PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), under the leadership of Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, has announced the temporary closure of the Department of Economic Licenses’ service desk at the Public Service Center (PSC), effective July 1, 2025, for a period of four to six weeks.

This decision is part of a strategic effort to address recurring public concerns, improve turnaround times, and strengthen the quality of service provided to the business community, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It aligns with the Ministry’s broader mission to ease the process of doing business in St. Maarten.

“I’ve listened to the complaints and frustrations from the public and the staff of the Department, and I am taking decisive action,” stated Minister Heyliger-Marten. “The goal is to assist the staff by restructuring internal processes, give them time to only address the backlog, and reintroduce a system that prioritizes their concerns by means of efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.”

Key updates during the closure include:

A new digital document submission: Applicants will be able to upload required documents from wherever they are. This will make the process easier, more flexible, and reduce the need to come in person unless absolutely necessary. More updates on how you can receive assistance during closure via the of Small Economic Development Corporation SEDC and/or the Chamber of Commerce COCI, we be mentioned later this week.

Discontinuation of the current online system: The existing online submission platform will be phased out. A new short-term digital solution will be introduced to ensure more reliable and user-friendly service.

Return to walk-in service: After the service desk reopens, morning hours will accommodate walk-in submissions and inquiries using a number system. Afternoon hours (1 PM to 4 PM) will be dedicated to application status updates.

Follow-up for existing appointments: All individuals with appointments scheduled for July and early August will be contacted during the first week of July to inform them of next steps and address their pending requests.

To manage this transition, a dedicated internal project team has been assigned to support implementation, clear the backlog, and enhance communication between the department and the public.

“The Ministry fully recognizes the vital role that MSMEs play in our economy and the challenges they face when accessing basic services,” added Minister Heyliger-Marten. “This restructuring represents a short- to mid-term solution that will bring relief now, while we continue working on broader long-term reforms through the Country Packages.”

The Department will also participate in the upcoming Go Local Event, hosted in Philipsburg on the Boardwalk from July 24 to 27, 2025. During this event, the department will host an informational tent to share updates, answer public inquiries, and promote awareness about the new licensing process.

While the temporary closure may cause some short-term inconvenience, the Ministry is confident that these measures will result in improved service, renewed public trust, and a more efficient approach to licensing that reflects the needs of a modern economy.

[HILIPSBURG:--- On Sunday, June 22nd, 2025, Disciples Toastmasters Club held its end-of-term celebration. The celebration consisted of the induction of its newest member, awards and recognition, as well as the installation of its club executive for the 2025-2026 term.

Cassandra Richardson was inducted as the eighth new member, enabling the club to achieve its tenth award to be recognized as a President's Distinguished club for the 2024-2025 term. This was followed by the awards & recognition aspect of the ceremony, where members were awarded for their achievements and recognized for their outstanding contributions during the year.

With the term concluding on June 30, the club took the opportunity to install its new executive board for the upcoming term officially. In keeping with customary procedures, members were either nominated or volunteered for leadership roles, followed by a formal election process. The newly elected board members are now set to lead the club into another year of growth and achievement, beginning July 1st.

The members are as follows;

Tashana James as Club President; Cedranella Kirindongo as Vice President Education; Oliver Williams as Vice President Membership, Delano Samuel as Vice President Public Relations, Shevon Kelly as Treasurer & Shirmell Wilson as Sergeant At Arms. Outgoing Club President Valerie Brazier will function in an advisory capacity as Immediate Past President.

The Disciples Toastmasters Club is one of the many clubs on the island of St. Maarten. The meetings offer numerous benefits, including a joyous environment where people are free to learn and grow. The meetings are educational and engaging. There are presentations on various topics. Some of the speeches are amusing, resulting in a captivating experience for all.

All persons are welcome to visit the club meetings. Guests are encouraged to attend the Disciples Toastmasters club meetings, which are held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month at 5 pm, at the St. Maarten Academy academic section in St. Peter's.

Done by Oliver Williams

Willemstad:--- During a military ceremony on Monday morning, June 30, 2025, Company Rotation 48 handed over its tasks to the next unit, Rotation 49. The new commander, Major Marco Kamphorst from Havelte, assumed command from his predecessor, Lieutenant Colonel Kjell Koster, during a traditional paddle transfer ceremony.

After four intensive months in the Caribbean, Lieutenant Colonel Koster looks back with pride on the collaboration and training of Engineer Company 11. “For the unit, it was a unique opportunity to train in this tropical climate and to work together with CZMCARIB and local partners. We learned a lot about operating in the challenging conditions of the Caribbean. During our rotation, we were able to work on our engineering, technical, and tactical skills to the maximum. Curacao, Bonaire, and Aruba gave the Engineering platoons the opportunity to lay a good foundation for general military skills, but also for specialist subjects such as Airfield Damage Repair, working with explosives and performing engineering techniques in the context of mobility and counter-mobility. In addition to that, we could work on our own readiness. We also worked together and trained with the Curacao military, units of CZMCARIB, and local security partners. For example, the military of the 11th Engineering Company provided assistance on Sint Maarten following the fire in the prison. They did this in cooperation with the local authorities on Sint Maarten and the Marine detachment on Sint Maarten. It was special to see how, despite differences in background and working methods, together we could contribute to security and stability. This period has not only strengthened our operational capability, but also the ties with our partners in the Caribbean.”

Major Marco is looking forward to training and working in the Caribbean area with his unit, Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron 43 (BVE), for the next 4 months. The unit has been reinforced with an engineer reconnaissance platoon from Armored Engineer Battalion 11 and a medical detachment from Medical Company 43. Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron 43 is multifunctionally deployable within the three main tasks of the armed forces, performs reconnaissance and surveillance tasks worldwide, and can eliminate enemy High Payoff Targets by means of Ground-based Firesupport. They do this with ground-based reconnaissance capacity, both mounted and on foot, but also make frequent use of unmanned systems and drones. Normally they do this for Mechanized Brigade 43 (Brigade Combat Team) from Havelte. Now the reconnaissance squadron gets the chance and the opportunity to conduct their tasks in the Caribbean area. Firstly, because they bring unique capabilities and resources that can be of great value if their help or assistance is requested in the region. Secondly, it is a unique opportunity for them to be able to train and experiment in the tropical climate of the Caribbean. Major Marco expects that they will have a remarkably interesting period ahead of them and hopes that we can make it a beautiful and meaningful time together with our local partners.

The Royal Netherlands Army has permanent company in the Caribbean. This unit, under the command of CZMCARIB, can be deployed for a variety of tasks. The company will train in Aruba, Bonaire as well as in Curaçao for the next four months.