PHILIPSBURG:---The Minister of Finance has noted the press briefing delivered by the Minister of VROMI on October 21, 2026, which informed the public that the proposed road and infrastructure program for 2027 is approaching a historic investment of Cg 9 million.

The Minister of Finance applauds this achievement, which is the result of a collective effort by the Ministry of VROMI and the Ministry of Finance. This significant investment is welcome news for the people, businesses, and tourism sector of Sint Maarten, as improvements to the road network and infrastructure are essential to the country’s continued development and economic growth.

However, certain remarks made during the press briefing may have caused misunderstandings, particularly the suggestion that the Ministry of Finance requested a further delay in fully implementing the Road Fund because of pressing financial issues. The Minister of Finance wishes to clarify the circumstances surrounding the fund’s implementation and the steps being taken to advance this process.

Background and Legal Framework of the Road Fund

The National Ordinance Road Fund established the Road Fund, which entered into force on October 10, 2010. The ordinance stipulates, among other things, that the fund is financed through revenue generated from motor vehicle taxes.

The Minister of VROMI administers the Road Fund. Under the Minister’s supervision, the Minister entrusts the Head of the Department of New Works with day-to-day management, in accordance with instructions established by the Minister.

In September 2024, the General Audit Chamber presented its review, “Allocation of Motor Vehicle Tax 2022–2024,” which included recommendations on the Road Fund and the allocation of motor vehicle tax revenues.

In December 2025, the Minister of VROMI announced the decision to establish the Road Fund as a foundation, with operations intended to commence on January 1, 2027. Under this proposed structure, the foundation would receive funding through a subsidy. For this arrangement to become operational, the necessary legislative and regulatory framework must first be established and implemented.

Because this framework had not yet been established when preparing the 2027 budget, the proposed new structure could not be fully incorporated into the budget in its intended form.

This circumstance should not, however, be interpreted as a lack of commitment to the Road Fund or to improving Sint Maarten’s road infrastructure.

Funding Secured for the 2027 Road and Infrastructure Program

Despite outstanding legislative and regulatory requirements, the Ministry of Finance worked closely with the Ministry of VROMI during budget preparation to ensure sufficient funding for the 2027 road and infrastructure program.

As a result of this collaboration, the 2027 capital budget includes Cg 9 million for road and infrastructure investments, a historically high allocation.

As part of the phased implementation of the Road Fund in 2027, the Ministry of VROMI will begin with an initial allocation of Cg 5 million from collected road taxes. This amount will be allocated as follows:

• Cg 1.5 million will be incorporated directly into operational expenditures to support the operationalization of the Road Fund.
• Cg 3.5 million will finance capital expenditure improvements to the road network through the Road Fund.

Of the Cg 9 million included in the capital budget for road and infrastructure investments, the Road Fund will finance Cg 3.5 million, while the remaining Cg 5.5 million will be financed through a loan to be secured.

Furthermore, beginning in 2028, revenue from motor vehicle taxes will be directed to the Road Fund, supporting its continued development and the sustainable financing of road infrastructure improvements.

Continued Commitment to Full Implementation

The Minister of Finance welcomes these developments and emphasizes that cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of VROMI remains essential to ensuring the effective and sustainable financing of Sint Maarten’s road infrastructure.

The phased approach for 2027 allows the necessary steps to operationalize the Road Fund to proceed while ensuring critical road and infrastructure investments can move forward.

The Minister of Finance reiterates her commitment to supporting the Ministry of VROMI, within the applicable legal and budgetary framework, in advancing the necessary measures toward the timely and full implementation of the Road Fund.

“Our shared priority is to ensure that the people of Sint Maarten benefit from improved roads and infrastructure. The historic Cg 9 million allocation for 2027 demonstrates what our ministries can achieve through cooperation. We remain committed to working together to establish the necessary framework and ensure the sustainable financing of our road network for the benefit of our people, businesses, and tourism sector.”

— Minister of Finance, Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG:---  Sint Maarten’s culinary and mixology talent will compete against teams from 14 other Caribbean destinations when Taste of the Caribbean 2026 takes place in Barbados from November 16 to 19.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) announced the participating destinations on October 20, confirming an expanded competition program at Wyndham Sam Lord’s Castle All-Inclusive Resort.

Three new competitions—Beef, Seafood, and Vodka—will give participating chefs and bartenders more opportunities to showcase their skills on a regional stage.

Sint Maarten joins Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Curaçao, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The announcement did not identify the individual members of Sint Maarten’s team.

Seven Competition Categories

This year’s program features seven categories: Chef of the Year, Junior Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, and the new Beef, Seafood and Vodka competitions.

Select teams will enter the Beef and Seafood competitions, which will test competitors’ techniques with proteins widely featured on Caribbean menus. The Vodka competition adds another platform for mixologists alongside the established Bartender of the Year contest.

Competitors will prepare dishes and drinks under the pressure of live competition, drawing on ingredients, culinary traditions, and contemporary techniques from their destinations.

For Sint Maarten’s representatives, the event offers an opportunity to showcase the island’s food and beverage expertise while exchanging ideas with professionals from across the Caribbean.

Training Alongside Competition

Beyond the competition, Taste of the Caribbean will feature educational sessions led by regional and international partners, including Certified Angus Beef, the National Watermelon Promotion Board, and the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

CHTA describes the event as a platform for professional development, allowing participants to sharpen their skills, receive feedback from judges and build relationships with industry peers.

Junior competitors will also gain experience performing before a regional audience and working to demanding competition standards.

Registered attendees can watch the competitions and support participating teams.

Regional Awards and Hospitality Forum

The event will culminate in the Taste of the Caribbean Awards, recognizing the Caribbean Chef of the Year, Junior Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, and Bartender of the Year, alongside winners of the new competitions and additional product-specific honors.

Taste of the Caribbean will run concurrently with the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum, known as CHIEF. The gathering brings hospitality leaders together for workshops and discussions on challenges and opportunities in Caribbean tourism.

CHTA has also announced special accommodation rates at the host resort. According to the association, attendees booking at least two nights qualify for a $150 credit applied to their entire stay. Airline partners interCaribbean Airways and Winair are offering special fares for travel to the event.

Further travel and accommodation information is available at chtataste.com/travel-accommodations.

BEST, THE NETHERLANDS: The Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina continued his working mission in the Netherlands with a visit to Philips Healthcare in Best on October 22, exploring how medical innovation, artificial intelligence, and remote specialist support could strengthen healthcare in Sint Maarten.

Mr. Léon Kempeneers, CEO of Philips Benelux, and his team, including Jan-Willem Scheijgrond, Vice President, Global Government & Public Affairs, and Jesse Schilperijn, Manager, Global Government & Public Affairs, received and hosted the Prime Minister and his delegation.

The visit followed an initial meeting between Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) Claret Connor and Philips representatives during his attendance at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York last month.

“This visit builds on the engagement initiated by Minister Connor and his delegation while in New York and demonstrates the importance of continuity and coordination within Government. Advancing healthcare requires us to work across ministries, share knowledge and follow through on opportunities together. We cannot deliver effectively if we operate in silos,” Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina stated.

Presentations introduced the delegation to advances in medical imaging, AI-assisted technology and connected patient monitoring. They also explored how remote clinical support and monitoring beyond hospital walls could help healthcare professionals maintain continuity of care.

“Conventional medicine has served us well and remains essential, but we must continue strengthening it through innovation. Artificial intelligence can contribute to greater efficiency, support our healthcare professionals and help them devote more attention to patient care,” the Prime Minister said.

Among the developments highlighted during the visit was the prospect of certain MRI examinations being completed in approximately five minutes, depending on the examination and technology used. Mercelina described shorter examination times as an example of how innovation could make a meaningful difference to patients.

“The possibility of certain MRI examinations taking just five minutes and radiology diagnostics being AI-supported gives us an indication of where healthcare is heading. That is the kind of efficiency and priority in patient care that I want for my people in Sint Maarten,” he said.

Reflecting on the visit's relevance to Sint Maarten’s new hospital, Mercelina emphasized that physical infrastructure must be matched by the technology and expertise needed to deliver modern care.

“We cannot build a new hospital without incorporating the modernization and innovation our people need. For a small island like Sint Maarten, that also means exploring how technology can connect our medical teams with specialized doctors and clinical support remotely,” he stated.

“A new hospital must strengthen what we can do for patients. Its value will be measured by the quality, accessibility and reliability of the care people receive.”

The Prime Minister highlighted the potential of remote consultations and clinical collaboration to support local healthcare professionals and bring specialist expertise closer to patients. He stressed that healthcare institutions and professionals must assess new technology, considering training, maintenance, digital infrastructure, patient privacy, and long-term affordability.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell and Chief of Staff Stuart Johnson.

The Philips Healthcare visit complemented earlier healthcare engagements during the Netherlands mission, including discussions on healthcare cooperation and mental healthcare capacity.

“Behind every examination is a person waiting for answers. Behind every referral is a patient and a family seeking reassurance. Those realities must guide our work, across ministries and with our healthcare partners, as we pursue better care for the people of Sint Maarten,” Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina concluded.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Government of Sint Maarten announces that the public consultation on the draft National Gambling Ordinance (Kansspelenverordening) will open on Monday, 26 October 2026 and remain open until Friday, 4 December 2026.

The draft Ordinance forms part of the wider Gambling Sector Reform under the Country Package. The reform aims to modernize Sint Maarten’s gambling framework and establish a sustainable regulatory system with effective licensing, supervision, and enforcement, while strengthening player protection, integrity, and transparency.

After internal preparation, sector research, and earlier stakeholder engagement, the Government is inviting the public and relevant stakeholders to review the draft and share their views. The purpose is to identify practical concerns, improve the legislation's quality and workability, and help ensure the future framework is appropriate for Sint Maarten and aligned with relevant international standards.

The public consultation is open to everyone. No invitation is required to submit a response. From Monday, 26 October, the draft Kansspelenverordening, the Explanatory Memorandum and supporting consultation information will be available at gamblingauthority.sx/consultationLVO. The official legislative documents will be published in Dutch, together with supporting English-language material to improve accessibility.

The government will register, assess, and consider all submissions received through the public consultation as part of the further legislative process. Where appropriate, the input may lead to amendments to the draft Ordinance, the Explanatory Memorandum or the proposed implementation arrangements. The consultation does not imply that all recommendations received will be adopted.

In addition, targeted stakeholder sessions will be held between 6 and 12 November 2026. Relevant organizations will receive direct invitations. Other interested stakeholders may also register their interest through the consultation website from 26 October. Participation in these targeted sessions is a separate process and is not required in order to participate in the public consultation.

The consultation concerns a draft. After the consultation closes, the Government will consolidate and assess the input received before the proposal proceeds through the subsequent formal advisory and legislative process.