PHILIPSBURG:---  The Department of Statistics (STAT), in collaboration with the General Audit Chamber, wishes to clarify the scope and intended interpretation of the recently published audit concerning the environment in which official statistics are produced in Sint Maarten.

This clarification is necessary in light of recent public commentary and media coverage that may have created the impression that the audit concluded that Sint Maarten’s official statistics are inaccurate or unreliable. That interpretation is incorrect.

The audit reviewed the institutional, operational, and resource environment in which STAT carries out its work, including matters such as staffing, governance, data access, stakeholder coordination, documentation, and internal processes. Importantly, the audit did not test, validate, or verify the accuracy of STAT’s published statistical figures or outputs. The report itself makes clear that the review focused on the conditions under which statistics are produced, rather than on testing the figures already published.

A clear distinction must therefore be made between:

• the operating environment in which official statistics are produced; and
• the technical methodologies and standards used in the production of those statistics.

 Although the General Audit Chamber did not test statistical outputs, STAT mentions it continues to produce official statistics using internationally recognized scientific and statistical methodologies, including established approaches to sampling, weighting, estimation, and validation. These methods are aligned with accepted international standards and are supported, where relevant, through technical collaboration with recognized institutions such as CARTAC and Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

The Department of Statistics also states its commitment to operating in accordance with the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, which guide the production of official data based on professionalism, scientific rigor, impartiality, and transparency.

The audit identifies important areas where the broader statistical system can and should be strengthened, particularly in relation to staffing, documentation, data-sharing arrangements, quality control procedures, and inter-agency coordination. These findings are constructive and relevant to the continued development of the national statistical system. They do not constitute a finding that the official statistics currently published by STAT have been invalidated or found to be inaccurate. Reliability of statistics does not depend only on final figures, but on the systems, resources, and controls behind them. The audit therefore rather focused on whether those conditions are in place.

As with national statistical offices worldwide, STAT relies in part on data received from households, businesses, and partner institutions across both the public and private sectors. Timely, complete, and consistent cooperation from these stakeholders remains essential to maintaining a strong, responsive, and resilient national statistical system. In this regard, the audit’s recommendations support the continued strengthening of the broader environment in which official statistics are produced.

STAT and the General Audit Chamber therefore underscore that the report should be understood as a constructive assessment aimed at strengthening the systems, coordination, and institutional conditions that support official statistics in Sint Maarten. It was also the intention that based on the findings of the audit, the Government will facilitate the Stat dept with the necessary resources needed to execute it’s responsibility. It should not be interpreted as a conclusion that the official statistics themselves were tested and found to be unreliable.

STAT remains committed to transparency, continuous improvement, and the production of high-quality official statistics that support sound policymaking, informed public dialogue, and national development. To this end, the Stat dept is presently acquiring Technical Support for one year throught the Country Package project to further strengthen and improve the technical aspects of the Department.

For further information or clarification, please contact the Department of Statistics at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the General Audit Chamber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The report is available on the website of the General Audit Chamber: www.arsxm.org.

THE HAGUE / WILLEMSTAD / ORANJESTAD / PHILIPSBURG:---  Cooperation between the Netherlands and its Caribbean partners is beginning to bear fruit, but deep-rooted challenges continue to slow the pace of reform, according to a new interim evaluation released this week.

The report assesses the Mutual Regulation for Cooperation on Reforms, a framework established in 2023 to guide structural reforms in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. These reforms were initially tied to financial support provided by the Netherlands during the COVID-19 crisis.

A Crisis-Driven Partnership

The origins of the cooperation lie in the economic fallout of the pandemic. Facing severe financial strain, the Caribbean countries turned to the Netherlands for emergency liquidity loans. In return, they committed to sweeping reforms to strengthen governance and economic resilience.

What followed was an ambitious reform agenda spanning public finance, taxation, healthcare, education, and the labor market. But from the start, the scale of these plans posed a significant challenge.

“The reform packages were exceptionally broad and ambitious,” the evaluation notes, highlighting that multiple large-scale changes had to be implemented simultaneously under difficult circumstances.

Progress, but Not Without Strain

Despite early tensions, the report finds that cooperation has improved over time. Joint planning, regular coordination, and support from the Netherlands—particularly through the Temporary Work Organization (TWO)—have helped launch numerous reform projects.

In several areas, tangible progress has been made. Governments have taken steps to improve financial management, modernize tax systems, and strengthen institutional oversight. These efforts, while often technical and behind the scenes, are seen as crucial building blocks for long-term economic stability.

Still, many reforms remain in early stages.

“Much of the work is transitioning from planning to implementation,” the report states, emphasizing that structural changes require years, not months, to take full effect.

Capacity and Politics Slow the Pace

One of the most persistent obstacles is limited administrative capacity. Governments in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten often lack the personnel and expertise to implement complex reforms while managing day-to-day responsibilities.

At the same time, political instability and frequent leadership changes have disrupted continuity. The evaluation stresses that progress depends heavily on consistent political commitment—something that has not always been present.

Differences between the three countries have also played a role. Each entered the reform process with its own institutional strengths and weaknesses, resulting in uneven outcomes across the region.

A Cooperation Built on Trust

Unlike more rigid international agreements, the current framework relies on cooperation rather than enforcement. There are no strong legal mechanisms to compel progress, meaning that trust and mutual commitment are essential.

This has proven both a strength and a weakness. While it allows flexibility and respects each country's autonomy, it also makes the process vulnerable to delays and shifting priorities.

Looking Ahead to 2027

The agreement is set to run until 2027, with the option to extend it. Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg told parliament that the evaluation will serve as the basis for discussions with Caribbean leaders on the future of the cooperation.

Experts say continuation is likely, given the unfinished nature of many reforms.

The evaluation itself recommends extending the collaboration, warning that ending it prematurely could undermine progress already made.

Long-Term Payoff Still Uncertain

While the reforms are designed to strengthen economic resilience, their impact is not yet fully visible. Many initiatives focus on improving governance and institutional capacity—changes that take time to translate into economic growth.

For now, the report offers a cautious but clear message: cooperation is working, but only just.

The coming years will determine whether this unique partnership can deliver lasting results—or whether its ambitions will outpace its realities.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), joins the global community as part of its annual calendar of health observances in observing World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, a day dedicated to increasing understanding, promoting inclusion, and supporting individuals living with autism and their families.

CPS encourages the Sint Maarten community to take time to learn more about autism and to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts socially, and experiences the world around them.

It is called a “spectrum” because it presents differently in each individual. Some persons with autism may have strong verbal and cognitive skills, while others may experience challenges with communication, behavior, and daily activities.

Common characteristics can include difficulties with social interaction, repetitive behaviors, sensitivity to sensory input, and differences in learning styles.

Early identification and intervention are key to supporting individuals with autism. While there is no single known cause or cure, early support services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and specialized educational programs can greatly improve development and quality of life.

CPS encourages parents and caregivers to seek professional guidance if they notice developmental delays or behavioral differences in their children.

Families play a vital role in supporting individuals with autism. Creating a structured, supportive, and understanding environment can help children and adults with autism thrive.

Establishing routines, using clear and consistent communication, and celebrating small achievements are important strategies that can make a meaningful difference.

It is also essential for families to access available resources, support groups, and professional services that can provide guidance and emotional support.

CPS also emphasizes the importance of community awareness and acceptance.

Individuals with autism have unique strengths, talents, and perspectives that enrich society. By promoting inclusion in schools, workplaces, and public spaces, the community can help ensure that persons with autism are given equal opportunities to participate and succeed.

On World Autism Awareness Day, CPS calls on residents of Sint Maarten to show compassion, understanding, and support for individuals with autism and their families.

Building an inclusive society begins with awareness and respect, and together, the community can create a more supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

By Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Division Director for the Caribbean

During one of my visits to Sint Maarten, I spoke with a woman who works as a taxi driver. She had once held a job at a highly seasonal hotel, leaving her with little or no income during the off-season and few opportunities to increase her earnings. Determined to change her situation, she moved into the transport sector, starting out as a taxi driver. She worked long hours during the high season, saved money, and later rented an additional vehicle and hired another driver. Today, she operates two vehicles in addition to her own, with plans to expand. She is dreaming of a house and sending her kids to college.

Over the years, during my visits to Sint Maarten, I have met women like her repeatedly; women who create opportunities for themselves. They are willing to learn new things, take risks, and continue, even when things are hard.

This determination is visible not only in households and small businesses, but also in public life. Today, women hold nearly half of the seats in Sint Maarten’s Parliament - around 46.7 percent - reflecting how widely women are stepping into leadership roles across the island.

The leadership women bring across the island is among Sint Maarten's greatest strengths and a clear economic advantage. Evidence consistently shows that companies with gender-diverse leadership are more likely to outperform others, and closing gender gaps in employment could raise global GDP by more than 20 percent.

Political representation, however, does not automatically translate into broad-based economic opportunity. Many women continue to face constraints that limit their ability to expand businesses, increase incomes, or access capital. Barriers to finance, professional networks, and supportive services still shape how fully their economic potential can be realized.

For a small island economy like Sint Maarten, the implications are particularly significant. With a small population, few sources of economic activity, and exposure to natural shocks, growth depends on making full use of existing talent. When more women are able to earn higher incomes, invest, and grow their businesses, productivity rises, and households become more resilient in times of uncertainty.

This is why women’s economic participation is embedded in the World Bank’s work in Sint Maarten. Through the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank in partnership with the Government of Sint Maarten, our support in the years following Hurricane Irma went beyond rebuilding homes and critical infrastructure. It also focused on restoring livelihoods, helping small businesses reopen and grow, and giving people the practical skills needed to turn ideas into income. Women were given particular attention in this work. 

And the results show how strongly women responded when opportunities were made available.

Through the Emergency Income Support and Training Project, people received temporary income support and practical training to help them find work and resume earning. More than 1,900 people participated in the program, and over 70 percent were women, highlighting both the extent to which the crisis affected women’s employment and their readiness to re-enter the labor market.

The Trust Fund has also provided more than US$19.3 million to over 300 small businesses on the island, and 124 of those were led by women. With this financing, women have opened bakeries, catering services, neighborhood shops, and businesses as diverse as mushroom production. These enterprises are now employing others and keeping economic activity rooted locally. They have also received tailored training and coaching in financial literacy and core business skills, from planning and marketing to tax compliance, giving them the tools to grow sustainably.

This progress matters. It means more women can move beyond subsistence and begin planning for growth, just like the taxi driver I spoke with.

Building on this progress, the priority in Sint Maarten is to expand what works: increasing access to finance, strengthening the link between skills and jobs, and creating support systems that enable people to balance care responsibilities with paid work.

These are the investments that will allow more women, and the island as a whole, to keep moving forward.