PHILIPSBURG:---  Sint Maarten has marked a historic milestone as the country hosted its first-ever Strategic Postal Business Meeting, welcoming delegates from 17 nations to the island for high-level dialogue on the future of the postal sector. The program was hosted and coordinated by Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP) in partnership with the Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal (PUASP/UPAEP), reflecting Sint Maarten’s growing role as an active regional partner in postal sector modernization and regulatory advancement.

The opening ceremony featured remarks from Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, the Minister of Finance Ms. Marinka Gumbs, Interim Director of BTP Mrs. Judianne Labega-Hoeve, Director of Postal Services Sint Maarten (PSS) Ms. Antonia Wilson, and Secretary General of PUASP, Mr. Franklin Castro. Each speaker recognized the significance of this historic moment as Sint Maarten hosts strategic deliberations of this scale for the first time in its history.

Held on November 5th and 6th, the meeting brings together designated postal operators, regulators, private-sector agencies, and government representatives to exchange perspectives and examine global developments shaping the postal industry. Discussions are centered on global market dynamics, modernization and digital transformation, international parcel coordination, business sustainability and profitability, e-commerce logistics, and improvements to customer service delivery and experience.

As the national regulator, BTP plays a leading role in guiding the modernization of the postal sector in Sint Maarten. The agency is committed to ensuring that the sector remains efficient, responsive, and relevant in a rapidly evolving digital marketplace. In her address, Interim Director of BTP, Mrs. Judianne Labega-Hoeve, emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of postal services on the island.

“This historic gathering brings us together to reflect, reimagine, and redefine the future of postal services. In a small island developing state like ours, where connectivity defines resilience, postal services are not just about mail—they are about opportunity, inclusion, and economic growth,” she stated.

She further noted that the role of the regulator extends beyond oversight. “The regulator’s role is not just to monitor, but to guide and inspire innovation. The future of Sint Maarten’s postal services must be digital, diversified, and demand-driven—grounded in trust, efficiency, and modern service delivery,” she said. She added that although Sint Maarten is smaller in scale than larger markets, it can still adopt a modern hybrid postal ecosystem in which traditional services coexist with e-commerce logistics, digital service platforms, and community-based service offerings. “Transformation begins with collaboration, technology adoption, and shared regional vision,” she stated.
During the opening session, BTP also highlighted the creativity and engagement of Sint Maarten’s youth, presenting the winning artwork of the recently launched Youth Postal Stamp Design Competition for local fifth-grade students. The winning design was celebrated as a symbol of connection, imagination, and national pride. “Our young people remind us that postal services are more than logistics; they are about connection and identity. Their imagination shows us what happens when we allow the next generation to dream boldly,” said Labega-Hoeve.

By hosting this landmark event, Sint Maarten steps forward as an active regional collaborator in shaping the next chapter of postal development across Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and Portugal. The Government of Sint Maarten, BTP, PSS, and PUASP reaffirm their joint commitment to guiding the postal sector toward greater sustainability, modern efficiency, and improved service delivery that supports local enterprise, community connectivity, and economic growth.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) was honored to welcome the Chief of Police of the Netherlands, Ms. J. Knol, who arrived on the island for a working visit on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
During her visit, Ms. Knol served as one of the keynote speakers at the inaugural “Women of Justice Conference”, organized by KPSM and held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Simpson Bay Resort. The conference celebrated and empowered women working across the justice chain in Sint Maarten, focusing on leadership, collaboration, and professional development within the justice sector.

Other keynote speakers included the Minister of Justice, Ms. N. Tackling, and the Chief Prosecutor, Ms. M. Ridderbeks. The event was well attended by female professionals from various justice institutions, creating a meaningful platform for dialogue and inspiration.
Following the conference, Ms. Knol and her delegation paid a courtesy visit to Minister Tackling and her cabinet. Later in the afternoon, the Dutch Police Chief visited the Philipsburg Police Station, where she met with Chief of Police of Sint Maarten, Mr. C. John, and the KPSM Management Team.

During the visit, Ms. Knol and her delegation toured several departments of the police station, gaining valuable insight into KPSM’s daily operations and specialized units.
At the conclusion of the visit, an agreement was signed between Chief of Police Ms. J. Knol and Chief of Police Mr. C. John, solidifying continued cooperation between the Police Force of Sint Maarten and the Dutch National Police. As part of this agreement, several highly specialized vehicles will be shipped to Sint Maarten to bolster the operational capacity of KPSM’s special units and enhance their ability to respond effectively to complex situations.
This working visit highlighted the ongoing partnership and shared commitment between the police organizations to strengthen law enforcement collaboration within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:---  In a major step to protect consumers and restore fairness in electricity pricing, Member of Parliament Omar Ottley has formally submitted a draft Ministerial Regulation (MR) that will bring the price of electricity and the fuel used to generate it under direct Government economic supervision.
The draft MR introduces oversight of the fuel costs that drive electricity prices — including Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Light Fuel Oil (LFO), diesel, and industrial lubricants, which until now have been left completely unregulated, allowing unpredictable fluctuations to hit households and businesses without warning.

“We cannot continue allowing families and business owners to be blindsided by soaring power bills. This regulation will put transparency, accountability, and fairness back into the system. Despite motions to request the Government to draft the needed MR over a year ago, the Government has not presented a draft MR to date and therefore, I decided to do the work for the Government as the people deserve affordable electricity”, stated MP Ottley.

Key measures introduced in the draft ministerial regulation include a transparent, data-based formula to calculate the fuel clause ending unchecked cost pass throughs, a reduction of the fixed service charge, easing the monthly burden on consumers, tiered base rate billing, protecting lower usage customers, strict efficiency standards for GEBE operations inefficiencies can no longer be passed on to consumers, and monthly oversight and reporting through the Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP).
These measures directly stop the unchecked practice of transferring plant self-consumption, excessive technical losses, or unverified fuel expenses onto the people of St. Maarten. Under the proposed regulation, if GEBE does not meet industry efficiency standards, the company absorbs the cost, not the consumer.

Following the submission of the draft MR, MP Ottley also formally submitted the GEBE Petition to the Committee of Petitions, on behalf of the residents and business owners who signed it. The petition clearly demonstrates overwhelming public demand for relief and stronger Government oversight. “The people have spoken. I am standing with them. This is the beginning of real, structural reform, not talk, not promises, but action.” MP Ottley publicly acknowledges the cries of the 800+ signatories to the GEBE Petition, and encourages all to stay tuned for the calling of the Committee of Petitions Public Meeting, and to remain confident that the Minister of TEATT, Mrs. Grisha Heyliger-Marten, will implement the draft ministerial regulation at the soonest.

The Minister of TEATT will review the draft MR, marking a major turning point in how electricity pricing is governed and supervised in St. Maarten.
“I applaud the Minister for accepting the meeting with an open mind. The fact that she has now promised an internal review and will conduct it with urgency. “

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on November 6, 2025.

This Public meeting was adjourned on October 30, 2025, and will be reconvened on Thursday at 15.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The Minister of Finance will return to Parliament to provide answers to the questions posed by the Members of Parliament in the second round of deliberations on the draft National Ordinance containing rules regarding a basic payment account for consumers.

The agenda point is:
2. Ontwerplandsverordening houdende regels met betrekking tot een basisbetaalrekening voor consumenten (Landsverordening basisbetaalrekening) (Zittingsjaar 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 d.d. 20 december 2023)

Draft National Ordinance containing rules regarding a basic payment account for consumers (National Ordinance basic payment account) (Parliamentary year 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 dated 20 December 2023)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx