Small businesses called to
action on new licence rules
SIMPSON BAY--Small business owners who have been or will be affected by the recently implemented regulations for residence permits for company directors are being urged by a businesswoman to band together to state their views to the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry as soon as possible.
Karen McIntyre of Accounting Solutions told The Daily Herald she had been in contact with several small businesses run by expatriates that were in jeopardy of closing down if nothing was done to address their needs.
To lobby as a group, McIntyre urges small business owners to make a special effort to attend the general meeting of the Chamber of Commerce next week. The meeting is not specifically to discuss this issue, but if small business owners are in attendance in good numbers, at least the chamber will understand that this is a serious matter, she said.
Her hope is that the Chamber board will see the importance of backing the small businesses and the new residence permit regulations will be addressed at another meeting.
To renew their residence permits, foreign directors have to prove that they earned a salary of at least NAf. 75,000 per year during the preceding year and have proof that the business has an annual turnover of at least NAf. 500,000. Also, the foreigner has to have suitable accommodations by either owning a house valued at a minimum of NAf. 275,000 or renting a home for at least NAf. 2,250 per month.
She said that for her two-person business, the only requirement that she can meet when her permits come up for renewal is the one dealing with accommodations. “While we understand the need for new rules if you want to stop new small businesses from coming in, fine. But for those of us who have been operating for several years and pay taxes and contribute to the island, we don’t believe government has the right to change the rules as they applied when we started.”
Small business owners who wish to get in touch with McIntyre about banding together to strengthen the cause can e-mail
accountingsolutions@caribserve.net .
