PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Dr. Luc Mercelina, held a productive courtesy meeting with the management of Social and Health Insurances SZV on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

The meeting provided an opportunity for an informative and constructive exchange on matters of shared importance to Government, SZV and the people of Sint Maarten. Participants openly shared information, discussed ongoing challenges and explored practical solutions aimed at strengthening collaboration and improving service delivery.

SZV provided updates on several service-improvement initiatives, including Senior Priority Hours, efforts to reduce waiting times, customer satisfaction monitoring and case management. The organization also presented its digitalization approach, including the MySZV portal and the importance of ensuring that insured persons have easier access to essential services.

The discussions further covered collaboration on the quality of healthcare, financial developments, cost-containment measures and General Health Insurance.

Prime Minister Mercelina thanked the management and staff of SZV for the informative exchange and welcomed the willingness shown by all involved to work together in the public interest.

“The openness and solution-oriented spirit demonstrated during the meeting were encouraging. By continuing to communicate, share information and work together, we can achieve better outcomes for the people of Sint Maarten,” Prime Minister Mercelina stated.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining open communication and advancing cooperation on the matters discussed.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Following the many comments and questions received from the public, the Tax Administration wishes to provide clarity on what the law states regarding Room Tax and to whom it applies.

Under Article 1 of the Logeergastenbelastingverordening (A.B. 2016, No. 14), the law establishes who is subject to Room Tax. The article states:

"Onder de naam “logeergastenbelasting” wordt een directe belasting geheven:

a. terzake van het houden van verblijf in hotels, logementen, pensions, appartementen, woningen of andere tot onderkomen geschikte gebouwen tegen vergoeding in welke vorm dan ook door personen die niet in de basisadministratie van Sint Maarten zijn opgenomen."

Based on this, Room Tax applies to persons who are not registered in Sint Maarten’s Civil Registry. Therefore, registered residents of Sint Maarten are exempt from paying Room Tax when staying at local accommodations, such as hotels, lodgings, apartments, and guesthouses, provided that valid proof of residency, such as a Sint Maarten ID card, is presented.

The Tax Administration encourages all to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the law to ensure it is applied correctly.

Through continued public education efforts, the Tax Administration remains committed to ensuring that residents and businesses have access to accurate information regarding their rights and responsibilities under Sint Maarten’s tax laws.

 St Augustine. The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) officially launched its inaugural Agricultural Research and Innovation Symposium (ARIS) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, bringing together researchers, policymakers, farmers, development partners and private sector stakeholders from across the Caribbean to showcase science-driven solutions for building a more resilient and food-secure region.

Held under the theme "Advancing Agricultural Innovation for Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Food Systems," the Symposium serves as a platform for sharing CARDI's latest research and strengthening collaboration among regional institutions committed to transforming Caribbean agriculture.

Opening the Symposium, Chairman of CARDI's Board of Governors, the Hon. Lennox Andrews, Minister of Agriculture in Grenada, said the Caribbean must continue investing in research and innovation to address increasingly complex agricultural challenges.

"Climate change, evolving pest and disease pressures, and global market disruptions demand that we embrace science, innovation and collaboration as essential tools for securing the future of Caribbean agriculture. The research being showcased here demonstrates CARDI's commitment to developing practical solutions that improve productivity, strengthen food systems and support the livelihoods of farmers across our region."  He further added “If we want CARDI to keep providing solutions … we must give them the financial tools to do the job.”

CARDI Executive Director Ansari Hosein described the symposium as a significant milestone for the organisation and an important opportunity to reconnect with stakeholders.

"This Symposium marks the beginning of a new tradition for CARDI. It brings together our scientists from across the region to share the results of research conducted over the last 2 years in our Member States and, more importantly, to engage directly with farmers, policymakers, development partners and the private sector. Our objective is to ensure that research moves beyond the laboratory and delivers tangible benefits for food and nutrition security, climate resilience and agricultural competitiveness throughout the Caribbean."

He noted that CARDI's research programme continues to focus on strengthening resilient, innovative and sustainable agri-food systems capable of supporting the Region's food security goals.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministerial Advisor Ravi Pooran Maharaj commended CARDI for creating a regional forum dedicated to scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange.

"The Caribbean's future food security depends upon our collective ability to transform research into action. This Symposium provides an important platform where researchers, policymakers, innovators, and practitioners can exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate the adoption of technologies that will help transform agriculture across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean."

He further noted that innovation in agriculture is no longer optional but essential, highlighting the importance of climate-smart technologies, improved crop varieties, precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices in building resilient food systems.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Michelle Anne Thomas, welcomed the Symposium as an important mechanism for strengthening collaboration between research institutions and the public sector, noting that ”the challenges facing Caribbean agriculture require strong partnerships between researchers, policymakers and producers. By creating opportunities to share knowledge and practical solutions, initiatives such as this Symposium help ensure that scientific research informs policy, strengthens national agricultural programmes and delivers meaningful benefits for farmers and consumers across the Region."

The Symposium featured three technical sessions highlighting CARDI's research programmes across its 14 Member States and addressing some of the Region's most pressing agricultural priorities.

Researchers presented studies exploring the commercial production potential of white potatoes in Grenada and tropical wheat in Belize, alongside innovations in lettuce, corn, silage, dasheen, and black-eyed pea production aimed at reducing dependence on imported food and feed.

The symposium also highlighted CARDI's growing emphasis on digital agriculture and innovation. Presentations examined youth engagement in agriculture, digital platforms for livestock feed management, AI-supported crop diagnostic tools, and emerging technologies that can strengthen agricultural extension services and improve on-farm decision-making throughout the Caribbean.

Collectively, the presentations reflected CARDI's commitment to delivering practical, science-based solutions that support regional food and nutrition security, improve farmer livelihoods and enhance the competitiveness of Caribbean agriculture.

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten--Kadaster St. Maarten is helping to move drone technology from occasional use to a more coordinated tool for mapping, planning and disaster preparedness.

Kadaster, together with the Bureau of Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten, recently convened a cross-agency technical working session on the use of drones for mapping, data collection, professional training and public-sector planning.

The discussion focused on how government and public entities can make better use of drone-generated information, while ensuring that each agency’s role remains clear. For Kadaster, the work is directly connected to its core responsibilities: accurate mapping, reliable land and infrastructure information, and the careful management of spatial data used for planning and decision-making.

Kadaster operates a fleet of large, LiDAR-capable drones flown by European-certified pilots, supported by an established legal framework for government data collection and mapping. Recent applications include 3D mapping of the St. Maarten hospital complex, volume calculations related to waste management and soon to be executed, airport mapping and other public-sector assignments.

The Bureau of Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten contributed from the perspective of telecommunications, radio communications, pilot licensing and coordination related to drone registration and certification. This combination of mapping expertise and regulatory knowledge was central to the discussion.

Participants explored how drone mapping can support national priorities such as land-use planning, infrastructure development, disaster preparedness and public works. One practical area under consideration is the use of aerial before-and-after imagery following storms or other major events. Such documentation can assist with damage assessments, recovery planning and more accurate reporting after an emergency.

The session also considered the development of a professional drone training framework for agencies that operate drones or rely on drone-generated information. The proposed training would cover legal requirements, aviation standards, communications procedures, privacy considerations, operational safety and proper use of collected data.

Kadaster would contribute guidance on mapping standards, data accuracy and the appropriate use of spatial information, while the Bureau of Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten would support areas related to licensing, communications and regulatory requirements.

The possibility of future public drone awareness or training was also discussed. Participants noted that any public-facing initiative would need to clearly explain safety rules, legal responsibilities, privacy standards and liability concerns linked to recreational drone use.

This collaboration is part of a broader effort to modernise land, mapping and infrastructure information services. By making better use of drone technology and working more closely with relevant partners, Kadaster aims to support better planning, safer development and stronger disaster readiness for St. Maarten.

Kadaster will continue consultations with the Bureau of Telecommunications and Aviation Affairs department and other relevant public-sector partners to further develop the proposed areas of cooperation, including professional training, mapping standards, disaster documentation and the careful use of drone-generated information.