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PHILIPSBURG--The moratorium established as of February 18, 2014, on the issuance of business and operational licences remains in force, but has been amended as of July 3, 2015, to allow replacement licences, some location changes and some business expansion.
The announcement came from Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) Claret Connor via press release on Wednesday night.
Replacement licences are allowed, but are limited to establishments operating on the premises of hotels with a minimum of 200 rooms, at Princess Juliana International Airport SXM and Port St. Maarten. A new licence may be granted to replace an already-existing licence in the same location. However, the old or existing licence must be cancelled or withdrawn for the new licence to be approved.
The ministry added that any new licences granted to operate from these locations are restricted to said locations. No branch licence or change of location outside of these areas will be granted.
Concerning changes of location, holders of both an operational and business licence for a supermarket may change location, with the exception of those operating on the premises of hotels with a minimum of 200 rooms, the airport and the harbour.
As for business expansion, persons already operating with a business licence who wish to expand to sell alcohol can request an operational licence.
"Implementation of the amendment to the moratorium was decided after consideration of the fact that the government acknowledges the need for high traffic tourist areas ... to always have a supermarket on premises as a convenience to the country's visitors and guests," the press release said.
"Allowing or issuing additional new business and operational licences for supermarkets could entail consequences that create harm to the existing supermarkets and their investments, with the end result of providing inadequate quality and service that will not benefit the economy of St. Maarten.
"The Government has the task to prevent such a negative impact on the supermarket industry, and the therefore establishes this moratorium."
Copies of the public announcement and policy are available on Government's Website
www.sintmaartengov.org for download. Select "Government" and then TEATT Ministry to access the relevant pages.
