Wescot-Williams added that the Island Government is monitoring closely the actions being taken by the U.S. Government as any recovery of the U.S. economy will also translate positively for the Caribbean and St. Maarten in particular as a tourism destination.
As President Obama has pointed out, the act is only part of the process that his administration has undertaken to turn the U.S. economy around.
"I am confident that the measures being taken to address the failings of the U.S. financial system and bring back consumer confidence will work out, but it will take time.
"All nations around the globe are being confronted with this unprecedented economic recession. Obama's plan calls for stabilization, repair, and reform of the U.S. banking system in order to get credit flowing again to U.S. families and businesses.
"This should have a positive spin off for tourism in the Caribbean as those Americans who have decided to put their vacations on hold for now, will start to travel abroad as things start to look up.
"The Island Government is working in a diligent manner with the resources that we have and within the legal framework afforded to us under the Islands Regulations within the context of the Netherlands Antilles in dealing with this unprecedented global economic crisis.
"Government is somewhat limited in its possibilities, but will work closely with stakeholders to exhaust all avenues to take us through this global crisis. Government has the additional responsibility to guarantee public services, and will continue to do so even in these adverse times.
"Every citizen must understand that while there are individual choices and decisions, and in some cases adjustments to lifestyle to be made, we need to weather this storm together and work along with the private and public sectors to overcome this crisis.
"We have been tested before and because of our resilience we have been able to turn crises into opportunities. In difficult times we have also shown to band together. This time should be no different," Leader of Government Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Monday.
