New York, USA:---  Earlier today, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Honorable Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Luc Mercelina, initiated and led a high-level bilateral meeting with Her Excellency Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, President of the Republic of Suriname — the first woman to hold the presidency in Suriname.

Also in attendance were the Honorable Gilmar Pisas, Prime Minister of Curaçao; the Honorable Wendrick C. Cicilia, Minister of Tourism of Aruba; and Mr. Stuart Johnson, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten. Their participation highlighted the shared commitment of the Dutch Caribbean to deepen ties with Suriname and to advance regional cooperation.

The meeting focused on three priority areas of collaboration:

Direct Air Connectivity – Exploring the establishment of direct flights between Sint Maarten and Suriname to boost tourism, business travel, and cultural exchange.

Diaspora Engagement – Highlighting the large Surinamese community in Sint Maarten and the potential for their professional contributions in health, education, and other sectors.

Agriculture and Trade – Expanding collaboration in agricultural production and trade to enhance food security, diversify economies, and create new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs.

Prime Minister Mercelina emphasized that the initiative also carries a strong human dimension through outreach to the Surinamese community. “This meeting is not only about government-to-government relations; it is also about people-to-people connections. The Surinamese community has made Sint Maarten their home, and through our cooperation with the President of Suriname, we are building stronger bridges that recognize their contributions and create opportunities for deeper engagement,” he stated.

He added: “By initiating this meeting during UNGA, Sint Maarten is taking a proactive step in shaping stronger bilateral and regional partnerships. Direct flights, diaspora engagement, and collaboration in agriculture and trade are opportunities to connect our nations in ways that foster resilience, prosperity, and shared growth.”

The meeting concluded with a commitment to pursue structured follow-up actions and to continue strengthening relations between Sint Maarten, Suriname, and the wider Caribbean region, with a renewed focus on engaging the Surinamese community as part of this broader vision.

MARIGOT:--- The Collectivité of Saint-Martin is enhancing the urban landscape of Marigot with the development of two new green spaces designed for families. These projects, a landscaped family park in Galisbay and an inclusive playground on the Marigot waterfront, are set to provide much-needed recreational areas for the community.

A New Family Park in Galisbay

A significant new public park is currently under construction in Galisbay, near the Grand Saint-Martin. This project, overseen by the Delegation for Living Environment and Ecological Transition led by 2nd Vice-President Bernadette Davis, aims to create a shaded and welcoming space for families.

The park will feature several amenities designed for relaxation and play. These include designated rest areas, small covered shelters known as carbets, and ground-level games for children. To ensure convenience and safety, the park will also be equipped with public restrooms and lighting. The site will be secured, with established opening hours to ensure supervised use.

The development is being handled entirely by the Collectivité's technical services, with an investment of €600,000. This new space addresses a long-standing request from the Saint-Martin population for more shaded parks. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

An Inclusive Playground on the Waterfront

The second green space will be created on the Marigot waterfront, as an extension of the fish market. This project focuses on inclusivity, with a design specifically intended to welcome children with autism spectrum disorders.

The fully enclosed and secured playground will feature inclusive and adapted play equipment. This initiative, strongly supported by President Louis Mussington, aims to address the lack of infrastructure for these specific needs and provide a nurturing environment for affected families.

Currently in the study phase, the project has an estimated cost of €150,000. Construction is expected to begin soon, with a targeted completion date by the end of 2025.

Together, these two projects represent a commitment by the local government to improve the quality of life for residents, creating accessible and enjoyable outdoor spaces for all families in Saint-Martin.

~Islandpreneur and ACU Credit Union Equipping St. Maarten with AI Skills to Thrive~

PHILIPSBURG:---  Islandpreneur International is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with ACU Credit Union to deliver a three-part AI Workshop Series from September to November 2025. This strategic partnership reflects both organizations’ commitment to staying relevant amid rapid technological advancements. By prioritizing AI training, Islandpreneur and ACU aim to equip members with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a digital-first world, ensuring they remain at the forefront of innovation and industry trends.

The workshop series will be led by Ife Badejo, recently recognized as one of St. Maarten’s AI Ambassadors and AI Consultant at Islandpreneur International. Each session is designed to make artificial intelligence accessible, practical, and impactful for everyday life and financial services.

This initiative builds on the momentum of the successful AI Islands 2025 event held in Curaçao, attended by key ACU leadership, and the recent recognition of Islandpreneur’s founder, Ife Badejo, as one of St. Maarten’s AI Ambassadors by parliament. It also aligns with Islandpreneur’s broader mission to empower island-based entrepreneurs and communities to thrive in a digital-first economy.

The series begins on September 30, 2025, at the John Larmonie Center and is open to both members and non-members. The first workshop, AI Fundamentals, will cover the basics: what AI is (and is not), digital safety, and how AI can support financial literacy.

Two follow-up workshops will take place before year-end:

• Workshop 2 - AI for Productivity: Boost efficiency and automate key tasks.
• Workshop 3 - AI & Personal Finance: Leverage AI for smarter money management.

Each session will feature interactive exercises, live demonstrations, and actionable takeaways, ensuring participants leave with skills they can immediately apply. The workshops are open to ACU staff, members, and the wider community.

“This partnership with ACU is more than just training – it’s about building confidence, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of finance in Sint Maarten. Together, we’re equipping teams and empowering communities to thrive in an AI-driven world,” said Ife Badejo, CEO of Islandpreneur International.

“Our members deserve access to the best tools and training. Partnering with Islandpreneur allows us to deliver cutting-edge knowledge while strengthening the financial future of our community,” added Eldrid Fos, CEO, ACU Credit Union.

Islandpreneur International has already trained more than 2,000 individuals, delivered over 80 programs, and maintains a 90% satisfaction rate among participants. With access to a global network of 70+ international experts, Islandpreneur ensures cutting-edge strategies are delivered in ways that are relevant, empowering, and practical for local communities. With both public and private partnerships, Islandpreneur has also spearheaded transformative initiatives such as the National Youth Pitch Competition and St. Maarten’s Financial Literacy Month.

To register for the AI Workshop Series for free, visit www.acu.cw/coursesxm.
To learn more about Islandpreneur and its programs, visit www.islandpreneur.co.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Since the start of her tenure, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Marinka J. Gumbs, has received monthly complaints from vendors regarding delays in payments. In most cases, these delays were linked to the fact that services were committed to by various persons without proper authorization, budget reservations, or timely approval. When invoices eventually reached the government, the approval process was often stalled, resulting in unnecessary and unfortunate back-and-forth with vendors.

To address these issues, the Ministry of Finance is introducing the use of purchase orders, a step the Minister believes will bring greater clarity and efficiency for vendors doing business with the government. “This measure ensures that budget reservations and approvals are made upfront, and once a valid purchase order is issued and included on the vendors’ invoice, vendors can be assured of payment upon delivery and submission of their invoice,” Minister Gumbs explained.

Part of Financial Process Modernization
The initiative is part of the government’s broader commitment to digital transformation and the ongoing Future of Government Finance Program, which is reviewing processes such as purchasing, payroll, subsidies, and budgeting to strengthen transparency, timeliness, and compliance. Previous steps included the introduction of a central point for receiving invoices.

How the Purchase Order System Works
As of October 1, 2025, vendors and suppliers must include a valid purchase order number on their invoices. This number, issued by government at the beginning of the purchasing process, confirms that internal approvals have been completed and budget has been reserved. Once issued, the purchase order is automatically emailed to the vendor.

When the purchase order number is included on an invoice, it signals government’s commitment to pay. The remaining step is simply to verify delivery before executing payment.

Transition Period
It is important to note that purchase orders apply only to new purchases going forward. If an invoice for a new purchase is submitted without the required purchase order details, it will not be processed until all information is complete. This may cause delays if not followed, which is why the Ministry has been working closely with suppliers, departments, and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.

Minister Marinka Gumbs acknowledged that this change may temporarily disrupt normal workflows but stressed the long-term benefits. “We apologize for any inconvenience during this transition and sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation. These changes are necessary to improve accountability, efficiency, and trust in government’s financial processes,” the Minister said.

As of tomorrow, the Ministry of Finance will also begin releasing various other external communications, including videos and graphics, further detailing this process and guiding vendors through the new requirements.