PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday April 10 Towers Watson in cooperation with Algemeen Pensioenfonds Sint Maarten (APS) organized a round table on pensions. During the meeting, for which some 50 delegates were registered, there was a special focus on the inevitable rise of pension age and its consequences. Prior to the round table, on Thursday April 9, Towers Watson facilitated a knowledge session covering the same theme in depth. During this session the consultancy firm also presented the results of a survey, recently carried out in the Caribbean region.
Kendra Arnell, managing director of APS and co-host of the round table, satisfactorily looks back: "It's great that so many professionals from within the pensions world decided to join us. It indicates that the pension debate is alive and vivid in the region. We face serious challenges and should work close together to ensure a stable and firm pension system for the future. During the round table the willingness to cooperate was obvious. That is good news."
Initiator Towers Watson is excited too. Armand Gimbrère, as leadership-member responsible for governance, legal advice and training, after the event: "This is the third time that we organize a round table in the Caribbean region, and for the first time in combination with a knowledge session. We were positively surprised by the still growing interest. Even the distance between SXM and the other islands did not prove to be a hurdle to attend. We are glad that for the first time we could also welcome two delegations from Suriname. It is obvious that, in facilitating this platform and sharing knowledge we respond to an existing need".
There was a great deal of frankness and enthusiasm in the debates. The need for cooperation within the pensions sector to jointly work on sustainable pension solutions in the region is obvious. The setting of the round table was, as intended, very interactive. The aim was to learn from each other's questions and best practices and to exchange information and knowledge. There were lively discussions and debates based on statements. Some discussions went on during lunch at the end of the event in Divi Little Bay resort. The next Towers Watson Round Table will be held coming autumn on Aruba, in cooperation with Algemeen Pensioenfonds Aruba (APFA). The exact date will be announced shortly.
