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Praise For St. Maarten Project At Oranje Fonds Event

THE NETHERLANDS — The Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, supported the Sint Maarten finalists for the ‘Apples of Orange’ awards of the Oranje Fonds at the prize giving ceremony in The Hague. The Apples of Orange are a kingdom-wide annual award recognizing and rewarding three initiatives that successfully connect different groups, or that contribute to people being able to participate in society again.

The ‘Adopt a Grandparent Experience (AGE)’ project of Sint Maarten’s Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation was one of ten finalists out of a total of 212 entries Read more

In Light Of Global Financial Market Expectations Cbcs Reduces The Pledging Rate

Willemstad/Philipsburg The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) decided to ease its monetary policy stance by reducing the pledging rate1 by 0.50 percentage point to 5.25%. This decision is based on the solid and stable foreign exchange position and import coverage in the monetary union, and the expected reduction of the federal funds rate. However, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBCS will continue monitoring the domestic and international economic developments closely, particularly the key indicators for monetary policy in the union, and will adjust its policy if necessary.

According to the latest projection, the deficit on the current account of the balance of payments of the monetary union is expected to drop from 15.8% of GDP in 2023 to 13.9% in 2024, due mainly to an increase in net current transfers from abroad, stated executive director, Dr Read more

Governor Baly Starts Consultations As A Result Of 2024 Snap Election

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG On Tuesday August 20, 2024, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency A.G. Baly, LL.M. was informed by the chairperson of the Central Voting Bureau about the proceedings of the August 19, 2024 parliamentary elections. The Governor has also received the preliminary results of said parliamentary elections.

Based on the preliminary results, the Governor has commenced the consultations with various stakeholders to gather information on the process regarding the formation of a new government Read more

Launch Entrepreneurship Development Program

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten -The Sint Maarten Entrepreneurship Development Center (SEDC)Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the first Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP).

The four-week EDP is designed to equip aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with essential business skills Read more

Sam: No Discussion Yet On Govt., Open To Dialogue

SUCKER GARDEN Leader of the Soualiga Action Movement (SAM) Franklin Meyers congratulates the leaders of all parties who gained seats in Mondays election. The people have spoken, and we respect their decision.

Addressing the numerous rumors circulating within our community about SAM being part of the upcoming government, Meyers wants to make it clear that no discussions have taken place between SAM and the current governing parties URSM, DP and PFP Read more

Dp Clocks 70, Unveils Candidates List On Emancipation Day

Great Bay, St. Maarten The Democratic Party of St. Maarten is celebrating its seven decades of serving the island with a gathering at the Aleeze Convention Center in Madame Estate on Monday, July 1st , 2024 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

The party was founded in 1954 by the late Clem Labega, with his friend, Claude Wathey leading the party for the better part of 40 years. The two of them formed a formidable team which turned the DP into a political juggernaut that governed the island uninterruptedly for almost four decades Read more

Schedule For Postulation Day

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Central Voting Bureau is pleased to announce the schedule for Postulation Day, Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, at the House of Parliament.

On Postulation Day, representatives or deputy representatives from each political party will formally submit their candidate lists to the Central Voting Bureau for the parliamentary election of August 19th, 2024. To facilitate an orderly process, each party has selected a specific time slot for submission, as listed below Read more

Consistent With Global Market ExpectationsCbcs Keeps The Pledging Rate Unchanged

Willemstad/Philipsburg The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) decided to maintain its current monetary policy unchanged. Hence, the pledging rate will remain at 5.75%. 1 This decision is based on the Federal Reserves (Fed) decision to leave its target policy rate unchanged until more confidence is gained that inflation is moving sustainably toward its 2% target. In addition, although the import coverage, which is the main operational target of the monetary policy conducted by the CBCS, is expected to drop slightly to 4.6 months in 2024, it will remain well above the norm of 3 months Read more

Mp Kotai: Aps Funding Possible Solution To Gebe Crisis

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Member of Parliament Viren Kotai (Democratic Party) proposes seeking funding from the General Pension Fund (APS) to acquire new generators for the ailing utilities company GEBE. Kotai will present the proposal and other points during the parliamentary meeting scheduled for Monday, June 17, 2024, about the ongoing GEBE crisis.

Kotai said in a press statement on Sunday, “By collaborating with the Council of Ministers (COM), APS, and GEBE, we can address the funding needs for new generators.” He emphasized that APS, as a government-funded pension fund, and GEBE, being entirely government-owned, make this collaboration both logical and feasible.

According to MP Kotai, GEBE has not invested in new engines, resulting in inadequate electricity production amidst the growing demands of the St Read more

Ursm Celebrates The Admittance Of Richinel Brug To Member Of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG The leadership and board of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) proudly announce the admittance of Mr. Richinel Brug as the newest incoming Member of Parliament once sworn Read more

Current Political Developments

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG On May 20th, 2024, Member of Parliament Mr. Kevin Maingrette (NOW) withdrew his support from the URSM/PFP/DP/NOW-coalition government and subsequently declared himself an independent Member of Parliament Read more

New Minister Of Finance Marinka Gumbs Addresses Nation With Vision Of Unity, Progress

~ First female Minister of Finance ~

In a humbling address to the nation, newly appointed Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs, the first woman to hold the position, stood before her fellow St. Maarteners to express profound gratitude and outline a vision for the future of the island’s economy and society.

The Minister began by acknowledging the divine grace that has allowed her to take on this pivotal role Read more

Money Grows On Trees

St Peters – Its been an amazing past 8 months putting this project together. Every step of the way, everyday you face a challenge that allows you to exercise your mind and actions toward finding the right solution mentally, physically, spiritually or financially.

You can never tell the challenges you may face until you take your journey head on. Some of us may be faced with one of the above challenges, but today we will try to address those that are faced with financial challenges and perhaps offer an ecological solution.

Matshona Dhliwayo is a Canadian based Philosopher, Entrepreneur, and authorand is credited with saying, “Money doesn’t grow on trees, but grows on intelligent minds”.The phrase “money doesn’t grow on trees” is a metaphor that means money is not an unlimited resource that can be easily accessed, like leaves on a tree.It often appears in situations where someone is asking for money without having put in any effort to earn it.

We can agree to a part of this paragraph and respectfully disagree to another.

What we can agree to is the fact that it often appears in situations where someone is asking for money without having put in any effort to earn it Read more

Official Joint Statement From The Three Coalition Party Leaders Of Dp Pfp Now

PHILIPSBURG On Wednesday, 24 April 2024, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams (DP), MP Melissa Gumbs (PFP) and MP Christophe Emmanuel (NOW) issued a joint statement in reaction to the press release sent out by the Cabinet of the Governor Read more

Governor Baly Receives Final Report From Formateur L. Mercelina

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG On April 23, 2024, His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten received the updated final report from formateur L. Mercelina.

The formateur has accepted the commission to form a new government which has the support of a majority in Parliament comprised of the fractions of URSM, PFP, DP and NOW Read more

Caft: Use The Momentum To Make The Economy More Resilient

Oranjestad The economy of Aruba is growing in a prosperous way. The public finances are showing a positive image as well. It is important that Aruba uses its current financial position to structurally put its government finances in order and make the economy more resilient. In this regard a prudent budgetary policy remains as important as ever, considering the high interest expenses. Structural reforms in the social security and the labor market ensure greater resilience.

Debt reduction

The budget for 2024 was adopted on time and it amply meets the central budget standard of a surplus of at least 1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the year 2024 as well as multi-annually Read more

Informateurs Complete Assignment And Submit The Final Report To The Governor.

Harbour View His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, mr. Ajamu G. Baly, received the final report of the current information process from informateurs Dr. Nilda Arduin and Drs. Candia Joseph RO EMIA. The informateurs presented the Governor with their final report entitled Beyond the coalition handshake which for the purpose of transparency will be published in its entirety.

In their report, the informateurs have made an in-depth analysis of the positions of the six parties that have obtained one or more seats in the parliamentary elections of January 11, 2024 Read more

New Four-Party Coalition Ursm Dp Pfp Now Speaks Up And Speaks Out

Urges Public to Remain Aware and Be Critical of Agitators

PHILIPSBURG In a joint statement issued Thursday January 25, 2024 evening, the eight MP-elects of the announced 4-party coalition consisting of the URSM, DP, PFP and N.O.W. parties denounced repeated attempts to distract the public from ongoing political discussions.

We remain committed and focused on continuing the formation of this coalition, the statement reads Read more

Governor Appoints Dr. Nilda Arduin And Drs. Candia Joseph As Informateurs

Harbour View Governor Ajamu Baly requested Dr. Nilda Arduin and Drs. Candia Joseph RO EMIA to accept an assignment as informateurs, as a result of the outcome of the January 11, 2024 elections, the consultations held with the Governor from Friday January 12th to Monday January 15th and the preliminary agreement on political cooperation signed by the 8 elected members of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement, Democratic Party, Party for Progress and Nation Opportunity Wealth.

The Governor requested Dr Read more

Dp: We Mourn With You And Wish You Strength To Restore Trust And Tranquility In Anguilla.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In a press release over the weekend, the Democratic Party of St. Maarten reacted to the horrific killings that shocked the community of Anguilla mid-week. The DP leader, herself of Anguillan descent was clearly distressed at the news.

It is with profound sadness we learned of the senseless killings that occurred in Anguilla last week. The shock of this heartless act at an emotion-filled time of burial of a loved one reverberated throughout our communities Read more

Pfp: Upholding Electoral Integrity And Fair Play In Sint Maarten Elections Is Critical

PHILIPSBURG – The Party for Progress (PFP) raised serious concerns about the continued disregard for the election and campaign guidelines issued by the Minister of Justice on Sint Maarten. This issue not only questions the integrity of the electoral process but also poses safety risks.

People have reached out to us, including candidates on other parties, regarding the placement of billboards and flags too close to or even in the roundabouts, PFP Deputy Leader Marvio Cooks states Read more

Sarah: The Outcome Of The Dutch Election Not Necessarily All Doom And Gloom.

Over the weekend, the DP leader shared her thoughts on the results of the election in the Netherlands.

The results of the November 22nd Dutch election are in and many words have been used to describe the unexpected outcome. Political pundits are hard at work, analyzing the political shifts that seemed to have occurred in the last weeks leading up to the election, the MP stated.

In the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom and in many European countries, the election outcome, which has put Wilders and his PVV on the center stage, has generated much anxiety.

WILDERS and the PVV are not exactly friends of any of us, MP Wescot opined.

For years, Wilders has been a hard right-wing politician, who now finds himself in a position to do what he has constantly accused his opponents of not doing and he has been propelled into a position to uphold his views and execute his agenda Read more

Mp Wescot-Williams, Focus Should Be On What Is Coming After.

THE APOLOGY FROM THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT ON ITS SLAVERY PAST.

The apology has been issued and with as much remorse as you could get in a situation like this, also with the acknowledgement by Prime Minister Rutte that he personally had it wrong all along, was MP Sarah Wescot-Williams reaction, after being present at the ceremony at USM on Monday, December 19th.

Having been present at the location on St Read more

Fabio Doralice Advocates For Special Need Policy & Vision On Sint Maarten

Philipsburg, As we approach the close of the year, there is an urgent plea for updates on the progress of the Special Needs Policy for Sint Maarten.

In a parliamentary meeting on February 13th, the Minister of ECYS expressed an active commitment to developing a special needs policy. However, as we near the end of November, the community, parents, and educators are eager to understand the strides made thus far and if there are concrete plans in place.

While I commend the Minister of VSA for unveiling the “Improving Mental Health Services” project, it is crucial not to overlook the equally vital aspect of special needs education.

As we reach the midpoint of the 2023-2024 school term, transparency is needed regarding expectations for the 2024-2025 school year Read more