On Saturday pass the St Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Mr. Gert Versluis Representative of the Dutch to Philipsburg organized a meeting with Mr. Simon Smits Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Ms Marije Feersma Representative of the Dutch Ministry of Interior Affairs for St. Maarten, Aruba and Curacao and Representative of Holland Small and Medium Enterprise Mr. Hans Bisheuvel (MKB Netherland)
The meeting was organized for the delegation representing the Businesses of the Netherlands travelling with Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the representatives of the relevant Ministries of the Netherlands and representatives of the St Maarten Business Organizations the opportunity to discuss and identify points of interest and possible ways of collaboration in business within the Kingdom, while taking advantage of some of the opportunities in countries where the Kingdom is represented by its embassies and consulates.
The meeting was organized by the Chamber Executive Director, Mr. Claret Connor, and chaired by the Chamber President, Miss Tamara Leonard. The meeting took on a business like environment; parties discussed areas and issues of common interests, identified elements where the Dutch can assist St Maarten in countries such as those in South America, China and Europe through its consulates and Embassies. The Dutch delegation also enquired on how St Maarten can assist the Dutch in establishing relations within the Caribbean region from St Maarten, taking advantage of our strategic geographical local using the island as a "sub-hub".
The local group will continue with the discussions on a local level to further establish and work out the necessary components in achieving St Maarten its position it self regionally. The Chamber president suggested that the group prepare itself for the next visit of Mr. Bisheuvel and his organization to St Maarten later in this year. Miss Leonard says that "it will be a great opportunity for the St Maarten private sector to be prepared to establish sound agreements with the Dutch moving forward".
The organizations that were represented at the meeting were: St Maarten Chamber Board, St Maarten Bankers Association, St. Maarten Small Business Development Organization, St. Maarten Marine Trade Association, St Maarten Hospitality and Trades Association, St Maarten Time Share Association, St Maarten Tripartite Committee , St Maarten Small Property Association.