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Prime Minister Romeo-Marlin And Minister Ferrier Hold Successful Consultation With Dutch Prime Minister Rutte

SINT MAARTEN/THE NETHERLANDS – “It was a great meeting,” were the sentiments of Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin and Minister of Finance Michael Ferrier following their meeting with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte on Thursday morning in Den Haag.

Prime Minister Rutte greeted the two Ministers from Sint Maarten warmly at his Cabinet where they discussed a wide range of topics including the progress of the ongoing recovery of Sint Maarten, the reconstruction Fund, progress of arrangements with the World Bank, French & Dutch cooperation, and the overall urgency to address the needs of the people of Sint Maarten.

Minister Ferrier took the opportunity to briefly express his frustrations with the fact that regular, lengthy processes must be followed in order for Sint Maarten to eventually access the fund that will be managed by the World Bank.

While it is understandable that Sint Maarten must comply with international World Bank and International Monetary Fund standards, it is obvious that this too will cause delays Read more

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Vsa To Distribute Water Survival Kits Donated By Rotary

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - The Department of Labor and Social Affairs will coordinate the distribution of seventy (70) water survival kits and four (4) aqua boxes that were donated by the international and regional Rotary Clubs to St. Maarten. The donation offers an alternative for water to displaced families or those without access to clean water.

The water survival kits and aqua water filters will be distributed to families most in need according to the Basic Necessities program database managed by the Department of Labor and Social Affairs Read more

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Telem Group, Regional Telcos Testing Disaster Management App.

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - St. Maarten telecommunication provider, TelEm Group is joining other Telcos in the Caribbean in the testing phase of a disaster management App that could soon hit the global market.

The App, called SONAR, can make it possible for general populations in the region to receive up-to-the-minute information about upcoming storms and natural disasters, view weather patterns and obtain various information from government and disaster preparedness offices including information about shelters and their state of readiness.

It also advises on recovery efforts after a natural disaster by sending targeted information before, during and after a major incident.

Both users and government can benefit from another feature of the SONAR App that focuses on the recovery effort following any natural disaster with contact information for donations and other supplies that might be needed at the time.

The developers say their App is designed for governments and national disaster organizations to serve the population Read more

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Sint Maarten Delegation Meets Klm Reps. Meeting Yields Positive Outcome

SINT MAARTEN/THE HAGUE - Upon arrival in the Netherlands on Wednesday February 14, 2018, the Government of Sint Maarten delegation headed by Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin and Minister of Finance Michael Ferrier, met with executives of KLM at the airline’s head office in Amstelveen.

The KLM invitation to the Sint Maarten delegation was to get a first-hand report on the post Hurricane Irma recovery progress of the island and to discuss flight network development, as they relate to Sint Maarten/Saint Martin.

The KLM delegation was headed by their Senior Vice President, Mr Read more

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Minister Of Tourism De Weever Opens Departure Pavilion At Sxm Airport

SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) – Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunications (TEATT), the Honorable Cornelius de Weever officially opened the Departure Pavilion at the Princess Juliana International Airport over the weekend.

Minister De Weever mentioned during the opening ceremony that as acting Minister of TEATT, with the responsibility for the airport, government will do all within its power to facilitate the rebuilding and further development of the facilities, and will also continue to encourage strategic partnerships in this vital sector that will result in a win-win-win situation for all involved.

Hurricane Irma was the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the Leeward Islands on record, followed by Hurricane Maria two weeks later, and is the second-costliest Caribbean hurricane on record, after Maria Read more

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Ministry Of Finance Organized Round Table Conference Sustainable Financial Government

GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – On Tuesday February 6, 2018, the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Sint Maarten organized a Round Table Conference “Sustainable Financial Government,” with the Netherlands, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Committee for Financial Supervision of Curacao and Sint Maarten Cft.

The goal of this conference was to get all parties together and have an open dialogue on the way forward to a financial sustainable Sint Maarten and how progress can be achieved in bringing relief to the people of Sint Maarten in the short term.

The main topics discussed was the issue of liquidity support to the government of Sint Maarten, the application of 550 million euro made available by the Netherlands, the benefits of using the professional services offered by the World Bank and the IMF, in collaboration with the Cft.

Progress has been made in getting clarity with regards to the completion of the 2017 and 2018 budget process. 

The Conference was attended by the Dutch Project Director General of Reconstruction for the Windward Islands, Hans Leijtens, Head of the Representation of the Netherlands in Philipsburg, Chris Johnson, representatives of the World Bank, IMF, Cft and the Government of Sint Maarten.

Representing Sint Maarten were the Minister of Finance, Michael Ferrier, with members of his Cabinet, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, Arno Peels and support staff, the Secretary General of the Ministry of General Affairs, Hensley Plantijn and civil servants from the Department of Foreign Relations.

The conference was moderated by former Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Workgroup National Recovery Plan, Dennis Richardson.

Now that there is a shared understanding of the way forward, one of the next steps is for Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin and the Minister of Finance Michael Ferrier to visit the Netherlands to continue these discussions and to strengthen the relationships between the two Kingdom partners.

Both the Dutch and Sint Maarten delegations are very pleased with the level of progress made in charting the way forward.

Minister Ferrier and Project Director General Leijtens thanked all participants for their contribution to the open dialogue and clear communication Read more

UPDATE - DUTCH QUARTER - The Police Department has put search teams together, along with the help from VKS and they have been actively searching, in the area of Dutch Quarter and Middle Region since early this morning. However, Nathan York has not been found yet.

The Sint Maarten Police Force also requested help of the police officers with a drone to search for the young boy in the area of Middle Region, where he was reported last seen after he left school Read more

POND ISLAND – The New York Times (NYT) Travel section featured “52 Places to Go in 2018,” as part of a starter kit for escaping into the world, and the Caribbean came in as number four under the banner, “Tourism speeds recovery in a storm-battered part of the world.”

Destination Sint Maarten’s newest tourist attraction was mentioned under the Caribbean, “The new St. Maarten Rockland Estate Eco-Park Rainforest Adventures’ new Rockland Estate Park introduced a zipline to Saint Maarten.”  The section was written by Elaine Glusac.

Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever said this publicity was very good for the destination as the country continues to recover from the damage caused by the September 2017 hurricanes.

“We are very pleased that one of our newest attractions which recently opened was mentioned in this prestigious and credible U.S Read more

“Emerald”" In Court Sint Maarten On February 6 And 7 About Evading Income And Turnover Tax

PHILIPSBURG – Seven 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, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) and Anti-Corruption Unit (TBO) said in a joint press release on Sunday.

“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

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

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Minister Arrindell-Doncher Outlines Economic Recovery

POND ISLAND - Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher on Tuesday stressed that the economic recovery and development of St. Maarten must be sustainable and based on collaborative initiatives and policies between the public and private sector. “We also have to be daring and step out of comfort zones that do not work for us anymore,” she said.

She said if a better, stronger, smarter and more sustainable St Read more

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Public Prosecution Service Says There Is No Criminal Investigation Against Minister Emil Lee. No Formal Complaint Made Against Lee

PHILIPSBURG – “The Public Prosecutor’s Office Sint Maarten states, regarding the article today (January 9th, 2018) in The Daily Herald, that there is no criminal investigation ongoing against mr. Emil Lee at this moment in relation to abuse of car number plates or theft of gasoline/using government fuel bonds to purchase fuel for personal use in the last months of 2017 after the hurricane Irma,” aforementioned prosecuting agency said in a press statement on Tuesday.

“There is also no formal complaint at the Public Prosecutor’s Office against mr Read more

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Sarah: February 26Th Election Decree A Flagrant Disregard For The Constitution And The People

PHILIPSBURG - The first national decree promulgating the dissolution of parliament was dated November 3, 2017, LB-17/0575) with the first convening of the new parliament on January 31, 2018, Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Tuesday morning in a press statement.

“By decree of November 12th, one day before nomination day (kandidaatstelling), this decree was amended to establish the day of election on February 26th.

“However, in the amended decree (LB-17/0619), the first convening of the new parliament is now set for April 2nd 2018, in gross violation of article 59 of the Constitution of St Read more

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K1 Britannia Focuses On Children While Rebuilding St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG - As K1 Britannia Foundation continues to look for ways to rebuild our island, it collaborated with a group of six contractors, led by Jacob Bonds of Jacob Bonds Quality Builders to bring them to St. Maarten where they volunteered their time, tools and expertise to work with the foundation to rebuild and repair a total of five various institutions within the nine days they spent on the island.

During the week of the work, over $11,500 was spent via all parties on materials and logistics to build and repair these institutions that work with our children.

The following institutions received help with repairs and construction:

SIMPSON BAY – A delegation consisting of the Chairlady of the First Chamber, Mrs. Ankie Broekers-Knol, and the Chairlady of the Second Chamber, Mrs. Khadija Arib, and their support staff were welcomed at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) on Saturday, January 6, 2018 by the Chairlady of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams and staff members of the secretariat of Parliament Read more

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PHILIPSBURG – The United Democrats (UD) on Friday presented a full slate of 23 candidates for the February 26 polls.  The party is being led by Member of Parliament Theo Heyliger followed by in the number two position Member of Parliament Sarah Read more

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History Made With The Launch Of The United Democrats

PHILIPSBURG - Leaders of the United People's Party (UP) and the Democratic Party (DP) have unified under one banner and founded the United Democrats, a powerhouse political movement formed to take St. Maarten through the critical reconstruction phase the island faces in 2018.

The newly formed party, United Democrats is the historical joining of UP Honorable Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger and DP Honorable President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams.

"If we take a look at the unaddressed realities since the passage of Hurricane Irma, of our crippled economy and our people desperately needing leadership and hope, all lead to the coming together of the United Democrats."

Leading the United Democrats will be MP Theodore Heyliger, with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams as the number two candidate.

St Read more

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New Year’S Message From President Of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams

PHILIPSBURG – Leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said in her New Year’s Day message: ‘Don’t let the disaster that befell us get the better of us.’ “It would take more than a few words to adequately describe the year which has become last year and a year we have put behind us Read more

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Sarah: “The Fall Of The Marlin Cabinet Justified By The Horrific Financial And Economic Outlook Of St. Maarten”

PHILIPSBURG - That the financial state of the country is worrisome is a no-brainer. But we all should be alarmed, Leader of the Democratic Party (DP), Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Friday.

“This dismal picture is all the more clear with the presentation of the amendments to the 2017 budget by the minister of Finance Read more

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POND ISLAND - In light of the holidays, Labriska Courtar organized a Christmas Lunch for the Shelterees living in the Festival Village and the Little League Ball Park who lost their homes due to the major hurricanes Maria and Irma.

A lunch was catered for approximately 100 shelterees which consisted of turkey, ham, lasagna, Journey cakes and much more.

“It has always been a plan of mine, to give back to those in need. Hosting this event with my support team was amazing. It was a good feeling to contribute this Christmas season.

“This Christmas season instead of making it just about receiving and giving gifts, I dedicated my time, with my friends and family to putting this charitable event together Read more

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Islands Eye African American Travel And Incentive Markets

SABA/ST. EUSTATIUS - From 27-31 August 2016 the president of the Saba Business Association and Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Saba & Statia & hotel owner on Saba (Scout’s Place) Wolfgang Tooten and Saba boutique hotel owner Hemmie van Xanten participated in NABHOOD Summit (National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers) and the 3rd annual Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit & Trade Show.

Due to financing from the European Union COSME program and a special Caribbean small hotel owner insert into the event, small Caribbean hoteliers were able to attend these conferences.

Besides Tourism authorities of Statia and St Read more

POND ISLAND - On August 8th 2016, the representatives to the Central Voting Bureau of nine (9) political parties have submitted the list of candidates of their respective political parties. As per article 23, paragraph 1 Electoral Ordinance, the lists would need to be endorsed on August 9th 2016, between 09.00hrs and 16.00hrs with an amount of signatures equal to 1% of the valid votes casted during the last Parliamentary Election.

The requisite amount of signature is 146. Those parties that have obtained 1 or more seats during the previous Parliamentary Election are exempted from being endorsed, as per paragraph 4 of the aforementioned article.

Below, please find the result of today’s endorsement:

On Friday, August 12th 2016, the Central Voting Bureau will meet to examine the lists that were submitted and shall also take note of the endorsement list of each political party that needed to be endorsed (Article 28, paragraph 1 Electoral Ordinance) Read more

CAY HILL - Contract negotiations for the design, build and maintenance contract of the new General Hospital of Sint Maarten will commence this month with the nominated bidder, INSO. The construction of the new General Hospital is still on schedule to start in the third quarter of this year.

The new General Hospital will improve and expand the quality of healthcare that is available on Sint Maarten. The new facility will be able to accommodate additional services which are now not available locally, attracting more medical specialists and create new jobs Read more

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PHILIPSBURG - Police Inspector Lyndon Lewis on Sunday, August 7, tendered his resignation from the ABVO-SXM union which clears the way for his venture into the political arena. Lewis will be contesting the September 26 elections as part of the United St. Maarten party (US) list. It will be the first time he will be contesting a political election.

Lewis informed ABVO-SXM President Sharlon Cathalina and ABVO board members that he is moving on to serve the people of St Read more

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