PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament, Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, has formally written to the Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, requesting that the Government urgently seek the views of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) on the viability and feasibility of a proposed transaction tax for Sint Maarten.

Wescot-Williams noted that the idea of a transaction tax continues to dominate discussions on fiscal reform and public finance. “While some see this tax as a cure-all for our budgetary challenges, I have expressed concern that -particularly at the rates being discussed- it could have a distortionary impact on the economy,” the MP stated.

She emphasized the importance of expert and data-driven input before any political or legislative decisions are made. “This is not a debate to be driven by emotion or convenience,” she said. “We need to understand its implications for consumers, businesses, and competitiveness, and that requires the technical insight of the Central Bank.”

A transaction tax, sometimes referred to as a financial transactions tax (FTT) or banking turnover tax, is a levy imposed on the value of transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, or payments. Such taxes are administratively simple to collect but can have unintended consequences, including increased costs of doing business, reduced banking activity, and price inflation if applied broadly. Internationally, transaction taxes have been implemented in countries such as Brazil, India, and several European Union members, but often with mixed outcomes, success in revenue generation but challenges related to economic distortion and financial inclusion.

Wescot-Williams reiterated that fiscal reform must be comprehensive, addressing both efficiency and equity. “Sint Maarten’s tax reform should aim to broaden the base, simplify compliance, and stimulate growth, not discourage it. The transaction tax discussion must take place in that wider context, guided by expert advice.”

PHILIPSBURG:---  The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) has recently relaunched the bidding processes for repairs to 12 school gyms and 13 public sports facilities, as well as the construction of the new Emergency Operations Center (EOC). These activities form part of the final works under Emergency Recovery Project I (ERP-1), aimed at restoring and strengthening public infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
Earlier this month, the NRPB hosted contractors for a series of pre-bid site visits at selected school gyms and public sports facilities as part of the tender process. The bid period has closed, and submissions are being evaluated. Contract signing is expected to be in early 2026 ,followed by construction soon after.
The tenders for the repairs to school gyms, sports facilities, and the construction of the EOC were relaunched because the previously awarded contracts for these works had to be terminated for non-performance by the contractor.
To ensure that the terminated activities can still be completed through the Trust Fund, the school gym and sports facilities repairs have been repackaged into smaller tenders. This structure encouraged broader participation from qualified local contractors and maintains transparency throughout the procurement process. All bids submitted for these tenders are from local contractors and are currently under evaluation.
The EOC construction is part of an expansion of the Fire and Ambulance Building. The tender for this contract was launched on October 27, with mobilization planned for April 2026. The Construction of the EOC is scheduled to finish in the second half of 2027. Located beside the Fire and Ambulance Department, the new EOC will provide Sint Maarten with a permanent, purpose-built facility for emergency coordination and response.
ERP-1 is implemented by the NRPB on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. It is funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, which is financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank.
If you are interested in the tender for the expansion of the F&A building and new EOC building, please visit the NRPB Tender Page at www.nrpbsxm.org/tenders for bidding details and other open opportunities.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten says her ministry is actively pursuing new funding opportunities and policy reforms to strengthen agriculture, animal husbandry, and food sustainability on St. Maarten.

During the Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister Heyliger-Marten confirmed that her ministry has submitted between eight to twelve proposals for funding through European Union sustainability programs coordinated via The Hague and Brussels. Among these, several focus specifically on agricultural development and sustainability initiatives.
“We have put in at least between eight and twelve requests for anything sustainable that supports the development of the island,” Heyliger-Marten said. “One of the main ones we’re tapping into is the agricultural fund, which amounts to several million euros. Once we get confirmation, I’ll be able to announce those projects officially.”

The Minister noted that St. Maarten has long lagged in structured agricultural policy and oversight. To address this, the government is moving forward with the establishment of the Agriculture, Livestock, and Fishery (ALF) Agency, an entity that will manage and regulate the sector more effectively.

“Right now, when it comes to agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishery, we have only five people between the policy and inspectorate departments,” the Minister explained. “That’s not nearly enough. The new ALF agency will create a proper structure, with qualified staff who can monitor and support farmers, fishermen, and livestock owners.”

However, the path to agricultural renewal is not without challenges. St. Maarten continues to face serious issues with wild animal infestations, including green iguanas and vervet monkeys, which have been destroying crops in several communities. Farmers have also reported repeated attacks by stray dogs on goats and sheep, resulting in severe losses for small-scale livestock operations.

Community members have raised growing concerns about the lack of clear control or a compensation program for affected farmers. As the Ministry promotes local food security and sustainability, questions remain about how the government intends to protect farmers from these threats and whether there are mechanisms in place to compensate for losses resulting from such damage.

The Minister acknowledged the need for stronger animal control measures but emphasized that a coordinated approach is required, involving multiple ministries, including TEATT, VSA (Public Health, Social Development, and Labor), and VROMI (Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure).
“We are working to rebuild agriculture from the ground up,” Heyliger-Marten said. “But it will take time, resources, and cooperation across ministries to protect and sustain our farmers and livestock truly.”

When asked about earlier proposals for a floating farm in the Great Salt Pond — an idea introduced by Dutch counterparts and inspired by a similar initiative in Rotterdam — the Minister said the concept had been explored but was ultimately deemed financially unfeasible for now.
“We did consider the floating farm model, both for production and agri-tourism,” she said. “It was a creative idea and could one day work here with investors, but at this point it’s not financially sustainable.”

Minister Heyliger-Marten reiterated her commitment to promoting food sustainability and agricultural resilience, noting that ongoing initiatives are key to reducing import dependency and revitalizing rural livelihoods on the island.
“Agriculture is not just about crops or livestock,” she said. “It’s about food security, sustainability, and national resilience. We are determined to build the structures that make this possible.”

PHILIPSBURG:---  During Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling reaffirmed her commitment to accountability, transparency, and integrity in the execution of justice-related duties, emphasizing that the ministry continues to take steps to restore and strengthen public trust in law enforcement institutions.
Minister Tackling addressed ongoing concerns about the functioning of the justice system. It underscored that her ministry’s focus remains on improving operational efficiency and ensuring that all agencies under the justice umbrella adhere to the principles of fairness and professionalism.
“Our goal is not only to enforce the law but to uphold the values that make our justice system credible and trustworthy,” Tackling stated. “We must continue to build a structure that reflects transparency and accountability to the people we serve.”
The Minister noted that the Ministry of Justice has been assessing internal processes, particularly in personnel management, compliance, and oversight, to identify gaps that may hinder service delivery. She reiterated her dedication to creating a system where every decision is guided by integrity and due process.
Addressing questions from the media, Minister Tackling declined to comment on ongoing investigations or cases, but assured that all actions taken by her ministry comply with established legal frameworks and ethical standards. She also called on the public and the media to allow these processes to unfold through proper channels.
“Accountability starts from within,” she said. “It is our duty to ensure that justice is not only done but also seen to be done, without prejudice, influence, or bias.”
The Minister added that collaboration across government agencies remains key to achieving meaningful reform within the justice sector. She acknowledged the challenges faced by law enforcement officers but expressed confidence that ongoing reforms will yield tangible results in strengthening institutional capacity.
Minister Tackling concluded her remarks by reaffirming her commitment to open dialogue with the public and stakeholders, ensuring that the Ministry of Justice remains responsive and transparent in its operations.