Author Archives: Sint Maarten News

Another remarkable moment during the debate is the clash between government partners VVD and D66. According to MP Antje Diertens (D66), precisely Bosman is now “colonial”, trying to determine what the relationship between the Netherlands and the islands should

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RIP DANIELLA JEFFRY Continue reading →

This is the first 12 minutes of today’s press conference by the St Maarten government. There is 46+ minutes of footage. The St Maarten government is so busy preparing for their next disaster of a government, it’s obvious that they’ve forgotten Continue reading →

A report Tuesday night that over 100 new St Kitts and Nevis passports were seized by the immigration authorities in Dutch St Maarten and returned to Basseterre.

Operation Rescue Dwyer Astaphan made the disclosure on Tuesday night during his weekly radio programme “The Operating Room” on WINNF FM.

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VVD arouses anger: a clash in the House of Representatives about Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten Continue reading →

NOTE: The citizens of the new countries of Curacao, Bonaire, St Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten (the former Netherlands Antilles) are not eligible to travel to the U.S. under the VWP, if they are applying for admission with passports from these countries.]

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The Caribbean Regatta Party Dock is located adjacent to Ocean Racers’ Pogo 12.50 Hermes on Dock D at the Annapolis Sailboat Show and open to the public to enjoy daily until 5PM. There will be Daily Dock Talks hosted 3-4 PM for an open discussion of sailing topics includi

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PHILIPSBURG-The Honourable Stuart Johnson, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications (TEATT) has finalized months of discussions with the island of Saba and recently signed an MOU with the neighbouring island on co-operate and collaborate in fostering a closer working relationship in the tourism development and promotion of the islands of Sint Maarten and Saba. 

The MOU, signed by Minister Johnson representing the Council of Ministers and Government of St. Maarten and Saba Commissioner Bruce Zagers representing the Saba Tourism Bureau, states that both parties agree to “co-operate in participating together at Marketing and Sales promotions in markets agreed on. Parties will also co-operate at travel shows mutually agreed upon.” 

The MOU was signed on Saba Monday, October 7th, 2019, following the approval given by the Council of Ministers on Friday, October 4th, 2019 to Johnson. 
 

Johnson first sought and received the mandate from The Council of Ministers before entering the agreement, which had no financial commitments by either party upon signing. Johnson said any joint financial agreements that may follow would have to be first decided upon and agreed to separately.  

Based on the MOU St. Maarten and Saba will collaborate towards seeking financing or grants for specific tourism development projects from regional and international institutions which are an added benefit for the islands where possible.  
 

Johnson said the MOU “signifies the commitment I have made from the start of my tenure as Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs, which is the rebuilding of our economy and sustainably redeveloping our Tourism Product. The fact is that when you travel to St. Maarten, there are opportunities to hop over to our neighbouring islands, and we are a more sellable destination when we promote these options jointly.” 

He said, “Travellers today are looking for destinations that have interactive and Eco-Friendly activities. We are already unique and unique things in particular, and we are already two countries in one with French St. Martin and Dutch St. Maarten and what better way to expand on our uniqueness than showing the benefit of visiting three or four different destinations within minutes giving the vacationer more value for their dollar.” 

Similar to the MOU with French St. Martin, which involves a joint approach to destination marketing, the Saba/St Maarten joint venture program will result in a pooling of resources to maximize the effectiveness of marketing at tradeshows and other promotions.  

Other areas where the two islands will combine their resources include data collection, strategic planning press and family trips and training in hospitality. The MOU is valid for an indefinite period with the option of revision where necessary and does not restrict the individual product development and marketing efforts of either party.  

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Video William Marlin Defending Young Ship Jumpers. Great Role Models in Government Continue reading →

Meeting week for October 8 – 11, 2019

Tuesday, October 8, 2019 – OV 04 at 14:00 hrs
The agenda points are:
1.The recent IMF criticism of the CFT and its intent to recommend an instruction for Curaçao
2.Review of the Kingdom Law Financial Supervision against the backdrop of St. Maarten’s economic development
IS/1188/2018-2019 dated June 19, 2019
The Minister of Finance will be present.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019 – OV 02 (Heroproeping) at15:00 hrs
The agenda points are:
1.Ontwerp van Landsverordening tot wijziging van het Wetboek van Strafrecht in verband met het doorvoeren van enkele dringende internationale verplichtingen (IS/1165/2018-2019 d.d. 12 juni 2019) (Zittingsjaar 2018-2019-128)
2.Ontwerp van Landsverordening houdende vaststelling van een nieuw Wetboek van Strafvordering (Wetboek van Strafvordering) (IS/1189/2018-2019 d.d. 19 juni 2019) (Zittingsjaar 2018-2019-129)
3.Ontwerp van Landsverordening tot wijziging Boek 2 Burgerlijk Wetboek (Herzieningslandsverordening Boek 2 BW) (IS/1190/2018-2019 d.d. 19 juni 2019) (Zittingsjaar 2018-2019-130)
The Deputy Prime Minister will be present.

Thursday, October 10, 2019 – CC 07 at 10:00 hrs
The agenda point is:
A proposal by MP R. Brison c.s. to conduct a Parliamentary inquiry into Mullet Bay as outlined in the related proposal tilted “Parliamentary Inquiry Mullet Bay” (IS/1378/2018-2019 dated August 13, 2019)

Friday, October 11, 2019,- OV 01 (Heroproeping) at 10:30 hrs
The agenda points are:
1. Incoming documents
2. Advice regarding the installation and composition of the
Permanent and Ad hoc Committees of Parliament
3. Advice regarding the installation and composition of the
Committees of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino)

Friday, October 11, 2019 – Cont. CC 09 (Parliamentary Year 2018-2019) at 11:00hrs
The agenda point is:
The current financial status of SZV and the revenue losses since the passing of hurricanes Irma and Maria (IS/116/2018-2019 dated September 26, 2018)
Civil servants of VSA and the representatives of SZV will be present. Continue reading →