The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry was recently represented by Mr. Stanley Lint, Vice President and Mr. Claret Connor, Executive Director, at a two-day meeting of the Executive Board of the Caribbean Association of Industry & Commerce (CAIC) in Paramaribo, Suriname.
The CAIC is an association that represents the interests of the Caribbean private sector at a variety of regional and international meetings on economic, social and environmental policy. The meeting was the first board meeting of the new CAIC board, since its installation at the General Assembly on November 1, 2013.
The highlights of the meetings were the association’s plans for 2014-2015, followed by a presentation by St Maarten Chamber’s Executive Director, Mr. Claret Connor. Mr. Connor’s presentation to the delegates and invited guests focused on St. Maarten’s unique positioning as a business hub for the Northeastern Caribbean. The presentation further highlighted the Chamber’s collaboration with various embassies and consulates in the South American and Caribbean regions in areas of trade development, technical expertise in Tourism and related services. The presentation culminated with the viewing of the St Maarten Investment Guide DVD, which further illustrated the advantages of doing ‘Business on St Maarten’ as well as the ‘ease of accessibility’ providing flow-through facilities to service the region.
Of interest to the delegates was the manner in which St. Maarten continues to lead in the Cruise and Cargo industries, while the rest of the region remains behind. As a preferred Caribbean destination, delegates were equally interested in knowing about St. Maarten’s plans with regard to sustainable tourism development.
The CAIC President, Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo expressed his willingness to convene a regional meeting of CAIC members on St Maarten in May 2014. This regional meeting would allow its membership to obtain firsthand information from the principal establishments and stakeholders that manages the portfolios of our ports of entry. And finally the meeting will also provide those members who are seeking to establish their services on St. Maarten the opportunity to collaborate with private sector stakeholders and institutions in the area of professional and knowledge-based expertise. The Chamber’s delegation gladly accepted the invitation to host this meeting.
Representing CAIC at the meetings was the newly elected President Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, who is also the representative of the Private sector Commission of Guyana. CAIC Past President and newly appointed Vice President of CAIC, Mr. Nigel John and Mr. Anil Padarath also Vice President of CAIC. Mr. Anil, host of the meetings is also Vice President of the Suriname Chamber of Commerce. Other executives in attendance were members of the Suriname Chamber of Commerce and Factories, members of the Suriname Tourism Board, representatives from the Suriname Private Sector Travel and Tours organization and finally members of the CARICOM Competition Commission. The main office of this commission is domiciled in Suriname.
During the working visit to Suriname, Mr. Lint and Mr. Connor also participated in meetings with the Suriname Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Mr. Raymond Sapoen and his Cabinet senior members. Meetings were also held with President of the Suriname Business Forum and Manufacturers Association of Suriname, Mr. Wilgo Bilkerdijk and General Manager of the Suriname Business Development Center Mr. Gilbert van Dijk. These meetings were aimed to set the possible framework for possible future collaborations with Suriname as the St Maarten Chamber continues its efforts to establish St Maarten as the regions Sub-Hub.
St. Maarten was duly represented during this working visit as copies of the recently produced "Investment Guide DVD" were provided to various business representatives and executives. The DVD was produced by the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry in collaboration with The St. Maarten Government, industry stakeholders Telem Group of Companies, NV GEBE, St. Maarten Harbor Group of Companies and the St. Maarten (SXM) Airport.
Photo Caption:Claret Connor presenting a copy of the Investment DVD to CAIC President Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo and SXM Chamber Vice President Mr. Stanley Lint presenting a copy of the Investment DVD to Vice President CAIC and Suriname Chamber Mr. Anil Padarath