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Willemstad:--- During a three-day visit to Curaçao the Board of financial supervision for Curaçao and Sint Maarten (Cft) concluded that the progress in the public finance has consolidated. The year 2015 finished with a surplus: this happened for the third year in a row. A number of important financial legislative processes were initiated in the recent months and now it is essential to round these off shortly, as well as the financial statements 2012 and 2013.

During its three-day visit to Curaçao on June 20, 21 and 22, Cft met with the Governor, the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Finance, the Financial Parliamentary Committee and the General Audit Chamber Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister TEATT Ingrid Arrindell announced that the French and Dutch authorities are currently working on regulating public transportation especially buses that are from the Dutch side that are using the trans-border to work on the French side. Minister Arrindell said that the French authorities clearly pointed out that the bus drivers from the Dutch side does not respect the rules and regulations while on the French side, one being they stop anywhere and not at the bus stops. They do not use the designated turn around area and also does not stick within their routes.
The Minister said when the agreement is completed they intend to give 30 bus drivers from the Dutch side the rights to work on the French side, these bus drivers must hold the Dutch nationality, and when approved they will be given an identification card and sticker to place on their buses.
Minister Arrindell said the two sides are currently working on regulating the Marigot route but shortly after that the French Quarter route will also be regulated Read more

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PHILIPSBURG – Member of Parliament (MP) and the selection committee nominated Dajour Boasman as the month of June's recipient for the Give Back to the Community Award.

Young Boasman was selected amongst others to attend a basketball training camp in Philadelphia this summer and the donation will go towards his trip.

Once accepted to college Dajour intends to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Risk Management. This is an area of study that Sint Maarten needs to promote stated Member of Parliament Leona Marlin Romeo as it allows proper decision making based on proper evaluations and analysis for both the public and private sector.

Besides Dajour Boasman possessing visible skills in basketball he exerts excellent qualities such as being a true gentlemen, focused, quiet spoken but yet determined to accomplish his goals Read more

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Rationale For Elections Falls Apart As Kingdom Council Opposes To The Changes In Electoral Reform Proposed By St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Kingdom Council of Ministers expresses serious doubt over “ship jumping” solution proposed by St. Maarten. The law of “unintended consequences” raises its ugly head as the Kingdom Council gave a negative advice on the changes to be made in the country’s constitution which would have addressed the so-called ship jumping.

The Kingdom Council of Ministers has informed the Prime Minister of St. Maarten that their proposed changes to the constitution to stop ship jumping will not work since it will hinge on democracy within parliament.

They pointed out that if an MP jumps ship the remaining members might not be able to form a majority, while no new ministers could be appointed since the member who jumped ship is not allowed to nominate a minister Read more

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Lee Trying To Resolve Issues With Emergency Evacuation

PHILIPSBURG--Health Minister Emil Lee says he is trying to resolve some issues hampering the emergency evacuation of patients from Saba and St. Eustatius to St. Maarten. He said the logistical issues are mostly centred on the inconvenient location where helicopters that evacuate patients are required to land in Sint Maarten, which creates prob Read more

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Minister Emil Lee Visits Members Of Second Chamber

THE NETHERLANDS – As part of his working visit to the Netherlands, Minister of Health Emil Lee paid a courtesy visit to Chairman of the permanent committee Kingdom Relations of Parliament Jeroen Recourt.

Minister Lee also met separately with a member of this committee MP Andre Bosman. “As we investigate opportunities for possible cooperation on health care between different countries within members of the kingdom, I felt it would be helpful to visit members of the second chamber (Parliament) to brief them on our discussions, vision and plans Read more

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Minister Emil Lee Meets With Minister Of Health In The Netherlands

THE NETHERLANDS – During Minister of Health Emil Lee’s recent working visit to the Netherlands, he met with Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports, Edith Schippers to inform her about plans for the new hospital project for St. Maarten, as well as to discuss areas for possible cooperation on health care between the Kingdom partners, The Netherlands, St Read more

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Tourism Professional May-Ling Chun To Contest Elections With Up

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Long time tourism and hospitality professional May-Ling Chun will contest the September 26 Parliamentary Elections with the United People’s (UP) party. This will be Chun's first bid for a seat in Parliament.

Chun said her decision to join UP is rooted in the party’s objectives, ideology, and always progressive vision of the country Read more

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Up Membership And Sympathizers Invited To Party Congress For Re-Election Of Party Board On June 25

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The United People’s Party (UP) Board under the current leadership of President Sylvia Meyers, is hereby inviting UP party membership and sympathizers to its party’s Congress for the re-election of the party board.

The Congress will be held on Saturday, June 25 at the Belair Community Center.

Registration for new UP members and current members will begin at 4.30pm.

The highlight of the evening will be the election of the UP President and the UP Party Board.

Leader of the UP Party Member of Parliament Hon Read more

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Former Airport-Director Labega At Aviation Conference: “Airports Are Gateways, Not Destinations”

St. Maarten News – Former airport director Regina Labega spoke about sustainable tourism as a key for Caribbean airports at the first Caribbean Aviation conference hosted by the government of Dominica earlier last week in Rousseau.

Sustainable tourism can be defined as Jamie Lisse of Demand Media does, as: “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities,” Labega said.

“The Caribbean Region is perhaps the most tourism-intensive region in the world,” Labega stated, quoting CTO statistics that show that tourism was responsible for about 14% of total GDP and generated about 12% of Caribbean employment (both direct and indirect) in 2012.

In 2011 there were about 21 million international tourist arrivals in the Caribbean bringing in a revenue of $24.5 billion, with a direct GDP contribution of $15 billion, an indirect contribution of $32 billion, and creating 614,000 direct jobs.

Labega pointed out the crucial role of aviation in supporting tourism, “with over 54% of international tourists now traveling by air.”

Arguing that airports are the gateways and not the destinations, Labega said “Regional airports can be valuable assets in sustainable tourism development Read more

Netherlands/ PHILIPSBURG:--- As part of his working visit to the Netherlands, Minister Lee paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the permanent committee Kingdom Relations of Parliament, Mr. Jeroen Recourt. Minister Lee also met separately with a member of this committee, MP Andre Bosman.
"As we investigate opportunities for possible cooperation on Health care between different countries within members of the kingdom, I felt it would be helpful to visit members of the second chamber (Parliament) to brief them on our discussions, vision and plans Read more

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Gracita Arrindell Leads Ppa In Elections: Has Orange Become The New Green?

St. Maarten News – “Lack of leadership, not sticking to commitments and turning their back on the people of St. Maarten,” said Gracita Arrindell yesterday about her reasons for leaving the United People’s Party and returning to the revived People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) as its leader for the September 26 parliamentary elections Read more

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Minister Gibson At Tax Summit: “Tax Reform Is Absolutely Necessary”

Prime Minister William Marlin (left) and Finance Minister Richard Gibson during the tax summit. To the right is Minister Emil Lee Read more

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Tourism Professional May-Ling Chun To Contest Elections With Up

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten  — Long time tourism and hospitality professional May-Ling Chun will contest the September 26 Parliamentary Elections with the United People’s (UP) party. This will be Chun’s first bid for a seat in Parliament.

Chun said her decision to join UP is rooted in the party’s objectives, ideology, and always progressive vision of the country Read more

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Ihndhira Richardson-Marlin Receives Cultural Prize

Ihndhira Richardson-Marlin receives the award from Governor Holiday. Photo Today / Andrew Bishop

St. Maarten News – The Prins Bernhard Cultural Fund awarded Ihndhira Richardson-Marlin for her contributions to the Arts and Dance at the John Larmonie Center on Friday evening. Richardson Marlin is the daughter of Prime Minister William Marlin; she started to dance at a very young age where she was trained by several of the dance instructors that have graced the halls of the Motiance Dance Company.

Governor Eugène Holiday handed over the award and spoke of the extraordinary performance by the dancers and described them as extremely inspiring Read more

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Pcn Rejects Accusations

BONAIRE--The Pension Fund Caribbean Netherlands PCN denied allegations made by the Dutch 50PLUS party about possible embezzlement reported on in Monday’s paper. Member of the First Chamber of Parliament in The Hague Jan Nagel had stated that hundreds of public employees in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES Islands) lost pension premiums totalling millions and suggested fraud.

Gracita Leaves Up Due To Lack Of Leadership

~ To contest election under PPA ~

PHILIPSBURG--People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) party leader Gracita Arrindell says she resigned from United People’s (UP) party in 2015 due to the party’s lack of leadership, its failure to live up to its commitments and its turning its back on the people Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Education Culture Youth & Sports Silveria Jacobs was on hand at the Marie Genevieve de Weever School on Monday morning to witness the finalized works to the Playground / Basketball Court and addressed the students as well as management and staff.

The Minister Jacobs officially thanked the young, local contractor Mr Read more

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Telem Reports “Healthy” Profit In 2015

~Praises staff for outstanding efforts~

POND ISLAND – TelEm Group has reported a “healthy” profit for 2015 despite dropping local and international call rates, and the widespread use of “free” calling services in St. Maarten.

The profit figure was announced to TelEm Group personnel by Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Helma Etnel, during a general meeting at the Belair Community Center, on Friday, June 17.

According to Etnel, the profits are thanks to the combined efforts of TelEm Group management and personnel in all divisions despite a significant drop in revenues for the year 2015.

“So while we were getting less money in, we were very conservative with spending and using what we had much more efficiently,” said the CFO.

Etnel said the figures could not have come at a better time to boost the morale of personnel, as many negative things are being reported about the company in online and print media – a development that the CFO regrets.

She urged personnel and managers not to dwell on these negative reports, but to remember all the positive things they have done over the past several years to make the company viable, and to continue to provide jobs for St Read more

Regina Labega Praised At Caribbean Aviation Conference In Dominica

Great Bay – Airport and tourism expert Regina LaBega was the toast of the gathering at the first Caribbean Aviation Meet Up conference hosted by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, in Rousseau, Dominica June 14-16.

LaBega gave a PowerPoint presentation on the topic, “Sustainable Tourism: Key for Caribbean Airports,” which was well received. “Everyone asked for a copy of the presentation” following its delivery, said LaBega.

According to LaBega, sustainable tourism can be defined as Jamie Lisse of Demand Media does, as: “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”

“The Caribbean Region is perhaps the most tourism-intensive region in the world,” LaBega stated, quoting CTO statistics that show that tourism was responsible for about 14% of total GDP and generated about 12% of Caribbean employment (both direct and indirect) in 2012.

In 2011, for example, she said there were about 21 million international tourist arrivals in the Caribbean, bringing in a revenue of US $24.5 billion, with a direct GDP contribution of US $15 billion, an indirect GDP contribution of US $32 billion, and creating 614,000 direct jobs.

LaBega pointed out the crucial role of aviation in supporting tourism, “with over 54% of international tourists now traveling by air.”

Arguing that airports are the gateways and not the destinations, LaBega said, “Regional airports can be valuable assets in sustainable tourism development Read more

Ministry Of Finance Hosts Tax Summit 2016 Themed: “A Consensus To Collaborate”

DAWN BEACH – The Ministry of Finance called upon key (internal) stakeholders to take part in a critical discussion during the Tax Summit of Friday, June 17, to improve tax compliance.

In attendance were Prime Minister William Marlin, Minister Public Health Social Development and Labor Affairs Emil Lee, and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports Silveria Jacobs, during the first hour as well as representatives of the various Ministries of Government and SZV, SOAB, SER, CFT, Ombudsman and Council of Advice.

“A lot of territory was covered Read more

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DAWN BEACH:--- The Ministry of Finance called upon key (internal) stakeholders to take part in a critical discussion during the Tax Summit of Friday June 17th to improve tax compliance. In attendance were the Prime Minister William Marlin, Minister Public Health Social Development and Labor Affairs Emil Lee, and Minister of Education Culture Youth & Sports Silveria Jacobs during the first hour as well as representatives of the various Ministries of Government as well as the SZV, SOAB, SER, CFT, Ombudsman and Council of Advice.

“A lot of territory was covered Read more

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GREAT BAY:--- Airport and tourism expert, Regina LaBega was the toast of the gathering at the first Caribbean Aviation Meet Up conference hosted by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, in Rousseau, Dominica from June 14 – 16, 2016.
LaBega gave a power point presentation on the topic, “Sustainable Tourism: Key for Caribbean Airports,” which was very well received. “Everyone asked for a copy of the presentation” following its delivery, said LaBega.
According to LaBega, sustainable tourism can be defined as Jamie Lisse of Demand Media does, as: “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”
“The Caribbean Region is perhaps the most tourism-intensive region in the world,” LaBega stated, quoting CTO statistics that show that tourism was responsible for about 14% of total GDP and generated about 12% of Caribbean employment (both direct and indirect) in 2012.
In 2011, for example, she said there were about 21 million International Tourist Arrivals in the Caribbean bringing in a revenue of US$24.5 billion, with a direct GDP contribution of US$15 billion, an indirect GDP contribution of US$32 billion, and creating 614,000 direct jobs.
LaBega pointed out the crucial role of aviation in supporting tourism, “with over 54% of international tourists now traveling by air.”
Arguing that airports are the gateways and not the destinations, LaBega said “Regional airports can be valuable assets in sustainable tourism development Read more

Marlin-Richardson Awarded Prins Bernhard Top Honour

PHILIPSBURG--The Prins Bernhard Culture Fund Caribbean Culture award was given to daughter of the soil Ihndhira Richardson-Marlin for her contributions over the years to the art of dance on the island. Governor Eugene Holiday and proud father Prime Minister William Marlin and his wife were present, among other guests. The event was held Read more

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