The secret island with hardly any tourists that’s far cheaper than its neighbours

Travel

At 11 square miles, with a population of 3,000 and no major cruise ports, you could be forgiven for not knowing about St Eustatius (Statia), one of the tiniest – and most charming – islands in the Caribbean.While many holiday destinations in this part of the world embrace an attitude of more is more, lining their shores with mega-resorts, margarita bars and beach clubs, this Dutch municipality tucked between St Kitts, St Barts, and St Maarten hangs fast to its identity as a biodiverse tourist paradise.Read NextArriving on the island, I was struck by the serenity. Rather than car horns and construction noise, birdsong and faint Calypso music followed me everywhere. A holiday in Statia is a steal compared with its better-known neighbours. In St Kitts, for example, UK visitors spend an average US$4,680.80 (£3,612) per couple on a 10-day stay (excluding airfare), according to the St Kitts Tourism Authority. Meanwhile, Statia Tourism estimates couples spend $3,800 (£2,932) for the equivalent – yet the island receives fewer than 10,000 visitors a year. The average hotel cost is around $180 (£139) a night, while most guests spend about $100 (£77) a day on excursions, food and shuttles (shared taxis). Perhaps because of its laid-back feel and relative affordability, Statia has become an under-the-radar favourite of outdoor adventure lovers.During my own recent visit, I discovered how the lush island earned a reputation for having some of the Caribbean’s best hiking and scuba diving. Established in 1988, St Eustatius National Parks manages all conservation efforts above and below water. Today, nearly half of Statia is protected, including 17 miles of marine reserve that contain ancient lava flows, 18th-century shipwrecks and coral reefs populated with marine life that includes four species of sea turtle, spotted eagle rays and Caribbean spiny lobsters, which can grow up to 60cm and weigh as much as 8kg. Diving in Statia (Photo: Gerard Soury/Getty/The Image Bank RF)During an excursion with Statia Divers, I also unsuccessfully searched the sea floor for one of the blue glass beads that were used as currency for the slave trade. Legend has it that when slavery was abolished here in 1821, a group of emancipated islanders threw their beads into the ocean. Statia has just as much to offer on land, particularly in Quill/Boven National Park. Most hikers flock to the Quill side, where the eponymous, 600m-high dormant volcano – the island’s best-known landmark – rises above several paths. These trails are well-worn, both by people and an estimated 14,000 free-roaming wild goats. Walkers can trek to the summit along the Mazinga trail for views across the Caribbean or descend into the verdant crater via the steep Crater Mountain Trail. There, they will find a rainforest full of native and introduced trees and plants, such as wild raspberries, begonias and more than a dozen species of orchids. Used as farmland by European colonisers, the Quill was once the site of a plantation whose remnants remain tucked beneath the overgrowth – a reminder that the past is everywhere you look. The Fort de Windt dates back to 1756 and was abandoned in 1815 (Photo: Stephan Kogelman/Getty)In fact, Statia – which was a thriving economic centre and hotly contested 18th-century trading post, as its port required no customs duties – has more protected historic monuments per square mile than any other Caribbean island. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it changed hands between the English, French, and Dutch 22 times.During a three-hour walking tour of the capital, Oranjestad, St Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum guide Misha Spanner showed me landmarks that shaped the island’s history, including the Dutch stronghold Fort Oranje, the Bethel Methodist Church with its English-made bell tower, and the ruins of Synagogue Honem Dalin, the third-oldest synagogue in the Caribbean. Still, the island can’t remain a secret for ever. A new fast ferry service from St Kitts, which launched in late 2023, makes it more convenient and less expensive to get to the island than the flight from St Maarten.Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort (Photo: goldenrockresort.com)The recent opening of Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort, Statia’s first truly luxury property, has also attracted the attention of tourists. Just don’t expect a typical all-inclusive with a casino.Golden Rock honours the island’s natural ethos – less than five minutes’ drive from the Quill volcano, the 40-acre estate has 75 ocean-view rooms; more than 130,000 endemic plants and flowers cover its land, while Bobbie’s Beach Club, an al fresco restaurant with live music and a man-made, ocean-fed lagoon, has become a popular hangout. Here, it is possible to feel at home on an island that mass tourism seems to have forgotten.
How to get there

British Airways offers flights between the UK and St Kitts, britishairways.com.

Winair has round-trip flights from St Kitts to Statia, winair.sx.

Water taxi transfer, St Kitts to Statia, makanaferryservice.com.

Where to stay

Golden Rock has a one-bedroom cottage for $349 (£269) a night, including breakfast, goldenrockresort.com.

More information  

statia-tourism.com

Cultural Compass: Nick Cave in Belgium, Women of Paper, Kortrijk book fair and more

Arts & Culture, Books

Exhibitions, music, architecture, books, festivals… this is Belga English’s pick of cultural activities in Flanders and Brussels, published every Sunday.Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds will make their highly anticipated return to Antwerp’s Sportpaleis on 30 and 31 October, after a seven-year hiatus. This time, they bring with them their latest album Wild God, a powerful collection of songs exploring themes of loss, romance and darkness. Known for their intense and captivating live performances, the band promise to deliver another unforgettable show.Originally envisioned as an ode to joy, Wild God has evolved into something much deeper, shaped by Cave’s ongoing confrontation with grief. “I hope the album has the effect on listeners that it’s had on me. It bursts out of the speaker, and I get swept up with it. It’s a complicated record, but it’s also deeply and joyously infectious,” he said.Cave, who has long been a fixture in Belgium’s art and music scene, showcased his visual art at the Xavier Hufkens Gallery in Brussels earlier this year. In his exhibition The Devil: A Life, he cataloged the life of the Devil growing from innocence to experience in 17 porcelain figures.© NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDSPriest, poet and journalist Guido Gezelle died 125 years ago on 27 November 1899. While his literary legacy is well-known, his female correspondents, who wrote more than 600 letters, have largely remained in the shadows. The project Women of Paper seeks to change that by highlighting the voices of 200 women who exchanged letters with Gezelle.The correspondents ranged from baronesses to chambermaids, nuns and English immigrants in Bruges. They often confided in Gezelle, seeking his advice on personal matters. Helena Walton, a woman in an abusive marriage, asked Gezelle whether it was appropriate to sleep apart from her husband. Many of the letters came from English women who had moved to Belgium to provide their children with a Catholic education and valued Gezelle as a confessor.Through an exhibition, magazine, podcast, city walks and workshops, Women of Paper touches on topics as relevant today as they were then: migration, social relations, the position of women, mental health, faith and politics.Twenty artists, authors and poets have drawn inspiration from the letters, blending historical insights with contemporary art. This project not only sheds light on the lives of these women but also reveals a more modern side of Gezelle, showing him as a compassionate man who understood the complexities of women’s lives. The exhibition is free and can be visited on two floors of the Biekorf Library in Bruges until 4 January.© PHOTO HOOFDBIBLIOTHEK BIEKOPFAs part of the thematic year dedicated to Guido Gezelle, the travelling exhibition METGEZELLEN offers a unique way to engage with his poetry. The project Het pakt! crosses West Flanders with a mobile studio, inviting residents of streets named after Gezelle to record themselves reading one of his poems. Along with these recordings, participants’ portraits are taken in an oval shape, reminiscent of historical portraiture.The final aim is to create a virtual choir, where the synchronised voices of residents recite Gezelle’s poems together. This audiovisual installation will be showcased at the Sint-Michielskerk in Kortrijk, using light and sound to bring Gezelle’s words to life. The exhibition runs until 10 November.© GEZELLEJAAR2024Boektopia, Kortrijk’s book festival, kicked off on Saturday at Kortrijk Xpo, with a week of readings, performances and signings. Now in its third year, Boektopia has expanded with an additional hall to accommodate the growing audience. The event will feature prominent national and international authors.Director Patrick Boeykens highlights the festival’s focus on quality and diversity, showcasing literary talent alongside musical performances. Broadcasting live from the event, Radio 1 and MNM will host authors and musicians for discussions and live podcast recordings. Boektopia will also tour Antwerp, Leuven, Genk and Hasselt on weekends throughout November.© BOEKTOPIADutch artist Mark Manders, based in Belgium, expands his ongoing project Self-Portrait as a Building with new rooms in his debut exhibition at the Xavier Hufkens Gallery in Brussels. The exhibition features installations of domestic spaces, such as a bathroom, bedroom and studio, alongside painted bronzes, sculptures and mixed-media works.For nearly 40 years, Manders has developed Self-Portrait as a Building, using rooms to symbolise different aspects of his identity. Each space represents a part of his character or life experience, blending the boundaries between the real Manders and his fictional persona. The building itself is never finished, continually expanding. “Nothing is what it seems, and Manders is a master of illusion,” the gallery says.Manders’ work incorporates echoes of art history, while his sculptures often feel like archaeological finds or modernist designs, creating a sense of timelessness. The exhibition runs until 21 December.”Composition with Four Yellow Verticals” © PHOTO SIMON BULTYNCKThe Too Mad to Be True conference will take place on 30 and 31 October at the Dr Guislain Museum in Ghent. Titled The Paradoxes of Madness, it will explore the complexities of psychosis, addressing the contradictions and paradoxes inherent in mad experiences. Through philosophical, psychological and psychiatric lenses, topics such as selfhood, reality, freedom and care will be examined.The programme features five keynote speakers and around 60 presentations. Notable speakers include Lorna Collins, Sofia Jeppsson and Sebastjan Vörös, who will discuss madness from philosophical, artistic and personal perspectives. Tickets are available for both in-person and online attendance.The event aims to challenge traditional perceptions of madness and encourage philosophical sensitivity toward its paradoxical nature.The Dr Guislain Museum in Ghent © PHOTO SIMON MONTGOMERY Additional cultural coverage from Belga this week: Coudenberg Palace in Brussels again accessible with Under-Ground tour, Immersive Smurf Experience returns to Brussels, Leuven, Molenbeek and Namur nominated for European Capital of Culture 2030, More than 100 works by Magritte travel to Australia for major retrospective and Rare signed copy of Tintin in America fetches ​ 190,000 euros at auction.​​Ongoing events​​(Last chance) ​​​​To Antarctica, The Polar Pioneers of the Belgica, MAS​​​​​​Whats the Story? KMSKA​​​​​​​​​​

Not Science Fiction: Strange New Frog Species in Madagascar Sound Like They’re From Star Trek

Science and Health

The tree frog genus Boophis, found across the rainforests of Madagascar, emit special bird-like whistling sounds in their communication with other frogs. Credit: Mark D. Scherz
Researchers have discovered seven new species of tree frogs in Madagascar, named after Star Trek captains due to their unique, sci-fi-like whistling calls. Their unique calls help them communicate over the noise of their natural habitats, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts due to their sensitivity to environmental changes.
If you believe all frogs croak, think again. Seven newly discovered species from the tree frog genus Boophis, found across the rainforests of Madagascar, make unique, bird-like whistling sounds to communicate with each other. Their strange, high-pitched calls reminded the research team, led by Professor Miguel Vences of the Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany, of the whistle-like sound effects from the sci-fi series Star Trek.
“That’s why we named the frogs after Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, Archer, Burnham, and Pike—seven of the most iconic captains from the sci-fi series,” says Professor Vences.
“Not only do these frogs sound like sound effects from Star Trek, but it seems also fitting that to find them, you often have to do quite a bit of trekking! A few species are found in places accessible to tourists, but to find several of these species, we had to undertake major expeditions to remote forest fragments and mountain peaks. There’s a real sense of scientific discovery and exploration here, which we think is in the spirit of Star Trek,” explains Assistant Professor Mark D. Scherz from the Natural History Museum of Denmark at the University of Copenhagen, who was senior author on the study.

Michigan Science Center Offers Spooky STEM Fun with Halloween Event

Science and Health

DETROIT, MI (WXYZ) — The Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) is hosting an exciting, STEM-themed event for families during Halloween weekend. “Spooktacular Weekend,” designed for children and their families, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 27. This event will include access to Mi-Sci’s special exhibition Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family, which is included with general admission. The Halloween-themed event will festure activities and science demonstrations throughout the museum. Visitors are encouraged to dress in costume and bring their own bags for on-site Trick-or-Treat activities.To learn more, visit www.mi-sci.org

Malaysia travel: 7 fun and adventurous spots you can explore in Ipoh, just a hop away from the city centre

Travel

MALAYSIA: If you’re considering visiting Ipoh in Malaysia, you can make the most of your trip by exploring these seven exciting spots near the city centre!
1. Tasik Cermin
Location: Tasik Cermin, 31350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Tasik Cermin is a beautiful lake near Gunung Rapat in Ipoh, known for its stunning reflections that give it the name “Mirror Lake.”
It’s a special place recognised as one of Malaysia’s geoparks, featuring two main lakes: Tasik Cermin 1 (Mirror Lake) and Tasik Cermin 2 (Hidden World).

Photo: Facebook/TASIK CERMIN IPOH
To reach Mirror Lake, you must walk through a 90-metre mining tunnel that is over 100 years old. You’ll see a large lake surrounded by green hills when you come out.
You can take a boat ride along the lake, which lasts about 20 minutes, perfect for capturing beautiful photos of the limestone hills.
The Tasik Cermin 2, known as the Hidden World, is only accessible by boat. You must go through a 130-metre water tunnel to get there, hence its name, “hidden.”

The best time to visit Tasik Cermin is in the morning, when the sunlight enhances the reflections on the water, making it a perfect spot for photography. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the spectacular views!
2. Concubine Lane
Location: Jalan Panglima, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Concubine Lane, also known as Lorong Panglima, is a historic street in the vibrant Old Town of Ipoh.

The place is believed to have once been a private lane for a prominent local businessman’s concubine over a century ago and a place of opium dens and brothels.
Photo: Tripadvisor/ZhaoXiuMei
It has since transformed from a place associated with vices to a lively hub filled with cafés, eateries, and street art.
The lane is packed with popular places to eat, drink coffee, and enjoy desserts, making it a great spot to try local dishes. Many artists have also painted beautiful murals on the walls, making it a fantastic photo backdrop.
The lane can get busy, especially on weekends, so for a quieter visit, come on weekday mornings. Concubine Lane is just 600 metres from Ipoh Railway Station, making it easily accessible on foot.

3. Harry Potter Cafe, Platform 9 ½
Location: 22, Panglima Lane, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Don’t leave Concubine Lane just yet! The Harry Potter Cafe, called Platform 9 ½, is a café inspired by the Harry Potter series.
As you enter, you’ll notice the café is decorated like a railway train station, complete with vintage signs and fun items from the Harry Potter world.
Photo: Facebook/Nurshazwin Ramli
A recreation of the famous luggage trolley from Harry Potter is located on the stairs, making for a fun photo spot. While the trolley doesn’t disappear into a wall, it still offers a quirky backdrop for selfies.
For a fun twist, visitors can rent Harry Potter-style costumes, including scarves and witch costumes complete with wands.
Platform 9 ½ is open daily from 11:00 am on weekdays and from 10:30 am until 6:30 pm on weekends and public holidays.
You can easily find the café at the eastern end of Concubine Lane, near Jalan Bijeh Timah and Baby Coco café.
4. Gunung Lang
Location: Jalan Damai, 30100 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Gunung Lang Recreational Park is a scenic escape just five kilometres from Ipoh town.
Surrounded by limestone hills and lakes, it’s perfect for relaxing, boating, fishing, and exploring nature. With gardens, a waterfall, a mini zoo, and lookout towers, there’s something for everyone.
Photo: Tripadvisor/李智优
It’s a 10-minute drive from Ipoh city centre. Visitors can use ride-sharing apps like Grab, as there’s no direct public transport.
There are many things to do for fun in Gunung Lang. You can climb for panoramic views of the park and limestone hills at the Lookout Tower. Kids can enjoy swings, slides, and open play areas at the children’s playground.
Photo: Tripadvisor/KGB777
For families, a visit to the mini zoo is great for spotting horses, deer, peacocks, and parrots. You can also buy bread from the ticket counter to feed large carp and catfish at the lakeside.
The park is also close to Perak Cave Temple, adding more to your Ipoh adventure.
Gunung Lang is open:

Monday-Thursday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm
Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm

Entry is free, with boat rides priced at RM3 (S$0.91) for adults and RM1.5 (S$0.46) for children (3 to 12 years) and seniors.
5. Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park
Location: Persiaran Meru Utama, Perak, Malaysia
Just 12.9 km from Bandaraya Ipoh is the Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park. The eco-park is a lush natural haven for outdoor enthusiasts. You can enjoy a dip in the stream, have a BBQ or picnic, or go trekking, cycling, or camping.
Photo: Instagram/nmsi_cmz
The park’s Nepenthes Garden, featuring pitcher plants, also known as monkey cups, is a must-see.
Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Entry fees are as follows:

Children below 6 years old: Free
Children below 18 years old: RM1 (S$0.30)
Adults aged 18 and above: RM2 (S$0.61)
Seniors (60 years and older) and disabled individuals: Free
Non-citizens: RM5 (S$1.52)

6. Hobbitoon Village
Location: PT,24739, Mukim, 31300, Perak
Just 30 minutes from Cameron Highlands and 40 minutes from Ipoh, Hobbitoon Village in Perak is a fun spot that brings The Lord of the Rings Hobbit world to life.
Photo: Tripadvisor/Maps652355
Just opened at the beginning of this year, it is a family-friendly destination featuring unique hobbit houses and gardens, offering a playful atmosphere perfect for those travelling with their kids.
They also have an in-house café that is pork-free and open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
7. Kellie’s Castle
Location: Lot 48436, Kompleks Pelancongan Kellie’s Castle, KM 5.5, Jalan Gopeng, 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak, Malaysia
Featured in the film Anna and the King (1999), Kellie’s Castle sits on a hill next to the Raya River in Batu Gajah, Perak. The castle was built by Scottish planter William Kellie-Smith in 1915.
Photo: Tripadvisor/Peter vanderlans
Mr Smith, who arrived in Malaya in 1890, made his fortune in rubber and tin mining. He brought his wife, Agnes, to Malaya in 1903, and they had two children. Sadly, he died in 1926, which halted the castle’s construction.
Combining Moorish, Indo-Saracenic, and Roman styles, the castle boasts beautiful arches, decorative tiles, and intricate ceilings. The rooftop offers stunning views, and despite ghost stories, the castle remains an impressive historical site.
Kellie’s Castle is about two hours from Kuala Lumpur and just a 30-minute drive from Ipoh, accessible via Jalan Gopeng.
The castle is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Entry fees are as follows:

RM10 (S$3.03) for foreign adults, RM8 (S$2.43) for children
RM5 (S$1.52) for Malaysian adults, RM3 (S$0.91) for children

/TISG
Read also: 6 scenic spots near Johor Bahru city centre for nature lovers to discover JB’s hidden gems

North Jersey native using Bergen County as background for new movie 

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Residents of several Bergen County towns may notice some familiar scenes in an upcoming movie created by a North Jersey native.Michael Gray, who grew up in Westwood and now lives in Ho-Ho-Kus, used those municipalities and Allendale as backdrops for “American Summer,” starring Steve Guttenberg and Christie Brinkley. The movie, which wrapped filming earlier this month, is expected to be released in the summer of 2025.The movie is described on its website as “a nostalgic coming of age comedy” that combines “Bad News Bears” and “The Wonder Years.” Gray, the writer, producer and director, took inspiration from his own New Jersey upbringing in a “very quaint, family-oriented, All-American town.””I miss those days of freely riding bikes down the street lined with sprinkler sprayed lawns and squared simple properties,” Gray said on the site. “Bringing families to cinema sharing that time away from life, stress, devices and from reality is what ‘American Summer’ is meant to do.”The movie is a retrospective look into the summer of 14-year-old Mikey, who is preparing for baseball tryouts as his father, an Army soldier, is missing overseas. He balances his sports dreams alongside hanging out with friends and, in a new development, trying to catch the attention of a 15-year-old girl he meets named Kelly.Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.Guttenberg and Brinkley play older versions of Mikey and Kelly, respectively, as they reminisce about their summer. Logan Gray is cast as the younger Mikey, while Mia Talerico plays teenage Kelly.Gray, who also appears in the movie as the baseball league commissioner, said he envisioned the film as a broadly appealing story that his children and his parents can all see together. More importantly, he wants all viewers to come away with lasting memories and form stronger bonds with the people around them.”The connection of friend to friend, sibling to sibling, parent to child, grand and great-grandparent to child and coach to player are all so molding and important for our youth,” Gray said. “Exploring a child’s desire to be free, to play, to compete, to improve, to be compassionate and help others and to love and be loved are what life is about.”Gray has written, directed and produced several movies under his company name, Relentless Filmz. In 2011, he produced the mixed martial arts documentary “Fightville,” which followed the lives of a group of Louisiana-based fighters that included future UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier.

At what speed are drivers allowed to travel? Traffic rules tasks with road signs

Travel

Many accidents occur due to exceeding the speed limit and disregarding traffic rules. When choosing a safe speed, the driver must take into account the road situation, the characteristics of the load and the condition of the vehicle.
We offer you to test your knowledge with an interesting test. Look carefully at the image and try to determine at what speed are drivers allowed to travel?

At what speed are drivers allowed to continue driving?

For the white driver – no more than 30 km/h, blue – no more than 50 km/h;
White – no more than 50 km/h, blue – no more than 20 km/h;
White – no more than 60 km/h, blue – no more than 20 km/h;
Both drivers – no more than 50 km/h.

Paragraph 12.4 of the traffic rules establishes that in populated areas the movement of vehicles is permitted at a speed of no more than 50 km/h.

In residential and pedestrian areas, the speed should not exceed 20 km/h.
Let us remind you that outside populated areas, on all roads and on roads passing through populated areas, marked with sign 5.51, driving at the following speed is permitted:

a) buses (minibuses) transporting organized groups of children, cars with trailers and motorcycles – no more than 80 km/h;
b) vehicles driven by drivers with up to 2 years of experience – no more than 70 km/h;
c) trucks carrying people in the back and mopeds – no more than 60 km/h;
d) buses (except for minibuses) – no more than 90 km/h;
ґ) other vehicles: on a road marked with road sign 5.1 – no more than 130 km/h, on a road with separate carriageways separated from each other by a dividing strip – no more than 110 km/h, on other roads – not more than 90 km/h.

Correct answer 2 – the speed of a white car should be no more than 50 km/h, and a blue car should be no more than 20 km/h
OBOZ.UA also published interesting and useful tests to test knowledge of traffic rules:

determine which car will pass the intersection last;
take a top speed test;
or solve the problem of which sign prefers oncoming traffic.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram And Viberto keep up to date with the latest events.

Business blues: New company formation hits the skids

Business News

Is the pace of registration of new companies with the government—one measure of entrepreneurial sentiment and activity—dropping off? September was the third straight month when fewer new companies were registered compared to the corresponding month in 2023. Mid-month numbers for October indicate the downward streak is likely to extend to four months.

This flagging growth is in contrast to the general trend since the covid-19 pandemic, when new company formation has seen consistent increases and moved to a higher trajectory. This was the result of both entrepreneurial activity and compliance needs brought on by the expanding envelope of the goods and services tax (GST).

New company registration for the first nine months (January to September) of calendar 2024 is still 12% higher than the same period in 2023. But this is the result of activity in the first three months of 2024 and the months since show a drop off.

Further, there are other shifts. Notably, more limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are being set up. LLPs are an alternate business structure to a private limited company. They face fewer regulatory requirements. LLPs work well for businesses that are small and don’t envisage the need for external funding.

Between January and September 2024, LLP registrations increased 39% over January to September 2023. As a result, the share of LLPs in total registrations (companies plus LLPs) has risen from 20-25% in previous years to 25-30% in 2024. 

Capital commitmentsThere are other signs in the data that serve caution on the entrepreneurial activity front. One of these is paid-up capital, or what shareholders put into their company on day one. The greater the paid-up capital, the greater the financial commitment—and by extension, the business ambition. Older government regulations set the minimum paid-up capital at ₹1 lakh, but this base stipulation was removed in 2015.

A majority of new companies get incorporated at a paid-up capital level of up to ₹1 lakh. In the last six calendar years, amid an increase in the total number of companies being registered, there has also been an increase in the share of companies with a paid-up capital of up to ₹1 lakh—from about 72% in 2019 to about 83% in 2024. However, a matter of concern is that, in the bands of higher paid-up capital, where the business intent is bigger and more serious, the number of new companies has either tapered or declined between 2022 to 2024.

Negative stateThe big drop off in company registrations in 2024 happened in the second quarter of financial year 2024-25, in July, August and September. Breaking down the data at the state level shows the drop off is across states, with the quantum often extending into double digits. Each of the top 10 states in new company registrations saw fewer companies being registered during July-September. Among the top three states with the maximum registrations, Maharashtra saw a decline of 13.2%, Uttar Pradesh 16.5%, and Delhi 14.9%.

Only two states (Andhra Pradesh and Manipur) show an increase in registrations during this period compared to the period from July to September 2023. In both states, there were specific factors at play during this period. Andhra Pradesh saw a new political formation take charge in May 2024 following state elections, while Manipur slipped into a state of unrest in May 2023.

District dentsA similar picture is seen across the top 50 districts by company registrations during the July to September 2024 period. Only nine of these 50 districts saw a year-on-year increase in registrations, while two matched their previous period numbers. The remaining 39 saw a drop. Nine of the top 10 districts by registrations in this period saw a decline, with Ahmedabad being the exception. Delhi saw a decline of about 15%, Bengaluru 17% and Mumbai 13%.

Further, for 26 of these 50 districts, including the top five by registrations, the July-September 2024 numbers were the lowest in the last five years—a period that has shown a general pattern of increase in new company formation. Data from the ministry of company affairs does not enable a sectoral comparison. The latest quarterly results from India Inc show both revenue and profit growth slowing down. In that context, company and LLP registrations numbers should be watched.

www.howindialives.com is a database and search engine for public data

Williams Lake chamber celebrates 27th annual business excellence awards

Business News

To the theme of Kentucky Derby the business community of Williams Lake gathered to celebrate the Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. 

“This is the biggest event the chamber puts on each year,” said first vice-president Sandi Jesse as she welcomed everyone to the event, which was held at Sacred Heart Catholic School hall. “It goes toward our programming.”

Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation won business of the year, sponsored by Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin. 

Winning the night’s other awards were: 

BGC Williams Lake – Not-for-profit, sponsored by Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin. 

The Williams Lake Stampede Association – Tourism and hospitality excellence, presented by the Williams Lake Visitor Centre. 

Woodland Jewellers – Retail Excellence, sponsored by the Royal Bank Of Canada. 

Williams Lake First Nation with the film Sugar Cane – Newsmaker of Year, sponsored by the Williams Lake Tribune. 

Kit and Kaboodle -Greatest Improvement, sponsored by Evolve Chartered Professional Accountants. 

Jazymn Lyons, who organizes events such as the Spring Festival and Halloween downtown, won the Hugo Stahl Memorial Award, sponsored by the city of Williams Lake. 

Allcraft Kitchen En’ Counters – Production and Manufacturing Excellence, sponsored MNP LNP.

Bean Counter Bistro and Coffee Bar – Service Excllence, presented by Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce.

Taseko/Gibraltar – Ken Wilson Memorial Award, sponsored by MNP LLP.

Kerry Chelsea, the owner of Fourwinds Driving School in Williams Lake, was the entertainer for the evening, sharing some of his homegrown comedy. 

Before he got into comedic act, he gave a shout out to the business community, saying “you are the reason this town exists.” 

MLA-elect Lorne Doerkson was the MC for the evening.

Before the awards were announced, Doerskon explained how five anonymous judges go through all the nominations. 

They don’t know who each other are and work independently of one another to choose the winners. 

Cathie Rossignal and her team from CJ’s prepared the food, which included appetizers, root beer glazed ham, kentucky grilled chicken, seasonal vegetables and scalloped potatoes, salads and desserts. 

Safe rides home were available with volunteers from Williams Lake Community Policing.