MP Solange Ludmila Duncan.
PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Solange Ludmila Duncan recently submitted a number of questions to interim Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion and interim Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Melissa Arrindell-Doncher regarding their ministries’ plans to develop locally-owned micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
With “a significant growth” in small businesses and entrepreneurship in St. Maarten over the last two years, the MP is curious to know government’s plan to stimulate local industries. She also looks forward to collaboration between the Finance and TEATT Ministries in the coming months.
“As a former senior policy advisor for government, I am well aware of the need for more cohesion and joint collaboration on fiscal and economic policy, and I believe these two ministries in particular need to work more closely together to effectively address economic issues in St. Maarten,” Duncan said in a press release.
She suggests the establishment of a standing inter-ministerial committee between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of TEATT with a number of objectives, including policy alignment to ensure coherence on joint concerns pertaining to MSMEs and entrepreneurs such as taxes and business licence fees.
Duncan believes it is extremely important to create such an environment that local entrepreneurs and business owners receive relief when needed and, more importantly, the tools and support necessary to allow them to thrive and succeed in St. Maarten. She also wants government to pay keen attention to the needs of women business owners in particular.
“St. Maarten’s women have always been progressive as leaders in the community and in business, but we need to ensure that they are empowered,” she said.
She sees a need for improved cooperation and partnership between government and the private sector to stimulate local investment and business development through various types of projects.
“Our banks and other commercial organisations need to play a role as well in the development of MSMEs and entrepreneurship in St. Maarten. It’s a win-win for the economy and our people when all sectors get involved behind a common purpose: economic development.”
Duncan is working on a small business development law that aims to encourage, strengthen and protect local MSMEs as an approach to economic diversification and empowerment, and looks forward to working with government and the private sector on initiatives that will accomplish this.
