Empowering Local Farmers and Fishermen with 12 Weeks of Intensive Training

PHILIPSBURG:---  Qredits proudly launched its first Agriculture Business Academy on July 3, 2025, in Sint Maarten—a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the island’s agricultural and fishery sector through a blend of business and agricultural education. With 19 motivated participants (most of them existing entrepreneurs in the sector) in attendance at the launch, the program will span 12 weeks, offering practical training in farming, agri-innovation, entrepreneurship, business finance, and sustainable practices.

This pioneering program is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) and funded by Temporary Work Organization (Dutch Ministry of Kingdom Relations) and organized by Qredits Sint Maarten and SOFIN (Social Finance Consulting). The Agri Business Academy represents a collaborative effort to drive food security, economic empowerment, and agricultural innovation in Sint Maarten.

The program is offered free of charge to all participants, removing financial barriers and ensuring that any committed individual with a passion for agriculture has the opportunity to benefit from expert training and support.

Participants will receive instruction from two respected local experts: Mrs. Lucrecia Lynch and Mr. Denicio Wyatte, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in agriculture and business development. Their guidance will be instrumental in equipping participants with the practical tools and insight needed to build sustainable agribusiness ventures.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be eligible to apply for a unique Qredits loan of max $ 50,000 with an interest rate of 2%. This program is specifically designed to support new and existing agribusiness and fisheries ventures, underscoring Qredits’ commitment to creating real, long-term opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

The Agri Business Academy was officially opened by Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten from TEATT. “As Minister of TEATT, I am proud to support this initiative that not only builds capacity in agriculture but also strengthens our economy and promotes food resilience,” stated the Minister. “Empowering our people through knowledge and opportunity is the cornerstone of our sustainable development goals, and this academy is a bold step in that direction.”

The program is being managed by Elwin Groenevelt, Founder of Qredits and now CEO of SoFin, who played a key role in bringing the agricultural projects to life on Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire and now on Sint Maarten. “We believe in the power of entrepreneurship as a tool for social and economic transformation,” said Groenevelt. “This Academy will not only help participants build viable business plans, but it will also contribute to innovation and food security on the island. ”

Also present at the launch was Bernise Stoffer, representing  RVO as the Project Manager for the E6 Country Packages on behalf of the Dutch Ministry via Temporary Work Organization (Landspakket), who emphasized the program's alignment with broader Kingdom goals: “This academy reflects a shared vision across the Kingdom to empower entrepreneurs, promote sustainable agriculture, and build stronger, more resilient communities in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.”

Participants in the program range from new farmers and fishermen to existing agricultural and fishery business owners, all driven by a common goal: to grow and thrive in the food sector. With expert facilitators, hands-on workshops, personalized coaching, access to affordable financing, and no cost to enroll, the Academy is poised to make a lasting impact on Sint Maarten’s economy and food systems.

PHILIPSBURG---  The Minister of Finance, Marinka J. Gumbs, was presented with a historical commemorative book on the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (NAf) and a collector’s set featuring the new Caribbean guilder coins and banknotes.

This symbolic handover marks a significant moment in the monetary history of the countries Sint Maarten and Curacao, representing the official transition from the Netherlands Antillean Guilder to the Caribbean guilder. With the end of the co-circulation period on June 30, 2025 the Caribbean guilder is now the sole legal tender in circulation.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP), in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Management (ODM), is launching a certified drone training program to strengthen disaster response capabilities on the island.

The training is specifically designed for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) members.

The three-day session starts on July 7 and continues on July 8 and 9^th at the Fire Department in Cay Hill.  

The training will certify participants in operating their drone based on procedures for safe drone flights.

Interim Director of BTP/Coordinator Emergency Support Function (ESF) 2, Judianne Labega-Hoeve, said, “As a committed EOC member, we continuously train for various disaster scenarios. Equally important is ensuring that all EOC members are well-equipped and prepared to respond effectively.

“That’s why BTP, together with the Office of Disaster Management, initiated this certified drone training. Drones have proven to be valuable tools in disaster response, supporting damage assessments, search and rescue, security, infrastructure monitoring, and more.

“We are proud to contribute to strengthening disaster management capabilities on Sint Maarten.”

The theoretical modules cover the following topics: Laws and regulations, including national aviation rules, privacy laws, no-fly zones, and radio communication; Airspace and navigation, encompassing airspace classifications, weather and environmental factors, and basic aerodynamics; Drone technology, which includes types of drones and their uses, sensors and payloads, control systems, and incident prevention.

The practical modules cover Preparation and Planning: Mission planning, risk assessment, and pre-flight checks; Control and Maneuvering: Basic and advanced flight techniques, emergency procedures, and troubleshooting; Maintenance and Safety: Routine maintenance, safe storage and transport, and post-flight inspections.

~Joni Musabayana – Director, ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean~

The Caribbean is at a critical juncture. Climate change is battering our shores, global economic shocks are testing our resilience, and social inequalities continue to leave too many behind. Amid these challenges, a powerful and time-tested solution quietly transforming our communities: cooperatives. The 2025 International Year of Cooperatives and the 103^rd International Day of Cooperatives on July 5^th offer a pivotal global moment to reflect on their impact and renew our commitment to their potential.

The cooperative model has deep roots in the Caribbean, dating back to the early 20th century. Cooperatives across sectors from finance and agriculture to fisheries and retail have contributed to creating decent work, fostering inclusive growth, and building sustainable local economies. Today, cooperatives thrive in countries like Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. What makes their story remarkable is how they’ve adapted through decades of change, from economic upheavals in the 1980s to the urgent climate crisis we face now, always grounded in democratic governance, shared ownership, and collective well-being.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has been a steadfast and strategic partner throughout this journey. Since opening its Caribbean Office in Port of Spain in 1969, the ILO has worked alongside national institutions and stakeholders to strengthen cooperative policy and practice. It was in the 1970s that the ILO, with support from the Danish International Development Agency, started strengthening cooperative institutions across the region. A landmark moment occurred in 2000, when the ILO and the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions convened a regional conference of Ministers of Cooperatives, laying the groundwork for harmonized cooperative legislation and long-term development strategies that continue to guide cooperative work in the region today.

The technical support of the ILO to advancing cooperatives continues to evolve in the region. Today, in Dominica and Bermuda, new cooperative policies are being developed in consultation with local stakeholders to enhance resilience and adapt frameworks to current challenges. In Guyana, capacity strengthening of support institutions is revitalizing cooperatives. The ILO is partnering with the FAO-led FISH4ACP initiative to strengthen artisanal fisheries cooperatives, promoting sustainable shrimp harvesting and advancing the inclusion of women in the industry. In Suriname, agro-cooperatives are receiving tailored support for strengthening pineapple-producing cooperatives under the Joint Programme Accelerating Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Transformation in Suriname (ASTA). In Belize, indigenous communities are strengthening their local social and solidarity economy entities through initiatives like the EU-funded ILO PROSPER Project, which positions cooperatives as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable development.

These initiatives demonstrate the ILO's longstanding commitment to people-centred development. Grounded in the Promotion of Cooperatives Recommendation, 2002 (No. 193), the ILO recognizes cooperatives as critical to advancing its mandate for decent work, social justice, and sustainable development. Building on this foundation, the ILO has expanded its vision to include the wider social and solidarity economy (SSE), where cooperatives continue to play a central role. The adoption of the ILO Resolution on Decent Work and the Social and Solidarity Economy in 2022, along with the follow-up strategy and action plan (2023-2029), are clear manifestations of that commitment. 

The true success of cooperatives is best seen in the livelihoods they create and the communities they strengthen. It’s the fisherman in Dominica who gained access to finance, securing his family’s future through his credit union. It’s the 30 agro-cooperatives in Suriname that have expanded their networks, modernized their practices, and increased the incomes of their members through targeted support. These are not isolated cases. They are how cooperatives work through economic democracy to empower their members and uplift their communities.

Governments, in consultation with social partners, and in line with ILO Recommendation No. 193 and the 2022 Resolution on decent work and the SSE can adopt laws and policies that foster a conducive environment for cooperatives to thrive. These should uphold fundamental principles and rights at work, ensure fair competition, and acknowledge the distinctive role of cooperatives in promoting decent work and social justice.

National development plans and inclusive financing mechanisms can incorporate cooperatives and the wider SSE, especially in key sectors like agriculture, fisheries, renewable energy, care, and digital services, where they support sustainable livelihoods and community resilience.

Cooperatives can play a transformative role in employment creation, skills development, formalization, and social inclusion. Documenting and sharing evidence of their impact can inform policy and encourage replication.

Education and training systems can integrate cooperative principles and practices in curricula, preparing young people to lead the cooperatives of tomorrow. Targeted investments in capacity-building, institutional support, and partnerships can expand the reach of cooperatives and SSE entities that empower workers, reduce inequalities, and enhance resilience. These efforts should be supported through coherent national, local, and regional strategies, in coordination with international organizations and financial institutions providing technical and financial support.

In 2025 and beyond, let’s build on the long and successful history and move towards a renewed commitment to ensure that the cooperative movement continues to drive a brighter, fairer Caribbean future.