SXMElections.com

Extreme Weather Events A Permanent Risk.

 ~Countries should develop national climate adaptation strategies ~

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG The Caribbean basin is the most exposed region to climate-related natural disasters. Hence, the occurrence of extreme weather events, which are expected to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change, can be considered a permanent risk to the economic outlook for Curaao and Sint Maarten, declared the president of the Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), Richard Doornbosch, in the CBCSs 2023 December Economic Bulletin Read more

~More than 300 registrants, 10 workshops, and opportunities to learn from local and international experts~

PHILIPSBURG:---  Held throughout November, now officially decreed by law as Financial Literacy Month, the SXM Financial Literacy Month surpassed expectations with more than 300 participants, including walk-ins. Islandpreneur and the Ministry of Finance are thrilled to announce the successful completion of this groundbreaking initiative aimed at bolstering financial knowledge and resilience within the community Read more

Cbcs Leaves Pledging Rate Unchanged.

~In line with market expectations on the development of the US target policy rate~

Willemstad/Philipsburg The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) decided to pause its monetary policy tightening by leaving the pledging rate1 unchanged. This decision is predicated on the expectation that the Fed will leave its target policy rate unchanged as U.S.
inflation continues to decline. Furthermore, the development in the monetary unions gross official reserves and import coverage are broadly in line with expectations Read more

~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

~ 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

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

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

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

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

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

PHILIPSBURG:---  Based on the success of the Enterprise Support Project and the evident need for further assistance to entrepreneurs in the local market, the National Recovery Project Bureau (NRPB) is pleased to announce that the project has been extended until June 2028. This extension will provide local businesses with more time to apply for grant funding, thereby fostering further growth and development in the sector.
With this extension, businesses can now apply for grants and low-interest loans until June 30, 2025 Read more

In Line With The Rise In Interest Rates In The International Financial Markets: Cbcs Increases The Pledging Rate

Willemstad/Philipsburg:--- The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) decided to tighten its monetary policy stance further by raising the pledging rate1 by 25 basis points to 5.75%. This decision was taken in response to the increase of the Fed funds rate in July and a possible further increase in September. Even though gross official reserves and import coverage have increased in the first eight months of this year, they are still expected to decline towards the end of 2023. The decline will be, however, less pronounced than in 2022 Read more

Mr. Chairman, Members of Parliament, Good Morning,

As stipulated in our constitution, I now stand before you on this second Tuesday in September, to set out the policy to be pursued by the Government in the coming parliamentary year 2023-2024.

Since 2021, reform measures have been established as part of the mutual agreement with the Netherlands in exchange for financial support, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Structural reforms for the improvement and restructuring of government are in the areas of Financial Control, Cost and Effectiveness of the Public Sector, Taxes, Financial Sector, Economic Reforms, Health, Education, and Strengthening the Rule of Law.

From the very beginning, the Government of Sint Maarten has stressed the importance of the National Development Vision as instructions for all of Sint Maarten's development, including these reform measures Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  September 1, 2023, is the day by which constitutionally the countrys budget 2024 should be at the Parliament. In the next few days on September 12th, a new parliamentary year will be upon us with the constitutional obligation for the Governor or someone designated by him to present the governments intentions for the year 2024, the DP leader stated in a release issued on September 1st.

This crop of ministers is famous for scorning our high councils of state on numerous occasions, and they continue to thumb their noses at the parliament Read more