PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) has taken note of several videos and photos circulating on social media showing school fights among students since the start of the 2025/2026 academic year. Despite the school year just beginning, officers have already had to deal with these situations.

While our officers are committed to keeping students safe, these situations pull already limited police resources away from other urgent tasks in the community. Every time a fight breaks out, it not only endangers the young people directly involved but also those around them who are simply trying to focus on their education.

KPSM reminds parents and guardians that they play an important role in guiding their children. The behavior of minors is not only a school issue but also a family and community responsibility. Talking with children about conflict, respect, and making good choices can make a real difference in preventing violence.

We also want to make it clear that those who record and share these fights online are adding to the problem. Circulating such videos can encourage more violence and may lead to criminal consequences for those who spread them.

To help address these issues, KPSM’s Community Officers and School Resource Officers (SROs) will be working closely with schools, parents, and students. Their goal is to prevent conflicts before they escalate into violence and to create safer environments where students can thrive.

KPSM will continue to be present in and around schools, but we cannot do this alone. We are calling on parents, teachers, and the broader community to join us in addressing this behavior. Together, we can protect our children and keep our schools safe as places of learning and growth.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication (TEATT), the Honourable Mrs. Grisha S. Heyliger-Marten, welcomed a delegation from Export Saint Lucia for an official courtesy call and trade mission briefing. The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), the Honourable Mr. Richinel Brug, was also invited to attend, as the delegation’s interests touch on areas where both ministries collaborate.

Export Saint Lucia, the national export promotion agency of Saint Lucia, is leading a trade mission to Sint Maarten and St. Martin from September 1 to 4, 2025. The delegation comprises representatives from diverse sectors, including sustainable agriculture, manufacturing, food and beverage, health and wellness, and value-added products.

Among the businesses represented are:

• Sustainable Agricultural Supplies – fresh produce (bananas, plantains, coconuts, dasheen)
• Praslin Sea Moss Farmers Association and MossSoLucians – suppliers of dried sea moss
• Pure Press & Auera – sugar-free cold-pressed juices and sea moss-based wellness products
• Baron Foods – internationally recognized condiments and sauces
• St. Lucia Distillers – premium rums and spirits
• Saint Lu Woodworking – customized kitchens and furnishings
• Saint Lu Metals & Plastics and Caribbean Metals – commercial windows, roof systems, and fabrication solutions
• Natmed Ltd. – natural health and beauty products

The primary objective of the visit is to introduce Saint Lucian goods and services to the Sint Maarten market, strengthen business-to-business (B2B) linkages, and explore opportunities for sustainable trade partnerships. The delegation will meet with chambers of commerce, distributors, hotels, spas, and retailers to identify collaboration and market entry opportunities.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Heyliger-Marten reaffirmed her commitment to advancing regional cooperation and encouraging economic ties across the Caribbean:

“As islands, we share not only geography but also aspirations for growth and resilience. I welcome the Export Saint Lucia team and encourage local businesses in Sint Maarten to seize this opportunity to connect, explore synergies, and consider partnerships. They are here for a short time, and I urge industries to use this week to see what is possible.”

Export Saint Lucia’s CEO, Ms. Sunita Daniel, expressed that the mission underscores their commitment to expanding Saint Lucia’s international market access, with Sint Maarten serving as a vital gateway for trade in the Northern Caribbean.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Motorworld Group is proud to announce that Peter & Company Auto, a division of GEL Auto, has been named the exclusive authorized dealer for GAC in Saint Lucia. The brand launch event was held at the company’s showroom on August 28, where they revealed their key models from the GAC lineup, including the GS3 Emzoom, Emkoo & AION V.

The Amjad family, along with team members from Motorworld, attended the launch to show their support and extend congratulations to Peter & Company Auto on the successful event and the enthusiasm of their staff.

Tariq Amjad, Managing Director of Motorworld, stated:

“We are united by a commitment to innovation, excellence, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. As one of China’s leading automotive manufacturers, GAC has earned global recognition for its award-winning vehicles. We’re proud to introduce this premium brand to Saint Lucia.”

Launch attendees were left with a positive impression of the brand’s production and global network. With a GAC parts distribution center located in Panama, customers can rest assured that they have easy access to genuine parts and maintenance support.

“GEL Auto is part of a regional group with deep roots in Caribbean markets,” said Alan Bayne, Chief Executive Officer of GEL Auto.  “Our culture has always been about innovation and delivering mobility solutions. With GAC, we bring to Saint Lucia vehicles recognized globally for design, durability, and technology, supported by the service customers expect from GEL and Peter & Company Auto.”

The launch of GAC in Saint Lucia marks another significant milestone for Motorworld, strengthening its position as the official regional distributor of GAC across the Caribbean and expanding its robust automotive network headquartered in St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Under the Fostering Resilient Learning Project (FRLP), implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, the tender for the reconstruction of the Sister Marie Laurence School has closed with a single bid submission. The tender, launched on June 10, 2025, followed the cancellation of a previous award package that had bundled the reconstruction of the Sister Marie Laurence School with the demolitions of the Charles Leopold Bell School and the Sint Maarten Library on the same site. The cancellation occurred because the contractor was unable to meet the conditions of the award. The demolition was subsequently launched as a separate tender package on April 15 and has since been awarded to local contractor, Windward Roads B.V.

Although the demolition tender attracted a local contractor, the NRPB had expected more participation from the local construction market in the tender for the reconstruction of the new school. This was especially notable given that, in 2024, the award of contracts was followed by an outcry over the engagement of foreign contractors on NRPB projects. A petition supported by 73 contractors was even submitted to Sint Maarten’s parliament. In response, extra efforts were made to explain the procurement processes tied to the World Bank–managed Trust Fund. The financial requirements set by NRPB follow World Bank Guidelines while also accommodating smaller, local contractors. The bid criteria also awarded points for including local subcontractors and labor. In addition, the deadline to submit bids was extended by two weeks to give contractors more time to prepare.

Despite this, the NRPB observed that the local construction market did not participate in the bidding process, either as a main contractor or as part of a joint venture. Currently, the one bid received is being evaluated based on technical quality, and value for money.

NRPB Director Claret Connor stated, “From our side, I believe we have made a sustained effort to ensure that the information and resources are available to all. Our procurement process is open and competitive, and awards are determined solely by the quality and compliance of the bids received.”

In recent months, with support from the World Bank and the Government of Sint Maarten, the NRPB has worked to share procurement information more widely and make it easily accessible to the local market through public sessions, its website, and social media platforms. This included hosting a dedicated procurement session, livestreamed for broader access, and inviting the World Bank’s Procurement Practice Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean to Sint Maarten to answer contractors’ questions. Practical presentations on preparing complete and compliant bid packages were shared both in person and online. In addition, NRPB Director Claret Connor highlighted procurement opportunities during several local radio programs. Links to relevant documents were also provided for more in-depth study and support. The local market was urged to review tender requirements early to ensure eligibility and compliance. Contractors who could not meet eligibility criteria on their own were encouraged to form joint ventures or consortiums, a message actively supported by Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Honorable Melissa Gumbs.

Despite the outcome of the bid invitation for the Sister Marie Laurence school, the NRPB would still like to encourage contractors to monitor its tender page www.nrpbsxm.org/tenders, review the Procurement Manual, and stay informed about upcoming opportunities. Several major tenders are expected in the coming months, including the reconstruction of the St. Maarten Library, the Charles Leopold Bell School, the construction of the new Mental Health Care Center, and other smaller works.

FRLP is funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, which is financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank.