St. Maarten Development Fund Foundation reps give Council of Ministers update

 

PHOTO CUTLINE: L to R, Keith Franca and Joy Arnell (seated), Council of Ministers and Richelda Emmanuel, giving a presentation to the Council. DCOMM Photo Present Policy Plan 2013-2023

The St. Maarten Development Fund Foundation ("SMDF") delivered a presentation to the Council of Ministers on Thursday, February 13, at the Dr. Claude Wathey Legislative Hall. At the conclusion of the presentation, the President of the Board, Richelda Emmanuel presented to the members of Council of Ministers a copy of the Policy Plan titled "Contributing to A Society that Cares," prepared by the SMDF for the period 2013 to 2023.

The presentation included the background of formation of the SMDF in May 2012, the history of project and program funding in Sint Maarten and the Netherlands Antilles by several funding agencies, several reports and documents compiled over the years with respect to Non-Governmental Organizations, funding and conclusions drawn, the social needs in the Sint Maarten community, target groups in the community and the expected void created due to the loss of AMFO, Reda Sosial and other Dutch Development Aid as NGO funding agencies.

The presentation was well received by the Ministers in attendance. Present were the Honorable Prime Minister, Sarah Wescot – Williams, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports , Hon. Sylveria Jacobs, Minister of Finance, Hon. Roland Tuitt, Minister of Justice, Hon. Roland Duncan, Minister of VROMI, Hon. William Marlin and Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labor, Hon. Cornelius De Weever.

As well in attendance representing the Sint Maarten Development Fund was Joy Arnell, Vice President of the Board and Keith Franca, Interim Director.

The Sint Maarten Development Fund will be operational towards mid-April contingent on the current 2013 budgetary approval process.

The Foundation has offices at the Yogesh Commercial Complex Unit 1-H.