After some three months of research to determine some of the most pressing needs affecting the Private Sector on St. Maarten, the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association SHTA, has submitted a Ten Point Position Paper to the Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams. On Wednesday this week Executive Director for the SHTA Alfred Harley presented a copy of the document to the PM and gave a brief synopsis of the document’s contents.
Harley explained that the SHTA, which has been constitutionally designed to be an Umbrella Organization for Private Sector organizations, had taken on the task to do so. As such the document has been endorsed by the Indian Merchants Association, the St. Maarten Marine Trade Association (SMMTA), Real Estate Association of St. Maarten (RAM),and St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA. The divisions of SHTA that endorsed the document are St. Maarten Wholesale Division, St. Maarten Large Hotels Division, St. Maarten Small Hotels Division, St. Maarten Restaurants Division, St. Maarten Green Environment Division, and the St. Maarten Grey Environment Division.
The Prime Minister asked asked what the SHTA’s intention was as a follow up to the document and Harley indicated that SHTA would seek an urgent audience with the Council of Ministers to discuss the issues raised in the Ten Point Position Paper. He noted though that the intention is not to have the contents of the documents viewed as the sole ills affecting our society. He said the document contained Social, Environmental, Educational and Developmental issues and suggestions that should be seen as a starting point for meaningful action that benefits everyone.
The Prime Minister Williams has pledged that she would bring the Ten Point Position Paper up at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers. "I commend the SHTA for the work they did in conducting their study and compiling this important document and the SHTA and the people of St. Maarten can rest assured that I will bring the topics forward in the next Council of Minister’s Meeting and we will consider each point individually," commented the Prime Minister.
The Points outlined in the Position Paper include Fiscal policy and compliance, Destination Marketing, Labor, Finding the Balance, between the size of the Economy and the size of Government, Education and a Hospitality School, Improved Cooperation with French St. Martin, Renewable Energy, Stimulating Business in Philipsburg, Corporate Governance and Accountability, and the Multi Annual Policy Plan.