PHILIPSBURG - The Kingdom Council of Ministers (Rijksministerraad) in its meeting on September 4, 2015 issued a targeted instruction to Sint Maarten. During its visit this week, the Board of financial supervision (Cft) discussed the specific terms of the instruction and the way in which they can be met with the Sint Maarten government. Until the terms of the instruction are met, Sint Maarten will not be able to issue any new debt for capital expenditures.

The Sint Maarten government has indicated it will take action to meet the terms of the instruction. This includes the implementation of the Strategy for Growth, a multi annual program aimed at structurally elevating Sint Maarten's economic development level and thereby structurally increase government income, settle payment arrears and compensate for past deficits.

Age Bakker (Cft): “We welcome this multi annual program which can provide a basis for meeting some of the terms of the targeted instruction, and which may provide the additional financial means needed for an adequate level of public services. However, in the opinion of the Cft, the expected results of the program may be overstated. More realistic assumptions are needed, before the Cft is able to advise that the terms of the instruction have been met, after which the Sint Maarten government will be allowed to borrow for capital expenditures. Therefore, some tough choices need to be made now.”

On September 23 and 24, 2015, the Cft met with the acting Governor, the Minister of Finance, the Council of Ministers and the Financial Committee of Parliament. The main topic of discussion was the targeted instruction and how its terms can be met before November 1, 2015.

Targeted instruction

The instruction obliges the Sint Maarten government to: 1) settle its payment arrears, 2) compensate for the deficits accumulated in 2010-2014, 3) amend the 2015 budget to include all costs related to the public pension scheme and the healthcare system, 4) implement the measures related to the retirement and healthcare system that have already been agreed upon in the Council of Ministers, and 5) reform both the pension scheme and the healthcare system. As long as criteria 1 to 4 have not been met, Sint Maarten will not be able to issue any new debt to make capital expenditures.

An analysis of the payment arrears with SZV and APS shows that both the healthcare and pension system need urgent reforms to attain financial sustainability in the near future. Although several plans have been proposed by the Council of Ministers to restructure both systems, the underlying legislation still needs to be adopted by Parliament.

The government's plan to increase the pension age to 62 years needs to be implemented shortly as part of the terms of the instruction. Healthcare expenses are increasing rapidly, causing some SZV funds to reduce reserves to cover their deficits. Cost-cutting measures that were included in the 2015 budget, such as the exclusion of over-the-counter medicines, the introduction of a 10% deductable, and an increase of the salary threshold, are just a few examples of measures that have been approved but have not been executed yet. Urgent action is needed here.

Reform of Sint Maarten's public pension system is needed to attain long term financial sustainability. The final-pay pension scheme needs to be substituted by an average-pay scheme, as is best practice elsewhere. Without such reform, pension premiums would have to be increased to unrealistic levels, which would undermine Sint Maarten’s competitive position by adding to labor costs.

Strategy for Growth

The Cft supports the government’s plans to structurally strengthen the Sint Maarten economy and lay the foundations for sustainable public finances. The Strategy for Growth program can help to strengthen the tax base, so as to providing the financial means needed for an adequate level of public services. An improvement of the financial management, strengthening of the tax authority and improvement of tax compliance should underpin this strategy.

While the Cft supports the idea of the Strategy for Growth program, it questions the expected outcomes presented by the government of Sint Maarten. The expected accumulated additional government income over the period 2015-2018 needs to be realistic, taking recent economic growth figures of not only Sint Maarten but also its main trading partners into account. Therefore, additional measures are needed to meet the terms of the targeted instruction. (Cft)

POND ISLAND - Organizers of the TelCell Breakthrough talent show have started their final countdown to Saturday’s finals at the Theatre Royale, Maho.

 Last-minute arrangements for the night, including seating, security and crowd-handling were discussed during a meeting of the entire team in the Conference Room, main TelEm Group building, Tuesday.

According to coordinator, Angel Richardson, everyone is upbeat and excited that the day for the show is almost here.

“We have been promoting the event for many months and there really is a buzz in the social media and around the island generally for our Breakthrough show this year once again. Everyone wants to see and hear what these stars of tomorrow have to offer,” said Angel.

During Tuesday’s meeting Angel outlined where the group is in terms of preparation for Saturday and also what arrangements have been made to accommodate the panel of judges and also the VIP guests who will be arriving.

She said the show is completely sold out, therefore no tickets will be available at the door at show time Saturday.

The program for the night and other matters related to sound and recording were also finalized with the assistance of co-organizer, Bertaux “Mr. Rude” Fleming of Xtratight Entertainment.

Present at Tuesday’s meeting was Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Brian Mingo, who thanked everyone for their tremendous effort, particularly, the co-coordinators Ms. Richardson and Mr. Rude.

“I am very happy to see the energy that everyone continues to put into making this the biggest and best event for St. Maarten’s youth each year. It makes us very proud that such an event carries the name of TelCell,” said Mr. Mingo.

Mr. Mingo said from the reports he received Tuesday, he is “very satisfied” that all the bases are covered and that everything is in place and being put in place for nothing short of a spectacular night at the Casino Royale Theatre, Maho, Saturday.

MAHO REEF - In a world where challenges abound in relationships, businesses, organizations and communities, many persons often find themselves stressed out without tools to cope effectively with life. Consequently, relationships suffer, marital discord increases, the family unit becomes vulnerable and unstable, and our communities feel the negative consequences through school drop outs, crime and violence.

Research shows that resilient people think differently. They have a set of skills – sometimes learned, other times innate – that allow them to persevere, manage stress, and triumph in the face of challenges.

Recognizing that many persons are hurting, and struggling with life, Victorious Living Foundation (VLF) exists to empower, enlighten and reconcile individuals, couples, families, communities and nations to maximize their potential in life. Consequently on October 9^th 2015, Victorious Living Foundation is hosting Live 2 Lead, a live simulcast half-day, leader development experience designed to equip leaders from all walks of life with new perspectives, practical tools and key takeaways to take their leadership and vision to a higher dimension.

Live 2 Lead is organized by the internationally renowned leadership expert John C. Maxwell who in 2014 was identified as the #1 leader in business by the American Management Association® and the most influential leadership expert in the world by Business Insider and Inc. magazines. By registering and attending Live 2 Lead, persons locally will join thousands around the world, learning significant leadership truths and practical applications for their work and life.

Life coach and bestselling author, Valorie Burton, one of the speakers at Live 2 Lead will focus on How to Thrive Through Challenge and Change. She will help participants create building blocks of resilience to effectively manage challenges encountered in leadership and life. Burton will equip participants with a survival toolkit that will allow them to navigate disappointments in a way that makes them better, not bitter. They will learn to maximize opportunities, bounce back from setbacks, and develop the thinking style that research has proven will help them succeed under pressure.

In addition, Live2Lead has partnered with the University of North Georgia (UNG) Continuing Education Division to provide Continuing Educational Credits (CEUs) for the 2015 Live2Lead event. The UNG Continuing Education Division has approved 3 contact hours or .3 Category 1 Professional Development CEUs for this event.

Registration is open until October 2^nd 2015. Persons may register by going to http://tinyurl.com/registerL2LSXMor learn more about the event athttp://tinyurl.com/Event-L2L-SXM. Persons interested in the VIP packages of an all inclusive stay at Sonesta Maho by registering for Live 2 Lead may visithttp://tinyurl.com/Victory4u.

Victorious Living Foundation is located at the Royal Palm Plaza # 92 Front Street, upstairs. For more details persons may call VLF at 1-721-524-8731/1-721-542-2652 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

TORTOLA, BVI/SINT MAARTEN - Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS) attended the Caribbean Postal Union (CPU) and Universal Postal Union (UPU) 18th annual Postal Conference in the British Virgin island of Tortola.

The St. Maarten delegation arrived on Sunday in Tortola comprised of Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors (SBD) Stuart Johnson and interim-Managing Director Antonia Wilson. The conference duration was from September 14 to 18, 2015 and the conference was held at Maria's by the Sea Hotel. 

The primary purpose of the conference was to formulate a strategy to highlight and adequately address several facets within the postal Caribbean region. The St. Maarten delegation joined with a selected number of countries to form a working group which will work out improvements to the regional movement of mail traffic especially by air transport. 

"PSS felt it fitting to join this working group considering that our country serves as a hub for the north eastern Caribbean especially with our two main modernized ports of entry," PSS SBD Chairman Stuart Johnson stated. 

The Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Marcel Gumbs joined the conference on Thursday morning for a two day session of the Caribbean Council of Ministers of Postal Affairs which concluded late on Friday afternoon. 

"We need to look creatively at how the postal organization fits in our society today especially considering the many influences facing PSS," Mr. Gumbs stated. 

Mr. Gumbs stated, "I was truly grateful for the warm welcome received by the Honorable BVI Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, the BVI Post and all conference support staff."

Johnson mentioned, "we need to continue networking regionally with our colleagues in the postal world and truly build the young organization of PSS which serves to ensure the continuity of our postal company." 

The CPU/UPU conference also focused on a number of topics such as, point of sales, postal security, regional logistics, identifying global/regional trends, E-commerce and the CPU's 2016/2020 strategic plan. 

"PSS surely gained a lot of knowledge and exposure during this conference as we continue to ensure the further growth of our postal organization. We will continue to work diligently with all stakeholders both locally as well as regionally," PSS Interim-Managing Director Ms. Wilson stated. 

The next CPU/UPU conference will be held in the twin island nation of Trinidad & Tobago in the month of May 2016.