PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten and Kadaster Netherlands, also representing the BES Islands Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, have taken another step toward strengthening regional cooperation in land administration and geospatial development with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Philipsburg.
The agreement, signed by Kadaster St. Maarten Managing Director Benjamin Ortega and Cora Smelik, Member of the Executive Board of the Netherlands’ Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (Kadaster Netherlands), reinforces the commitment to further investigate while executing various collaborative actions toward the establishment of the Caribbean Cadaster Association (CCA).
The intended establishment of the CCA is understood to be a structured regional network to strengthen collaboration among Caribbean land registry and cadastral institutions. Through this partnership, participating territories seek to modernise land administration, support legal and policy development, improve geospatial data interoperability, and strengthen professional training and institutional capacity. The initiative also advances sustainable development, economic resilience, and responsible land management.
The LOI signing builds on momentum from November 28, 2025, when a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was tabled at the Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI) Caribbean Summit, hosted in St. Maarten. That agreement brought together the cadastral authorities of St. Maarten, Aruba, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, Antigua and Barbuda, alongside Kadaster Netherlands, to formally launch the initiative to establish the CCA as a platform for cooperation, innovation, and professional advancement in cadastral and geospatial management.
As Kadaster St. Maarten introduced this initiative, St. Maarten was selected as the inaugural Chair, leading the investigation and the next steps toward transitioning the CCA from a collaborative network to a formally incorporated regional association.
The recently signed LOI further reinforces the shared commitment among participating institutions by outlining voluntary cooperation, knowledge exchange, training support, and continued institutional dialogue. While maintaining flexibility for each participating territory, the agreement enables partners to develop the CCA in a phased, collaborative manner, ensuring cooperation reflects both regional priorities and national capacities.
Highlighting the importance of professional collaboration, Smelik said the value of knowledge exchange across institutions and jurisdictions, “Knowledge exchange between professional organisations is crucial. This also applies to our field of land administration and geoinformation. We look forward to contributing to knowledge development in the Caribbean region, together with our colleagues on Saba, St. Eustatius, and Bonaire, and to learning a great deal from professionals in the region. I congratulate the Kadaster of St. Maarten, and Mr. Benjamin Ortega in particular, on this important initiative and look forward to concrete results.”
Smelik brings extensive experience in international cooperation, spatial policy, and public sector leadership. In addition to serving on the Executive Board of Kadaster Netherlands, she is a former diplomat and a former Regional Minister for the Province of Flevoland. She also serves as a board member of EuroGeographics and the National Benchmark Association, organisations that focus on strengthening cooperation and knowledge sharing among mapping, cadastral, and land registry authorities across Europe.
Ortega underscored the strategic importance of regional alignment as cadastral services continue to evolve through digital transformation. “Digital transformation in land governance cannot happen in isolation. As Kadaster advances toward smarter systems, modern tools, and higher service standards, regional collaboration remains a critical foundation. The intended CCA creates a structured environment for aligning standards, sharing expertise, and collectively building capacity. By working together, we strengthen not only our institutions, but the resilience, transparency, and economic stability of the region.” Ortega further highlighted that more Caribbean Countries are scheduled to participate in similar signings of LOIs within the near future, and this will be communicated to the greater public accordingly.
Also present at the signing were Jonathon Charles, Operations Manager, and Austin Philips, Front Office Manager, who are both mortgage Custodians of Kadaster St. Maarten; Mathilde Molendijk, Program Manager Caribbean Netherlands at Kadaster Netherlands, who oversees Kadaster operations on Sint Eustatius, Saba, and Bonaire and has extensive experience in international GIS education and land administration initiatives.
With the guiding principles of the CCA and the LOI reinforcing active engagement, Kadaster St. Maarten continues to play a leading role in advancing regional collaboration and modernising land governance for the benefit of current and future generations.
Minister of Finance, Ms. Marinka Gumbs Pushes to Abolish Inheritance and Land taxes.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The proposed law to abolish both the Inheritance Tax (Successiebelasting) and the Land Tax (grondbelasting) has been approved by the Council of Ministers. The Minister of Finance, Hon. Marinka J. Gumbs, now looks forward to appearing before Parliament on Friday, February 13, 2026, to commence deliberations and advance the approval process.
Both laws have been on the books for decades; however, they were never enforced.
“What use is there in having laws that we have not enforced on the books?” the Minister asked rhetorically. The land tax levies an annual tax on the value of both unimproved and improved land with a structure. The tax rate is 0.3% of the property's value and is charged to the owner. Technically, this would affect all succession land on the island.
Obviously, nobody wants this tax,” the Minister noted. Abolishing it, however, would not affect other taxes which are associated with real estate transactions, such as the Transfer Tax (Overdrachtsbelasting), a one-time tax of 4% levied on the transfer of real estate upon purchase, or the Long-Lease Land Fees charged if a property is on government-leased land.
With regard to Inheritance Tax, which is intended to be levied on assets and money inherited from a deceased individual, the practice has not been to enforce it. Formally abolishing it would remove any doubts about Sint Maarten’s position as a favorable location for estate planning and wealth transfer, in particular with respect to real estate, since there will be no inheritance tax on property passed down to heirs.
Minister Marinka Gumbs reaffirmed her commitment to seeing this reform through and expressed her anticipation that Parliament will move toward the abolition of both the Inheritance Tax and the Land Tax in the public interest.
Minister Gumbs Submits Draft 2026 Budget to CFT and Sets Clear Path Forward For 2027 Budget.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Finance, Marinka J. Gumbs, has taken decisive steps to ensure the orderly handling of Sint Maarten’s public finances by outlining a clear and realistic path forward for the national budgets for 2026 and 2027.
Following approval by the Council of Ministers on February 10, 2026, the draft 2026 National Budget has been submitted to the Board of Financial Supervision Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CFT) for advice, in accordance with Article 11 of the Kingdom Act on Financial Supervision of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. This submission marks an important step in advancing the 2026 budget.
Regarding the 2026 budget, the Minister acknowledged that it must be submitted to Parliament by September of the preceding year. This timeline was not achieved due to technical delays related to the 2025 budget.
In reassessing the current circumstances, whilst taking the broader budgetary process into context, the Minister confirmed that the Government will not proceed with an amendment to the 2025 budget. As the 2025 fiscal year has already concluded, proceeding with such an amendment at this stage would not improve fiscal management and would instead further delay progress on the 2026 and 2027 budgets, keeping us trapped in the cycle of annual late budget processes we are trying to break. The Minister emphasized that this decision reflects a conscious and strategic choice to halt compounding delays and to focus Government capacity on advancing the upcoming budgets.
In response, the Minister has implemented an adjusted and realistic planning framework, aligned with the decision of the Kingdom Council of Ministers of January 30, 2026, which called on the Government “to do everything possible to establish the budget as quickly as possible and, where possible, to make up for lost time in relation to the submitted schedule by examining whether certain process steps can be combined or shortened.”
The Government is therefore working toward the submission of the draft 2026 budget to Parliament by May 2026.
At the same time, the Minister emphasized that corrective measures for the 2026 budget are being coupled with early and proactive preparation for the 2027 budget cycle. As part of this forward-looking approach, a meeting will be held on February 12, 2026, bringing together the Council of Ministers and other key financial stakeholders, such as the respective Secretaries General, Financial Controllers, and the Chiefs of Staff, to begin deliberations aimed at establishing the policy priorities for the 2027 budget. The Cft Secretariat will also be in attendance at this meeting, which will allow them to observe firsthand the Government’s commitment to achieving a timely budget for 2027.
By initiating these discussions well in advance, the Minister aims to ensure that the 2027 budget process proceeds in a timely and disciplined manner.
Minister Gumbs reaffirmed her commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and sound public financial management. She underscored that by taking decisive corrective action, making clear strategic choices, and initiating early preparations for future budgets, the Government is working to rebuild discipline, stability, and confidence in Sint Maarten’s budgetary process. The Minister of Finance, Ms. Gumbs, will continue to keep the public informed as the budget process progresses.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDEND FOR SINT MAARTEN! Open call for initiatives on Sint Maarten related to the commemoration of the History of Slavery.
Het Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied (CCG) invites organizations on Sint Maarten to submit project proposals that contribute to awareness and commemoration of the trans-Atlantic history of slavery. This open call is being launched in collaboration with het Cultuurfonds (CFNL), with support from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB).
This call is part of DNB’s program providing a one-time contribution of €500,000 for Bonaire and €500,000 for Sint Maarten, aimed at initiatives that create lasting cultural impact. The program is carried out in close cooperation with CFNL and CCG, who jointly advise DNB on the awarding of contributions.
Update:
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The submission deadline for Sint Maarten has been extended to February 28 - 2026.
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Registration for Bonaire has closed.
Purpose of the Call
Support is intended for cultural institutions and organizations committed to: • the preservation of historical heritage related to the history of slavery; • the development of educational cultural programs that increase knowledge about this past; • the creation of museum or cultural facilities that promote awareness and ensure broad public engagement.
The goal is to support projects that make a sustainable difference in strengthening historical awareness and community connection.
Collaboration
CFNL and CCG jointly advise DNB on the selection of projects. CCG contributes its local knowledge and network within the Caribbean context, while CFNL provides its expertise in project assessment and grant-making. DNB is solely the funder. None of the three parties is involved in the development or implementation of the projects.
Submitting proposals – For Sint Maarten ONLY!
Local cultural organizations and institutions on Sint Maarten may submit their project proposals from
until February 28 - 2026 via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (e-mail)
Important: Before submitting your project proposal, please read the instructions for this call on our website: https://cultuurfondscaribischgebied.com/eenmalige-bijdrage-dnb-voor-bonaire-en-sxm/
Projects will be assessed on cultural impact, feasibility, sustainability, and alignment with the theme of commemorating the history of slavery, with the aim of promoting awareness of the Trans-Atlantic History of Slavery.
More information about the requirements and the submission process can be found at: www.cultuurfondscaribischgebied.com
KPSM Urges Increased Road Safety Following Multiple Serious Traffic Accidents.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) expresses deep concern regarding the number of serious traffic accidents that have occurred during the first five to six weeks of 2026. Tragically, several people have lost their lives, while others have sustained very serious and life-altering injuries as a result of these incidents.
These accidents have had a profound impact on families, friends, and the wider community. KPSM extends its sincere condolences to all those who have lost loved ones and wishes the injured a full and speedy recovery.
Preliminary investigations indicate that factors such as speeding, reduced visibility, wet road conditions due to rainfall, poor lighting in certain areas, and inattentive driving continue to play a significant role in these serious accidents.
In light of these developments, KPSM urgently calls on all road users to exercise greater caution, particularly when driving:
• During rainy or wet weather conditions
• In poorly lit or dark areas
• During early morning and late-night hours
• On roads known for sharp bends or reduced visibility
Motorists are strongly urged to:
• Adjust their speed to road and weather conditions
• Avoid unnecessary speeding
• Maintain a safe following distance
• Ensure vehicles are in proper condition, including lights, tires, and brakes
• Remain fully attentive and avoid distractions while driving
• Put away cellphones and other mobile devices while driving — using a cellphone behind the wheel is both dangerous and illegal
Scooter and Motorcycle Riders:
• Must wear helmets at all times. This is required by law and can prevent serious head injuries and save lives
• Should exercise extra caution due to increased vulnerability on the road
• Must ensure their vehicles have functioning lights and are properly maintained
KPSM reminds all road users that road safety is a shared responsibility. A moment of impatience or negligence can have irreversible consequences. Every driver, rider, and pedestrian has a role to play in preventing serious injuries or further loss of life on our roads.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten will continue to carry out traffic controls and visibility across the island, while also focusing on preventive measures and public awareness.
Together, let us work to reduce traffic fatalities and make Sint Maarten's roads safer for everyone.