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~Congratulates bureau staff for execution ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The crucial role that MP Roland Brison played in securing funding through a Naf 5 million budget amendment that he initiated is further highlighted as a significant milestone in the revitalization of St. Maarten's tourism industry with the opening of the new headquarters of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau on December 1, 2023. A new national brand will be unveiled in conjunction with the inauguration.

MP Brisons groundbreaking amendment in the 2023 budget, never before done for the tourism sector, earmarked over 5 million guilders for capital expenditures and investments, emphasizing the need for rejuvenation in the tourism sector Read more

58 Women From Across The Caribbean Region Graduate Cohort 2 Of The Ebb Programme For Women Entrepreneurs Republic Bank And Bdp Associates Champion Her Success

Port of Spain, Trinidad:--- Fifty-eight successful participants of Cohort 2 of the Entrepreneurs Business Builder (EBB) programme graduated in a moving virtual ceremony hosted by Republic Bank in collaboration with EBB partner BDP Associates
Under the theme, Championing HER Success" the event celebrated and encouraged the graduating women entrepreneurs to continue in the pursuit of their goals, by championing their own success.

The programme, which was launched earlier this year on International Womens Day, saw more than 500 women entrepreneurs submitting their applications for selection 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

~ National Alliance with the largest turnout of supporters on Postulation Day. ~

PHILIPSBURG: --- On January 11th, 2024, voters would have eight (8) political parties to choose from when they reach the polling stations to cast their votes.
The eight political parties lit up Philipsburg as they marched to the Parliament Building to submit their lists of candidates to the voting bureau that will be contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections.
At 9 am the Party for Progress (PFP) marched from Clem Labega Square chairing their leader Melissa Gumbs to submit the PFP lists of candidates Read more

The Democratic Party (DP) says their slate of 23 candidates are passionate and dedicated to being that change for St. Maarten. The party made a grand entrance on nomination day, parading down Front Street as the last party to submit their list of candidates.

The parade was a spectacle of Moko jumbies, drums, and percussion, with the song "My Team Lit" playing as the candidates and their supporters marched up the street Read more

Armand Meda To Run On Upp Slate, Resigns From Democratic Party.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Sunday, November 19th, 2023, Democratic Candidate Armand Meda resigned from the party. This took place on the same day as the Democratic Party Candidate & Manifesto launch.

The former number 14 candidate on the DP list, has had a vigorous campaign under the slogan Forward, for almost a year that became very popular on Social Media and households on St Read more

 

DATE ISSUED: Monday 20th November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 21st November 2023

A HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR
ST. MAARTEN UNTIL 6PM MONDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2023

WEATHER:

This Afternoon: Mostly cloudy with light haze.
Tonight, through Tuesday midday: Cloudy with isolated showers and possible thunderstorms.

Forecast High: 31C / 88F                  Forecast Low: 27C / 81F

Sunset Today: 5:35 P.M.                     Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:21 A.M.  

SURFACE WINDS: 

Today through Tuesday morning: Southeasterly to southerly with a light to gentle breeze of 4 to 12 mph.

SYNOPSIS: 

Moisture and instability associated with a frontal boundary and an area of low-pressure is approaching the region Read more

Timing Slots For Political Parties On Postulation Day.

The Central Voting Bureau is pleased to announce the schedule for Postulation Day, Thursday, November 22nd, 2023, 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. Tofacilitate an orderly process, each party has selected a specific time slot for submission, as listed below. Each party is urgently requested to arrive on time.Time Political party 1 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

Cancer Charity Marathon Event Move For A Cure Set For November 18Th.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Move for Cure encourages movement, brings awareness, and focuses on prevention and support for cancer the charity event is now set for this Saturday, November 18th. Due to the past weeks' weather, the CIBC FirstCaribbean event was postponed; however, the bank and its partners remain unswerving in their pledge to support cancer patients and the education and awareness of the disease.

This years walk will benefit the Positive Foundation, Still Beautiful, and Elektralyets Foundation in their collaborated cancer support, education, and awareness efforts Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  In a heartfelt appeal letter addressed to the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson, and co-copied by the council of ministers and the Parliament of Sint Maarten, Fabio Doralice, Interim President of the Haitian Association of Sint Maarten (HASMA), is urging the Government of Sint Maarten to temporarily halt the forced returns of Haitian nationals a midst the dire humanitarian crisis currently engulfing Haiti Read more

Dp Says Shirley Hilaire Offered Post At Company Under Up-Appointed Minister

Shirley Hilaire.

 

PHILIPSBURG--The Democratic Party (DP) said former faction staffer and board member Read more

Democratic Party (Dp) Responds To Hillaire.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Its not the intention of the Board of the Democratic Party (DP) to join the political frays that mar our country today. Political candidates and hopefuls are seeking where to position themselves, as to get on a list, one needs to align oneself with a political party. A political party that, according to our laws, must be an association with political objectives, vision, and platform Read more

~Financial Literacy Month Event Deemed a Success~

PHILIPSBURG:--- As part of the ongoing Financial Literacy Month, a highly informative information session titled, "Taxation Explained," was successfully hosted at the Government Administration Building on November 6th, 2023. This event, organized in collaboration with The Ministry of Finance and Ms. Ife Badejo of Islandpreneur, aimed to provide the public with comprehensive insights into various tax obligations and the critical role of the Tax Administration in promoting compliance and cooperation Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  Shirley Hilaire has joined the United People's UP Party to contest the 2024 Parliamentary Elections on St. Maarten after serving for several years as executive assistant to Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and running as a United Democrat candidate.
Hilaire cited irreconcilable differences with "new blood" entering the Democratic Party whose approach and policies do not align with her beliefs as the main reason for leaving Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Rolando Brison, Member of Parliament and leader of the United People's Party, is raising critical concerns about the potential consequences of proposed financial regulations from the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Finance hosted an onboarding session to a room full of citizens interested in being part of the first to try out SEN, by CX Pay, the new e-wallet app. The event was open to the public as well as civil servants, 85 of whom showed up to learn more about the apps features, functions, and capabilities.
The name SEN is a play of the colloquial Sint Maarten use of the word send, as in the app will be used to send money, from one use to another among other features Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Steadfast efforts are in full force as CIBC FirstCaribbean gets ready to Move for the Cure on Saturday, October 28th.

With an unswerving pledge to support cancer patients and the education and awareness of the disease, the regions most prominent cancer charity, Walk for the Cure, now in its 12th year, continues to support persons living with the disease.

This years walk comprises a walk, workout, and yoga marathon event. Proceeds will benefit the Positive Foundation, Still Beautiful, and Elektralyets Foundation in their collaborated cancer support, education, and awareness efforts Read more

~From GDP to inclusive broad prosperity~

WILLEMSTAD:---  The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaao today, Wednesday, October 18, 2023, presented its 2022 annual report to the full Council of Ministers of the Leeward Island.
At a time when many countries and institutions use Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the primary indicator of prosperity, the SER's 2022 Annual Report offers an innovative alternative in the specific Curaao context Read more

Democratic Party Registers To Run In 2024 General Election

Democratic Party leadership at the Electoral Council on October 6, with party leader Sarah Wescot Williams (right) signing the registration for the 2024 general election

PHILIPSBURG--The Democratic Party is registered for the upcoming elections. DP president Achken Roberto Richardson and leader Sarah Wescot-Williams received the partys official registration at the Electoral Council of St Read more

Although Its Momentum Has Eased: Economic Recovery On Track Across The Monetary Union

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:---  The economies of Curaao and Sint Maarten continued to recover from the pandemic at the beginning of 2023, stated the president of the Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), Richard Doornbosch, in the CBCSs September 2023 Economic Bulletin. The actual figures of the first quarter show that real GDP growth in both countries was driven primarily by increased stay-over and cruise tourism activities Read more

Given Their Small Size And High Degree Of Openness: Policy Actions Needed To Reduce Vulnerability To External Shocks In Curaao And Sint Maarten.

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:---  As small and open economies, Curaao and Sint Maarten are vulnerable to external shocks. The effects of external shocks on the monetary union are reflected in, among other things, fluctuations in our balance of payments, stated president of the Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), Richard Doornbosch, in the CBCSs September 2023 Economic Bulletin. This edition of the Economic Bulletin highlights the monetary unions vulnerability to shocks with a textbox on the effect of NAf.- Euro exchange rate fluctuations on trade flows Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The recently generated 2023 economic indicator table report for the first half of 2023 paints an encouraging picture of St. Maarten's economic landscape, showcasing growth and resilience across key indicators. 

Real GDP Estimate 

St. Maarten's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecasts a growth rate of 4.6% in 2021 Read more