February 11, 2026 No comments
Minister Gumbs Submits Draft 2026 Budget to CFT and Sets Clear Path Forward For 2027 Budget
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Minister of Finance, Marinka J. Gumbs, has taken decisive steps to ensure the orderly handling of Sint Maarten’s public finances by outlining a clear and realistic path forward for the national budgets for 2026, and 2027. Following approval by the Council of Ministers on February 10, 2026, the draft 2026 National Budget has formally been submitted to the Board of Financial Supervision Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CFT) for advice, in accordance with Article 11 of the Kingdom Act on Financial Supervision of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. This submission marks an important step in advancing the 2026 budget. With respect to the 2026 budget, the Minister acknowledged that the budget is to be submitted to Parliament by September of the preceding year. This timeline was...
Read more
February 11, 2026 No comments
Minister Heyliger-Marten Thanks Partners for “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” Campaign
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Honorable Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, extends sincere appreciation to the partners who contributed to the successful execution of the “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” destination promotional campaign. Special thanks are extended to Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), The Morgan Resort, Blu Spa, Candle Drip Co., Rainforest Adventures, Big Foot Water Sports, Aquamania Adventures, We Culture, Astra Restaurant, Casino Royale, Nowhere Special, Electric Adventures SXM Buggy, Under SXM, and Inkorporated for their valued support and collaboration. The Minister also recognizes and thanks Rebecca York, Lakijsha Bloeiman, Giovanna Maietti, Alena Asas, and Shalena Sookhoo for representing St. Maarten with authenticity, confidence, and pride throughout the campaign. Through this strong public–private partnership,...
Read more
February 10, 2026 No comments
Trust Fund’s Enterprise Support Project Signs Final Beneficiary
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Trust Fund’s Enterprise Support Project (ESP) is moving into a new chapter focused on supporting growth and sustainability of local businesses. On Tuesday, February 10, at the National Recovery Program Bureau offices in Philipsburg, the final Micro, Small and Medium Sized enterprise (MSME) approved for financing through ESP took part in a ceremonial signing. This brings them into the cohort of 323 businesses, strengthened through project support during Sint Maarten’s post-Irma recovery period. With this signing, ESP formally concludes its financing activity and now turns its focus towards delivering targeted programs centered on accelerating growth, sustainability, and long-term business success for the island’s MSMEs. The signing ceremony was attended by the Honorable Minister of TEATT, Grisha...
Read more
February 10, 2026 No comments
Minister Brug Requests SER Advice on introduction of supplementary pension system
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Mr. Richinel Brug, has formally requested the advice of the Social Economic Council (SER) regarding the potential introduction of a supplementary pension system for Sint Maarten. This request is in line with the Governing Program 2024–2028 and forms part of the Ministry of VSA’s broader commitment to strengthening long-term income security and social protection. Pension reform represents one of the principal labor policy priorities that the Ministry will focus on in various forms throughout this governing period. As the Ministry of VSA continues to evaluate measures aimed at ensuring greater financial stability for retirees and improving long-term income security for workers, it has become increasingly important to...
Read more
February 10, 2026 No comments
Midwifery Care at SMMC. Personalized Support for Mother and Child
SINT MAARTEN (CAY HILL) - St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) is pleased to introduce its two permanent Midwives, Midwife V. Monkou and Midwife M. de Greef. Both Midwives bring extensive training and many years of experience to SMMC. Midwife Monkou has been part of SMMC’s OBGYN team for a number of years and Midwife de Greef has recently joined the team, bringing the number of permanent midwives to two. SMMC’s midwives are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for both mother and child throughout pregnancy and childbirth. They focus on personalized, one-on-one guidance rooted in trust, ensuring that each woman receives the support she needs during the birth process. Before birth, they provide information to prepare parents for birth during an educational meeting....
Read more
