Chamber wants Govt to scrap
director’s licence measures
PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry appealed to the Island Government last night to “strongly consider withdrawing” what it said were the “draconian measures” recently implemented regarding directors’ licences and related responsibilities of foreign directors in St. Maarten.
In a press release last night, the chamber also referred to reports that an “anonymous association” (a group of Arab and Indian merchants) was being formed to protest the recently implemented measures pertaining to directors’ licences.
“The draconian measures implemented are not in keeping with the principles of free enterprise and are totally contrary to the enhancement of economic development urgently needed in St. Maarten,” the chamber said.
The measures, it added, are more than likely to be counterproductive and have the effect of negative investment causing a drop in the Gross Domestic Product of St. Maarten and ultimately a drop in the economy.
“Such a ripple effect will lead to a drop in employment, which has the potential to lead to heightened levels of delinquency and crime, a situation which St. Maarten cannot sustain at this level of its development and more so in its thrust towards country status,” the Chamber stated.
It said that while it was not in agreement with the measures, its position as the “sole representative of the business community according to existing legislation,” made it imperative for it to strongly discourage the approach taken by “the anonymous association.”
The chamber continued: “The correct approach to such a matter would first require dialogue with the chamber, from which a formal position can be submitted to Government. In the process of formulating such a position, consideration would need to be given to rectifying the situations that caused the perception of the need for the formulation of such a policy in the first place.
“Consequently, the chamber advises that the proper approach be taken, [it] and appeals to the Government to strongly consider withdrawing the stipulated measures in the interest of the economic development of St. Maarten.”
