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“Emerald” Case In Court On February 6 And 7

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — 7 Owners of one-man businesses on Sint Maarten will appear in the Court of First Instance of Sint Maarten on 6 and 7 February 2018. It is the ““Emerald-case” regarding evading income and turnover tax.

These suspicions are the result of the “Emerald-investigation”, an investigation by the anti-corruption unit (TBO, Team Bestrijding Ondermijning) into fraud and corruption in the port of Sint Maarten. It has been found that the companies that are on trial in (in particular) the years 2012-2016 have been paid for approximately 8 million dollars for activities that would have been carried out for the benefit of the Port Read more

Caft Chairman Raymond Gradus: ”The Financial Situation Of Aruba Is Of Concern; Compliance With The Laft Norm 2018 Getting Out Of Sight”

ORANJESTAD, Aruba:--- The year 2017 is expected to be closed with a financial deficit of 3.1% GDP. According to the National Ordinance on temporary financial supervision (LAft) a financial deficit of 0.5% is allowed. In order to be able to comply with its responsibilities, Aruba has taken out additional loans to the amount of AWG 130 million. It is expected that this will increase the debt quote up to 87% GDP as per the end of 2017 Read more

St. Maarten Development Fund Grants 3 Million Guilders In 2017

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Culminating the closure of its financial year 2017, St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) presented its unaudited financial statements and management report for the year 2017 to Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Leona Romeo-Marlin. In the meeting with Prime Minister Romeo-Marlin, SMDF’s Managing Director Keith Franca and Program and Development Makhicia Brooks presented the Prime Minister with the Fund’s financial statement and also briefed her on activities of 2017 as well as the Fund’s plans for 2018.

The Fund’s financial statements, which showed SMDF’s grant making activities totaling some ANG 3 million between 24 NGO clients was welcomed by the Prime Minister who indicated that she kept abreast of SMDF’s activities Read more

Urgent Central Committee Meeting About Status And Situation Around The Dismissal Of The Workers At St. Maarten Cable Tv On Monday

Cornelius de Weever, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Central Committee of Parliament is scheduled to meet in an urgent session on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 2 pm in the Legislative Hall of the House of Parliament at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication a.i Read more

Minister Of Tourism De Weever Announces Return Of Westjet From Canada In April

PUERTO RICO – WestJet, a Canadian airline, will begin weekly scheduled service to the destination as of April 23 and thereafter every Saturday.  In the past the Canadian market was the country’s fastest growing market.

Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever on Thursday said he welcomes the return of WestJet to the country starting in April.

“During the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, we had discussions with WestJet representatives and they were impressed with the updates that we provided about the destination’s recovery.  The return of visitors from the Canadian market is a very positive development for the destination and stakeholders on the island,” Minister De Weever said.

WestJet in 2016 flew 272 flights out of Toronto, Canada transporting 37, 357 passengers to the island; and out of Montreal, Canada, the airline flew 70 flights with 7,067 passengers; this represented a total of 342 flights with a total passenger count of 44, 424.

WestJet took its first flight in February 1996 and has been providing safe, friendly and affordable air travel today to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe, and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through their airline partnerships.

The airline also has its own travel agency called WestJet Vacations that offers affordable, reliable and easy booking of vacation packages.

WestJet was named Best Airline in Canada and one of the best Low Cost Airlines in North America, based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on Trip Advisor, the world’s largest travel site.

The Minister of Tourism and representatives from the St Read more

Smcp Candidates Pledge To Reduce Mp Salaries

On January 30th 2018, candidates of the Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) gathered at the Party’s Headquarters in the Backstreet for their usual Tuesday evening meeting. However, on this night, these loyal and enthusiastic candidates were going to do something that had never been done before by a political party or its candidates. The candidates, all of them prospective members of parliament, agreed, that when elected, they will submit a motion in Parliament, to lower the salary of parliament members by 15%.

The SMCP’s prospective parliamentarians are of the opinion that, given the financial predicament that the country finds itself in during the period of post-hurricane Irma, members of parliament ought to be sympathetic towards our citizens who are suffering and in a symbolic gesture of empathy should demonstrate their care and concern for the people of Sint Maarten Read more

PUERTO RICO:--- WestJet, a Canadian airline, will begin weekly scheduled service to the destination as of April 23 and thereafter every Saturday. In the past, the Canadian market was the country’s fastest-growing market.
Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever on Thursday said he welcomes the return of WestJet to the country starting in April.
“During the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, we had discussions with WestJet representatives and they were impressed with the updates that we provided about the destination’s recovery Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Culminating the closure of its financial year 2017, St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) presented its unaudited financial statements and management report for the year 2017 to Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Leona Romeo-Marlin. In the meeting with Prime Minister Romeo-Marlin, SMDF’s Managing Director Keith Franca and Program and Development Makhicia Brooks presented the Prime Minister with the Fund’s financial statement and also briefed her on activities of 2017 as well as the Fund’s plans for 2018 Read more

On January 30th, 2018, candidates of the Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) gathered at the Party’s Headquarters in the Backstreet for their usual Tuesday evening meeting. However, on this night, these loyal and enthusiastic candidates were going to do something that had never been done before by a political party or its candidates. The candidates, all of them prospective members of parliament, agreed, that when elected, they will submit a motion in Parliament, to lower the salary of parliament members by 15%.

The SMCP’s prospective parliamentarians are of the opinion that, given the financial predicament that the country finds itself in during the period of post-hurricane Irma, members of parliament ought to be sympathetic towards our citizens who are suffering and in a symbolic gesture of empathy should demonstrate their care and concern for the people of Sint Maarten Read more

Minister Of Tourism De Weever Updates International Media About Destination Recovery At Caribbean Travel Marketplace

PUERTO RICO – Destination Sint Maarten is being represented at the Caribbean’s largest and most important marketing event this week in San Juan, Puerto Rico, namely the Caribbean Travel Marketplace.

Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever on Wednesday said, the Caribbean Travel Marketplace affords tourism suppliers the opportunity to meet face-to-face with wholesalers from around the world selling Caribbean vacation travel.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is holding its Caribbean Travel Marketplace at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan from January 30 to February 1.

Minister De Weever on Wednesday morning briefed the regional/international travel media about the status of the destination.  He started off his presentation by describing the destination as Magical, Sensational, Captivating and Amazing.

Minister De Weever told the media that, ‘We are open for business!’  He went on to give a detail update that the country is steadily recovering and rebuilding, and showing viable and visible signs of progress.

He added that the country is serene and safe, the road network is clean of any debris; Bars and restaurants are open; Beach access is free and clean; the country’s cruise sector is a step ahead with the main cruise lines having returned to the destination, adding that it’s not too late for those who would like to book a cruise.

Minister De Weever also pointed out the importance of the Mega Yacht sector and the vessels have also returned to the destination; marine service sector businesses are open to cater to the needs of the rich and famous.

Visitors can also experience watching planes land at SXM Airport down at Maho Beach; the destination is receiving daily flights out of Miami and New York, and there will be a phased reopening of the terminal building in the second half of 2018.

The Minister also provided an update about electricity, water, and telecommunications; a number of boutique hotels and guesthouses are open; several of the larger hotel properties are scheduled to be open throughout the latter half of 2018; the Caribbean’s #1 shopping area, Philipsburg is 95 per cent open; and one of the destinations newest attractions is Rockland Estate Zipline which is open to visitors.

Minister Cornelius de Weever also updated the international media bout the St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- I have now served as your minister of education, culture, youth and sport for two weeks and two days. These two weeks have been challenging as many things have been happening simultaneously. The primary task of this interim Romeo-Marlin cabinet is to bring St. Maarten through these critical months ahead as we recover from one devastating hurricane season and prepare as a nation to face the seasons ahead. As I have indicated before, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport has been significantly hit in terms of damages to our infrastructure Read more

DEN HAAG, The Netherlands:--- On January 30th, 2018, the deputy Minister Plenipotentiary, H.E. Mr. Hasani Ellis, was one of the guests of honor at the French Embassy where a reception was held at the residence of the French Ambassador in The Netherlands. During this reception, the deputy Minister Plenipotentiary co-signed a declaration acknowledging the handing over of documents for the Status of Forces Agreement between the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for St Maarten.

With the exchange of signatures, the agreement formalizes and regulates the presence of French military forces on the Dutch part of St Maarten in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma Read more

PUERTO RICO:--- Destination Sint Maarten is being represented at the Caribbean’s largest and most important marketing event this week in San Juan, Puerto Rico, namely the Caribbean Travel Marketplace.
Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever on Wednesday said, the Caribbean Travel Marketplace affords tourism suppliers the opportunity to meet face-to-face with wholesalers from around the world selling Caribbean vacation travel.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is holding its Caribbean Travel Marketplace at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan from January 30 to February 1.
Minister De Weever on Wednesday morning briefed the regional/international travel media about the status of the destination Read more

Smcp Candidates Pledge To Reduce Mp Salaries

PHILIPSBURG - On January 30th 2018, candidates of the Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) gathered at the Party’s Headquarters in the Backstreet for their usual Tuesday evening meeting, the SMCP said in a press statement on Wednesday.

“However, on this night, these loyal and enthusiastic candidates were going to do something that had never been done before by a political party or its candidates Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---Thirty-three young men and women showed their interest by registering on Friday, January 26th for the Building Construction Trades (BCT) training program. The initiative, a joint collaboration between the Division of Study Financing, the Department of Youth and the Department of Labor and Social Services, was held at the Government Administration Building (in conference room 2). Applicants varied in ages (19-37), with educational backgrounds of a mixture of mostly GED, CXC and secondary school graduates who have a broad assortment of working experiences ranging from manual labor and warehouse workers to sales and administration workers Read more

Celebran Conferencia Para Mejorar La Aplicación De La Ley En Sint Maarten En Relación Con El Fondo De Reconstrucción

FOTO: Apertura de la conferencia por Cornelius de Weever, Ministro de Justicia.

Oyster Bay .- Más de cincuenta delegados del Ministerio de Justicia de Sint Maarten, Ministerio de Justicia y Seguridad de los Países Bajos, Ministerio del Interior y Relaciones del Reino de Los Países Bajos, y las partes asociadas, asistieron a una conferencia organizada por el gobierno de Sint Maarten y la Representación de Países Bajos en St Read more

La Parlamentaria Leonard Solicita Reunión Urgente Al Parlamento Para Abordar El Tema De Trabajadores Extranjeros

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – La parlamentaria (MP) Tamara Leonard del Partido del Pueblo Unido (UP), con la asistencia de otros parlamentarios solicitará una reunión urgente del Parlamento con el Ministro de Salud Pública, Desarrollo Social y Trabajo, Emil Lee Read more

Ex Primer Ministro William Marlin Reacciona Ante El Fallo Del Gobierno Del Reino

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – A lo largo y ancho de Sint Maarten, los ciudadanos parecen estar de acuerdo en que el ex primer ministro William Marlin, hizo un correcto al tener un mejor entendimiento del gobierno. Una vez más, William-Marlin ha demostrado que sus decisiones fueron en el mejor interés del pueblo de Sint Maarten. Hoy se escucha a los ciudadanos reprendiéndose unos a otros “: Te dije que William-Marlin hizo lo correcto”.

William Marlin expresó que siempre había confiado en la decisión del Reino, respondiendo a la noticia de que el Gobierno del Reino había rechazado la solicitud de la Primera Ministra interina, Leona Marlin-Romeo, de aplicar el decreto de disolución que había firmado cuando él era Primer Ministro, y que había discutido en una reunión del Consejo de Ministros del Reino con la intención de anularlo.

Fue muy vergonzoso escuchar a nuestra primera ministra interina, Marlin-Romeo, afirmar que ha jurado respetar y defender nuestra Constitución, pero luego ha demostrado claramente a través de sus acciones que ella no comprende nuestra Constitución y probablemente nunca se tomó el tiempo de leerla.

La primera ministra interino, Marlin-Romeo, cree que decir que tiene la obligación de aplicar y defender la Constitución es simplemente una retórica vacía pronunciada por ella, pero que claramente no entiende lo que significa Read more

Cc1 St. Maarten Introduces A Limited-Edition Coca-Cola Can For St. Maarten.

Cay Hill:--- CC1 St. Maarten, the exclusive distributor of Coca Cola®, has commissioned a Limited Edition 12oz Coca-Cola can for St. Maarten. In the aftermath of “Irma”, CC1 wanted to do something to commemorate the strength and resilience of St. Maarten and its people and so the idea to immortalize the phrase “#SXMSTRONG” on the world-famous Coca-Cola can be born. In addition to “#SXMSTRONG” the Limited Edition can also feature the St. Maarten flag and the iconic Coca-Cola wave is depicted by two hands reaching out to help each other.
On hand to witness the arrival and opening of the first shipped containers were St Read more

While Health Shortcomings Persist, Harris Family Mri Business Rakes In Nearly Ec$1 Million

Basseterre, St. Kitts, – While the Office of the Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris has issued a statement highlighting his family’s MRI business that raked in nearly EC$1 million last year, the nation has been told not to be distracted from his government’s persistent shortcomings and failures in the health sector. During last Wednesday’s edition of Issues on Freedom 106.5 FM, Dr Read more

Conference Held With Aim Of Improving Law Enforcement On Sint Maarten In Relation To The Reconstruction Fund.

Oyster Bay – Over fifty delegates of the Ministry of Justice Sint Maarten, Ministry of Justice and Security The Netherlands, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations The Netherlands, and associated parties, attended a conference organized by the government of Sint Maarten and the Representation of the Netherlands in St. Maarten on January 22 and 23, 2018.

“In this room are the people that are going to make a difference within the law enforcement and security of Sint Maarten in the coming years,” stated Franklyn Richards who acted as moderator during the two-day conference.

During the work conference, participants exchanged views in plenary on the long-term vision within the entire law-enforcement chain and made an inventory of what needs to happen in the short term Read more

Former Pm William Marlin Reacts On The Ruling Given By The Kingdom Government

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Across the length and breadth of Sint Maarten citizens are concurring that former Prime Minister William Marlin had it correct and best understands governance.  Yet again William-Marlin has shown that his choices were in the best interest of the people of Sint Maarten. Citizens were heard chiding “I told you William-Marlin know the right thing”.

William Marlin expressed that he was always confident of the ruling given by the Kingdom, responding to the news that the Kingdom Government had turned down the request of Interim Prime Minister Mrs Read more

Mp Leonard Request An Urgent Meeting To Tackle The Issue Of Laborers From Abroad

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten —Member of Parliament (MP) Tamara Leonard of the United People’s Party (UP) will along with the Assistance of other MPs request an urgent meeting of Parliament with the Hon. Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, E Read more

A Manifesto Or A Governing Program?

Two major documents play a pivotal role in the electoral process. They are a party’s political program, popularly known as the manifesto and the governing accord which we call the governing program. By law parties are obliged to present a manifesto, but people expect a governing program.

One of the legal requirements to be able to establish a political party is, that the party’s Articles of Incorporation must include the commitment “to publish a political programme in good time before the elections” Read more