PHILIPSBURG:--- With the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially coming to a close, Prime Minister, the Honorable Dr. Luc Mercelina, extends his sincere appreciation and gratitude for Sint Maarten and St. Martin being spared from destructive storms this year.

“This season has ended without national distress, and for that, we give thanks to God,” said Prime Minister Mercelina. “But equally important, I acknowledge the people across St. Maarten, who stayed alert, prepared responsibly, and looked out for one another. Our safety is something we experienced together as an island.”

The Prime Minister noted that for many residents, relief this season carries added meaning, as the effects of past hurricanes, particularly Irma, remain part of the island’s collective memory.

“When storms pass us by, we don’t just take a breath, we take stock,” he continued. “Because peace means families avoided displacement, businesses avoided shutdown, and our community routines stayed intact. For a small island, stability is protection too.”

Prime Minister Mercelina also conveyed appreciation to emergency responders and community disaster partners for their continuous readiness throughout the season.

“To our Police Force, Fire Department, ambulance department, Coast Guard, VROMI teams, the Red Cross, volunteers, and every resident who took action to secure their surroundings, thank you for helping to safeguard this country. Your vigilance strengthened national preparedness and eased public concern.”

The Prime Minister emphasized, "We close this season in gratitude, but we stay prepared.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Integrity Chamber has completed an investigation into the execution of bidding procedures for concessions at the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V. (PJIAE). The investigation was initiated to determine PJIAE’s compliance with the applicable legislative framework and the probability of misconduct occurring during the execution of pharmacy and supermarket concessions in 2023.

Following a review of the applicable legislative framework (regulations, policies and procedures etc.), the Integrity Chamber determined that PJIAE was partially compliant with the legislative framework in the awarding of the supermarket and pharmacy concessions in 2023. While mistakes were made, no misconduct occurred as defined by the National Ordinance Integrity Chamber during the pharmacy and supermarket concessions conducted in 2023.

The investigation further revealed that:
• There was a lack of transparency and fairness during the RFP process.
• Insufficient due diligence contributed to RFP conditions that did not fully comply with legal standards.
• The organisation's hierarchical structure and internal culture contributed to challenges in communication, accountability, and compliance to internal policies and procedures.

The Chamber advised the following to improve compliance.

These recommendations include:
1. Improve transparency and communication in the bidding process.

2. Strengthen procurement policies and procedures to ensure that it aligns with best practices.

3. Reduce errors by improving due diligence in the execution of concessions, ensuring that all RFPs are developed or thoroughly reviewed by qualified experts.

4. Clarify roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders and the boundaries within which they must operate.

The Integrity Chamber trusts that the above recommendations will assist PJIAE in improving compliance with integrity-related policies and procedures and applauds the fact that PJIAE is already in process of updating and enhancing its internal procurement policy and procedures.

For more information on the work of the Integrity Chamber, visit the website at www.integritychamber.sx.

COLE BAY:--- Motorworld Group proudly announces the appointment of Tariq Amjad as its new Chairman, effective November 21, 2025, succeeding his father and long-standing Chairman, Imran McSood Amjad. This transition marks a significant milestone for one of the region’s leading automotive groups, signaling a new era of continued growth and regional expansion.
Born and raised in St. Maarten, Tariq Amjad has been deeply rooted in both the local community and the family’s entrepreneurial vision from an early age. After completing his university studies in the United States, he returned to St. Maarten to take over the Dollar Thrifty Car Rental operations. Under his leadership, the company quickly grew to become the largest car rental provider on the island.
While Tariq was expanding the rental business, his mother, Rena Amjad, and his brother, Reza Amjad, were working tirelessly to build and expand the Motorworld company, laying the foundation for what would grow into one of the Caribbean’s most influential automotive groups. Tariq joined the auto division soon after, taking on the role of Human Resources Manager, and later rising to Managing Director, where he served for many years.
In this role, Tariq spearheaded a new era for Motorworld, driving advancements in marketing, product planning, model development, and customer experience. He played a key role in introducing new vehicle models to the market and led the design and construction of the company’s state-of-the-art showroom, completed in 2017.
Guided by the entrepreneurial legacy of his father, outgoing Chairman Imran McSood Amjad, Tariq also embarked on an ambitious expansion strategy, acquiring regional distribution rights for top-performing Chinese automotive brands that are rapidly transforming the global automotive landscape. Today, under his leadership, the Motorworld Group is accelerating rapidly toward becoming one of the largest automotive groups in the Caribbean.
As he assumes the role of Chairman, Tariq expressed deep gratitude for his family’s foundation and his pride in the company’s local roots:
“It is an honor to carry forward the vision my parents and brother built with so much passion and determination. Our family has always believed in St. Maarten, and I am proud to continue leading a company that was born here and has grown here. I am committed to expanding the Motorworld legacy throughout the Caribbean while staying true to the values and community that shaped us.”
— Tariq Amjad, Chairman, Motorworld Group
The Motorworld Group also reaffirms the continued leadership of Rena Amjad, who will remain as Chief Executive Officer, bringing her dynamic leadership and strategic discipline to the company’s next chapter. Additionally, Imran McSood Amjad and Reza Amjad, will remain active members of the Board of Directors, providing continued guidance, governance, and oversight as the group advances its regional ambitions.
Motorworld extends its gratitude to Imran for his years of leadership and congratulates Tariq on this important new chapter in the company’s history.

COLE BAY:--- Motorworld, the exclusive regional distributor for GAC in the Caribbean, announced the continued expansion of the brand with the official media launch of GAC in Jamaica. The introduction is being carried out through Fidelity Motors Limited, supported by the extensive automotive framework of Goddard Enterprises Limited (GEL) Auto. With St. Maarten serving as the central hub for GAC’s Caribbean operations, the Jamaica launch marks another major step in the brand’s rapidly advancing regional growth strategy.
Motorworld has now successfully launched GAC in 17 Caribbean territories, with Jamaica becoming the newest addition. By the end of Q1, the company expects to expand the brand into 21 territories, reinforcing GAC’s position as the fastest growing automotive brand in the Caribbean.
According to Tariq Amjad, Chairman of Motorworld, this expansion reflects the brand’s rising reputation across island markets. “The launch of GAC in Jamaica is an important milestone for the Caribbean. Jamaican consumers, like those in St. Maarten and our other territories, are increasingly demanding high-quality, technologically advanced vehicles at an attractive price with a strong warranty,” said Amjad. “We are confident that Jamaican customers will embrace these exceptionally engineered vehicles and the technology that has been so well received throughout the Caribbean.”
The Jamaica lineup includes five models already performing strongly across the region:
● Emkoo – a bold, futuristic SUV

● GS3 Emzoom – China’s Highest Quality Compact SUV

● GS8 – a premium full-size SUV

● Empow – a sporty and tech-forward performance sedan

● Aion V – a high-quality, fully electric, technologically advanced SUV

Several additional models are scheduled to follow, including the highly anticipated Aion UT, as well as an all-new tough and rugged pickup truck, further expanding GAC’s offering for Jamaicans seeking advanced mobility solutions.
A key factor behind GAC’s rapid rise is its robust after-sales infrastructure. GAC remains the only Chinese automaker with a dedicated regional parts warehouse in the Americas, located in Panama, enabling delivery of parts to Caribbean territories, including Jamaica, in as little as two weeks. This capability is essential to maintaining high service standards and supporting the brand’s fast-growing popularity across the region.
The Jamaica launch also showcased the GAC Smartwatch, an advanced Android-powered device that allows users to remotely start their vehicle, lock and unlock doors, control windows, locate their car, and access apps. This technology has already been well received in St. Maarten and throughout the Caribbean, demonstrating GAC’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge innovation at accessible price points.
Alan Bayne, CEO of GEL Auto, emphasized the organization’s confidence in the Jamaican market. “Our long-term commitment to the region, together with Motorworld’s leadership in distribution, training, and after-sales support, positions GAC for sustained success,” Bayne noted. “Our automotive network spans Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada, and Jamaica’s inclusion in the GAC network reinforces our belief in its economic strength and in the growing demand for high-quality global automotive brands.”
With strong regional support, expanding model offerings, and rapidly growing brand momentum, GAC is set to make a meaningful and lasting impact in Jamaica’s automotive landscape.