Less Dismissal More Support

The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry, COCI, has not been spared criticism. Questions have been raised about its direction, visibility and even its long-planned Pelican Park development. That scrutiny is fair. Any institution serving the public and business community should expect to be questioned.

But fairness must work both ways.

In recent months, COCI has rolled out initiatives aimed directly at the people often overlooked in discussions about economic growth: small entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, informal businesses and young business owners trying to move from an idea into a sustainable operation. Its START SMART initiative reached capacity within hours, attracting 83 businesses before registration was closed ahead of schedule. The program is structured around formalization, financing, accounting, marketing, AI for business and other practical areas entrepreneurs repeatedly say they need help navigating.

COCI is also pursuing its "Island Roots to Global Routes" business mission to Miami, which is designed to connect St. Maarten businesses with international opportunities, business-to-business meetings, partnerships, U.S. market information, banking access and pitch coaching. At the same time, the Chamber has held business information sessions, engaged regional partners, submitted advice to government and continued work on digital services for the business community.

These are not small matters for an island where we regularly complain that entrepreneurs lack guidance, access and opportunities beyond our shores.

This is where some of St. Maarten's so-called captains of industry should take a hard look at themselves. It is difficult to loudly criticize COCI over a building, then read and see initiatives designed to strengthen local businesses and say absolutely nothing. No encouragement. No offer of mentorship. No partnership. No public recognition that, on these initiatives at least, the Chamber is trying to fill a gap.

Criticism is easy when the subject is concrete and controversy is available. Building a stronger business culture requires something more.

Those who have succeeded in business should be among the first to support efforts that educate, formalize and expose St. Maarten entrepreneurs to larger markets. Support does not mean abandoning criticism or giving COCI a free pass. It means being mature enough to acknowledge progress while still demanding accountability.

The Pelican Park project, which COCI says remains part of its plan for a business service and entrepreneurship hub, can and should continue to be examined on its merits, timelines and implementation.  But that debate should not become an excuse to dismiss everything else the institution is doing.

St. Maarten needs less selective outrage and more constructive participation.

COCI must continue to prove that its new direction produces results. The Chamber should be judged by how many businesses are formalized, strengthened, financed and connected to opportunities. But when an institution begins doing the very things we have long demanded of it, the business community should not be too proud, too cynical or too dismissive to say: this is a step in the right direction.

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