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PHILIPSBURG:--- The CFT advised the Kingdom Council of Ministers to issue an instruction to the government of St. Maarten for the 2018 budget. A letter dated December 22nd, 2017 was sent to the chairlady of Parliament regarding the advice given by the CFT to the Kingdom Council of Ministers.
Even though the CFT gave the advice to the Kingdom Council of Ministers up to the time this article was written no instruction has been issued.
SMN News contacted Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr Read more

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~ Lee makes position available ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The new majority of the Parliament of St. Maarten voted in favor on a motion of non-confidence against six Ministers, namely Prime Minister William Marlin, Ministers Silveria Jacobs, Rafael Boasman, Christopher Emmanuel, Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher and Richard Gibson Sr., while no motion was brought against DP appointed Minister Emil Lee who it was said made his position available.
The now opposition voted against the motion of non-confidence brought against the six Ministers Read more

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~ Its time to compare St. Maarten’s recovery to other islands including French St. Martin ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr. announced on Wednesday that if the current majority in parliament should pass a motion of non-confidence against the government he will submit his resignation immediately.
Gibson said that he has set a record by balancing three budgets which no one thought was possible Read more

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CAY HILL:--- On Friday, October 6th the final Emergency Operations Center (EOC) meeting was held at the Fire & Ambulance Building, marking the end of the emergency response to Hurricane Irma. The next phase will be the road to recovery, which entails the rebuilding of Sint Maarten.

The EOC was called in to action on September 1st in preparation for the approaching Hurricane Irma. Since that time the EOC has met regularly and at the peak of the response at least once daily. The EOC c Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament George Pantophlet says that he must applaud the Minister of Finance Richard Gibson and his cabinet for making it possible to have consecutive balanced budgets for 3 years, no small feat and also presenting it on time to Governor drs Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr. announced on Wednesday that St. Maarten has made history by being able to submit a balanced budget that got positive comments from the CFT on time. Gibson Sr. said article 100 of the country’s constitution clearly states that the country must submit its budget to parliament by September 1st Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Our governing program for 2016-2020 is entitled, “Stability for Prosperity”. It is anchored on five strategic objectives, all of which can only be achieved by upgrading our government apparatus. We are not even one year into this governing period yet and we can see that various initiatives that are geared towards a profound transformation of our society are already taking shape. One of those initiatives is why we are gathered here today. Nobody knows the challenges that this coalition government faces better than the civil servants who do their utmost day in, day out, to give professional support to government Read more

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Premiums will increase which the private sector has problems with --- Finance Minister --- SHTA objecting to high cost.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health Emil Lee reacted to the statements made by the SHTA on the implementation of the National Health Insurance ( NHI) which they also requested be postponed. Minister Lee made clear that he do believe the discussion on the NHI is a good discussion because everyone deserves to have quality healthcare Read more

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IT Problems may delay finalization of budget 2018 --- Minister Gibson Sr. --- SZV and APS not yet paid.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr. announced on Wednesday that while in Curacao last week he received a receipt from the government of Curacao showing that they have deposited NAF.59M which has been derived from the division of assets from the former Netherlands Antilles Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr. announced at the weekly Council of Ministers Press Briefing that the Moody’s report is now published and St. Maarten got the same rating as 2016. He said that in the published report St. Maarten got a BAA2 rating. Gibson Sr. explained that the Moody’s report set the tone for countries to know what they need to do in order to upgrade their credit worthiness.
The BAA2 ratings mean that St Read more

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“I am proud to be a Guyanese but I chose St. Maarten as my home”

PHILIPSBURG:--- About 1,500 persons witnessed the grand opening of Motorworld state of the art showroom which officially opened on Friday, May 26th, 2017 (On Guyana’s 51st Independence.”)
Among those that attend the grand and spectacular ceremony were dignitaries from both sides of the island, Prime Minister William Marlin, Governor Eugene Holiday,  President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams President of the Collectivity of St Read more

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The time to come clean now says Minister Gibson Sr.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr. announced on Wednesday that his Ministry is busy preparing a legislation which will soon be presented to the Council of Ministers. This legislation is aimed at getting residents to fully disclose their income taxes. The Minister said each year the country have been struggling to balance its budget simply because government does not have enough funds to cover its expenses Read more

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Life expectancy of participants looked at

PHILIPSBURG:--- Actual pension reforms in St. Maarten are one step closer to being implemented, following the signing of an agreement between the general pension fund administrator, APS, and St. Maarten’s Finance Minister, Richard Gibson Sr.
The agreement was signed on Friday last, at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, as a major highlight of the APS 2017 pension seminar, held at the same venue.
Signing on behalf of APS were APS board officials, Mr Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee of Parliament will be meeting this week to discuss several issues. One such issue is the verdict pertaining to the Integrity Chamber. Isn’t it ironic, that the Central Committee has only now decided to meet to discuss the verdict handed down by the Constitutional Court in July 2016, detailing its reasons for rescinding the Integrity Chamber law? In January 2017, the parliamentarians listened to a passionate presentation by the Honorable Minister of General Affairs against the appointment of a Dutch quartermaster who, by the way, was one of the conditions in the Integrity Chamber protocol, agreed upon by the Government of Sint Maarten Read more

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Aps Releases List Of Speakers For Pension Seminar.

Finance Minister to deliver opening remarks

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten’s general pension fund, APS has released the program for its 2017 pension seminar, scheduled for May 19 upcoming.

The event, which will carry the theme “Your Future is Our Day to Day” kicks off with the registration and seating of attendees, as early as 12.30 p.m. Invited guests are asked to register at the entrance of the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, after which they have the option of being driven or walk to the nearby conference area, Maho Room.

Following the welcoming of those in attendance by MC Rachael Geerlings, the purpose of the seminar as well as the rules applicable during the seminar will be explained Read more

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Mp Franklin Meyers Plans To Publish Names Of Businesses That Were Tested Positive For E-Coli And Legionella.

Minister refuses to provide the names to Parliament stating it is not good for business.

PHILIPSBURG:--- At the closing of the public meeting of parliament on Friday where Minister of Public Health Emil Lee returned to answer questions that were posed to him by Members of Parliament. MP Meyers stated that since the Minister did not answer his question where he asked for the names of the businesses that were tested positive for E-coli, he intends to make that information known to the public since he has the information and in his view the members of the public including tourist must know where there are health risks.
Minister of VSA Emil Lee in his response to the question from the get-go said that 15% of the businesses that were tested showed that they had E-coli in their water Read more

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Exclusive:--- Pearl Of China Project Delayed Due To Clause In Deed. Negotiations Taking Place To Resolve The Issue.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Pearl of China Project which was scheduled to start during the month of March 2017 has been delayed due to a clause that is in the deed for the land the developers purchased. SMN News learned that the original owner of the property Rudy Noos placed a clause (restriction) in the deed for the property where it states that no developer can construct more than a certain amount of units on the property.
According to information SMN News received is that the developer just recently discovered restriction that is in the deed and they are busy trying to work around restriction to see how quickly they could have the setback regulated in order for them to begin construction Read more

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GREAT BAY (DCOMM):---On Friday, March 31, the Council of Ministers hosted an Information Session to the Secretaries General of the seven different Ministries and their Management Team, the Staff of the Ministers cabinet, and the Staff of the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

The main agenda points of the session were the Governing Program; integrity and the plans of the Dutch Government towards establishing an Integrity Chamber on Sint Maarten and their recent appointment of a Dutch Integrity Quartermaster and an update on the budget 2017.

The Council found it essential to inform the key leaders and advisors of the organization in person about these key matters.
While the Prime Minister, William Marlin, spoke on the issues of the Governing Program and Integrity, the Minister of Finance, Richard Gibson Sr., elaborated on the budget.

At the same time, both Ministers stressed the importance of the role of each civil servant in the process of making Sint Maarten great Read more

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Exclusive: Will The Parliament Of St. Maarten Fail The People, Prosecutor Office Already Turned A Blind Eye.

What actions will Parliament take when they are being lied to by Ministers?

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday, April 6th 2017, the Minister of VSA Emil Lee told the Parliament of St. Maarten that he did not give the director of SZV Glen Carty permission to spend money from the AOV funds to construct the new hospital, instead he said the decision was taken by the Minister of General Affairs (Prime Minister William Marlin and Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr.) a blatant lie told to the members of Parliament.
The two letters sent by the Director of SZV Glen Carty to Minister Emil Lee and his response will be published under this article for sake of transparency.
SMN News got hold of the letters Minister of VSA Emil Lee sent to SZV director Glen Carty dated August 5th, 2016 informing Carty that the Council of Ministers gave him the approval to use the AOV funds to create a capital reserve fund to the tune of NAF 144M for the construction of the New General Hospital including consultant fees Read more

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GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher, joined her colleague Ministers in her first Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday, April 4.

The meeting was adjourned for the Ministers to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Minister Arrindell-Doncher and resumed after.

At the onset, Minister co-signed her first national decree which contained the so-called ‘vervangingsregeling’, which regulates which minister replaces another minister when he / she is unable to execute his / her responsibilities; this can, for example, be related to illness, travel on behalf of government, or vacation.

With a complete Council of Ministers consisting of seven ministers, the replacement overview is now as follows:
Prime Minister / Minister of General Affairs, Mr Read more

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Mp’S Fires More Questions To Minister Of Vsa On Gag Order Through An Mb To Inspectorate.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VSA Emil Lee provided some answers to the questions that was posed to him last week in the public meeting of parliament regarding health care on St. Maarten.
The Minister told parliament that he was not a signatory to the agreement signed between SZV and SMMC and therefore he could not provide parliament with that document Read more

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Rotary Club Of St. Maarten Celebrates Its 45Th Anniversary.

GIBSON NAMED PAUL HARRIS FELLOW

PHILIPSBURG_---– The Rotary Club of Sint Maarten celebrated its 45th anniversary with a special dinner celebration at Moomba Restaurant in Maho on Thursday, March 29, 2017. To commemorate the occasion the Rotary Club awarded a Paul Harris Fellow to its only remaining charter member, Richard Gibson Read more

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Airport: --- Minister of Health Emil Lee returned to St. Maarten on Tuesday with the marketing director of Health City Cayman Islands Shomari Scot after USZV and Health City has reached a short-term agreement to treat a backlog of patients.
At the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIEA) Prime Minister William Marlin and Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr also welcomed the Minister of Health and Scott to St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday 13th March 2017 the Minister of Finance from Sint Maarten, the Honorable Richard Gibson Sr. met with the Minister of Finance from Curacao, the Honorable Kenneth Gijsbertha to discuss vital financial matters that affect both Sint Maarten and Curacao.

Some topics addressed during this meeting were: the management of the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), the de-risking trends within our financial institutions, the division of assets of the former Netherlands Antilles, Sint Maarten and Curacao’s possible participation in the pilot project organized by the United States and the upcoming IMF Meeting in Washington, to take place in April of this year Read more

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