PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Tax Administration announces that business license distribution begins today, Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Receiver's Office on Pond Island. Upon arrival, business owners should proceed directly to the balie/reception window to collect their licenses.

Licenses can be picked up Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, and business owners are encouraged to bring proof of payment when collecting.

For more information or assistance, please contact the Tax Administration at 542-2143, 542-3782, 542-3839, or 542-3840, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator of the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Clive Richardson, is calling on residents and the business community to continue to remain vigilant and monitor local weather reports from the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/ as the country moves through the peak period of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season which runs from mid-August to mid-October.

ODM is calling on the public and business community to pay attention to the next weather system, a tropical wave now located in the eastern tropical Atlantic which has the potential to develop over the next few days and could affect the Lesser Antilles during the latter part of the week.

Hurricane Erin's explosive intensification from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane within 24 hours, north of Anguilla, serves as a stark reminder that we are living in a climate-changing world. This climate change influences weather systems, making them stronger and more powerful within a shorter period, as exemplified by Erin.

“Therefore, it is critical to be storm and hurricane ready from the beginning of the hurricane season. Your disaster supply kit should be in place from the beginning of the hurricane season; your yard should be clear of items that could become flying debris, and you should be able to close your storm/hurricane shutters on your home or at your business within an hour or two.

“Hurricane Erin’s rapid intensification is a clear reminder once again that you can’t wait for the last moment to be storm/hurricane ready.

ODM, with the assistance of the Department of Communication (Emergency Support Function ESF-8), in its annual hurricane season public awareness campaign, brings this messaging forward early and consistently every season, as everybody has a role to play in protecting their life and property.

“Sint Maarten and the other islands in the Leeward Islands were very lucky that Erin remained out at sea. The emphasis and core messaging have been personal preparedness, individual, family, and business.

“Preparation is key. Do not take this lightly, because not being prepared can be the difference between life and death. The government and its stakeholders continue to build a more resilient and prepared nation in the face of increasingly severe weather events,” NDC Fire Chief Clive Richardson said.

The remaining 2025 storm names are: Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy.

For more information on hurricane preparedness and to find a list of official resources, please visit the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane, where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart,” or you can use the following link: https://shorturl.at/VbaxC

Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather-related news and information, as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

The hurricane season runs through November 30.

The 3-day summit is aimed at boosting island competitiveness in the fast-evolving world of AI

 Willemstad, Curacao:---The first-ever AI Islands summit will take place in Curaçao from August 27 to 29, bringing together visionary leaders to explore the transformative power of AI for island economies. This landmark event is the result of a strategic collaboration between the Curaçao Investment & Export Promotion Agency (CINEX) and Islandpreneur International.  AI Islands 2025 (www.aiislands.co) will be held at the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) and will gather over 100 leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and investors.

The vision for AI Islands, as presented by the founder of AI Islands and CEO of Islandpreneur, Ife Badejo, is to strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems in island nations by equipping entrepreneurs and leaders with AI-powered solutions and creating pathways for global competitiveness. Curaçao is the ideal location for the AI Islands summit, due to its emerging tech hub status, developed ecosystem, and strong commitment to innovation. According to CINEX CEO, Miles Mercera, Curaçao is ready to take its place as a leader in the digital economy. “Partnering with the AI Islands summit allows Curaçao to showcase our vision, connect global stakeholders, and accelerate opportunities for our entrepreneurs,” Mercera explained.

The three-day program will feature high-impact workshops and panels at the CBCS with participation from Islandpreneur’s strategic partners, and keynote sessions led by global and regional thought leaders. Topics will cover leading in the AI age, understanding AI’s impact on finance, the role of AI in government, and strategies to stand out in an AI-driven world. During the workshops, attendees will learn how to automate workflows, build their own bots or agents with Blue NAP Americas, and create apps in under 30 minutes. CINEX will also present its vision and strategy for advancing the digital economy, emphasizing its role as a bridge and connector in the region. "This partnership with CINEX signals the beginning of a multi-year journey,” said Ife Badejo, founder of AI Islands. “Together, we will deliver a transformative experience in 2025, and in addition strengthen the position of Curaçao as a driving force in shaping the future of AI in island economies."

For more information or get passes, kindly visit www.aiislands.co. For updates, connect with Islandpreneur on facebook at www.facebook.com/iamislandpreneur.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  On Monday, August 18, 2025, His Excellency the Governor Ajamu Baly, the Honorable President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, the Honorable Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, Dr. Luc Mercelina, the Council of Ministers and the Members of Parliament, in this order, will solemnly sign the condolences book of the late Romeo Pantophlet, former Minister of TEATT and Member of Parliament. Family members of the late Mr. Pantophlet will also be in attendance for the signing moment.

Once the signing is complete, the condolences book will be made available for signing by all that wish to share their condolences to the family of the late Mr. Pantophlet as of 12:00 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, every workday in the lobby of the Government Administration Building, at Soualiga Road #1, Pond Island, Great Bay, during the opening hours of 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The condolences book will remain available for signing until the day before the funeral.