PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry (COCI) is reminding the business community, social organizations, federations, associations, foundations etc. to keep their information up to date in the business trade registry.
It is very important that COCI has the latest information of all entities operating in the country and that the business trade registry is current. Those with outstanding fees for 2019 and later, should utilize one of the services available to the business community to bring their registry status up to current.
Businesses in the Cole Bay, Cay Bay, Simpson Bay, Maho and Cupecoy areas can make use of ‘Get COCI Services’ which are available at the Simpson Bay Public Service Center (PSC) opposite the fish market.
The COCI pick up/drop off services being offered at the PSC Simpson Bay are limited to business name verification, first registrations, changes to registrations, declarations, excerpts, and file copies.
For more information with regard to these services (processing times and procedures), persons can contact the Chamber of Commerce & Industry at Tel.: +1(721)542-3595, call Toll free: +1(844)SXM-C0CI or via email at request@chamberofcommerce.sx or the Public Service Center (Simpson Bay) at 721-545-3380.
Businesses are also reminded to make use of its COCI-2U service which entails the Chamber going to the business establishment after a request has been made for an excerpt and delivering aforementioned document, and at the same time picking up of annual fees due, among other Chamber to Business related matters.
The process entails the customer contacting COCI either by telephone, fax, email or via Facebook with their request. COCI will then proceed to prepare the document (s) requested and deliver them to the customer. Payment could be made by cash, check or credit card, and a receipt of payment will be provided to the customer on the spot by the COCI representative.
Businesses should ensure that the Chamber has current information about any changes to the shareholders lists, articles of incorporation, business address, telephone, fax, cell, website or email address, directorship, board members etc., the COCI business registry must have the most recent information related to the legal operating entity.
Businesses that offer a warranty for products sold are reminded that they are required to have a copy of the warranty deposited in their file at COCI.
Business owners who have for whatever reason discontinued business operations – closed down – should inform COCI, so the business can be registered as inactive or closed. This will allow the owner not having to go through the process of receiving tax assessments and then going through the process of having this rectified.
In the case of a business owner who has passed away, but the business is still registered as active, the Chamber request that the next of kin visit COCI in order to have the files updated to reflect this matter.
Businesses and organizations/foundations are all reminded to make sure that their letterheads and receipts have their COCI registration number printed on the aforementioned as it is required by law.
PHOTO CUTLINE: COCI Head Office Philipsburg.
