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>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Parliament of St. Maarten on Wednesday granted Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs time to host his informal "Meet & Greet" event at Parliament house, where he stressed to MP's present that civility should be observed despite parties having their roles to play as part of St. Maarten's constitutional democracy.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by the President of Parliament Dr Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Anne Marie Pieterz-Powell, the British Vice Consul for the Dutch and French Caribbean paid courtesy visits to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and Minister of Economic Affairs Claret Connor on Tuesday, January 20 Read more

style="text-align: center;">Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson to be replaced by Edward Kiridongo

PHILIPSBURG:--- Another shake up in the current coalition government will soon force Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson out of office. Last week Member of Parliament Frans Richardson confirmed to SMN News that he was approached by persons representing the coalition to join them as they move to strengthen the current government Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister, The Hon. Marcel Gumbs, officially introduced himself and members of the Council of Ministers to members of the Supervisory Board of Directors and Management of the Sint Maarten Telecommunication Holding Company N.V. (SMTHC) for the company's Annual General Shareholder's meeting in the A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall, Thursday.
In attendance along with the Prime Minister were, Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, the Hon Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism Claret Connor on Tuesday met with members of the board of the St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA) to look at, among things, the possible litigation of timeshare issues moving forward. The meeting was called based on a directive from the Prime Minister to ensure that government has all relevant information about the industry in order to make informed decisions.
Minister Connor said what was realized was that there are instances on island where persons purchase a product and the buyer has an opinion about what he/she purchasing Read more

The grass might be greener on the other side of the fence, but the mangoes in your own backyard are the sweetest: a report on the USM in 2014.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Too often we half-forget the wisdoms of our grandparents and great-grandparents. This of course is lamentable and tragic. It is time that we remember and endorse the other part of our grandmother and grandfather's wisdom notes to achieve wholeness as individuals and as a society.
Most of us are familiar with the saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." We use this colourful expression routinely to state that from our dwelling place, from our little Caribbean island, from where we are standing, what takes place educationally in the overdeveloped countries in Western Europe and the USA and Canada or even the emerging economic powers in Asia, and what people in those countries have materially and we don't because we lack their educational system, is simply extraordinary Read more

Minister Connor: Concerns of timeshare Industry has government’s attention.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism Claret Connor on Wednesday assured timeshare owners in general that their grievances and complaints of lack of protection have not fallen on deaf ears and their continued contribution to the economy is very important to destination St. Maarten. The Minister sympathized with disgruntled former Caravanserai owners and used the opportunity to set in motion serious discussions about protecting the vital timeshare industry.

He said though government knows and appreciates the industry and its players, legislation must reflect protection measures for the industry Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Economic Affairs, Tourism, Traffic & Communication Claret Connor on Wednesday met with members of his staff bureau including Ministry Secretary General Miguel DeWeever (second from left). The Minister received an update on ongoing issues under his Ministry as well as discussed initial ways forward on several initiatives Read more

Minister Connor pays Tribute to D’Shnay.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Claret Connor recently paid tribute to St. Maarten's Reigning Teen Carnival Queen D'Shnay York who won the Haynes Smith Talent Teen Pageant in St. Kitts on December 30. He congratulated her on behalf of his entire Ministry.

The Minister presented D'Shnay with a congratulatory letter from his Ministry and hailed her as a true ambassador for St Read more

Minister Connor: Private sector, NGO’s and service are vital for tangible economic growth.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Claret Connor says that in the first few months of 2015, Government will share many ideas and initiatives to trigger tangible economic growth and that most of these initiatives will be done in collaboration with the Private sector and Non-government organizations (NGOs) with a strong focus on service.

In addressing the public for the first time since being sworn in, the Minister said he looks forward to starting his tenure with renewed passion and vision that will hopefully effect sustainable economic growth for our country and a better quality of life for all.

"As many would agree, any notable advancement for our country and our livelihood, is contingent on our country's economic development Read more

Port St. Maarten hits historical two millionth cruise passenger mark on New Year’s Eve.

>POINT BLANCHE:--- Port St. Maarten on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31st, 2014, welcomed the historical two (2) millionth cruise passenger in 50-years of cruising. The country at the end of 2014 received for the entire year approximately 2,000,864 cruise passengers.

Family John and Marleen Tharpe along with their three granddaughters, passengers onboard the Oasis of the Seas, were selected by Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor on Wednesday, December 31st, 2014 at the Dr Read more