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POINTE BLANCHE:---  Port St. Maarten and the destination opened the 2016-2017 cruise season with the inaugural call of the Viking Star, one of Viking Ocean Cruises vessels.
On hand for the occasion was outgoing Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Ingrid Arrindell and incoming Minister Theo Heyliger as well as representatives from Port St Read more

Jamaica And St Maarten Move To Regulate Timeshare Industry

Source: Caribbean News Service

MIAMI BEACH, – In light of calls for improved standards, two Caribbean destinations have gone ahead with laws to regulate the timeshare industry.

St. Maarten remains the leaders in timeshare in the Caribbean with more than 2000 units and an occupancy rate of 82 percent year-round.

Prime Minster William Marlin said after 40 years of offering timeshare options, the island has finally drafted its legislation which is now being translated into Dutch.

“It has now passed through what we call the central committee of parliament,” Marlin told reporters here on Wednesday.

“When the new (Dutch side) government comes in, this legislation is one of the first that will be dealt with,” the prime minister announced.

He said the laws will focus on “consumer protection” but also prescribes “a code of conduct” for timeshare companies and sales personnel.

Timeshare pumps more than US$500 million dollars in the economy of the Dutch overseas territory annually.

In Jamaica where timeshare is still a growing industry, Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett has announced that the island has already passed its timeshare laws.

He told the Shared Ownership Investment Conference here that timeshare presents “a great opportunity for job creation”.

According to Bartlett the development of timeshare also presents an opportunity to freshen up the tourism product.

“We have to refresh ourselves and re-invent ourselves,” he said.

Interval International says it is a proven fact that timeshare owners do come back no matter what’s going on in the global economy Read more

Global Internet Giant Backs Caribbean Tech Development Inbox

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - A global Internet giant is partnering with a Caribbean-based group to advance regional technology development.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is joining forces with the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) to build the capacity of the region’s technical community.

ICANN coordinates the Internet’s system of unique addresses. The global nonprofit organization is dedicated to ensuring an open, stable and secure Internet.

“When we started working to develop capacity in the region, we soon realised that CaribNOG had the same goals, and so we quickly decided that by working together, we could accomplish more,” said Albert Daniels, Senior Manager of Stakeholder Engagement for the Caribbean at ICANN.

Daniels was speaking at the joint opening of ICANN’s LAC-I-Roadshow and CaribNOG’s twelfth regional meeting, held at Sonesta Great Bay Resort, Philipsburg from October 24 to 26.

The spirit of collaboration goes far beyond ICANN and CaribNOG Read more

Marlin Urges A Caribbean Front To Tackle High Airfares

MIAMI, Florida--Very high airfares and, in some cases, limited air access hamper the further growth and expansion of the Caribbean tourism industry. To tackle ever-increasing airfare, Prime Minister William Marlin has called for a united Caribbean front to lobby airlines.

Speaking to journalists at the Caribbean Roundtable at the International Shared Ownership Investment Conference in Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort and Spa Tuesday, Marlin said working as a collective will benefit everyone and all participating destinations Read more

Mp Marlin-Romeo Attends Parlatino Meeting

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin Romeo attended her last meeting as an independent member of parliament to the Parlatino commission for political affairs, municipals and the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The three day discussion comprised of the revision of the draft law of the migration of Latin America, a framework on visions and articles that may be incorporated in the immigration laws of the respective countries, Immigration in Latin America and the Caribbean, and lastly the discussion papers of Donald Trump statements and intended approach on tackling specifically immigration through Mexico.

Immigration issues such as the recognition of degrees within the Latin American countries, the need for free movement within Latin America for economic prosperity, were also points of discussion.

Statistics were given showing that the United States and Canada remained the number one country or destination despite most part of the immigration in Latin America and the Caribbean is from within the region.

Questions such as should Trump win the elections are countries capable of absorbing the exodus of undocumented families and criminals?

In the context of the smaller islands such as Sint Maarten matters surrounding immigration reform and measures pertaining to protecting those that are legal on the island are yet to be discussed stated Member of Parliament Leona Marlin Romeo. 

What is clear is that immediate action must be taken to ensure matters surrounding immigration are properly addressed specifically in light of the discussions on a national health care system, free education, proper statistics of the civil registry department, the weaknesses of Social and Health Insurance SZV, and lack of compliance in paying taxes Read more

Mp Marlin-Romeo Attends Parlatino Meeting

PHILIPSBURG – Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin Romeo attended her last meeting as an independent member of parliament to the Parlatino commission for political affairs, municipals and the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The three day discussion comprised of the revision of the draft law of the migration Read more

Usm Should Be National University

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Member of Parliament Maurice Lake would like to see the University become our National University, and for Government and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the SHTA and the entire community to support their regular classes and culture classes.

When I heard the University was offering to the general public classes about our own culture and history, I said that this is a great opportunity for Government and the Chamber of Commerce to assist the University by sending our civil servants in the Hospitality field, Ambassadors of our island and representatives of the business community to such a course to enhance our hospitality product and to better promote culture of our beautiful island.

We just had the Minister of Economics Affairs informing the public about 450 plus directors licenses that were given out during her term Read more

Mp Lake Wants Government To Make History By Making Culture Studies Mandatory Inbox

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Member of Parliament Maurice Lake would like to see the University become our National University and for Government and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the SHTA and the entire community to support their regular classes and culture classes.
 
When I heard the University was offering to the general public classes about our own culture and history, I said that this is a great opportunity for Government and the Chamber of Commerce to assist the University by sending our civil servants in the Hospitality field, Ambassadors of our island and representatives of the business community to such a course to enhance our hospitality product and to better promote culture of our beautiful island.
 
We just had the Minister of Economics Affairs informing the public about 450 plus directors licenses that were given out during her term Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Maurice Lake would like to see the University become our National University and for Government and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the SHTA and the entire community to support their regular classes and culture classes.

When I heard the University was offering to the general public classes about our own culture and history, I said that this is a great opportunity for Government and the Chamber of Commerce to assist the University by sending our civil servants in the Hospitality field, Ambassadors of our island and representatives of the business community to such a course to enhance our hospitality product and to better promote culture of our beautiful island.

We just had the Minister of Economics Affairs informing the public about 450 plus directors licenses that were given out during her term Read more

More Than Half Of Candidates Submit Donation Registration

~ Office hours extended for submissions ~

PHILIPSBURG--With the deadline looming, just over half (58 per cent) of the 125 candidates who contested the September 26 Parliamentary Elections have submitted their donation registrations to the Electoral Council. The deadline is Wednesday, October 26.

Seventy-three of the 125 candidates have complied with their legal obligations as of Monday evening, according to the Council.

The United People’s (UP) party, headed by Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger, is the only party from which the donations registration for all 23 candidates has been submitted Read more

Gibbs’ Presidential Bid Confirmed At Public Meeting In Riviera One

MARIGOT--President of Union for Democracy (UD) Daniel Gibbs set the stage on Saturday night for his big political comeback in 2017 since losing the 2012 election to Alain Richardson’ Read more

Semi-Finals Of Scotiabank Rotary-Rotoract Spelling Bee 2016

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Sunday The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle hosted the Semifinals of the Scotiabank Rotary-Rotoract Spelling Bee 2016.

The fifteen semi-finalists from eight schools were Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School: Radharoni Natram, Learning Unlimited School: Dhiren Punjabi & Krishang Motwani,  Methodist Agogic Center Browlia Maynard Campus: Lavanya Budhwani, Rianna Ayoka Roberts & Sacha Tobias,Methodist Agogic Center Rev Read more

Approx. 50% Of Candidates Did Not Submit Donation Registration

~All UPP candidates complied~

PHILIPSBURG – With only three days left for candidates to submit donation registrations, more than half of the candidates have not yet submitted their donation registration to the Electoral Council.

Last Friday, October 21, the Electoral Council requested the representatives of the political parties to urge all candidates, who contested the 2016 parliamentary elections to submit their donation registrations to the Electoral Council no later than Wednesday, October 26, in order to ensure compliance with the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties.

To date, the United People’s Party (UPP) is the only party which submitted donation registrations of all candidates Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Sunday The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle hosted the Semifinals of the Scotiabank Rotary-Rotaract Spelling Bee 2016.

The fifteen semi-finalists from eight schools were Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School: Radharoni Natram, Learning Unlimited School: Dhiren Punjabi & Krishang Motwani, Methodist Agogic Center Browlia Maynard Campus: Lavanya Budhwani, Rianna Ayoka Roberts & Sacha Tobias,Methodist Agogic Center Rev Read more

Gracita Calls On St. Maarten People To Continue Supporting Hurricane Relief For Haiti

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten (October 24, 2016)—“The loss of human life and the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew in southwestern Haiti on October 4 are no longer among the hot news of the day. But we can still help to relieve the hardships that the storm piled on the people of our fellow Caribbean country,” said drs. Gracita Arrindell, leader of the People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA).

Arrindell, who personally responded to calls earlier this month from relief organizers to contribute hurricane relief goods for Haiti, said that she has faith in the St Read more

International And Local Experts Support Entrepreneurs And Business Leaders

~ 2nd annual DOMINATE 360 coming in November ~

PHILIPSBURG – On November 17-19, Foundation INFOBIZZ will host the 2nd annual DOMINATE 360.

This experience brings entrepreneurial experts from the US, the Netherlands, around the Caribbean and St. Maarten to equip entrepreneurs and business leaders with best practices and cutting-edge tools to be 21st century entrepreneurial leaders.

Foundation INFOBIZZ is a non-profit focused on business support services for start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) Read more

PHILIPSBURG:----- “The loss of human life and the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew in southwestern Haiti on October 4 are no longer among the hot news of the day. But we can still help to relieve the hardships that the storm piled on the people of our fellow Caribbean country,” said drs. Gracita Arrindell, leader of the People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA).

Arrindell, who personally responded to calls earlier this month from relief organizers to contribute hurricane relief goods for Haiti, said that she has faith in the St Read more

Two Suspects Arrested Following A Double Homicide

MARIGOT, Saint Martin – On Tuesday, May 10, 2016, Patrick Lescuyer was found shot

Capitaine Emmanuel MAIGNAN

twice in the head in his vehicle near the beach Grandes Cayes in Cul de Sac, Saint Martin.

On Wednesday morning, July 13, 2016, around 9:00 am it was his mother Françoise Lescuyer who was shot three times in the parking of Leader Price in Hope Estate.

A judicial investigation was quickly opened and the investigations carried out by the detectives identified two people Read more

Competing Top-Up Specials To Be Offered At Ctec 2016

PHILIPSBURG – The island’s biggest communication companies TelEm and UTS are working together to provide high speed internet for the Caribbean Technology in Education Conference beginning this weekend.

However, their mobile subsidiaries TelCell and Chippie will remain in the spirit of competition by offering different top-up and prepaid incentives for participants at this year’s regional conference.

TelCell and Chippie will both be on site at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School and NIPA giving away promotional items, and showing the near 1,000 educators to the conference what they have to offer as they did last year, at the first C-TEC conference held at Milton Peters College (MPC) in 2015.

“It’s great to see TelCell and Chippie work together in the name of education, and we at Foresee Foundation are very proud that both companies see the value in what we are doing,” said Alston Lourens of the Foresee Foundation.

C-TEC is a regional technology in education conference for educators put together by the Foresee Foundation Read more

47 Become French Nationals At Naturalisation Ceremony

MARIGOT--Forty-seven persons of mixed nationalities from St. Martin and St. Barths became French citizens at a naturalisation ceremony held in the Préfecture on Thursday;

34 were inducted by decree and thirteen by marriage. The thirteen countries represented included Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Jamaica, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Dominican Republic, Algeria, Brazil, India, Morocco, Guyana and England.

The conference room of the Préfecture was filled to capacity for the ceremony with family members present as well.

Assisting Préfète Anne Laubies in presenting the decrees to the recipients were Senator Guillaume Arnell, Member of Parliament Daniel Gibbs, Préfecture General-Secretary Thierry Mahler, Vice-President of the St Read more

The Island's Biggest Communication Companies, Telem & Uts

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The island's biggest Communication companies, TELEM & UTS are working together to provide high speed internet for the Caribbean Technology in Education Conference beginning this weekend, however their Mobile subsidiaries TelCell and Chippie will remain  in the spirit of competition by offering different top up and prepaid incentives for participants at this years regional conference. Telcell and Chippie will both be on site at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School and NIPA giving away promotional items and showing the near 1000 educators to the conference what they have to offer as they did last year, at the first C-TEC conference held at MPC in 2015 Read more

Walk-A-Thon To End Polio

The Ramesh Manek Walk-a-thon to End Polio Now is all set for this Saturday, October 22, starting at Tony’s Air Conditioning, opposite Carl and Son in Cole Bay. This event organised by Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle will take participants around Simpson Bay Lagoon, from Tony’s Air Conditioning to Welfare Road, across the causeway, along Union Road and Orange Grove, and returning to Tony’s Air Conditioning. Tickets cost US $15, including breakfast and an ‘End Polio Now’ T-shirt. The shirts have been sponsored in part by Reena Manek, NAGICO Insurances and Lucky Wholesale Read more

Vernon Richards Wins Appeal Case Filed By Nip

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Vernon Richards represented by Attorney at Law Cindy Marica-Henderson (Mariflex Attorneys) is victorious again.

Attorney Cindy Marica-Henderson

In October last year, the Court in first instance condemned NIPA to pay an amount of NAf. 280,000 as compensation in connection with the dissolution of Vernon Richards’ contract. It was further determined by the Court in January 2016 that NIPA acted unlawfully against Richards by dismissing him and the dismissal was declared null and void.

NIPA, initially represented by Attorney Groeneveldt and thereafter by Attorney Bloem filed an appeal against the decision of the Court in First Instance on behalf of NIPA.

The grounds of the appeal, amongst others, was that the Court did not take all NIPA’s defenses into consideration Read more

De-Risking Solution Hit Snag As Dutch Islands Await Holland

PHILIPSBURG – The Dutch Caribbean islands are now facing a delay in resolving the de-risking issue facing banks in the Caribbean.

According to Minister of Finance Richard Gibson, the Dutch Caribbean islands have been asked by the US to get assistance first from the Dutch government before a solution can be pursued on this matter.

The Minister noted that the US commended the Dutch Caribbean islands and Jamaica for their approach to finding a solution to this problem Read more