing the real reason Sint Maarten refuses to embark on the use of solar energy even though all the rest of the former islands of the Netherlands Antilles, since 2015/2016 are using solar energy. Everyone who gets G.E.B.E. water and electricity bills knows that the fuel clause is higher than the energy consumption.
Because of the craze of mobile phones, I would dare state that anybody could Google 'Solar Energy' and read the explanation thereof. If G.E.B.E. is a government-owned company and government is there for the people, a people of which 70 percent are living just on or below the poverty line, why no solar energy for Sint Maarten?.
So, yes, I do not think that after so many years of taking advantage of the people, this should continue. I did not hold a conversation with that young man, so I will not venture to ask Grisha that question. I know that very little hides in Sint Maarten and that anytime the schoolchildren say something, it might not be hundred percent correct. But it surely gives credence to the saying, "There is no smoke without fire".
So, summarizing: DP is revived, several veteran politicians were present at the launching, Grisha has joined the links of DP and seems to be playing a leading role. Your editorial and all of this put together leads me to believe that that young man may be on point with his observation.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
Thanks to the public that praised me concerning talking about lack of restrooms on both sides of the island, Dutch and French.
Give me three months as the finance minister: l will pay all justice workers and teachers and put all parliamentarians’ and some ministers’ salaries on hold.
Why is St. Maarten sharing its central bank with Curaçao and our justice workers and teachers cannot be paid?
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
On Wednesday, February 8, the royal family will be given a tour through the historic core of Oranjestad in St. Eustatius, as can be read on the website of the royal family. During this walk the slavery past will be discussed, and a manifestation in Fort Oranje dedicated to the cultural heritage of St. Eustatius will close the day, so we read.
We all know how during royal visits everything gets polished, even the truth. That is why the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance asks the royal family to look further afield. Not to the beautiful buildings and monuments in town, not to the memorials of De Graaff, Peter Stuyvesant, the First Salute, and their ancestor Wilhelmina. But let’s look to the suffering, tears and blood of our ancestors who built the forts and those buildings, by hand, stone by stone. Let’s look to the unmarked burial grounds where the remains of our ancestors were brutally excavated and are now in a depot somewhere, put away as garbage. Let’s look to the Waterfort, in a deplorable state, where our ancestors were once piled up to be sold at the market.
And let's have a talk then about how to preserve this heritage for the Statia community and the wider Afrikan diaspora for future generations. Let the royal visit be meaningful and with lasting impact to protect our heritage, and don't be blinded by good-looking entertainment.
Kenneth Cuvalay,
President of the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance
