~Ministry of Finance launches sweeping agenda focused on stability, modernization, and public trust.~

PHILIPSBURG — The Ministry of Finance has unveiled an ambitious first-quarter reform agenda aimed at reshaping Sint Maarten’s financial future through stronger compliance, modernized systems, and citizen-focused tax relief measures. The initiatives, outlined in the government’s Finance Forward – Q1 2026 Overview, reflect what Minister of Finance Marinka J. Gumbs describes as a phased strategy to “Stabilize, Repair, Reform.”
At the center of the Ministry’s agenda is a broad effort to restore confidence in the country’s financial institutions and to create a more efficient and equitable tax system. “The work before us is not simply about numbers, but about restoring confidence, strengthening our systems, and building a more resilient and fair economy for all,” Minister Gumbs stated in the report’s foreword.
Among the quarter’s most notable achievements was Parliament’s unanimous approval of the Basic Payment Account legislation, a measure designed to expand access to banking services for residents who previously struggled to obtain bank accounts. The legislation is expected to strengthen financial inclusion and reduce dependence on cash transactions.
The Ministry also advanced a series of tax reform initiatives aimed at simplifying procedures and improving compliance. These included the revision of formal tax laws, the launch of a coordinated compliance audit involving the Tax Office, SBAB, and SZV, and the rollout of the Transformation Tax Administration (TTA) Program, which seeks to modernize tax administration through digital upgrades and improved customer service.
In a move expected to bring immediate relief to residents, the government also announced the abolition of land and inheritance taxes, calling the measure a “quick win” aimed at eliminating outdated and inefficient taxation practices. Officials say the change will ease financial burdens related to property transfers and generational wealth.
Further taxpayer relief came in the form of a temporary extension of income tax payment arrangements from 9 to 24 months, providing households with additional flexibility to settle outstanding obligations while encouraging voluntary compliance.
On the legislative front, the Ministry introduced five uniform financial laws to regulate payment service providers, securities brokers, virtual asset service providers, and other financial entities. The proposed laws are intended to strengthen oversight and align Sint Maarten with international Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.
Budget reform also featured prominently during the quarter. Government stakeholders began strategic discussions for the 2027 budget process months ahead of schedule to improve fiscal discipline and ensure budgets are delivered within required timelines. Meanwhile, the Ministry continued efforts to finalize and submit the 2026 national budget to Parliament following approval by the Council of Ministers.
Another key development came in March when Minister Gumbs raised concerns in Parliament regarding the future of the monetary union with Curaçao. The Ministry announced plans to establish a dedicated task force to evaluate potential reforms and future monetary scenarios to safeguard Sint Maarten’s financial stability and economic interests.
The quarter also included community-focused initiatives such as Finance Fridays, which provide residents with direct access to the Minister and her cabinet team, as well as participation in CBCS Money Week, which promotes financial literacy among youth.
The Ministry concluded the report by emphasizing that the reforms undertaken in Q1 2026 are intended to lay the groundwork for a stronger and more resilient financial system. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, accountability, and sustainable economic growth moving forward.

Click here for Q1 Update: Click here for overview

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is currently conducting an ongoing investigation into a series of break-and-enter incidents reported over the past several weeks in the Belvedere, Nazareth, and Dutch Quarter areas.
KPSM has received several complaints from residents concerning homes and vehicles that were broken into. During these incidents, various tools and other valuable items were stolen from vehicles and properties.
Based on information gathered during the investigation, police officers received intelligence indicating that some of the stolen items were being stored at a residence in the Dutch Quarter area. Officers immediately proceeded to the location on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, where they confiscated several bags containing tools believed to be linked to the reported thefts.
KPSM has also seen several videos circulating online that allegedly show a suspect breaking into vehicles in the affected areas. Detectives are currently reviewing this footage as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police are asking members of the public who may have video footage, surveillance recordings, or cellphone videos related to these incidents to contact the Detective Department. This information may assist investigators in accurately identifying the suspect involved in these crimes.
KPSM is now urging residents who may have been victims of these break-ins, especially those who have not yet filed an official police report, to come forward and visit the Philipsburg Police Station. Victims will have the opportunity to review the recovered tools and determine whether any of the confiscated items belong to them.
Detectives involved in the investigation have identified a possible suspect connected to these cases and are actively searching for him. The suspect was not present at the residence when officers arrived.
KPSM continues to encourage the community to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
Anyone with information regarding these breaking-and-entering incidents or the whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact the Police Force of Sint Maarten at +1 (721) 542-2222 or anonymously via the tip line at 9300.

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG – As climate change risks become increasingly evident, the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) highlights the importance of translating awareness into concrete and coordinated action in Curaçao and Sint Maarten. In a newly published policy note, the CBCS outlines how both countries can strengthen their climate adaptation efforts through National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), highlighting best practices for their design and implementation. The development of a National Adaptation Plan will help both countries better prepare for the impacts of climate change.
The policy note discusses four key pillars of effective adaptation planning: framing, evaluation, governance and implementation, and broader development considerations. The findings highlight several practical priorities for Curaçao and Sint Maarten, including establishing clear roles and responsibilities, strengthening cross-sectoral coordination, and creating effective communication channels among government agencies, stakeholders, and the public. The note also highlights the importance of developing sectoral plans, integrating adaptation into planning and budget frameworks, and investing in capacity building and knowledge management to support implementation over time.
The policy note further recognizes that both Curaçao and Sint Maarten have already initiated important elements of the adaptation planning process. Curaçao is advancing its National Adaptation Strategy through climate risk assessments, stakeholder engagement, public consultation, and the identification of adaptation priorities and actions. Sint Maarten is strengthening its adaptation framework through initiatives to assess climate risks and vulnerabilities and to develop a national strategy through broad stakeholder engagement.
In addition, the note highlights the value of regional cooperation and knowledge sharing, while emphasizing that both countries can also benefit from the technical expertise available within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and lessons from the BES islands to support stronger and more context-appropriate adaptation strategies.

About National Adaptation Plans
The development of a National Adaptation Plan is an important step in establishing a long-term strategy to prepare for the impacts of climate change. It outlines how a country intends to adapt to climate change over the medium and long term and aims to provide an evidence-based, coordinated, and systematic approach to adaptation. Adaptation planning is particularly important in the Caribbean because of the region’s high vulnerability to climate change. High average
temperatures, climate-sensitive ecosystems, and the small geographic size of island economies mean that climate-related events can affect a significant share of land area and economic activity. Tourism-dependent economies are especially exposed to the effects of climate change through potential losses in tourism-related revenues and damage to critical infrastructure. Many countries worldwide are developing or implementing NAPs, including several Caribbean countries, while Curaçao and Sint Maarten are currently advancing their own adaptation strategies.

 Why is this important for the CBCS
For the CBCS, climate change adaptation and the existence of a NAP are relevant because climate-related shocks can affect people, businesses and infrastructure and may have broader macroeconomic implications. Economic activity, employment patterns, labor supply, and electricity supply can all be affected by extreme weather events and other climate-related disruptions. Such impacts may lead to economic losses, higher inflation, and greater price volatility, which in turn affect financial stability and reduce the effectiveness of monetary policy. Strengthening climate resilience is therefore also relevant from a macroeconomic and financial stability perspective.
The policy note is available on the CBCS website at https://centralbank.cw/publications/notes-analyses/analyses.

Willemstad May 27, 2026
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN

ORANJESTAD/ THE BOTTOM:--- The temporary firearm surrender campaign on Saba, organized by the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force (KPCN) and the Public Prosecutor’s Office BES, officially concluded on Sunday, May 24th.

During the campaign period, two firearms and ammunition were voluntarily surrendered.

KPCN and the Public Prosecutor’s Office BES would like to sincerely thank the community of Saba for their cooperation, openness, and contribution to the safety of the island. Every firearm removed from the community helps reduce risks and strengthen public safety.

Following the conclusion of the campaign on Saba, the firearm surrender campaign on Sint Eustatius started the following day, Monday, May 25th, and will continue through Sunday, May 31st.

Residents of Sint Eustatius are still encouraged to make use of this temporary opportunity to voluntarily surrender firearms.

The campaign is part of a joint approach within the Caribbean part of the Kingdom aimed at reducing illegal firearm possession and increasing public safety.

After the surrender period ends, strict enforcement against illegal firearm possession will follow.