PHILIPSBURG:--- I am closely monitoring international developments that could impact St. Maarten financially, resulting in runaway inflation,” said Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs.
“I therefore intend to bring the matter up with my colleagues in the Council of Ministers so that we can have a concerted plan to mitigate such possible negative effects,” said the Minister.
The statement issued by St. Maarten’s Minister of Finance was in response to the ongoing international conflicts that some consider to be a virtual trade war involving the US, Canada, Mexico, China, and countries of the European Union.
“The idea is for us to establish an Emergency Task Force comprising of representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the banking sector, SHTA, the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs Traffic and Telecommunications, TEATT, and the Ministry of Finance,” Minister Marinka Gumbs said.
The Minister explained that this Task Force will develop concrete recommendations on how St. Maarten can navigate the impending crisis successfully. She further added that outside consultants could assist the Task Force with experience and expertise in handling international emergencies such as 9-11.
According to the Minister, since St. Maarten imports most of its goods from the US, St. Maarten must consider joining the rest of the Caribbean in seeking alternative solutions in areas such as shipping and the supply chain to avert the disastrous effect the tariff war between the US and its neighbors, as well as China, could have on our island.
“We must act quickly and proactively on this matter and explore all the possibilities available, such as intensifying trade with countries within the region and beyond.
This situation—which is not of our own making—could have a similar effect on our coffers as a hurricane. We should, therefore, not be caught napping but put plans in place as we do in the case of an approaching storm to lessen the impact,” Minister Marinka Gumbs said.

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten Academy Key Clubbers completed its final and signature project for the 2024-2025 academic year entitled: “Bin the Waste—Keep our Shorelines Great.”

The Academy scholars, together with their juniors in Builders Club, fulfilled the final aspect of their project, which aims to promote the cleanliness of our island. At the same time, they joined with other Key Clubbers around the world to celebrate 100 years of being the largest global student-led high school service organization.

In recognition of this milestone, Phase 1 of the project, which commenced in September 2024, focused on beautifying Little Bay Beach with a sunset mural and signage reminding beach-goers to leave the beaches in pristine condition. Phase 2, on the other hand, emphasized the placement of waste receptacles at strategic locations with a noticeable trash build-up.

The work on Saturday last saw three 42-gallon trash cans deployed at the Bush Road bus stops near KFC and at the popular Bell’s Look-out point in Cole Bay.

At the brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, various club leaders reflected on the contribution of key project partners who collaborated with the young leaders of St. Maarten to promote a cleaner, greener, waste-free environment. President Ambreanne Brooks, in her presentation, acknowledged the critical role of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) in ensuring the success of this service project.

“Without the approval of Honourable Minister Patrice Gumbs and the diligence of Ms. Barbra Webster [Contract Manager-VROMI], who served as liaison and facilitated our many requests for physical support, our project would have remained a pipe dream,” stated Brooks.

Academy’s Head Girl and Key Club Division 4 Lieutenant Governor, Sabéa Nanton, also expressed the club’s gratitude for the generous support received from ACE Hardware. At the same time, Vice President of Builders Club, Jehanna Persaud, thanked Motorworld Group of Companies representatives for their unwavering partnership with the service clubs at St. Maarten Academy. Key Club secretary Sabrina Gopaul thanked local artist and St. Maarten Academy alumna Bernica Michel for her guidance and support in designing and painting the mural at Little Bay.

Vice Principal and Club Faculty Advisor Joanna Trim remarked: “The future of our island is in good standing when our leaders in government, civil service, and the private sector actively demonstrate their commitment to the youth of St. Maarten by being supportive of the efforts of young leaders of service organizations who wish to contribute positively to its development.”

Trim said it is through such partnerships that young people get to recognize their voice and feel welcomed at the discussion table regarding the socio-economic development of Sint Maarten and the world at large.

The “Bin the Waste - Keep our Shorelines Great” project is now complete, but Key Clubbers have just begun celebrating Key Club International's centennial anniversary – a milestone achieved on March 23, 2025.

Vice Principal Trim commented: “With the approval of our project proposal for a Youth Opportunity Fund grant from Key Club International in April 2024, our task to successfully implement the just-concluded project started. One year later, we are proud that our project culminated with this significant milestone. I firmly believe that all service and no fun dulls a leader's vision, so I extend a special thank you to all our corporate leaders who have pledged their support to ensure that 16 students of St. Maarten Academy Key Club will be attending the Key Club International Convention being held at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida, U.S. A. from July 2-6, 2025. Your support guarantees that our young leaders will join their counterparts around the world to exchange ideas on future projects and celebrate their accomplishments as today’s leaders–tomorrow’s world changers.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Islands Innovation Institute (I-3) is pleased to announce a unique opportunity for young professionals to participate in a high-impact leadership experience aimed at reimagining island development through social innovation.
The Future-Ready Leadership Masterclass: Transforming + Elevating Small Island Communities through Social Innovation will be held May 14 and 15, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Guana Bay. This dynamic, in-person dinner event will bring together emerging leaders to explore creative, sustainable, and community-driven solutions for the Caribbean. The masterclass will be led virtually by Dela Wilson, JD, MPA, a Harvard-educated cultural producer and founder of Axle Impact Studio. With experience across the U.S., Caribbean, and Africa, Wilson bridges art, policy, and innovation to support impactful social change. Participants will engage with topics such as social innovation, design thinking, sustainability, and cultural leadership through a curriculum grounded in the African diaspora. A locally sourced dinner will be provided each evening by Sint Maarten chef Tracy Blijden of Flamboyant Spoon Studio. All participants will receive a certificate of completion.
A limited number of sponsorships, each valued at USD 300, are available for eligible young professionals. Sponsorship covers course materials and the full in-person culinary experience. Interested applicants must submit a brief motivation letter of no more than 300 words by April 10, 2025, to be considered. Applicants should explain why they want to attend the masterclass, what leadership means to them, and how they plan to use this experience to benefit Sint Maarten or the wider Caribbean. Letters should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Businesses, foundations, and individuals interested in sponsoring one or more participants are also invited to get in touch. A sponsorship of USD 300 directly supports a young professional’s participation and positions the sponsor as a champion of youth development, leadership, and sustainable innovation on the island.
The Islands Innovation Institute is a reactivated nonprofit foundation based in Sint Maarten, serving as a knowledge hub and convener of homegrown talent, global expertise, and community voices. I-3 brings together creatives, students, anti-conformists, thought leaders, and community members of all ages to explore innovative, locally grounded solutions to the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The masterclass is part of I-3’s Bustling Island Communities (BIC) initiative, which champions the creative economy as a pathway to resilient infrastructure, economic diversification, and improved quality of life across the region.
For more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

French Quarter:--- The public is invited to celebrate the launch of SoualiKulture, the first-ever activity book about St. Martin culture! The free, festive launch event will be held at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter from 9am to noon. SoualiKulture was created by the Soualiwomen Kultural Association (SKA) and the Les Fruits de Mer association. Guests attending the launch will receive a free copy of the book. The event will also feature a cultural scavenger hunt, a display of Carnival costumes, a coloring station, and refreshments for all to enjoy.

“SKA was formed to celebrate Carnival in another way, more creative and cultural. Then we opened up more to promote and share our culture and traditions,” explained Erica and Laticha Stephen, President and Vice-president of SKA. “This book brings together many parts of our culture, like our sayings and language, our food, our Ponum dance and Carnival. It presents them to the next generation through the fun of activities. It’s a new way to share the things that inspire us and make us who we are as a people.”

SoualiKulture features over 100 pages of stories, heritage photos, mazes, word games, coloring pages, creative writing and drawing activities, and more. Topics include art, music and dance, Carnival, food and fishing traditions, livestock and agriculture, and the St. Martin language. The book is bilingual in English and French. Ten members of SKA worked together with Les Fruits de Mer to develop and write the book.

“We are thrilled to help SKA launch the first activity book about St. Martin culture!” said Les Fruits de Mer president Jenn Yerkes. “This is incredibly special, and we hope it’s the first of many. St. Martin culture is very rich, and it would be wonderful to see many more books for kids like this. We also look forward to giving this book to thousands of students over the coming years. It can help pass on cultural knowledge and traditions, so they can survive and thrive into the future.”

The book launch will be held on Sunday, April 6th from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on the hill above Coconut Grove. Free copies of the book will be given to those who attend the event. The launch is also a great chance to visit the museum and learn more about SKA. The event will feature a display of some of SKA’s traditional handmade Carnival costumes. Kids will enjoy a special cultural scavenger hunt and a coloring station. Light refreshments will also be served.

Free printed copies of SoualiKulture will be given to local schools and students as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s book program. The book is also available as a free download from http://lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

This book was produced with the support of the Fonds pour le développement de la vie associative (FDVA).