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PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Today, Friday, September 29, 2023, the Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna E. Richardson, along with her dedicated team, aimed to provide a crucial status update to all justice personnel and the public regarding significant developments within the Ministry of Justice.

Unfortunately, due to the absence of a quorum at the scheduled Justice Committee of Parliament meeting, the presentation could not be delivered as intended. However, Minister Richardson remains committed to ensuring that vital information reaches the justice personnel promptly.

The History

After more than a decade without a completed Function Book for the Ministry of Justice, the current administration, under the leadership of Minister Richardson, successfully undertook and completed this crucial task Read more

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Although Its Momentum Has Eased: Economic Recovery On Track Across The Monetary Union

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:---  The economies of Curaao and Sint Maarten continued to recover from the pandemic at the beginning of 2023, stated the president of the Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), Richard Doornbosch, in the CBCSs September 2023 Economic Bulletin. The actual figures of the first quarter show that real GDP growth in both countries was driven primarily by increased stay-over and cruise tourism activities Read more

Given Their Small Size And High Degree Of Openness: Policy Actions Needed To Reduce Vulnerability To External Shocks In Curaao And Sint Maarten.

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:---  As small and open economies, Curaao and Sint Maarten are vulnerable to external shocks. The effects of external shocks on the monetary union are reflected in, among other things, fluctuations in our balance of payments, stated president of the Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), Richard Doornbosch, in the CBCSs September 2023 Economic Bulletin. This edition of the Economic Bulletin highlights the monetary unions vulnerability to shocks with a textbox on the effect of NAf.- Euro exchange rate fluctuations on trade flows Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a poignant celebration held on the morning of September 29, 2023, the Sint Maarten Police Force paid tribute to its retired officers and administration workers, acknowledging their immeasurable contributions. During this event, several former police officers, and immigration and administration workers, now retired, were honored with a special luncheon and an island-wide bus tour, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping the organization.

The Chief of Police expressed profound gratitude to these retired individuals, recognizing their foundational influence on the Police Force of Sint Maarten Read more

THE HAGUE:--- Alexandra van Huffelen, the State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, will pay a working visit to St. Maarten, Curaao and Bonaire from the 30th of September to the 5th of October. The visit will be made primarily in the context of the Slavery Past Memorial Year. In St. Maarten, she will take part in a Catshuis session with representatives from all six islands, while she will visit Curaao to attend Tulas rehabilitation. In addition, the State Secretary will hold administrative talks about the laws regulating the administrative and financial relations between the European Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands, the WoIBES, and FinBES.

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Patient In Dominican Republic Had Surgery At Smmc.

~ Doctor mocks patient at SMMC. No agreement in place between the Dominican Republic and St. Maarten.~

PHILIPSBURG/ Dominican Republic:--- The St. Maarten resident Egbert Hector Richardson who is currently a patient at CEDIMAT Dominican Republic went overseas on his own to seek further medical treatment after having surgery at the St. Maarten Medical Center.

Edison Adamus the Director and Pastor of Key to Freedom said that Richardson lives at Key to Freedom since he is in rehabilitation for substance abuse.
He explained that Richardson had a hernia and he was operated upon at the St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Recently SOAB, represented by the director Sint Maarten Ms. Candia Joseph, presented their 2022 annual report to the Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion. With the presentation of the annual report titled "Transformation," the foundation fulfills its obligation in the context of good governance.

As a government accountant, SOAB understands the importance of being accountable to the government and appointed officials Read more

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BONAIRE:--- The Kingdom of the Netherlands will ask for increased protection for the Caribbean reef shark during next months Conference of Parties for the Cartagena Convention (COPs) on Aruba.  Caribbean reef sharks play a critical role in maintaining a healthy reef ecosystem and building resilience within the oceans. This increased protection is critical for ensuring a sustainable future for this iconic species.

The Caribbean Sea is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and a dazzling array of marine life Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) is deeply concerned about the ongoing traffic safety issues that the staff and students of Oranje Primary School face daily. The school has been grappling with these challenges for many years, and President Stuart Johnson has issued a pressing call for immediate action to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

Johnson said, Every day, students and staff must navigate a precarious situation as they board school buses at the crossroads of C.A Read more

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Pond Island:---The TelEm Group of Companies announced today that it will transform its total operation into a state-of-the-art Integrated Digital Service Provider for St. Maarten.
Information about the transformation was revealed to the Council of Ministers in a specially convened meeting at the Government Administration Building on Tuesday.
During the meeting, CEO Mr. Kendall Dupersoy and CFO Mr Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The recently generated 2023 economic indicator table report for the first half of 2023 paints an encouraging picture of St. Maarten's economic landscape, showcasing growth and resilience across key indicators. 

Real GDP Estimate 

St. Maarten's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecasts a growth rate of 4.6% in 2021 Read more

PHILIPSBURG  (DCOMM):--- The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (MECYS) Hon. Rodolphe Samuel, on Sunday in a statement said the Government of Sint Maarten has approved the highly anticipated Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Government and School Bus Operators.

This represents a significant milestone in the continuous efforts of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport to enhance the quality and efficiency of services provided to students and the public.

The journey towards the attainment of this milestone has been characterized by rigorous evaluation, collaboration, and a commitment to the betterment of education and student services within St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, September 20th, 2023, the Sint Maarten Task Force of the Dutch armed forces in the Caribbean, consisting of fourteen (14) executives, visited the Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention for an introductory meeting with the Prison director, Mr. Steven Carty and the Prison Management Team.

The Sint Maarten Taskforce, which provides assistance to Sint Maarten when struck by a disaster such as a hurricane, is currently in Sint Maarten as part of their annual visits to the Caribbean.

Earlier this year, the Prison Director, Mr Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Over the weekend, MP Wescot-Williams traveled to Geneva on the invitation of the European Parliamentary Forum (EPF) for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. In Geneva, the agenda will consist of an ICPD Consultation and the ICPD 2024 Steering Committee meeting.

Last May I attended the Caribbean African Dialogue: Investing in young peoples health and futures, ensuring equitable access to reproductive health information and services in Barbados Read more

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Landmark Research Report On Legislative Function In Sint Maarten Approved.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs are pleased to announce the approval of the comprehensive research report titled, Legislative function in Sint Maarten. This landmark report was given the green light by the Council of Ministers at the end of July.
The research was conducted in collaboration with the Caribbean Centre for Leadership (CCL) and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, as stipulated in the Country Package. The primary objective of this ambitious project was to conduct a thorough analysis of the legislative function in Sint Maarten Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, September 21st, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley, the National Sports Institute (NSI), and Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA), proudly announced the next phase to their island-wide community basketball court enhancement project.

The purpose of the project is to repair and restore the backboards and basketball nets on the outdoor basketball courts in Dutch St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (MECYS) Hon. Rodolphe Samuel, is very concerned to learn of the decision taken by the School Bus Owners Association and their membership as it related to a planned Go Slow today, Friday, September 22, 2023, that could affect approximately 2,000 school-aged children.

The safety of the students involved is of paramount importance to the Ministry Read more

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Dutch Caribbean Police Force With Ketenbeslag Department.

BONAIRE:--- The Dutch Caribbean Police Force recently established a Ketenbeslag department on Bonaire. This is the department that handles vehicles or goods seized and taken into custody.

If a vehicle or property has been seized or taken into custody, it will end up at the Ketenbeslag department. The ketenbeslag employee is responsible for guarding your vehicle or property and making any arrangements for its return Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Silveria Jacobs, representing the Kingdom of the Netherlands, attended a high-level side event yesterday on the critical importance of early warning systems. The event was hosted the Permanent Mission of the Independent State of Samoa to the United Nations as a discussion on how to mitigate the impact of climate change-related disasters Read more

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Civil Servant Email Address Hacked, Email Circulating With Attachment.

PHILIPSBURG:--- An email from Reginal Martina's official email address is in circulation with an attachment. The email which looks suspicious has been sent to several persons and has the attention of the Government of St. Maarten.
Erno Labega a senior civil servant and acting head of Facilities confirmed that he was notified of the suspicious email Read more

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Civil Servant Email Address Hacked, Email Circulating With Attachment. (Updated)

PHILIPSBURG:--- An email from Reginal Martina's official email address is in circulation with an attachment. The email which looks suspicious has been sent to several persons and has the attention of the Government of St. Maarten.
Erno Labega a senior civil servant and acting head of Facilities confirmed that he was notified of the suspicious email Read more

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UN HEADQUARTERS, New York:--- The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, and the Executive Director of UN Women, H.E. Sima Sami Bahous, convened the highly anticipated 2nd annual meeting with women Heads of State and Heads of Government during High-Level Week. The Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, Silveria Jacobs was welcomed, with a member of her delegation, as a current woman Head of Government Read more

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UN HEADQUARTERS, New York:---  The Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs attended an event titled, Feminist Foreign Policy+ Group, which took place at the United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday, September 20. The primary objective was to underscore the fundamental importance of gender equality in promoting global safety, health, and prosperity. In response to this imperative, numerous countries are embracing feminist approaches to their foreign policies, aiming to turn their commitments into tangible actions.
The event delved into the practical implementation of Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) as a potent catalyst for positive change, particularly within the context of a complex geopolitical landscape Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- A World Bank mission, led by Mr. Alex Kamurase visited Sint Maarten from September 11 to 15, 2023 to assess the progress of the Resources for Community Resilience program (R4CR). The delegation also included Ms. Natalia Bavio, a Financial Consultant, and Ms. Chanelle Fingal, a Social Development Consultant. Their primary objectives were to evaluate the overall progress, operational implementation, and compliance of the R4CR program with the World Banks standards in the key areas of financial management, procurement, and social and environmental safeguards.

During their visit, the World Bank team engaged with various other stakeholders, including the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) and R4CR's Project Technical Committee Read more