Serge Mansur

Directiva di ATIA a tuma nota di e palabranan di Premier Oduber diahuebs ultimo caminda ela bisa cu si BBO no drenta na vigor, Gobierno lo pidi Hulanda pa manda 15 of 20 hende di FIOD pa controla Comercio, insinuando cu Comercio lo no ta cumpliendo cu su responsabilidad pa cu Gobierno.

Si ta berdad, manera sr. Oduber ta insinua, cu hopi comerciante no ta cumpliendo manera mester ta, esey ta nifica un fayo enorme di su Gobierno cu después di mas di cinco anja e no a logra controla Comercio efectivamente. E ora e pregunta ta surgi: Kico bo tabata warda tur e anjanan ey?

ATIA a tuma e decision di accepta e oferta aki di Gobierno di Aruba. Nos ta bai completamente di acuerdo pa Gobierno keda sin introduci BBO, y ta manda busca ayudo di Hulanda pa controla tur negoshi aki na Aruba. Naturalmente esaki mester conta igual pa tur comerciante sin importa nan lazonan familiar of di amistad cu nos mandatarionan. Como cu nos tin tur confianza den e imparcialidad di FIOD, nos lo ta hopi satisfecho si nan por bini Aruba y hanja e oportunidad pa traha sin interferencia politico.

Si di berdad tin comerciante cu no ta cumpliendo cu ley, nos ta di opinión cu ta e responsabilidad di Gobierno pa atende cu esey y percura pa tini un “level playing field” pa tur hende y tur comerciante aki na Aruba. Atrobe, esaki mester wordo hasi di un forma imparcial y sin interferencia di Gobierno.

Ya cu nos ta bai pidi Hulanda pa yuda nos controla cumplimento di nos Comercio nos ta sugeri pa Gobierno pidi Minister Zalm y Hulanda pa manda hende pa mustra nos:

• Con pa “bezuinig” na un forma responsable riba e presupuesto di Gobierno (con pa usa e placa di Pueblo na un forma responsable).
• Con pa entrega un presupuesto na tempo.
• Con pa atene nos mes na e presupuesto Gubernamental.
• Con pa controla nos jaarrekening nacional.
• Con pa brinda un servicio decente a cambio di e placa cu e comunidad aki ta contribui na Gobierno.

A bira tempo pa nos comunidad ricibi su “Fair Share” pa cu Gobernacion decente.

Naturalmente un Gobierno cu no por ni controla su mes tin dificultad pa controla otro. Nos ta kere cu Hulanda por yuda nos pais masha hopi mes, pero obviamente esaki no mester ta solamente pa “pest” e comerciantenan cu e Gobierno aki no gusta.

Ta importante pa tur hende realiza cu tur comerciante na Aruba ta sera su bukinan tur anja y ta obliga di laga esaki wordo controla pa Belasting Accountants Dienst si nan pidi esey. A cambio, presupuesto di Gobierno no ta wordo entrega na tempo, e no ta wordo cumpli cune, Gobierno ta stroba Raad van Advies y Algemene Rekenkamer di hasi nan trabao di control, etcétera, etcetera.

Nos ta sumamente feliz cu porfin después di 5 anja nos Gobierno a cuminsa reconoce e importancia di un control debido. Nos ta spera cu esaki ta palabranan honesto y cu no ta djis un otro triki pa purba desvia atención di e maneho irresponsable y completamente inepto cu nos ta bin ta experienciando e ultimo anjanan aki.

ATIA ta masha satisfecho cu nos por a hanja un oferta asina husto di Premier Oduber, y nos ta accepta e oferta aki felizmente.

ATIA

ATIA ta e organizacion no-gubernamental mas grandi di Aruba cu mas di 200 miembro cu ta duna trabao na mas di 13,000 mama y tata Arubano. Como tal nos ta boga pa un mihor nivel socio-economico pa tur segmento di nos poblacion.

Pa hanja sa mas di ATIA, of pa bira miembro, bishita www.atiaruba.org.

Directiva di ATIA a tuma nota di algun declaracion di parti di Prome Minister di nos pais tocante e supuesto monopolio di banco cu lo tin na Aruba, y su deseo di apodera Minister di Finanzas pa permiti mas banco establece na Aruba.

Na Aruba awe tin cuatro banco cu ta operando, locual ta dos menos di locual tabata tin pa hopi aña. ATIA ta un organizacion cu ta kere ferventemente den competencia, y nos opinion ta cu ta bon posibel cu mas banco na Aruba lo por ta positivo tanto pa nos economia como pa nos comunidad. Pero nos ta di opinion cu e decision ey mester wordo lagá na nos Banco Central, un instancia cu pa binti aña ta bin ta hiba un maneho hopi profesional, y no den man di un of mas politico cu pa 6 aña largo a hiba un maneho algo menos profesional.

Nos mester tene na cuenta cu e industria bancario ta uno di suma importancia y alavez hopi sensitivo como cu aki ta trata na instancianan cu ta maneha e placa cu miles di Arubano a deposita serca nan. Esaki ta hasi nan diferente di tur otro empresa cu ta hasi negoshi cu nan mesun capital. E responsabilidad cu un banco tin na su clientela ta enorme! Ta pesey nos mester tin masha ciudao mes prome cu nos permiti algun politico mete den e industria ey.

E berdad ta cu na un isla chikito manera Aruba cuatro banco no ta constitui un monopolio. Locual si ta monopolio ta:

• UN solo empresa di Cable TV,
• UN solo empresa cu ta brinda servicio di Internet,
• UN solo empresa cu por bende corriente,
• UN solo empresa cu por bende awa,

Ta ironico cu e propio Prome Minister aki a bring alma y cuerpo pa mantene e monopolio di Setar pa cu servicio di celular, mientras cu awor e ta contra di monopolio. Ta ironico cu e propio Prome Minister aki a insisti pa cumpra Cable TV pa mantene e monopolio di Internet Service siendo cu awor e ta contra monopolio. Ta ironico cu ta e propio Prome Minister aki ta defende y proteha monopolio ora cu e ta den su man, mientras cu e ta contra esaki ora cu e no tin control di e (supuesto) monopolio.

Ta importante pa nos corda cu e berdero monopolionan na Aruba ta brinda servicio y productonan cu cada Arubano ta forza pa cumpra, mientras cu esaki no ta e caso cu banco. Tambe ta notorio cu den prensa diariamente nos por scucha of lesa ciudadano ta keha di prijs di awa, corriente y comunicacion (monopolio di Gobierno), mientras cu esaki no ta e caso cu e sector bancario.

E ehempel di Luxemburg ta uno incorecto. Nos industria bancario ta ofrece su servicionan na nos propio poblacion, mientras cu na Luxemburg esaki no ta e caso. Si Premier Oduber ta kere cu e banconan na Luxemburg ta floreciendo danki na e 300,000 hende cu ela menciona e ta bon bruhá. Si nos kier compara nos mes cu otro pais nos por compara nos mes cu Antiyas of Barbados.

ATIA ta pensa cu nos Gobierno no mester mete den un industria asina delicado, pero laga esaki na personanan capaz manera e profesionalnan di Banco Central.

Gobierno tin cu enfoca riba mehora e funcionamento y e eficiencia di nos aparato publico envez di bai stroba e funcionamento eficiente di nos sector bancario.

CBA Report 1^st Quarter 2007

The ATIA remains very concerned about the ever growing deficit of our Government. According the Central Bank’s latest Quarterly Report (1^st Quarter of 2007), our government’s debt recently surpassed Awg.2,000,000,000.00.

This fact in itself gives much cause for concern. What is even more worrisome, however, is that the financial deficit grew compared to the corresponding quarter in 2006. This is the same quarter in which BBO was introduced.

The ATIA has said many times in the past that we do not believe that the Government’s problem is due a lack of income, but rather excessive spending. As long as our elected officials insist on spending too much of our community’s money, our financial problems will not be solved. We must recognize that we live in a small country and that we have limitations. This small community can not afford the enormous government apparatus that has been created by our elected officials.

Fitch Report

The latest Fitch Report (released Thursday, August 30) announced that Aruba’s BBB Rating has been affirmed. The main reasons for this are:

“Aruba’s ratings are supported by its relatively high per capita income of over US$20,000, which is well above the ‘BBB’ median of US$5,350, its market-friendly institutional environment, based on a well-functioning legal system, rule of law and legally protected rights, and its continued political and social stability. Aruba’s external solvency ratios such as net external debt and net public sector external debt (as a percentage of current external receipts) are also consistent with the ‘BBB’ median.”

“Additionally, the rating incorporates the fact that Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (’AAA’). Although Aruba gained status aparte in 1986, its strong links with the Dutch government and the implicit support for the island are unique. Aruba’s rating weaknesses comprise structural weaknesses in its public finances including a high level of budgetary rigidity and continued reliance on arrears to suppliers and the broader public sector as a source of financing, its relatively high public debt burden (47% of GDP) and its relatively low international liquidity in the context of its narrow economy.”

From this press release we can surmise that our relatively high rating is thanks to our private sector and our ties to the Netherlands, while our weakness is basically the excessive spending of our public sector.

The full press release can be found on ATIA’s website: www.atiaruba.org.

Long-lease (Erfpacht)

Recently the Chamber of Commerce brought forward their opinion regarding the Government’s habit of leasing out valuable plots of land for a pittance to corporations that can afford to pay a fair price for the property they need to conduct their business.

The ATIA is in full agreement with the Chamber on this issue. While we recognize that this practice had its benefits in the past, we feel that its time has passed. In this day and age it is not responsible for a Government to basically give away large plots of land worth millions to wealthy individuals and/or companies.

We do agree that “erfpacht” should still be given out to individuals wishing to build a home for their family. We can even agree with this practice as an incentive for investment (for example to attract business to San Nicolas, or to help revitalize an area going through hardship), but to give away prime real estate in economically vibrant areas seems to be contrary to the best interests of our community.

Political Nominations.

For weeks already rumors are circulating about certain members of Parliament jockeying for well-paid positions in Government or Government-controlled organizations. We have heard such rumors relating to foreign posts, Government-owned N.V.’s and even foundations with important social functions in our community.

We have not gotten any confirmation about these matters, but we do wish to take this opportunity to bring forth that we sincerely hope that these rumors are patently false, and that no such abuse will take place.

If there are any open positions, these should be filled by qualified people selected in a transparent process, and not by political cronies.

Relato di Prensa

ATIA

Juli 5, 2007

Directiva di ATIA a tuma nota di e desaroyonan relaciona cu e conflicto laboral entre Valero y su trahadornan na aeropuerto.

ATIA, mescos cu den pasado, ta reconoce e derecho di cada organizacion di uza e tacticanan na su disposicion pa trece su punto dilanti (naturalmente dentro di ley). Den caso di un sindicato, esaki ta inclui e derecho di welga ora cu esey ta necesario.

Den e caso especifico aki ATIA tin dos preocupacion serio pa cu e accionnan di parti di e trahadornan.

Na prome lugar nos ta considera  cu ta preocupante cu, pa motivo cu nos Gobierno a introduci un serie di medida, e sindicatonan ta purba di pone comercio paga pa esaki. E tempo pa actua tabata mas bien ora cu tur instancia independiente na Aruba a avisa di e peligernan representa pa tur e medidanan cu Gobierno a introduci.

Na varios ocacion nos a scucha lidernan sindical expresa cu nan tin pensa di tuma posicion fuerte contra comercio pa wordo compensa pa e efecto di e medidanan. Nos ta considera esaki un situacion peligroso, pasobra historia ta mustra cu situacionnan asina ta crea un spiral inflacionario adicional.

E segundo punto di preocupacion ta cu e accion di e sindicato no ta parce di ta dirigi contra e empresa Valero, pero mas bien contra di e pueblo di Aruba. E efecto di e welga aki lo tin consecuencia negativo pa e aerolineanan, nos aeropuerto, y nos industria turistico, mientras cu su efecto contra Valero ta minimo.

Nos ta puntra nos mes si un sindicato lo mester shantagia henter nos comunidad pa beneficio material di 15 persona. Naturalmente e interes di e personanan aki ta conta! Pero no mas cu e otro 100,000+ persona riba e pais aki.

Ta parce nos cu mester tin otro manera pa yega na un acuerdo cu Valero cu no ta inclui hasi danjo na e principal industria di nos isla.

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.

The ATIA Board wishes all of the ATIA members as well as their employees, friends and families a very prosperous and successful 2007.

BBO

During the last months of 2006 the ATIA Board voiced its strong opposition to the introduction of the BBO law in Aruba. We felt that there are too many flaws in the law, and that its introduction would have the potential to do more harm than good to our community as a whole.

While we are still quite concerned about the effects of the BBO, our role has now changed. The law is a reality, and we must now try to mitigate any negative consequences of the law and ensure that the weight of compliance with the BBO is equitably distributed over the whole of our economy.

It is imperative that all sectors of our economy comply with their responsibilities instead of having the serious members of our business community subsidize those that might attempt to skirt the BBO tax.

We also feel that it is important that we make a concerted effort together with consumer-advocacy groups and the Government to educate the Aruban consumer about his/her responsibilities and rights.

The ATIA will also gather pertinent and useful information and provide this to our members. To this end we invite all members to let us know if you have any questions about how to comply with BBO.

National Dialogue

In a December radio interview, the Governor addressed what we consider to be two very important issues. The first of these is that Aruba’s public sector is bloated and overloaded with employees. The financial weight of this is much too much for our small island. We MUST find a way to streamline Government.

The other issue which we feel is of extreme importance is that our country desperately needs an institutionalized National Dialogue. Also on this issue we agree completely with the Governor. We feel that the only way to solve our country’s many problems is to have all sectors of our community contribute their concerns and their ideas to find solutions which take into account all of these concerns and ideas. It is only through healthy communication that well-balanced decisions can be taken by a Government.

The ATIA Board strongly urges our Government to allow this all-important process to begin this year. During the Governor’s New Year’s Reception we had some informal talks with different ministers, and we feel that the time is right to begin with the National Dialogue this year.

Ritz-Carlton

It has come to the attention of the ATIA Board that the Ritz-Carlton project will not continue.

The ATIA always had mixed feelings about this project. On the one hand the presence of such a prestigious hotel will add much to the image of a destination. On the other we are not convinced that he time is right to add another hotel on the West Coast strip.

For the ATIA the ideal scenario would have been to have the Ritz-Carlton take over (and upgrade) an existing property.

Recognizing the strong desire of this Government to realize the Ritz-Carlton project, we applaud the Government’s decision to stand firm on its position regarding the fiscal benefits to be granted to Ritz-Carlton. We realize that such decisions are never easy.

Annual Membership Meeting

We wish to remind all members that our Annual Membership Meeting will take place in March. Please start thinking about possible points to add to the agenda and/or candidates for a Board position.

ATIA

ATIA is Aruba’s largest NGO with well over 200 members which employ more than 14,000 Arubans. As such we strive to achieve a better socio-economic climate for all segments of our population.

Remember to visit us at: www.atiaruba.org

As many of you know, the board of the ATIA has been working diligently over these past weeks to try to stop the Government from introducing the BBO law in its current form. We have been doing this together with our partners in the commercial sector as well as the trade unions united in the SdU.

We have held numerous meetings and have attended a series of informative gatherings on this topic, including with Government representatives and departments. We have also read a number of reports prepared by a variety of organizations. As a result of these efforts we have been able to conclude that every single independent organization is strongly against the introduction of this law.

Different organizations have different issues and concerns as to the current form of the law, but all these issues are due to the law being prepared without sufficient input from the private (productive) sector, and it being prepared too hastily.

Throughout the years we have made the point over and over that good decisions must be based on good and complete information. As long as the Government refuses to gather such information the decisions it makes will not be up to acceptable standards.

Over the past three days we have met with our partners in the commercial sector, with the trade unions, with the Central Bank, with the Government and even with the Governor of Aruba. These meetings were part of our effort to try to convince the Government not to introduce the BBO law.

On Thursday we sent a letter to the Government asking them to postpone introduction of the law while we try to reach a consensus on this matter. The Government’s answer, as we had feared, was negative.

The Government’s position is basically that it came into being democratically and that everyone back off and allow them to do as they wish. While we do not dispute, even for a moment, the legitimacy of this Government or their ultimate responsibility to make decisions, we feel that they should make an effort to make good decisions, and not just “decisions”.

The Government insists that the private sector come up with comprehensive studies and reports within a matter of days. Naturally, such a request is not realistic. Such a request is also not necessary. Already, the main advisory bodies of our Government have expressed their strong objection to the introduction of this law. The same is true of experts from the private sector, including tax experts and economists. As far as we know, not one single organization, company or individual expert outside of the Government supports this law.

As this Flash is being written (Friday afternoon) a number of trade unions have already announced their respective decisions to go on strike starting this coming Monday. More unions are expected to announce similar decisions as the weekend progresses.

The ATIA, as a representative of the commercial sector is not much inclined to be enthusiastic about such actions. However, considering the concerns we share with these trade unions, we sympathize with their position. We also respect the right of trade unions to express their views as they seem fit.

Naturally, we will not, under any circumstances support or condone any actions which include violence, destruction or intimidation. But as we understand from the unions, neither will they.

We will do our utmost, during the coming days to keep the lines of communication open between all parties, because, in the end, that is the only healthy way to reach agreements and resolve differences.

The Board of the ATIA considers this (obviously important) issue a symptom of the larger problem of an utter lack of good governance on Aruba. As long as there is no parliamentary supervision, as long as our advisory bodies are ignored and as long as the voting public continues to accept mediocrity in Government, these types of problems will recur with ever-increasing frequency.

Fair Share

For di dia cu Gabinete Oduber III a sinta, a cuminsa scucha e frase “Fair Share”. Cu esaki Gobierno ta purba ilustra cu e entradanan di Gobierno, como porcentahe di GDP di nos pais, no ta suficiente. GDP ta basicamente e valor di tur producto y servicio cu ta wordo bendí na Aruba durante un aña. GDP ta wordo usa rond mundo pa midi productividad economico di un pueblo durante un aña, y tambe pa compara un aña cu otro pa midi crecimento economico.

E ponencia di Gobierno ta cu e parti cu ta toca Gobierno mester ta rond di 25%, y según nan e ta rond di 20%. Nan ta uza e cifranan pa insinua cu sector priva no ta contribuyendo suficiente na nos sector publico (Gobierno).

For di dia cu Gobierno a bini cu e ponencia aki, directiva di ATIA ta treciendo dilanti cu nos no ta di acuerdo cu e ponencianan aki, como cu Gobierno nunca a mustra cu cifra cu locual nan ta alegando ta verdad. Es mas, cifranan imparcial ta mustra lo contrario.

ATIA ta opina cu e ponencia aki ta mas bien un intento pa desvia atencion di e problema real di Gobierno, esta su mal custumber di gasta placa na un forma irresponsabel. Esaki ta un hecho cu a wordo treci dilanti door di un cantidad di instancia tanto local como internacional cu unanimamente ta opina cu gobierno mester reduci su gastonan pa por sirbi e comunidad aki corectamente. E instancianan aki ta organizacionnan serio y profesional cu no tin ningun motivo di inventa storia.

Pa loke ta trata e cifranan real di e entradanan cu Gobierno ta sacando for di saco di e comunidad Arubano, ta asina cu según cifranan di Centraal Bureau Statistiek, na 2003 (e ultimo aña pa cual nos ta dispone di cifra) Gobierno a ricibi un total di 35.0% di GDP di Aruba. E cifra aki ta inclui 715 Miyon na belasting (20% di GDP), 350 Miyon na Contribucion social (10% di GDP), mas 195 Miyon na otro entrada (5% di GDP). E otro entradanan ta inclui entre otro dividend di Setar, Web, Elmar, etc. cu ta un tipo di belasting “camufla”.

Durante e mesun periodo, e gastonan di Gobierno (incluyendo gastonan social) tabata riba 1,300 Miyon Florin, esta casi 37% di GDP. Na e nivelnan aki ta birando virtualmente imposibel pa nos comunidad por carga e costo di nos aparato publico.

Ta asina cu Gobierno ta bai cu un porcentahe cada vez mas grandi di locual nos comunidad ta produci. Esaki ta creando un situacion cu dia pa dia ta birando mas dificil pa un comerciante gana placa aki na Aruba. Nos a yega awor na e punto cu e clima di inversion ta birando asina malo na Aruba cu nos economia ta wordo afecta. A yega na un punto cu Gobierno ta rancando basicamente tur placa cu e comunidad aki ta produciendo, y ta gastando e placa aki na formanan cu no ta productivo. Esta, envez di wordo reinverti den nos comunidad, casi tur e placa aki ta bayendo na consumo.

E situacion aki a yega un culminacion cu e introduccion di e medidanan irresponsabel di luna pasa. E medidanan aki, agrega na e problemanan internacional cu nos ta enfrentando (prijs di petroleo, caso Holloway, etc). a pone Aruba den un situacion cu nos ta teme cu ta bai tuma nos hopi aña pa sali afor.

Ademas di esey, nos debilidad financiero ta hasi nos debil politicamente tambe. Hasta por bisa cu ta poniendo na peliger nos status aparte. Nos por a mira con Hulanda a cuminsa pone presion riba Aruba durante e ultimo reunionan tripartite. Esaki a wordo interumpi pa e caida di Gobierno Hulandes. Pero e ta bai bini bek.

Ora cu Hulanda dicidi cu ta necesario pa pone presion riba nos pa nos drecha nos situacion financiero, nos ta bai ta den un posicion extremadamante debil. Un posicion debil cu ta danki na e maneho financiero iresponsabel di nos Gobiernonan. E forma con Gobierno kier drecha esaki (introduccion di medida) ta igual na purba sali for di un pos door di sigui coba.

Locual nos pais mester awor ta hendenan cu kier forma parti di e solucion, nos no mester di mas hende pa empeora e situacion. Esnan cu awe kier purba tira e culpa di nos problemanan financiero den scochi di nos sector priva ta forma parti di problema envez di yuda yega na un solucion.

E mas di 40,000 trahadornan Arubano di sector priva cu ta pagando nan belasting tur aña merece pa Gobierno maneha nan placa na un forma responsabel y cu disciplina. Y no pa cada biaha Gobierno sigui purba ranca mas y mas di e placa pa cual nan ta traha duro tur dia.

Nos tur mester corda semper cu Gobierno ta existi pa un solo meta; pa sirbi nos comunidad. Nan mester hasi esey na e forma mas eficiente y efectivo posibel. Pa Gobierno por logra esey, comunidad ta dispuesto pa contribui un parti razonabel di su entradanan. Ya caba Gobierno ta rancando di mas placa for di comunidad.

Na Aruba a para bira cu Gobierno ta busca forma pa gasta mas y mas placa pa despues inventa manera pa pone comunidad paga pa esaki. Esaki ta sosode cu aprobacion di 11 parlamentario cu ta cobrando miyones di florin simplemente pa hasi manera Gobierno ta instrui nan.

Nos ta keda boga pa responsabilidad fiscal di parti di Gobierno pa asina crea e espacio necesario pa e sector productivo di nos comunidad, esta sector priva, por percura pa un progreso economico na beneficio di henter no comunidad.

ATIA ta e organizacion no-gubernamental mas grandi di Aruba cu mas di 200 miembro cu ta duna trabao na mas di 15,000 mama y tata Arubano. Como tal nos ta boga pa un mihor nivel socio-economico pa tur segmento di nos poblacion.

Pa hanja sa mas di ATIA, of pa bira miembro, bishita www.atiaruba.org.

Medida? Awor?

Aruba ta confrontando un serie di reto hopi serio e dianan aki.

Turismo ta bayendo atrás pa basta luna caba. Esaki ta causando, entre otro, cu aerolineanan ta bahando e cantidad di vuelo cu ta bin Aruba. Esaki, na su turno, naturalmente lo hasie mas dificil pa yega Aruba, y lo por afecta nos turisma mas ainda.

Ta dificil pa determina exactamente kico e causanan pa e bahada aki ta, pero nos por deduci cu un factor importante ta e caso di Natalee Holloway. Un caso cu den hopi sentido tabata fuera di nos control y cu su efectonan a wordo empeora door di e interes absurdo cu prensa mericano a pone riba dje.

Locual a hasi esaki pió ta e falta di comunicación di parti di Gobierno y Ministerio Publico ora cu medionan di comunicación di Merca a cuminsa enfoca pipsa riba e caso aki. E falta di comunicación aki ta parce di a empeora e imagen cu pueblo mericano tin di nos isla.

Otro factornan externo, manera prijs di petroleo, tambe a cuminsa afecta nos negativamente. Un ehempel: E barco crusero “Destiny” lo stop di bishita Aruba como cu e gastonan di fuel lo ta demasiado halto. Prijsnan di fuel ta afectando tambe e ticketnan cu pasaheronan ta paga pa yega nos isla.

E situacion aki ta rekeri un plan integral pa nos isla atende cu e situacion aki. Esaki lo nifica inverti fondonan adicional den promocion di nos turismo, pero tambe den e isla mes (seguridad, regulacion di watersports/taxi, limpieza, etc.) pa garantiza un experiencia placentero pa nos bishitantenan.

Otro factor hopi importante den e experiencia di nos bishitantenan ta e prijsnan cu nan ta paga pa nan bishita nos isla. Esakinan pa basta tempo caba ta mas halto cu nos competidornan, pero turistanan tradicionalmente ta(bata) dispuesto pa paga un prijs mas halto pa e experiencia superior cu nan ta(bata) percibi di ricibi aki.

Esaki ta parce di no ta e caso mas.

Locual nos, como pais, mester percura pe ta pa nos convence nos bishitantenan (y potencial bishitantenan) cu e balor cu nan ta ricibi door di bishita nos isla bal e gastonan cu nan lo carga.

Impone medida riba nos pueblo (y alavez riba turista), mientras cu nos isla ta birando mas insegur, mas chaotico y mas sushi cada dia no ta locual nos tin cu hasi. E efectonan riba nos turismo, nos economia, y nos comunidad en general lo ta hopi, pero hopi negativo.

Ya caba nos inflacion ta aumentando mucho rapido, y ya caba e peso financiero riba nos comunidad ta demasiado halto. No ta responsabel pa bini cu mas medida riba nos comunidad na e momentonan aki.

Ta ampliamente conoci cu nos aparato gubernamental ta demasiado grandi. Esaki a wordo treci dilanti na hopi ocasión caba pa nos asociacion, pa IMF, pa World Bank, pa Banco Central, y pa un gran cantidad di otro instancia independiente tanto local como internacional.

Apesar di esaki, atrobe gobierno ta insisti pa laga comunidad paga pa nan decisionnan malo. Ta realmente decepcionante cu aña tras aña nos gobernantenan ta hasiendo e mesun errornan.

Envez di drecha e problema cu ta asina obvio pa tur hende, atrobe ta bini cu medida cu no ta soluciona nos problemanan. ATIA no a mira ningun estudio cu ta indica ki efecto(nan) e medidanan aki lo tin riba nos economia. Tampoco sector comercial no a wordo involucra den un decision cu lo tin efectonan grandi riba nos economia y nos comercio.

Nos ta teme cu e efectonan lo por ta devastador riba nos economia Esaki, hunto cu e prognostico di turismo, lo por tin e efecto cu a lo largo entrada di Gobierno lo por hasta cai. E ora ey lo nos hanja nos mes enfrenta cu un Aparato Gubernamental cu mas problema den un situacion economico debil.

Esaki no por ta beneficioso pa ningun segmento di nos poblacion. E pregunta e ora ey ta bira: Pakico ta tuma decisionnan asina?

Ta unicamente dos contesta tin pa e pregunta ey. Sea e gobierno tin otro prioridad cu pa nan ta pisa mas cu bienestar general, of ta carece di e capacidad necesario pa tuma e decisionnan corecto pa nos pais.

Cualkier un di e dos posibilidadnan ey ta sumamente malo pa Aruba.

Queen’s Birthday Celebration

We have received the information that the celebration of the Queen’s birthday has been officially moved from the 30th of April to the 29th of April. That means that the 29th is an official holiday, while the 30th is to be considered the same as any other Sunday.

All businesses that are normally open on Sunday can open as usual on the 30th of April.

The ATIA feels that the Government should make some effort to communicate these decisions earlier to provide a better opportunity to the business community to plan their operations.

Meeting with DIMAS

The ATIA, together with the AHATA, the WAB and the Chamber of Commerce had an informative meeting with the leadership of the DIMAS, which should be functioning as of July 1st of this year to handle all requests for work permits for foreign workers.

The meeting went very well, and all four organizations left feeling satisfied that the policies and procedures will become much more efficient and effective in the foreseeable future.

However, considering that the DIMAS exists to serve the Aruban private sector (workers and employers), we find it regrettable that at this late date there has been no request for the point of view of the private sector regarding the policies and procedures to be adopted.

It has come to our attention that on February 13, 2006 a ministerial decree was signed establishing a committee which is to provide advise in this important process. This committee is to have both private and public sector representation. We feel that it is of crucial importance that this committee start to function as soon as possible so that the needs of the community are taken into consideration as much as possible.

We must always remember that government exists solely to serve the community and not the other way around.

New AZV Cards

The ATIA together with the Chamber of Commerce held an informative meeting with representatives of the AZV in which we were informed of the introduction of a new card for AZV insured. The new card will have a photo as well a megnetic strip which will contain information about the insured.

Over the next six months all those that are entitled to an AZV card will be called up to pick up the new card on a specific day. The time during which this can be done will be mostly during normal business hours.

Since we believe that this new card will contribute to bringing the AZV costs under control, and will therefore benefit our community as a whole, we request all of our members to be flexible where possible so that your employees are able to pick up their new cards on the assigend day..

Government Finances / Kerntakenanalyse

The ATIA is very satisfied that the Government has announced a comprehensive “Kerntakenanalyse” for the public sector. Naturally, the instructions that are to be given to the company or organization that is to carry out the work will be decisive in determining the quality of the work (the GIGO Principle). This, coupled with the enormous importance of this project make it imperative that this topic should be discussed by Parliament as soon as possible. We are confident that (provided it is done correctly) this is an important step towards the improvement of the Government finances.

We feel that the creation of new positions and/or departments must cease immediately pending the outcome of this report. Naturally, there must be exceptions for truly important and unexpected developments.

The need for departments such as a new “Directie Cultuur” is not so urgent that it can not wait for the result of the “kerntakenanalyse”. Especially since we already have an “Instituto di Cultura” which has essentially the same function(s).

Lately we have noticed that there are many sources which provide the press with data about a number of topics, including public finances. We believe that trustworthy, professional and impartial sources are to be used for this purpose. The ATIA places much fate in figures provided by the Central Bank as well as other local and international organizations.

We strongly feel that political parties in general do not possess the needed impartiality (or the necessary expertise) to be considered a trustworthy source for such information.

It is noteworthy that all reliable sources are unanimous (and have been for years) in pointing out the excessive expenses of the public sector, especially when it relates to personnel expenses.

As we have recently pointed out, yearly personnel expenses have increased by more than Awg.220,000,000.00 to around Awg.600,000,000.00 over the past five years. This is a figure which our small community can not afford. We MUST find a way to bring these expenses back to reasonable levels.

As always, the ATIA stands ready to help, where possible, to achieve those goals we consider to be in Aruba’s best interest.

At this point we do not believe that increasing taxes on our already overburdened community serves the best interest of Aruba. The productive sector of Aruba is already contributing more than enough to a government which is inefficient and unproductive.

This is why the ATIA can NOT support any increase in taxes at this time.

ATIA

ATIA is Aruba’s largest NGO with well over 200 members which employ more than 13,000 Arubans. As such we strive to achieve a better socio-economic climate for all segments of our population.

Remember to visit us at: www.atiaruba.org