b'STAATSOLIE MAATSCHAPPIJ SURINAME N.V.NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 (Continued)Other operating expenses(X US$ 1,000) 2018 2017External services(2,205) (2,069)Employeebenefitsexpense (1,971) (1,673)Provision for bad debt(1,124) (814)Vessel lease expenses (see below)(144) (4,824)Maintenanceexpense(171) (103)Insurance costs (118)(154)Utility expenses(91) (95)DepreciationandamortizationofPPE (6) (6)Travelexpenses(3) (20)Freight(2) (364)Other expenses(990) (1,897)Total (6,825)(12,019)In2018theGroupssubsidiarysignificantlyreduceditstradingactivitiesinTrinidad&TobagoandaccordinglytherewasasignificantreductioninVesselLeaseexpenses.General and administrative expenses(X US$ 1,000) 2018 2017Employeebenefitsexpense* (15,711) (17,012)External services(9,100) (4,500)DepreciationandamortizationofPPE (1,336) (1,573)Maintenanceexpense (508) (299)Insurance costs (886) (880)Freight - (817)Utility expenses(726)(554)Donations(648) (278)GOw2 rebranding - (89)Travelexpenses (59)(54)Other expenses(1,400) (1,111)Total (30,374)(27,167)*WhencomparedwiththeEmployeebenefitsexpensedisclosure,theamountsdifferduetotheadditionalpresentationofcarleasebenefitexpense.63'