~Orange Economy motion targets formal recognition and possible Turnover Tax exemptions for creatives; Maritime motion mandates a national strategy for a sector estimated to contribute 16.3% of GDP and support 4,769 jobs~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Darryl T. J. York secured unanimous parliamentary approval for two potentially far-reaching motions during the handling of Sint Maarten's draft 2026 budget, focusing on two areas he believes can play a considerably larger role in the country's economic development: the Orange Economy and the maritime sector.
Although the motions address very different industries, they share a common philosophy. York is calling on government to stop treating these sectors as loosely defined activities and instead establish formal policies, measurable objectives, economic targets and government support capable of transforming them into stronger pillars of the Sint Maarten economy.
The first motion, now adopted, seeks official recognition of Sint Maarten's creative and cultural economy and asks government to examine Turnover Tax exemptions for qualifying creative professionals.
The second, also adopted unanimously, calls for a comprehensive National Maritime Strategy, backed by an implementation framework, using money already included in the 2026 draft budget.
MOTION ONE: Building a Sint Maarten Orange Economy
York's Orange Economy motion starts from the position that Sint Maarten's culture is not merely something to preserve — it is also an economic asset.
The motion identifies music, art, food, festivals, storytelling, fashion, media, and other cultural and creative expressions as part of a potentially significant economic sector.
It argues that creative professionals transform Sint Maarten's history, heritage, stories and creativity into products that can be preserved, experienced, shared and economically developed.
But there is a fundamental problem.
St. Maarten does not currently have an official national classification identifying exactly which professions and activities constitute its Orange Economy.
York wants that changed.
Government Would First Have to Define the Sector
The motion's first major requirement is for government to formally establish a St Maarten Orange Economy classification.
That classification would identify the professions, businesses and economic activities government recognizes as belonging to the country's creative and cultural economy.
York does not propose simply copying an international definition. His motion calls for internationally recognized creative-economy definitions to be considered but adapted specifically to St Maarten's culture, heritage, identity, industries and economic structure.
That could encompass musicians, artists, designers, filmmakers, photographers, media professionals, cultural producers, and other creative professions — although, importantly, the motion itself does not prescribe the final list. It requires government to develop that classification through a formal process.
The Big Proposal: Turnover Tax Relief for Creatives
The most consequential element is taxation.
York points out that many creative professionals operate as sole proprietors or small businesses and face substantial production costs while being subject to Turnover Tax on gross turnover rather than profit.
His motion notes that the existing Turnover Tax system already exempts certain transactions and economic activities, including those associated with the casino industry.
York is essentially asking:
If St Maarten already exempts some economic activities, should selected cultural and creative professions that contribute to the country's identity, tourism product, and economy also qualify?
The adopted motion does not automatically grant that exemption.
Instead, it directs government to determine which professions should qualify and assess the financial consequences before making the necessary legislative or regulatory changes.
Government Would Have to Measure the Cost
York's motion requires assessing any proposed exemptions against several criteria.
These include contribution to Sint Maarten's cultural identity; international representation of the country; tourism diversification; entrepreneurship and employment; locally produced creative products; innovation and economic diversification; the fiscal impact on government; and safeguards to prevent abuse.
That matters because eliminating Turnover Tax for a category of businesses means the government could lose revenue.
York is therefore not asking Parliament to approve an exemption without knowing the price.
He is asking government to determine who should qualify, why they should qualify, how much it would cost, and how it would prevent abuse.
Creatives Must Be at the Table
The motion also requires consultation.
Creative professionals, cultural organizations, business representatives and other stakeholders would have to participate in developing the classification and determining which professions should be considered for Turnover Tax relief.
The adopted motion also places a deadline on the government.
Within six months, the government must return to Parliament with the official Orange Economy classification, recommended professions for Turnover Tax exemption, estimated fiscal impact, and the legislative or regulatory amendments needed to implement the recommendations.
That makes this more than a motion simply declaring support for culture.
It creates a timetable for turning the concept into an actual economic and fiscal proposal.
MOTION TWO: National Maritime Strategy
York's second motion, also passed unanimously, tackles an industry that is already a major contributor to Sint Maarten's economy but, according to information cited in the motion, still lacks a comprehensive national strategy.
The motion states that government confirmed during the Central Committee handling of the draft 2026 budget that Sint Maarten has no formally approved national maritime policy and no National Maritime Sector Strategic Plan for 2026-2030.
Instead, the sector is being guided through legislation, ministerial responsibilities, operational programmes and the Kingdom Maritime Strategy 2022-2028.
York wants Sint Maarten to have its own national roadmap.
Maritime Sector Estimated at 16.3% of GDP
The economic figures cited in the motion demonstrate why.
York refers to the December 2024 Economic Impact Study on Sint Maarten's Yachting and Maritime Industry, completed for TEATT, Port St. Maarten and the Sint Maarten Marine Trades Association.
According to the motion, that study found that the industry contributes approximately 16.3% of GDP, supports approximately 4,769 jobs, and that yachting alone generated approximately US$140 million in direct spending during 2023.
Those figures place maritime activity among the country's significant economic engines.
Yet the motion highlights a striking contradiction.
Despite that economic importance, the government reportedly confirmed that it has no quantified medium-term revenue forecast for any maritime subsector.
That includes cruise tourism, yachting, marinas, ferry transportation, logistics, ship repair, marine services, vessel registration, and maritime education and training.
The motion further states that the government has never publicly reported annual revenue attributable to the maritime sector.
In simple terms: St Maarten knows maritime activity is economically important, but the government apparently cannot yet quantify where it expects the sector to go or clearly show how much revenue the government itself derives from it.
York Wants One National Strategy
The adopted motion calls on government to develop and present Parliament with a National Maritime Strategy establishing Sint Maarten's long-term vision for sustainable development and modernization of the sector.
The strategy would have to cover a broad range of issues, including economic development and government revenue from cruise, yachting, marinas, ship repair, marine services, fisheries and the wider blue economy.
It must also address ports, inter-island ferries, cargo, transshipment and logistics; maritime education and certification; local employment; vessel registration and inspection; enforcement and maritime security; environmental protection; climate risks; and Sint Maarten's regional and international maritime responsibilities.
Maritime School of the West Indies Specifically Recognized
One interesting detail is the motion's treatment of maritime education.
York specifically calls for formal recognition and support for existing maritime training providers, naming the Maritime School of the West Indies.
That ties maritime development directly to employment.
A maritime strategy would therefore not simply be about attracting more yachts or expanding port activity. It would also have to address whether Sint Maarteners are being trained, certified, and positioned to get the jobs the sector generates.
No New Money Requested
Perhaps one of the strongest fiscal aspects of York's maritime motion is that he does not request an additional budget appropriation to develop the strategy.
The 2026 draft budget already contains Cg. 120,000 for a Maritime Study dealing with economic growth, port infrastructure, employment and skills, trade and logistics, cruise tourism and yachting.
Under the adopted motion, government must use those already-budgeted resources to develop the National Maritime Strategy.
The motion explicitly states that the exercise should require no additional appropriation, should not pull capacity away from government's existing statutory responsibilities and should not duplicate research already commissioned.
That is an important distinction.
York is essentially telling government: the money for maritime research is already in the budget — use it to produce a national strategy Parliament can measure.
Twelve-Month Deadline
The motion also requires an implementation framework.
Government would have to identify priorities, measurable objectives, responsible entities and timelines against which Parliament could monitor progress.
The National Maritime Strategy and implementation framework must be presented to Parliament within 12 months of the motion's adoption.
Two Motions, One Economic Argument
Viewed together, York's motions are essentially an argument for economic diversification built around assets Sint Maarten already possesses.
The Orange Economy motion says Sint Maarten already has artists, musicians, cultural professionals, festivals, media, designers, and other creatives. Define the sector, determine its economic value, and consider using the tax system to help it grow.
The maritime motion says Sint Maarten already has a maritime industry that reportedly contributes 16.3% of GDP and supports approximately 4,769 jobs. Stop managing it through disconnected initiatives and develop a national strategy with economic targets, revenue objectives, training, legislation, and measurable implementation.
The difference is that the Orange Economy motion seeks to formalize and stimulate an emerging or insufficiently defined sector, while the maritime motion seeks to strategically organize and extract greater value from an already major economic sector.
Both also set deadlines for government: six months for the Orange Economy work and 12 months for the Maritime Strategy.
With both motions now unanimously adopted, Parliament has moved beyond general promises about diversification.
It has established deliverables, deadlines, and a basis for holding government accountable for whether culture and maritime activity are actually developed into stronger economic pillars.
Both motions passed unanimously in the Parliament of Sint Maarten.
