Results pension fund APC under pressure

WILLEMSTAD — The results of general pension fund APC were under pressure in 2022 as a result of disappointing investment results and the war in the Ukraine and the associated price- and interest rate increases. The coverage rate declined from 111.5 percent in 2021 to 103.7 percent at the end of 2022. In its annual report APC maintains that its More...

Artificial Intelligence enters the realm of the administration of Justice
WILLEMSTAD — “It is a given that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not go away,” said Carine Jänsch, the Dean of the Bar Association in Curacao in a speech during the installation of new judges at the More...

Integrity Chamber advises against payment of travel expenses by third parties
PHILIPSBURG — Expenses for travel and accommodation for ministers and civil servants should be paid by the government, the Integrity Chamber states in an advice to the Council of Ministers. Related link: Advice More...

Pension fund APS is not doing well
PHILIPSBURG — General Pension Fund APS is not doing well, it appears from a compliance audit into the fund’s financial statements 2022 conducted by the General Audit Chamber. APS’ coverage ratio dipped More...

Business incubators
Cdr. Bud Slabbaert floated an interesting concept in a column that describes the benefits of business incubators. Incubators have a strong resemblance with the business centers that were all the rage in the eighties More...

Central Bank report: red tape hampers economic growth
PHILIPSBURG — Businesses perceive government more as a hurdle than a help in realizing their dreams of creating and running a successful business. That is the rather sad conclusion of a working paper published More...

Terms end for Dutch Members Progress Committee
THE HAGUE/PHILIPSBURG -- Both chairman of the Progress Committee Sint Maarten, Nico Schoof, and member for the Netherlands, Michel Marijnen (former chairman of the Progress Committee Curacao), retire after 12 years More...

Caribbean aviation of the future
By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert Just imagine. A small island, or a short runway, or just a resort with ample open space. Out of the blue sky comes an airplane and lands right there, like a helicopter, and brings forty passengers. More...

Ombudsman asked to investigate fairness of tax system
PHILIPSBURG — Citizen John A. Richardson has approached the Ombudsman in an open letter with a request to investigate the fairness of St. Maarten’s fiscal system. The letter addresses in particular the More...

Caribavia-founder Slabbaert envisions huge expansion
PHILIPSBURG — Cdr. Bud Slabbaert founder of the annual aviation conference Caribavia envisions a huge expansion of this event into a multifunctional organization that covers everything from the establishment More...