St. Maarten Private Eye

Air Fin no licence - George Says Government Sets Wrong Precedent - 18th July 2007

SXM News Network

Philipsburg:--- National Alliance councilman George Pantophlet says that the island government is setting the a wrong precedent when it signed the new 10 year water agreement with Airfin Holding’s Managing Director Mr. Willem Barendsen.

The council member said he sent a letter to the executive council last week asking for a copy of the signed agreement.
Pantophlet said during many island council meetings held on this issue the draft agreement presented dated back to the year 2005 asked if any changes were made to the document. The councilman said that it is only on May 21, 2007 the company registered at the Chamber of Commerce.

According to the councilman, Airfin Holding N.V. has no Business or Director’s license and if by chance they do, he needs to see copies thereof.

President of Chamber of Commerce Hubert Pantophlet said that businesses are not required to submit their business or directors license when registering at Chamber of Commerce, but he could not say for sure if Airfin Holding N.V has a business license as he would have to check the company’s record for clarification.

The councilman said what caught his attention a statement in one of the daily newspapers in which it states that construction on the new plant will begin now.
He said that there are many people who have been waiting for months some maybe a year or more on an answer from government about their business license and these people he said are now wondering if they can operate without a Business license.

The councilman is asking if it because it is “government” involved they can break their own laws. The councilman also wants to know if the island government negotiates a new contract with GEBE NV. He said based on statements by the commissioner in charge of GEBE. Roy Marlin during one of the island council meetings on the new water agreement with Airfin Holding N.V. said that he would enter into negotiations with GEBE.

In the meantime, SMN News discovered that are many company’s that are operating on ST. Maarten without the director’s or business license. While there are a number of ghost businesses that go through the process to capitalize on getting the business and residence permit.

add new comment | read more