PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister the Honorable Dr. Luc Mercelina last week received H.E. Zhang Kaibin, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Willemstad, for a courtesy visit at the Cabinet of the Prime Minister. The meeting served as an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic dialogue, recognize the positive contributions of the Chinese community in Sint Maarten, and explore areas of practical, people-focused cooperation, including cultural exchanges and small-scale economic initiatives.

Prime Minister Mercelina warmly welcomed the Consul General and emphasized the importance of constructive engagement with all international partners in a manner that supports Sint Maarten’s development goals and complements its existing regional and global relationships.

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, “Sint Maarten values respectful and transparent dialogue with all nations. We appreciate the contributions of the Chinese community, which has long been a part of our island’s social and economic life. Today’s discussion focused on ways we can continue fostering community well-being, cultural understanding, and responsible collaboration that fits within our national priorities.”

Consul General Zhang Kaibin expressed his appreciation for the safe, harmonious environment enjoyed by the Chinese community on the island and reiterated his commitment to supporting constructive engagement.

Consul General Zhang Kaibin: “The Chinese community is grateful and elated to be living peacefully in Sint Maarten. The island’s openness and harmony are deeply appreciated. We look forward to continued cooperation with the Government of Sint Maarten, especially in areas such as culture, education, and small-scale development initiatives that benefit local communities.”

Both parties reaffirmed that any cooperation will be fully aligned with Sint Maarten’s governance standards, its international partnerships—including within the Kingdom of the Netherlands—and its commitment to maintaining strong, transparent relations with all global stakeholders.
Consul General Zhang Kaibin,“We look forward to continuing friendly exchanges that support the people of Sint Maarten and reinforce the long-standing bonds of goodwill.”

PHILIPSBURG:---  Member of Parliament Francisco A. Lacroes has taken decisive steps to hold government leaders publicly accountable, submitting requests for two consecutive Question Hours first with the Minister of Finance on Sint Maarten’s tax holiday policy, and second with the Prime Minister on the island’s transition to LNG, energy diversification, and public benefits.

Tax Holiday Oversight: Policy Clarity and Parliamentary Mandate
Lacroes’ opening Question Hour emphasizes the need for transparent and effective policy on tax holidays and special fiscal incentives that remain central to economic debates on the island. The MP is seeking clear answers on how tax holidays are granted, monitored, and evaluated, and whether their benefits reach beyond the recipients to serve the broader public good. “Every tax reduction or exemption must be justified by clear social or economic returns for Sint Maarten’s people,” Lacroes noted, underlining that these matters are more than administrative; they speak directly to Parliament’s oversight mandate.

Energy Policy: From Parliamentary Motion to National Resolution
The second Question Hour is grounded in an official motion that Lacroes successfully advanced and which Parliament adopted as a resolution during the June 2025 budget debates. This motion outlines a strategic direction for Sint Maarten’s energy sector, calling for coordinated action between GEBE, the Harbor Group, and government ministries to pursue fuel diversification, most notably, a transition toward liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable alternatives. The resolution further directs the development of feasibility studies, public-private partnerships, and inclusion of measurable community benefits like solar infrastructure at sports and public sites.
“By adopting this motion as a resolution, Parliament set both the roadmap and the public expectations. It’s now the government’s responsibility to report, act, and deliver,” Lacroes explained. “Question Hour gives Parliament the means to require regular, open updates and to ensure the voices of our constituents are heard as these national objectives are pursued.”

Question Hours as Instruments for Reform
Both actions are based on Article 69 of the Rules of Order, which provides for Members of Parliament to pose questions directly to Ministers and the Prime Minister in a public session. Lacroes asserts that this is “how Parliament ensures government remains answerable not just to Members of Parliament but to the whole island on the most important issues of economic management, public investment, and sustainable growth.”
The adopted motion and subsequent resolution detail a phased approach to energy reform, fiscal reform, and community outreach, with a timeline for achieving actionable outcomes and regular reporting. Lacroes is intent on monitoring compliance and maintaining momentum on these critical priorities through ongoing, structured questioning and follow-up in Parliament.

Next Steps
Both Question Hours are expected to be scheduled soon, with the public and all interested observers encouraged to follow proceedings live or via broadcast.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a decisive move to safeguard the long-term stability of the nation’s healthcare system, Minister of Public Health Richinel Brug has announced the submission of a comprehensive cost containment and financial sustainability plan for Social & Health Insurances (SZV). The strategy, developed following an October directive from the Minister, aims to urgently reduce healthcare expenditure without compromising the quality of care provided to residents.

After reviewing the completed plan, Minister Brug has formally submitted the document to the Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT). The strategy outlines a series of structural changes designed to ensure that SZV remains financially viable for years to come.

"The goal was very clear," Minister Brug stated regarding his directive to the insurance body. "We must urgently reduce the health care costs while protecting the quality of care. The plan SZV delivered is detailed, structured, and addresses both the immediate and long-term challenges."

Five Pillars of Sustainability

The newly unveiled plan rests on five strategic pillars designed to streamline operations and boost efficiency across the organization:

1. Cutting Administrative Overhead: A significant focus is on placing stricter controls on administrative spending. The plan calls for a substantial reduction in the dependency on external consultants and outsourced audit services. Instead, resources will be directed toward building and increasing internal capacity within SZV.
2. Digital Transformation and Automation: To cut operational expenses over time, major SZV processes will be automated. This shift is expected to streamline workflows and strengthen monitoring capabilities, reducing the manual workload and associated costs.
3. Stricter Healthcare Cost Management: The plan introduces rigorous controls on medical referrals abroad—often a high-cost area for the insurer. It also includes a review of the business case for the new hospital and the implementation of digital tools, such as QR-based verification, to reduce fraud.
4. Revenue Enhancement: Sustainability is not just about cutting costs but also securing income. The strategy focuses on improving employer compliance and collection rates. Data analytics will be deployed to better track payment behavior and identify gaps in revenue collection.
5. Focus on Preventive Care: Perhaps the most forward-looking element of the plan is a shift toward prevention. SZV will launch pilot projects with general practitioners specifically targeting chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. By improving health outcomes early, the ministry anticipates a reduction in long-term costs associated with treating advanced illnesses.

A Collaborative Effort for the Future

Minister Brug emphasized that this plan represents a vital collaboration between SZV, the Ministry of Finance, and the CFT. "It is exactly the kind of strategy work we need to ensure that SZV remains financially viable," he noted, adding that he looks forward to taking the next steps to strengthen the healthcare system for the benefit of all residents.

In addition to the financial restructuring, Minister Brug announced a significant operational directive focused on the island’s elderly population. Last month, the Minister formally requested that SZV make all necessary provisions to reopen its doors for in-person services for seniors as soon as possible. This move acknowledges the challenges some older residents face with digital-only services and reinforces the commitment to accessible care for vulnerable groups.

As the government moves to implement these measures, the focus remains on a delicate balance: enforcing fiscal discipline while ensuring that every resident of Sint Maarten continues to receive high-quality medical attention.

PHILIPSBURG: ---  A deep-seated crisis of mismanagement, corruption, and regulatory negligence has left St. Maarten's public transportation sector in shambles. Recent findings have exposed a system where hundreds of bus and taxi licenses were issued without proper oversight, leading to an oversaturated market and rampant illegal activity. In response, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger Marten, has announced a comprehensive five-phase plan to overhaul the sector, enforce accountability, and restore public trust.

The scale of the problem is staggering. An investigation revealed that of 300 recorded bus licenses, only 29 buses were actively registered with paid road taxes in 2025. This suggests that over 100 buses may be operating illegally or have merely "paper" permits. The situation in the taxi sector is just as dire. With 600 registered taxis, St. Maarten has a fleet that vastly exceeds the needs of its population, especially when compared to neighboring islands. For instance, Curaçao, with a much larger population and similar tourism numbers, operates with just 200 taxis and plans a modest increase to 250. St. Martin's 600 registered taxis, plus an estimated 150 on the French side, create a saturated environment where legitimate drivers struggle to make a living.

During a recent Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister Heyliger Marten confirmed these findings, which align with earlier reports from the SOAB and the Integrity Chamber. "From the time I was in Parliament to now, I still believe... we have the most taxis in St. Maarten," she stated, highlighting the severe market saturation.

The investigation uncovered a decade of systemic failures. Licenses issued in 2023 were processed in under two months, often lacking official stamps or consistent registration numbers, in stark contrast to the highly regulated, year-long process of 2013. This rapid, unchecked issuance created loopholes for exploitation, including duplicate permits, licenses held by companies instead of individuals, and even permits issued to minors.

A core principle of the licensing policy was to provide a source of income for individuals without other employment. However, the system has been abused by those holding multiple jobs or numerous permits, defeating its original purpose. Minister Heyliger Marten addressed this directly, stating, "You have to deal with whatever the law says. And if the law says you can't have more than one source of income, then you have to choose one." She announced that all permit holders will be allowed to clarify their status. Those who do not comply or are found to violate the law will have their licenses revoked.

To tackle these deep-rooted issues, the Ministry has initiated a five-phase reform plan:

1. Data Verification and Compliance: This initial phase, already completed, involved a thorough cleanup of records to identify dormant, noncompliant, and illegal permits.
2. Permit Revocation and Driver Certification: Currently underway, this phase focuses on revoking noncompliant licenses. It also introduces mandatory certification for all drivers, covering safety, local knowledge, and medical fitness. The ministry will publish lists of permit numbers in local newspapers, summoning holders to verify their status.
3. Legislative Framework: The government will draft amendments to the Passenger Transport Ordinance. A key element of this phase will be the pilot of a digital dispatch system to provide better oversight of all active vehicles and drivers.
4. Finalization and Decree: The proposed legislative changes will be submitted to Parliament to create a consolidated and modernized transport policy.
5. Establishment of a Transportation Authority: The final step is to create an independent Transportation Authority to regulate and oversee the entire public transport sector, removing it from direct government administration to ensure impartiality and long-term stability.

The timeline for these ambitious reforms spans the next two years. The cleanup and certification process is slated for 2025, followed by the drafting of new laws and the digital dispatch pilot in 2026. The goal is to have the new laws passed and the Transportation Authority fully operational by 2027.

The road ahead is challenging. Years of neglect and exploitation have eroded confidence in the system. However, the government's decisive action signals a commitment to transparency and fairness. As Minister Heyliger Marten stated, "Accountability is necessary if we are to rebuild trust." For the hundreds of law-abiding taxi and bus drivers struggling in a saturated market, and for the public that relies on this essential service, these reforms cannot come soon enough. The question now is whether the government can successfully dismantle a system plagued by corruption and build a new one that serves the people of St. Maarten effectively and equitably.