Dear Editor, There’s much concerns within the community regarding the government proposed National Health Insurance (NHI), new name, Sustainable Affordable Health Care Act (SAHA). What is baffling is that the public as well as stake holders have no clue what this health care act or system is all about. Despite that the Minister attempted to gave an explanation in parliament Reports indicate that the Union was given a copy of the the NHI health care act, and was privy to a presentation. So far, it can be noted that the NHI/SAHA contents (112 pages document) are not in the public…
Author: The Publisher
An everlasting phenomenon is that new entrepreneurs are confronted with the bottlenecks of finance assistance. A business plan is required to illustrate the idea, and the envisioned financial benefits of the new commercial venture. The bottlenecks:When a business plan is developed it gains a very general characteristic in regards to the operation. It outlines the objectives on short and medium term goals with the hypothetical measurement on how to achieve the set goals. If the financial institution does not feel at ease with the outlined “success keys” in the presented report or possible overinflated figures, it is subject to dismissal…
Dear Mr. Editor, Please allow me some space in your newsletter to comment on the Press Release as issued by the National Alliance for the anniversary of 10-10-10. This Press Release appears to have come about as a response to the many allegations circulating on social media. These allegations refer to the many conflicts of interest that are plaguing the present Government of Sint Maarten and by extension the inhabitants that government is called to serve. Allow me first to remark that as a voter who in the last election voted for the National Alliance, I found the tone to…
A report from our Correspondent PHILIPSBURG — Long after problems started piling up for Carbon Acquisition Group (CAG) doing business as Melbon Enterprises NV, and media reports surfaced about the Court ruling in favor of clients who demanded delivery of apartments or deposits to be returned to them, several real estate agents on St. Maarten kept advertising Carbon Grove residences. Marketing and sales continued while the hillside plot and all structures on it were encumbered with mortgage from CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank. The first sales agreements for apartments and townhouses in Carbon Grove in Cole Bay were signed in 2016. …
PHILISPBURG — St. Maarten gets its liquidity loans refinanced against 3.4 percent interest while Curacao, that has refused to accept a Dutch loan to solve problems at insurance company ENNIA, will have to pay 5.1 percent. Aruba, that so far has refused to accept a law that regulates financial supervision, will have to pay 6.9 percent. This appears from a letter State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen (Kingdom Relations) has sent to the Dutch parliament. “Ennia’s deficit has increased to 90 percent of the so-called technical provisions and acute liquidity problems are looming,” the letter states. “A solution in the short…
PHILIPSBURG — The solution Curacao’s Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has presented for embattled insurance company Ennia is not an entirely done deal yet, it appears from a press release issued by the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten (CBCS). Pisas stated recently that Curacao will provide an annual financial injection of 30 million guilders ($16.75 million) for the next 25 years to make sure that Ennia’s life insurance branch (Ennia Caribe Leven, ECL) can continue to make its monthly payments to pensioners. Pisas also stated that the CBCs would support this effort. But the press release issued by the…
~ Antigua and Trinidad beefing over regional airline service ~ A Report by THG News Today ST. JOHN — The Antigua and Barbuda government Friday said it intends to “fight” plans by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) to expand its operations into the Eastern Caribbean at the expense of the regional airline, LIAT 2020. A statement issued following the weekly Cabinet meeting said the government had taken note “of the scaling-up of Caribbean Airlines, including the purchase of several ATR Aircraft with the expectation of placing them on routes serviced by LIAT 1974 ltd. The statement about CAL’s expansion came…
A report from our Correspondent PHILIPSBURG — CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank advertised itself as the financier of Carbon Grove residences in Cole Bay. That gave them confidence in the project, said clients who signed sales agreements with real estate developer Carbon Acquisition Group (CAG). However, confidence in the bank has evaporated. On Thursday, during the first Town Hall Meeting of CAG clients seeking justice, several attendees called for legal action against CIBC FirstCaribbean, claiming inadequate supervision of the project. CIBC FirstCaribbean granted CAG, doing business as Melbon Enterprises, a loan of 7.5 million US dollars for the 6-acre hillside Carbon…
PHILIPSBURG — The Dutch loan of €600 million (1.2 billion guilders or $636 million) to Curacao and St. Maarten to save the life insurance branch of insurance company ENNIA is off the table. Curacao’s Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas stated that his government in cooperation with the government of St. Maarten will make a serious effort to guarantee the interest of 30,000 policy holder and the employees of Ennia Caribe Leven “as much as possible” without neglecting the interest of the people of Curacao. In consultation with the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten (CBCS) the government of Curacao has…
PHILIPSBURG — Luciano Homemade Gelato, a renowned name with 15 locations in the Netherlands and 2 in Bonaire, has recently opened a new shop in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The opening took place on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the St. Joseph Convent Building. The event was officiated by the owner, Juul Vredenbregt, and his business partner, Luc Blok, who is also the master ice cream maker. Juul Vredenbregt, the owner and franchise holder of Luciano Sint Maarten, shared his journey that led to the opening of the Gelato parlor. He and his wife fell in love with St. Maarten during…
