The Lt. Governor Franklin Richards opened the meeting and welcomed everyone, saying that it was a pleasure to have both the Governor General and the Prime Minister both at once in the same meeting.
The Governor General responded in kind and the meeting was convened with discussions about the agenda points. He also wanted to talk about the effects of the world economic and financial crisis and how St. Maarten was dealing with the slower growth.
The Prime Minister asked about the constitutional developments and how her office may assist. De Jongh-Elhage said that the constitutional development is something that has to get done and according to scheduled plans, for both St. Maarten and Curacao are looking to one day flag both flags as constitutionally different entities, than currently.
Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams responded that before the crisis government initiated the new labor policy. And the banks, due to the conservative nature and restrictions on banks, are doing rather well, considering what is going on in the world.
There are continued efforts as well on the constitutional area, Commissioner Wescot-Williams said, whereby work, reports, and policies, among other items, are put in place for the new country St. Maarten. However, there are some issues that must be dealt with on the federal level, so as to continue the constitutional process. The commissioner reiterated and impressed upon the Prime Minister to further press the ministries to continually work towards solving restrictions within the constitutional developments.
Every future ministry, Commissioner Wescot-Williams said has a workgroup and when needed consultants from KPMG assist in the matter. For the most part, however, St. Maarten and the Federal Government are working closely together to get the work completed and to attain the new constitutional status.
Prime Minister de Jongh-Elhage agreed and said that she will look into the matter concerning certain ministries. We have to work together she said.
Commissioner Wescot-Williams said that she will brief the Prime Minister at a later time where every ministry is concerned, and asked for a meeting between the Executive Council and her cabinet.
About the world economic and financial situation, Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus answered that St. Maarten has not escaped the situation. There is slowed growth and there has been some layoffs, some of which may not be attributed to the world economic crisis, but nevertheless, that the island government is keeping a keen eye on the developments, and have taken-In relation to the crisis-much measures: from immediate marketing funds to promote the island in specific niche markets to looking into ways of diversifying the economic market to agreements with the labor unions.
There is also the summit, Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus said, out of which it has been emphasized, realistic recommendations, should result. There is also the constant controlling of food prices.
Though St. Maarten's economy is mainly tourism and time share based, the numbers have not dropped significantly, though as is expected, the spending amounts have declined. But we are optimistic that though there is a slowed growth, there is still growth. We are fortunate, Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus said.
After discussing the agenda points with the Executive Council, the delegation met in another meeting with the rest of the Island Council members: Rodolphe Samuel, Patrick Illidge and Hyacinth Richardson; others were excused due to previous commitments or being off island.
Present at both meetings were Commissioners: Sarah Wescot-Williams, Theo Heyliger, and Maria Buncamper-Molanus.
