SIMPSON BAY:--- This past weekend, Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) was filled with wagging tails and smiling travelers as adoptable dogs made a special appearance in the terminal. The initiative is part of a new partnership between PJIAE and SXM Paws, a local animal rescue foundation committed to helping stray animals find loving homes.

Passengers passing through the airport had the opportunity to interact with friendly dogs, learn about SXM Paws’ rescue efforts, and even adopt a dog for the weekend or the duration of their stay on the island. The program brings together animal welfare and tourism in a unique and uplifting way, offering travelers a meaningful connection with the local community.

The initiative highlights PJIAE’s commitment to community engagement and social responsibility. Travelers can look forward to regular visits from SXM Paws, creating moments of connection while raising awareness for the foundation’s rescue and rehoming efforts.

For more information about SXM Paws and how to get involved, visit www.sxmpaws.com.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Inspectorate of Taxes reminds the general public and businesses that today, Monday, June 30, 2025, is the final day to submit the 2024 Income Tax Return and Final Profit Tax Return Forms.

All submissions must be made in person at the Tax Administration Office in the Vineyard Building, which is open today from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

Businesses are reminded that if a payment is due based on the Final Profit Tax Return, it must be made no later than 2:00 PM today at the Receivers’ Office on Pond Island.

Payments can also be made via bank transfer to the following accounts: WIB: XCG account 324800-03 or USD account 324800-05; RBC: XCG account 8200000005425048 or USD account 820000040393046.

For more information or assistance, please contact the Tax Administration at 542-2143, 542-3782, 542-3839, or 542-3840, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PHILIPSBURG:--- The  Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, Mr. Patrice Gumbs, has announced the successful conclusion of a bilateral meeting with Mrs. Bernadette Davis, 2nd Vice-President of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin and Chair of the Living Environment and Ecological transition Delegation.

Held on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Port Authority of Saint-Martin, the meeting underscored the importance of bolstering local Dutch–French cooperation to safeguard the shared environment and infrastructure of the island.

In addition to the agreements to revive the joint clean-up started in 2023, discussions focused on enhancing resilience to extreme weather events, particularly the challenges presented by the flow of water across borders during heavy rains and hurricanes. Officials conducted an in-depth review of the rainwater drainage network, trenches, and ravines, and explored eco-friendly approaches to managing these critical systems.

Key outcomes of the meeting include:

• Joint Strategies for Rainwater Management:Agreement on coordinated monitoring and maintenance of rainwater networks to reduce flooding and improve water flow efficiency.
• Shared Action Plan:Development of a framework for regular communication between technical teams to swiftly address cross-border disputes on land, land use, and water management challenges.
• Future Collaboration:Both parties expressed a strong commitment to exploring additional areas for cooperation on shared issues, such as waste management, illegal dumping, and climate resilience projects.
• Strengthening Enforcement:Initial discussions were held on how both governments can close existing loopholes that allow individuals to damage the environment or public infrastructure without accountability, with the goal of developing clearer enforcement mechanisms and joint regulations.
• Building Collective Resilience:A shared pledge to prioritize infrastructure improvements and public awareness campaigns ahead of the hurricane season, underscoring the importance of unified preparedness.

Minister Gumbs highlighted the importance of this collaborative spirit:

“With all our ongoing projects on zoning, waste reforms, and drainage,  today’s discussions are necessary to enhance resilience, environmental protection, and accountability in the projects and interventions developed for our people, regardless of which side of the border either of us call home. By strengthening our cooperation with the Collectivité of Saint-Martin, we are better equipped to protect our communities, our environment, and the integrity of our island.”

The Government of Sint Maarten and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin will continue to work together to create practical solutions that improve the quality of life for all residents while safeguarding the island’s natural resources.

~Marking the adoption of the Cg as sole legal tender in Curaçao and Sint Maarten~

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:---  On July 1, 2025, the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) will issue a special colored Cg 0.50 circulation coin. This commemorative coin has been minted to mark the end of the co-circulation period and the adoption of the Caribbean guilder (Cg) as sole legal tender in Curaçao and Sint Maarten on that same date. Like the regular Cg 0.50 coin, the colored commemorative coin will be issued in two versions - bearing either “Curaçao” or “Sint Maarten” on the obverse - and will circulate in both countries. The commemorative coin shares the same design as the regular 50-cent piece, with color as its distinguishing feature. The obverse displays a colored image of the orange blossom. In many cultures, the orange blossom is associated with prosperity and symbolizes purity and virtue. It is one of the few flowers that bloom while simultaneously bearing fruit, which is why it is also considered a symbol of fruitfulness. Surrounding the blossom, the name of the respective country links the stylized Caribbean sky to the ocean waves. The reverse of the coin features the denomination, positioned between the Caribbean sky and waves, at the center of a constellation of thirty equally spaced pearls. The three groups of ten pearls symbolize the date October 10, 2010, when Curaçao and Sint Maarten attained autonomous status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands—also marking the starting point of the Caribbean guilder. The three shells depicted on the coin are Favoured Tellin shells. The coins were minted in limited quantities by the Royal Canadian Mint, making them an attractive collector’s item. They will enter circulation through the commercial banks, have the same value as the regular 50-cent circulation coins, and will serve as legal tender. Willemstad, June 30, 2025 CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN