SINT MAARTEN/TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - At the Annual General Meeting of CANTO held in Port of Spain Trinidad from February 4 to 6, 2018, one of the major points for discussion among the delegates was the recent change of position by the Federal Communications Commission ('FCC') by removing 'Net Neutrality' rules, and restoring a light touch regulations approach to support internet freedom, 'Open Internet'.  

The FCC shared with the meeting that investments by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the US had declined by US$3.6 Billion since the US "Open Internet Order" was implemented in 2015. The FCC found that this lack of network investment by ISPs threatened the US policy objectives, including, bridging the digital divide, promoting innovation and modernizing regulations.

The FCC outlined that having reviewed the evidence and reassessed whether the 2015 Order supported US policy objectives, the FCC decided to revert to the less restrictive regime that underpinned the successful development of the on-line economy in the period up to 2015.

CANTO notes that similar policy driven assessments have resulted in different approaches to internet regulation across the globe, from forbearance from any intervention in Australia to a broader policy approach in the EU which includes stricter rules on the on-line platforms in respect of data and consumer protection and separate investment incentives for networks.

The impact of the FCC 2015 Order on network investment acts a reminder that failing to take account of local market dynamics when making rules can have serious adverse consequences on economies.

Chairman of CANTO and Vice Chair of the Caribbean ICT Collaborative Committee (CICC), Mr Julian Wilkins, in his address to the meeting made the point that:

"The Caribbean needs an evidence based approach to any new rules in order to support investment in networks and services for Caribbean people and not the simple importation of rules designed for larger economies with different market dynamics".

CANTO and its members support the concept of the Open Internet and the general principle that legal content, applications and services should not be blocked. Equally, CANTO and its members recognise the requirement of Operators to run their networks and their corresponding freedom to innovate and develop new services and business models. Effective evidence based regulations must strike this balance. The 2016 CANTO Code of Practice on Safeguarding Open Internet seeks to strike this balance. 

CANTO will continue to engage with regional and international policy makers to identify approaches towards the Open Internet which encourage investment in networks and services to connect the unconnected, make services relevant, foster local innovation and employment in the face of global competition and allow the widest participation in the on-line economy by the citizens of the region.

ST. EUSTATIUS - Director General for Mobility within the Ministry of Infrastructure and Waterways (I&W), Mr. Mark Frequin, has concluded a two-day visit to St. Eustatius on Thursday March 1^st, 2018.

Frequin and delegation comprising advisors from the Ministries of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management are on a working to the Caribbean Netherlands representing the Steering Group Caribbean Netherlands (Stuurgroep CN). 

During his visit to St. Eustatius he visited several infrastructural and environmental related projects such as the central dumpsite recycle plant, harbour, Fort Oranje and Bay Path cliff protection project, homes under reconstruction following hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Meetings were held further with management of Nustar, St. Eustatius Utilities Company (STUCO) and the RCN Unit of Social Affairs & Employment (SZW). A tour was made of the cliff area nearby the FDR Airport runway, which has suffered serious effects of erosion.

A meeting was also held with Mike Franco en Mervyn Stegers, respectively the Central Government Commissioner and Acting Central Government Commissioner, to discuss projects related to rebuilding the island as well as pending projects. Frequin has informed both Franco and Stegers that the Central Government is offering technical support needed to assist St. Eustatius.

“St. Eustatius is in a recovery stage. We noticed a number of infrastructural and environmental projects are important for the future development of the island. We are working closely together to achieve these goals”, says Frequin.

Upon his return to The Netherlands next week, the Director General of Mobility will share his findings with his colleagues in the Steering Group Caribbean Netherlands.

This is a group of high ranking civil servants within the various ministries of the Central Group that confers on a regular basis for exchange on projects and investments on Saba, St. Eustatius and Bonaire to ensure that there is structured and coordinated approach.

Frequin continues his working visit with Bonaire as his final stop where he will hold talk with relevant stakeholders as well as the Public Entity of Bonaire. (RCN Caribbean Netherlands)

SABA/ST. EUSTATIUS - Today (March 1st) the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland officially launches its new website. You can access this online platform for all relevant information about the services and departments of RCN.

You will also find the latest news, vacancies and more information about working at the government.

Online visitors can easily find their way through the eight theme blocks. These blocks send visitors along topics such as care, immigration, education and safety.

Information can also be found via the built-in search functionality or one of the most important search engines.

The texts and forms have been updated and information is available in three languages. Moreover, the website is accessible via desktop, mobile and tablet and completely restyled in a modern, Caribbean style.

The new website was created in collaboration with Platform Rijksoverheid Online (PRO). At this central platform, websites for organizations within the national government are managed and hosted. (RCN Caribbean Netherlands)

You can find the website at:

https://rijksdienstcn.com (Dutch)

https://english.rijksdienstcn.com (English)

https://papiamentu.rijksdienstcn.com (Papiamentu)

SINT MAARTEN (HARBOUR VIEW) - On March 1, 2018, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday requested Mrs. Dr. R.J.A. Arduin and Mr. J.J. Beaujon to accept the appointment to take on the role of informateur to research the possibilities for the formation of a new government that is supported by the broadest possible majority in Parliament.

The appointment is a result of the consultations Governor Holiday held between February 27 and March 1, 2018, with leaders of the Political Parties that obtained seats in Parliament (the United Democrats, the National Alliance, the United St. Maarten Peoples Party and the Sint Maarten Christian Party), the president of Parliament, the vice chairperson of the Council of Advice and with the chairperson of the Central Voting Bureau.

The informateurs have been asked to include in their research an inventory of the policy plans of the Political Parties, and particularly their vision on:

1. a sustainable reconstruction of Sint Maarten with priority for (a) the critical infrastructure, (b) the tourism sector, (c) the social infrastructure, (d) law enforcement and (e) public finances;
2. the cooperation with the Netherlands and particularly the agreements made with the Netherlands and the World Bank in connection with the reconstruction fund;
3. preparing Sint Maarten for the upcoming hurricane season;
4. finding a sustainable and durable solution for the landfill and the problems of waste management;
5. And the role of social partners in the reconstruction.

Furthermore the informateurs have been requested to involve all relevant stakeholders in the information process.

The Governor requested Mrs. Arduin and Mr. Beaujon to submit their report by Monday March 12, 2018.