PHILIPSBURG:--- In a Central Committee meeting held Wednesday, January 22nd, the leader of the United People’s Party, MP Omar E C Ottley, presented the Minister of Vromi with a series of suggestions and proposals aimed at addressing the urgent infrastructure and zoning needs of St. Maarten. This significant discussion focused on the critical necessity for strategic planning to manage the island's rapid growth and to implement effective disaster prevention measures.

During the meeting, Minister VROMI presented a new zoning plan, which prompted an interesting dialogue among members of Parliament. MP Ottley seized the opportunity to address the Minister and highlight the importance of a well-structured approach that encompasses short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies. He emphasized that the long-term plan should include a comprehensive urban study, which investigates not only the physical layout of the city or town, but also urbanism, which looks at the social dynamics and living conditions of its inhabitants.

“St. Maarten is a vibrant melting pot, and in the coming years, our existing infrastructure will be strained by the increasing volume of visitors to our shores. It is imperative that we proactively plan for this growth to ensure we maintain the quality of life for our residents while also accommodating tourists”, said Ottley

In addition to advocating for a focused urban study, Ottley encouraged the Minister of VROMI to explore the concept of mixed-use zoning, which would allow for a diverse range of development that could support both local residents and possibly the agricultural sector. This was suggested after his party member MP Lacroes pointed out the lack of agricultural land and lack of support given to the local farmers. Ottley presented the minister with a thesis done in Rotterdam in 2015 showing the benefits of mix land use in urban environments. By promoting a blend of different land uses, the island can enhance its sustainability and foster a sense of community.

As the meeting concluded, the Minister of Vromi expressed his agreement with the ideas presented by MP Ottley and reiterated his commitment to working with the relevant stakeholders to get it done.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on January 23, 2025.

The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 10.30 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Representatives of the St. Maarten Farmers’ Cooperative will be in attendance.

The agenda points are:
1. Presentation by the St. Maarten Farmers’ Cooperative regarding the state of agriculture on Sint Maarten

2. Approval of composition delegation and provisions for Members of Parliament to participate in the SSS Cooperative meeting in The Bottom, Saba from February 12-14, 2025
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.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament

~ Residents Urged to Secure Their Stickers Before February 28, 2025, Deadline ~

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Tax Administration of Sint Maarten is pleased to announce that the distribution of the 2025 Motor Vehicle Stickers will officially begin on January 24, 2025. To ensure an organized and efficient process, residents will receive their stickers according to their designated vehicle category.
The distribution will occur in three stages. The first phase will begin on January 24, 2025, with the allocation of stickers to vehicles classified under the (M) category, lasting for one week. The second phase will begin lasting one week on February 3, for individuals with (P) category plates and all other vehicle classifications will begin on February 10.
To obtain a sticker, residents must provide proof of payment, valid insurance and an inspection card. Payments can be completed through three convenient methods: online payment through credit or debit cards (excluding Maestro), bank transfers, or in person payments with cash, maestro, or credit/debit cards.
Online payments through credit or debit cards can be made via services.sintmaartengov.org. It is important to have your valid insurance, inspection, and, if applicable, a bill of sale ready for upload during the online payment process.
Bank transfers can be made using the following details:
Windward Island Bank (WIB):
USD Account: 324800-05
Naf. Account: 324800-03
RBC Royal Bank:
USD Account: 8200000403930461
Naf. Account: 8200000005425048
For those opting to pay via Online Banking, it is essential to include your name and vehicle plate number in the payment description. Once the transfer is completed, receipts and stickers can be collected at the Receivers Office within three to five working days, provided that your valid inspection and insurance documents are presented.
Cash and Maestro payments can be made at the Receivers Office on Pond Island, and Public Service Center (PSC) in Simpson Bay daily from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Please note that only three transactions are allowed per person. To assist businesses and families with more than three vehicles, we encourage you to submit proof of payment, valid insurance and an inspection card in a sealed envelope at the Receivers Office, including your name and contact number. This will allow us to schedule a pickup on a designated date and time for a more streamlined process. The deadline to take advantage of this service is February 17, 2025.
To enhance service accessibility, seniors aged 62 and older will be assisted at Window 6. Additionally, taxpayers are encouraged to park in the APS parking lot adjacent to the Government Building for convenience when visiting the Receivers Office.
All residents should note that the final deadline to complete payments for the 2025 Motor Vehicle Stickers will be February 28, 2025.
For further details, individuals can contact the Receivers Office at 542-2143, 542-5300, 542-5304, or 542-3839, or reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

~Popular global television show, Shark Week, to feature Saba in 2025~

SABA, DUTCH CARIBBEAN:--- The STB is delighted to welcome and host multinational mass media company, Warner Bros. Discovery, well known for its namesake Discovery Channel network. The production company is on island over the next week filming a segment for the widely watched Shark Week slated to air in July of this year. While the popular series first aired over 35+ years ago and has showcased multiple Caribbean destinations, this is the first time they visit and focus on Saba, its impressive underwater ecosystem, and naturally, their main focus, tiger sharks.

The production team has been working hand in hand with the STB, Saba National Marine Park, and Saba Conservation Foundation to ensure the show reflects accurate and scientific information regarding the efforts spearheaded by these important organizations. Saba Conservation Foundation’s Kai Wulf and Ayumi Izioka, were vital in driving interest from Shark Week as their in-depth knowledge of everything from the seasonality of tiger sharks to acoustic tagging in the region kept the conversation compelling.

This partnership is a direct result of efforts between the STB and the destination’s North American PR agency of record, Diamond Public Relations, who first began conversations surrounding this opportunity in May 2023 and secured a visit to the island in November of the same year with TV journalist and Shark Week host, Kinga Philipps. During that visit Phillips also filmed a widely watched segment about Saba that was broadcast on the major news network, KTLA. Fourteen months later, the Saba Tourism Bureau was happy to welcome Kinga back, along with the additional cast and crew for a week of above and below water exploration of the island.

The Saba Tourist Bureau thanks all the partners that made this week successful.