Christmas & New Year’s Message 2011
Christmas is a time of love, hope, and of sharing. It is these virtues that give Christmas its character of celebration, of joy.
Christmas is a time of giving, of caring, of bringing good cheer to the needy and the dispossessed. Let us celebrate with moderation.
Let us use Christmas as a time to reflect and also to recharge our energies through adequate rest, in order to face the challenges which lie ahead in the New Year.
Let us come together in the true spirit of Christmas; let us work together to bring prosperity to our nation for 2012.
This Christmas, take the time to tell your family how important they are to you. This will be something that they will cherish forever. Remember, love, joy and peace are gifts that do not cost much to give and they are priceless
I know 2011 has been a trying year for all, but we have hope that it will get better as we trust in God. Despite our present economic challenges, we still have reason to give thanks in so many respects, Sint Maarten is still fortunate when compared to other countries in both developed and developing countries.
We are fortunate to be living in one of the most beautiful spots in the world and for that we must be thankful.
I am confident that we as a people, as a nation, will be resilient in 2012 and the strength and spirit of that drive will move us once again forward as it has done for generations during challenging times.
Trust in God, and for the future, on behalf of my Cabinet, the Ministry of Finance, my family and I, we wish each one of you, a blessed Christmas and a happy and safe holiday season.
May God Bless the people of this beautiful country.
From my family to yours: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Hon. Hiro Shigemoto
Minister of Finance