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Vlaun wants an end to ‘economic lawlessness’
by The Daily Herald
Posted: Mar 21, 2006 16:41 UTC
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PHILIPSBURG - In a reaction to statements made by Leader of Government Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams that alternatives need to be sought to generate funds to repay the APNA Pension Fund, political activist and local business owner Steven Vlaun says, “Campaigning to eliminate economic lawlessness by French-side companies and enforcing rules would generate funds the island currently loses.”
He said he wanted his comments to be seen as concerns for better economic growth for businesses and not an attempt to “bash anyone.” He said, “After Hurricane Luis in 1995, the Dutch side invested heavily and now that we can finally start seeing the fruits of that investment we are allowing French-side businesses to come to the Dutch side and reap our harvest.”
Vlaun contended that French companies crossed the border to the Dutch side, conducted business and were paid, without paying any taxes or hiring anyone on the Dutch side.
He said, “The thing is that the French government also needs to wake up to this, because these businesses are also not declaring their earnings on that side as well, so they compete with businesses on the Dutch side unfairly and get away with it on both sides, while for us it is impossible to cross the border and offer services on their side of the island, because they enforce strict adherence to their laws.”
He said it was evident with the construction boom in Dutch St. Maarten compared to French St. Martin, “Our side of the island is more attractive. Now we allow economic invasion and I don’t blame the French, because it’s the Dutch side that’s allowing it. So without increasing taxes on already heavily burdened Dutch companies, we simply need to make these companies crossing the border pay as we would have to in order to do business on their side.”
He said investments in Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), the Pointe Blanche harbour, condominium and hotel construction were signs of great possibilities for Dutch businesses to earn “and it would be a popular platform for a politician to solidify his or her standing within the community if they campaign on protecting local businesses, which protects and generates jobs, because you can’t secure jobs if you don’t protect and secure the companies that provide jobs.”
He suggested that a quick study of revenue lost through the invasion of French businesses would likely show major possibilities to collect funds that could help this island.
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