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MPs call for clarity on taxi, bus permits

PHILIPSBURG--Government is called on to make the register of bus, taxi and tour-bus permits public and to give an explanation of the current moratorium on issuance of permits for those types of businesses by two Members of Parliament (MPs).

Independent MP Leona Marlin-Romeo said in a press statement issued late Monday night she "wants clarity" on the moratorium Read more

Arke Airline returns to St. Maarten November

RIJSWIJK--After ceasing service to St. Maarten six years ago, Arkefly (Shortened to Arke in the current corporate design to match the travel agency) is resuming flights to St. Maarten per November this year, the Dutch airline announced on Tuesday.

Flights from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport to St. Maarten will be carried out with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner at considerably lower fares, some twenty per cent cheaper at least, than competitors Royal Dutch Airline KLM and Air France.

Arke, a subsidiary of travel organisation TUI Netherlands, will be scheduling two flights per week, on Wednesdays and Sundays Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism Claret Connor on Monday hosted a meeting with all the key players in the organizing and security of the Heineken Regatta. The meeting which was held at the Police Department focused on ensuring a safe and memorable experience for residents and visitors alike by making sure all contingent plans are in place.

The Minister stressed that the Regatta is important to the marine industry which, in turn, is important to St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The police department has again intensified their general controls as of Monday March 2nd with the start of the Heineken Regatta. This event which has been growing steadily over the years will be given a lot of attention because of the large amount of visitors to the island and the many events that will be held during this event. The police department will be working in close collaboration with the V.K.S., the Coast Guard, Customs, Sint Maarten Sea Rescue Foundation, Immigration, Border Control and Protection, Harbor Group of Companies and the Public Prosecutors Office Read more

style="text-align: center;"> Says Benelux representatiosn being worked on ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Based on discussions that have taken place, Honorable Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Claret Connor, hereby announces that Arkefly will start flying to St. Maarten as of November 2015 using the Dreamliner aircraft.

Minister Connor, his Cabinet and the management of the St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, February 28 at the University of St. Maarten, a certificate ceremony was held for those civil servants who successfully completed the USM course in English and Spanish.

Present at the ceremony were Minister of TEATT, The Honorable Claret Connor, Secretary General, a.i., Ministry Education, Sports and Culture, Jorien Wuite and General Affairs Director of Resources and Support Erno Labega.

The courses were organized by P&O (Personeel & Organisatie) and executed by USM Read more

Minister Connor Meets With Police, Regatta To Ensure Safety, Security, Overall Experience

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Minister of Tourism Claret Connor on Monday hosted a meeting with all the key players in the organizing and security of the Heineken Regatta.

The meeting which was held at the Police Department focused on ensuring a safe and memorable experience for residents and visitors alike by making sure all contingent plans are in place.

The Minister stressed that the Regatta is important to the marine industry which, in turn, is important to St Read more

Civil Servants Receive Certificates, Successfully Completing English And Spanish Course

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Saturday, February 28 at the University of St. Maarten, a certificate ceremony was held for those civil servants who successfully completed the USM course in English and Spanish.

Present at the ceremony were Minister of TEATT, The Honorable Claret Connor, Secretary General, a.i., Ministry Education, Spo Read more

Police Intensify General Controls

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The police department has again intensified their general controls as of Monday March 2nd with the start of the Heineken Regatta.

This event which has been growing steadily over the years will be given a lot of attention because of the large amount of visitors to the island and the many events that will be held during this event.

The police department will be working in close collaboration with the V.K.S., the Coast Guard, Customs, Sint Maarten Sea Rescu Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Mr. Claret Connor, together with supporting staff of his cabinet, met with Management of the Telecom Regulator of country St. Maarten (BTP-SXM) to get a better understanding of telecommunications regulations, recent developments in the industry and for the establishment of a constructive working relationship.
Part of the program was a presentation giving by Ryan Wijngaarde, PR-/ Marketing Manager of BTP-SXM, whereby the regulatory task, main responsibilities and future projects of BTP-SXM were further explained Read more

Emmanuel: Connor must provide Checkmate contracts within week

~ Wants Mingo, board to step down ~

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Christopher Emmanuel has issued a firm call for the resignation of Shareholder Representative of the Harbour Claret Connor, if he fails to provide all documents related to the contracts the harbour has with Checkmate Security Services within one week.

He has also issued a call for the resignation of the board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Harbour Mark Mingo over the controversial increase in Checkmate's contract.

Checkmate Security Services has been making headlines in recent days when news broke that the company is in line for a massive US $2.2 million increase in its contract at the Harbour Group of Companies this year Read more

style="text-align: center;">If the Contracts are not Provided Minister Claret Connor and Supervisory Board Should Resign Immediately.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Member of Parliament Christopher Emmanuel is calling on the shareholder representative of SMHGC Minister Claret Connor to provide parliament with the both the old and new contracts between Checkmate Security and the St Read more

Gasoline price goes up, diesel fuel drops today

PHILIPSBURG--Consumers will have to fork out more money to buy gasoline, but will pay a tad less for diesel fuel as of today, Friday, February 27.

A statement issued by Minister of Economic Affairs Claret Connor after 7:00pm Thursday said the price of gasoline and diesel fuel would be adjusted today as of 6:00am. The price of gasoline will rise from NAf Read more

Mingo refuses to disclose details of Checkmate security contract

~ Owner's identity not provided ~

PHILIPSBURG--Questions relating to the Harbour Group of Companies' contract with Checkmate Security Services and the status of security at the port, as well as the Group's "clandestine attitude" were amongst the hot-button issues discussed in Thursday's presentation to Parliament's Permanent Committee for Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) at Parliament House.

Committee Chairman United St. Maarten (US) party leader MP Frans Richardson organised the meeting, which was broadcast live, with the expressed goal of hearing directly from Harbour Group Chief Executive Officer Mark Mingo and his team about a number of pressing issues.

Mingo remained mum on most questions relating to security, citing competition and safety-related concerns, as well as contractual obligations.

He did not present any "information and documentation regarding the security contract with Checkmate Security Company" as formally requested by Democratic Party (DP) MP Sarah Wescot-Williams through MP Richardson Read more

New Harbour security contract raises questions

~ Checkmate gets $2.2 million increase ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Harbour Group of Companies is expected to finalise a new agreement with Checkmate Security Services this week that will see the security company earn three times as much in 2015 as it did over the last year for services rendered at the port.

The Daily Herald understands that the Harbour subsidiary St. Maarten Ports Authority has budgeted US $3,138,300 for 2015 to spend on outside security services (Checkmate Security), up from $963,715 spent in 2014.

According to the Harbour's 2015 budget, a copy of which this newspaper has in its possession, the hourly rate charged by the security company increased in September 2013 from $6.75 to $7.07, a hike of roughly 5 per cent Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Claret Connor (first on the right), met with the Policy Department of the Ministry – Economy, Transport and Telecommunication February 18th,2015. The Minister met with the general staff, followed by a meeting with the Secretary General, Miguel De Weever, department head, Lucy Richardson along with members of his Kabinet Read more

Minister Of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport And Telecommunication Still Defining Departmental Priorities

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Claret Connor (first on the right), met with the Policy Department of the Ministry – Economy, Transport and Telecommunication February 18th,2015.

The Minister met with the general staff, followed by a meeting with the Secretary Ge Read more

Airport ‘on the radar’ of various air carriers

~ Details opportunities, threats ~

AIRPORT--In reference to opportunities discussed at the Routes Americas 2015 Conference earlier this month, Princess Juliana International Airport SXM says it "remains firmly on the radar of various airlines, with several carriers stating that they are very pleased with the airport."

An airport press release said, "During one-on-one meetings between a St. Maarten delegation and a number of airlines and airport representatives at the Routes Americas 2015 Conference to discuss current and new air service opportunities, the United States carriers indicated that the 2014 load factors were good and that no changes were expected in the market."

The delegation was led by Tourism and Transport Minister Claret Connor and included airport Managing Director Regina LaBega and other top airport officials Read more

Editorial - No ifs, no buts

Concerns expressed by the Democratic Party (DP) parliamentarians in Tuesday's paper regarding a perceived lack of tourism marketing should not go unnoticed. As stated before, there is currently no representation in Europe and contracts for the all-important North American continent apparently expired.

The opposition members have a point when questioning why and how Economic Affairs Minister Claret Connor is – as he stated – reorganising, reviewing and revisiting the already established St Read more

DP: Country’s marketing seemingly at standstill

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten's tourism marketing in the Netherlands, the United States and Canada seems to be at a standstill with no representation in Europe and the expiration of the contracts for the North American market, according to Democratic Party (DP) Parliament fraction advisor Emil Lee.

Lee joined party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams at Parliament House on Monday for a party press conference at which they discussed various issues the party is pursuing and is pushing for Parliament and the Gumbs Cabinet's attention.

Wescot-Williams said Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Claret Connor is still to explain how and why he will be reorganising, re-evaluating and revisiting the already established St Read more

SXM talks preclearance, Open Skies at conference

AIRPORT--The possibility of an Open Skies agreement and the establishment of United States preclearance at SXM Princess Juliana International Airport were among the issues discussed by the St. Maarten delegation at the Routes Americas 2015 Conference, held in Denver, Colorado, February 1-3.

An SXM Airport press release said the St. Maarten delegation had been led by Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Claret Connor and comprised SXM Airport Managing Director Regina LaBega, Operations Manager Michel Hyman and Marketing and Customer Service Acting Manager Suzy Kartokromo.

According to US State Department former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State John Byerly, a keynote speaker at the conference, Open Skies generated more than US $4 billion in revenues for the United States last year, SXM Airport said.

Byerly highlighted Chile as being at the forefront of air service liberalisation, which he stressed reaps significant economic benefits as a result.

Open Skies fosters competition and without doubt enhances the quality of service, he added Read more

Minister Connor congratulates Zaandam as new SHTA Director

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism Claret Connor on Monday congratulated Anenda Zaandam on her appointment as Executive Director of the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA).
The SHTA announced Zaandam's appointment to the post last week.

Minister Connor congratulated the SHTA on its selection of a young professional to the post Read more

Minister Connor Congratulates Zaandam As New Shta Director

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Minister of Tourism Claret Connor on Monday congratulated Anenda Zaandam on her appointment as Executive Director of the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA).

The SHTA announced Zaandam's appointment to the post last week.

Minister Connor congratulated the SHTA on its selection of a young professional to the post Read more

Connor tight-lipped on TelEm talks with prospective partners

PHILIPSBURG--The Government of St. Maarten is mum on discussions the TelEm Group is having with prospective partners, declining to even provide information on who the company is currently engaged in discussions with.

Based on recent reports received by this newspaper regarding the possible conclusion of the talks with Digicel, the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication TEATT Claret Connor was asked about the status of the talks via the Press Secretariat.

The Secretariat responded indicating that the discussions between TelEm and prospective partners "are strictly governed by confidentiality agreements Read more