ATIA Flash June 2007
Integration of BGD into SVB
Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of discussion about the Government’s intention to integrate the BGD into the SVb. The intention behind this is to bring public sector absenteeism under control.
As it stands now, public sector employees are twice as likely to miss work because of one ailment or another compared to workers in the private sector. Such an enormous discrepancy is naturally not acceptable.
The ATIA supports the Government’s effort to increase productivity in the public sector. As it is well-known that productivity is much higher in the private sector as compared to the public sector, it stands to reason that the public sector needs to manage its personnel more in line with the standards present in the private sector.
The ATIA does feel, however that the representatives of the public sector workers need to be consulted in such efforts. Involving all stakeholders in important decisions helps provide an easier transition and ensures better adherence from the workers that will be affected by these changes.
We do wish to point out that it is imperative that this initiative does not carry with it any additional costs to the business community. Aruba is also an excessively expensive place to do business. Also, the effect of this change can not be to impose an inefficient system (BGD/Government) on one that does function, but rather the other way around.
Harbor Project
Another issue that has been much in the news is the project that is planned for the harbor area of Oranjestad. As we understand it, the project entails:
- Moving all freight activities to Barcadera harbor,
- Developing a modern cruise terminal, and
- Developing the area that is currently occupied by the freight terminal & freezone.
These plans are not new and have been discussed for quite some time. We believe that such a development will be positive for Aruba’s economy if done correctly.
Doing this correctly entails many factors, including:
- Having the whole process done in a transparent & fair manner.
- Allowing local companies to compete for the opportunity to participate in one or more of these projects.
- Allowing an easy flow of cruise tourists to the center of Oranjestad.
- Staying far away from any companies that are not thoroughly screened or of which we have indications that they might be engaged in incorrect business practices.
The participation of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines would certainly be an enormous success for APA. If we are able to forge a strategic partnership with the World’s second largest cruise company, we would ensure continuity in our cruise tourism. This is especially important after losing Carnival Destiny.
The ATIA supports the management of APA in pursuing this important partnership, because if correctly done, it will be to the benefit of our whole community.
Intellectual property Issues
Recently members of the ATIA Board met with representatives of the US Consulate at Willemstad and the Federal Trade Commission to discuss a number of issues related to unauthorized use of Intellectual Property.
Such unauthorized use can include the sale of counterfeit luxury items (such as handbags, clothing, watches, etc.), pirated copyrighted material (movies, software, books & music) or fake consumer goods (cigarettes, liquor, foods, toiletries, etc.).
The pitfalls of tolerating this phenomenon are many. The obvious dangers include threats to the wellbeing of the consumer, damages to the reputation of brand-name owners, direct lost sales by legitimate businesses, lack of accountability for non-working products, etc.
But there are many aspects to this “industry” that go well beyond the obvious ones. These include the involvement in this trade by figures involved in drug trafficking and/money laundering and also those financing or otherwise aiding terrorism.
While many of us tend to overlook the threat our island faces from the growth of the trade in counterfeit or pirated products, it is important that we recognize the danger and act to limit it as much as we can.
To achieve this, we need to educate our consumers, our public sector and also our commercial sector about how and why we need to put a stop to these practices.
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