PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM) :---  The Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a government department under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is calling on the community to check their yards and businesses in search of potential mosquito breeding sites due to the recent rainfall events – standing water.
Breeding sites include anywhere that water can settle. This includes tin cans, old tires, empty paint cans, buckets, old saucers, flowerpots, cemetery urns/vase, old pet dishes, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water.
In addition, owners of boats whether at home or in boatyards for repair, need to make sure that they are properly covered; tire repair shops and garages also need to take preventive measures to get rid of old tires and vehicles, as these can collect rainwater and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes’. The same applies to contractors and owners of properties being repaired.
Every household and business must do its part to eliminate Aedes Aegypti mosquito breeding sites and keep the country mosquito-free.
Once again it is very important to check around your yard and your business to make sure there is no standing water after rain. Install mosquito screens in windows and doors and store rainwater in well-covered tanks.
The public is also advised to wear light-colored, loose fitting clothing during outdoor activities, as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors. When practical, wear long-sleeves and pants when going outdoors i.o. to decrease the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.
To report mosquito breeding sites or to request information about eliminating mosquito breeding sites, contact the Coordinator of the Vector Program by sending an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 542-1570, 542-1122 or call the hotline: 520-2874.

Keep Sint Maarten mosquito-free. Prevention is the Cure.

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG - The statement made by the Curaçao Business Association (VBC) in their press release of January 14, 2020, that an increase in the
license fee, as proposed by the Government of Curaçao, would imply a devaluation of the Netherlands Antillean guilder, is incorrect.
An increase in the license fee will make the import of goods and services more expensive, but this is also the case when import duties or other taxes at the border are
introduced or increased. A devaluation implies a change in the peg of the Netherlands
Antillean guilder to the US dollar, which is not the case.

Be part of the most important health and wellness tourism event in Central America and the Caribbean in its fifth edition, which will bring together the key stakeholders of the sector.

SANTO DOMINGO:--- Mr. Alejandro Cambiaso M.D., president of the Dominican Health Tourism Association (ADTS for its acronym in Spanish), and Mrs. Amelia Reyes Mora, president of AF Comunicación Estratégica, have announced the celebration of the 5^th International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress. The event will take place from October the 21^st to the 23^rd 2020, at El Embajador, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, in Santo Domingo.

Dr. Cambiaso informed that this edition of the Congress will address the new trends and projects that define the direction of the Dominican healthcare and tourism industry. It will focus on reputation and destination crisis management, public-private sectors partnerships, the process of international accreditation, digital healthcare implementation and transformation, the development of healthy cities and top-tier centers; as well as local, international and traveler's insurance policies and the role of hotels in the wellness industry, among timely topics.

Moreover, Ms. Reyes Mora indicated that this biennial summit promotes the innovation, integration and the development of businesses in the sector. Also, this Congress places health tourism as an industry of national and regional interest. In 2018, approximately 47,725 international patients and 69,550 tourists were treated or assisted, respectively, by an area of medical tourism. This contributed to an economic impact of more than 13 billion Dominican Pesos.

The Congress will feature relevant conferences and panels, which will be aimed at the leaders that are involved in the broad chain of value of health tourism: healthcare centers, insurance companies, travel agencies, airlines, tour operators, hospitality, financial industry, government authorities, logistics, legal, pharmaceutical industry and education, among other sectors.

Once the organizers concluded with the details of the announcement, they highlighted that the Congress promotes quality, safety and compliance of local regulations and international accreditations. This will further strengthen the country's medical practice and health indicators and position the Dominican Republic as a reliable and safe healthcare destination. Additionally, it will encourage new local and foreign investments, as well as help diversify the national tourism offering. Statistically, 80% of healthcare tourists will travel with partners and spend roughly eight times more than a conventional tourist, therefore leading to a significant economic impact to the local economy.

In the past two editions, the event gathered more than 800 participants, 74 exhibitors and 112 sponsors, who have become champions of the promotion of innovation, competitiveness and quality standards of healthcare services in the Dominican Republic.

For information and registration visit congresoadts.com or call +1 809-567-2663 or +1 809-544-0524

Willemstad:--- Last Friday, the members of the Curaçao International Financial Services Association (CIFA) gathered at Omundo Restaurant with other notable members of our society to ring in the new year. During its annual new year’s event, CIFA members reflect on the past year and set goals for the current year. The association’s chairperson, Mrs. Nacha de Jesus, announced 2020 to be the year in which the international financial services sector will reinvent itself.

 Shifting to a higher gear

The highlight of the evening was a moving speech and toast by CIFA chairperson Nacha de Jesus. She started by thanking her guests for the support they have received throughout 2019 and stated that she welcomed the position of chairperson on CIFA’s board with open arms. “It was one of my personal achievements in 2019 and a true honor. Thank you,” she said. Her speech continued with highlighting some of the achievements made by the international financial sector in 2019. Such as obtaining the largely compliant- status, implementing a new, internationally accepted and competitive profit tax regime, deepening existing relationships with partners and starting new collaborations as well as having all important players in the international financial services sector pursue one and the same goal. De Jesus also touched upon the economic importance of the financial services sector by drawing a parallel between the contribution the refinery made to the island economy and the offshore regime. Her speech concluded with an outline of the goals the organization has set for 2020. “2020 is the year in which the international financial sector will reinvent itself. Now that the offshore regime no longer exists, it is time for a reinvention,” she said. The chairperson believes that an attractive investment climate can only be achieved by readjusting the sector’s product portfolio and improving the client licensing process. “The aim is to introduce innovative technological solutions to be able to compete regionally and internationally. We need to form strategic alliances with local as well as regional players. There is so much we can learn from other countries that are in the next stage of development. By analyzing what worked and what didn’t, we are able to shift to higher gear much quicker and gain a competitive advantage in the region. The first steps have already been made in 2019 and the momentum has been building. Decisiveness and hard work, while still remaining agile, will ensure that we reach a higher level of service this year,” De Jesus continued.

The growth challenge for 2020

De speech by De Jesus was preceded by two opening speeches. The evening kicked off with an opening speech by the Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath where the political leader complimented the international financial services sector on the island for achieving the OECD largely compliant-status last year and thus remaining off the blacklist. The Prime Minister was optimistic about the future of the sector and acknowledged the importance of the sector for the local economy. “A consolidated financial sector represented by CIFA is the best way for the international financial sector on the island to grow. The new tax regime is another great step in the right direction,” he said. “Even though the various negative forecasts may suggest otherwise, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The international financial services sector together with the tourism sector remain solid pillars of the local economy,” he continued. The Prime Minister finished his powerful speech by remarking that by breaking the mold, the island will be able to turn the tide and put Curaçao back on the map so that next year the annual new year’s event will be a celebration of growth.

Collaboration

The Prime Minister’s speech was followed by an equally positive speech by the Minister of Finance Kenneth Gijsbertha. He stated: “We must, and we will, overcome the obstacles that are currently in our way.” He reflected on the challenging year 2019 with the formal instruction (aanwijzing) the Dutch Kingdom Council of Ministers gave to the government as well as all the insecurities surrounding Refineria di Kòrsou (RDK) just to name a few. “Surviving is not enough. We need to thrive. And the only way to achieve that is collectively as one country,” he continued. The Minister of Finance finished his speech by expressing his belief that together and in close collaboration with CIFA in its role as representative of an important pillar of the economy, economic growth can be achieved and sustained.

The evening finished with a toast by De Jesus.