WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:--- The key outcome of the second meeting of the National Payment Council (NPC) in 2025 was the decision to jointly organize an information session for the business community on innovative payment options. This meeting took place on December 1 in Sint Maarten and on December 9 in Curaçao, at the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS). During the meeting, various other topics related to the payment system were discussed, including local payment card fees, payment fraud, and the further development of Instant Payment functionalities.

A growing number of innovative payment methods are available in Curaçao and Sint Maarten, including link- and QR-code-based payments. This is a positive development, as it makes payments fast, convenient, and efficient for consumers and businesses. However, entrepreneurs are not always aware of these developments, which can lead to unnecessary extra costs and reduced ease of payment for customers. For this reason, the members of the NPC have decided to take the initiative to jointly organize an information session for the business community on innovative payment options.

One of the main outcomes of the NPC meetings held in June 2025 was the joint launch of an awareness campaign against payment fraud. New and innovative payment methods entail different types of risks, such as online payment fraud. This type of fraud can result in financial losses and diminished confidence in digital payments. In November 2025, the NPC launched an online campaign to raise awareness about online payment fraud and explain how to respond when confronted with it. Given its importance to society, the NPC has decided to repeat the campaign in 2026.

Finally, developments relating to Instant Payments were also discussed. This technology is currently being used to process local interbank payments in real time. In addition to enabling low-cost payments through online stores, in physical stores, and for person-to-person transactions without a payment card, it is also technically possible to provide international instant payments between Curaçao and Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Aruba, and the Netherlands. The CBCS will explore these possibilities in 2026.
The CBCS thanks the NPC members for their active participation in these meetings and looks forward to continuing to work with the NPC to enhance the payment system in Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

Willemstad, December 18, 2025 CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN

The NPC is a platform for payment system policy dialogue between the competent authorities, the CBC,S and stakeholders, ensuring a balanced representation of public and private interests.
Beyond the competent authorities, the membership of the NPC is limited to a core group of institutions deemed relevant to specific issues under discussion, including representatives of payment service providers, such as the banking associations of Curaçao and Sint Maarten and the Curaçao Fintech Association, and of payment service users in the Countries, such as government agencies, utilities as well as consumer and business associations.
The NPC is also the place where payment service providers (PSPs) and users can share and discuss their expectations and challenges, and potentially translate them into new functionalities within the national payment system. The main objectives of the NPC are: policy development, security and efficiency, financial inclusion, interoperability, education, and awareness.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Judicial Institutional Services (J&IS) in partnership with the Miss Lalie Center (MLC), successfully hosted a “Sip and Paint” rehabilitation event on Monday, December 8, 2025. The initiative provided inmates with a constructive and creative outlet designed to promote emotional well-being and personal development.
The event was facilitated by J&IS Probation Officers Ivan Plantein, Samantha Phillips, and Shakainah Pompier, with support from MLC Pedagogic Worker A, Mr. Merkman, and the rest of the team, who offered motivational guidance and created an atmosphere that encouraged open expression and self-reflection.
Throughout the session, participants explored painting as a means of relaxation and communication. In a spontaneous, uplifting moment, inmates encouraged 1 Pedagogic Worker and 1 Correctional Officer to join the activity, sparking a friendly “inmates versus MLC Team” art challenge. This interaction fostered trust, mutual respect, and positive engagement between staff and inmates, key objectives in both agencies’ rehabilitation efforts.
During the reflection phase, inmates expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that many had not participated in creative activities since their school years. They described the session as calming, inspiring, and a valuable escape from the daily pressures of incarceration. Several participants requested similar creative expression programs in the future, emphasizing the benefit of incorporating creative outlets into their rehabilitation journey.
J&IS facilitators also praised the event’s impact. “Seeing the inmates tap into their creativity was truly rewarding,” one officer noted. “These activities strengthen communication, build confidence, and support the broader goal of meaningful rehabilitation.” From a probation perspective, this activity also strengthened essential human skills such as emotional regulation, patience, focus, respectful communication, teamwork, and self-awareness, all of which are critical for successful reintegration into society. Creative expression activities are often underestimated in rehabilitation, yet they play a decisive role in helping individuals process emotions, reduce stress, and develop healthier coping skills, said the Director of J&IS, Cynthia Clarke-Filemon.
Both J&IS and MLC confirm their commitment to expanding rehabilitative programming through continued creative, educational, and therapeutic initiatives that build life skills, support behavioral change, and prepare inmates for successful reintegration into the community.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Minister of Finance, Ms. Marinka J. Gumbs, is pleased to announce several customer service improvements at the Receiver’s Office, aimed at enhancing the overall experience for taxpayers.
Since October 2023, the Receiver’s Office has been operating from office spaces within the same building as the Postal Services, located directly across from the Government Administration Building. Upon assuming office in May 2024, the Minister of Finance identified the improvement of customer service at the Receiver’s Office as a key priority, recognizing the importance of a comfortable, orderly, and efficient environment for both taxpayers and staff.
As part of these efforts, seating has now been installed to ensure that visitors can wait comfortably while awaiting service. The Minister has emphasized that it is unacceptable for members of the public to have access to seating in other government buildings, such as the Census Office, while taxpayers visiting the Receiver’s Office were previously required to stand. Providing dignified and respectful service to the public remains a fundamental principle of this initiative.
In addition, a ticketing system will be implemented to allow for a more organized flow of customers and to reduce uncertainty regarding waiting times. These measures form part of a broader plan to strengthen service quality at the Receiver’s Office, ensuring that taxpayers are treated with efficiency, fairness, and respect while accessing essential government services.
Furthermore, the Minister of Finance is actively coordinating efforts to have the parking area cleared and better organized, including the relocation of towing-company operations currently occupying the space, with the goal of providing sufficient and accessible parking for both staff and taxpayers visiting the office.
The Minister of Finance, Ms. Marinka Gumbs, remains committed to continuous improvements across her departments and will continue to implement practical solutions that enhance public service delivery.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in an urgent Public meeting on December 18, 2025.

The Public meeting which was adjourned on November 5, 2025, will be reconvened on Thursday at 11.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Finance will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:
Deliberations on the issues surrounding the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten
a. The recent nomination of the Chairman of the CBCS by the Council of Ministers
b. An update on the ENNIA situation
c. Developments concerning Mullet Bay (IS/092/2025-2026 dated September 22, 2025)

This meeting was requested by MP E.J. Doran, MP A.M.R. Irion, MP D.T.J. York, MP O.E.C. Ottley and MP F.A. Lacroes.

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx