PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on August 21, 2025.  

The Public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 14.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Deliberations on the pressing matters related to GEBE: 

1. Update on the status, timelines and disbursement of the long-awaited promised relief measures;

1. Update on GEBE Supervisory Board for clarity on the current composition, mandate, and operational status of the Supervisory Board as well as any recent or pending decisions impacting corporate governance; 

1. Update on unrest by middle management to remove the CEO by a specific date, in particular a detailed briefing on the government’s position, planned interventions, and anticipated implications for the company’s stability. (IS/1317/2024-2025 dated August 13, 2025).

This meeting was requested by MP O.E.C. Ottley, MP F.A. Lacroes, MP L.C.J. Lewis, MP D.T.J. York, MP E.J. Doran, and MP A.M.R. Irion

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission convened the inaugural meeting of the Regional Working Group on the proposed Customs Union and Free Circulation of Goods (CU-FCG) regime, bringing together senior government officials, private sector representatives, and other regional stakeholders in a hybrid format in Castries and via videoconference.

The two-day meeting, held July 30–31, 2025, follows decisions taken by the OECS Economic Affairs Council and the Council of Ministers: Trade, earlier this year, which reaffirmed the commitment of Protocol Member States to operationalise the CU-FCG in accordance with the Revised Treaty of Basseterre.

The purpose of the meeting was to update the Roadmap and Implementation Timelines for the Customs Union, and to develop a conceptual framework for an early pilot implementation for the free circulation of goods. The goal is to advance the policy, legislative, regulatory, and institutional frameworks needed for a fully functional CU-FCG regime, creating a single customs territory for the OECS Economic Union.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Joel Richards, Officer-in-Charge of the Economic Affairs and Regional Integration Division of the OECS Commission, underscored the urgency and economic potential of the initiative:

​

"A customs union regime will foster free trade among our members, enhance competitiveness of our firms and our economies more broadly, and create jobs because we expect that there will be more economic benefits coming from the creation of a customs union regime. Such a regime would also be beneficial to the private sector since it would allow firms to expand their own economic activities, which would likely ​ create those economies of scale which are critical to the competitiveness of the private sector. Certainly, increased ​ trade volumes, expected from a CU-FCG regime, would hopefully lead to higher gross domestic product for our member states and create greater overall wealth for the collective."

Mr. Ricardo James, Head of Trade Policy Development, emphasized that the Regional Working Group will be instrumental in monitoring and reporting on the progress of implementation of the CU-FCG regime, while providing advice on the technical assistance and capacity-building needs that may arise. Participants included senior officials from Ministries of Trade and Finance, customs administrations, standards and quality agencies, plant and animal health and food safety authorities, port management bodies, the OECS Business Council, and observers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) Directorate. 

The participants received a detailed overview and status of the implementation of the Customs Union and Free Circulation of Goods. ​ They considered and provided feedback on the draft updated roadmap, implementation plan and timelines for completing the Customs Union and discussed proposals for the conceptual framework for a pilot phase for free circulation goods. The meeting agreed to continue and finalize the discussions at a second meeting planned for September. Recommendations from that meeting will be taken to the Council of Ministers, the Economic Affairs Council, and the OECS Authority, ensuring the necessary decisions are made for the timely implementation of the Customs Union and Free Circulation of Goods regime.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The organizers of this groundbreaking cultural and fashion initiative are calling on all sister islands to take part in a one-of-a-kind Casting Call on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025. This event will take place from 3 PM to 6 PM at Focus Forward Studio, and it is basically a moment for us to speak and get to know the individuals who are interested in being part of this project. This event will serve as the official selection process for participants in an upcoming October showcase that promises to blend culture, fashion, and heritage in an unforgettable celebration. Participants will undergo casting, cultural screening, and a commitment review, ensuring they are ready to represent their island’s traditions and artistry with pride.

This casting call is not just about appearances—it is a gateway for cultural exchange and heritage preservation. Through this project, participants will be immersed in the traditions, attire, and craftsmanship that define their island identity. By sharing techniques, storytelling, and cultural practices, this initiative aims to foster an intergenerational transfer of knowledge, ensuring that the essence of our history lives on through the creativity of today’s and tomorrow’s talents.

In October, the selected participants will come together for a regional showcase on the island that will highlight the beauty and diversity of our islands’ cultural expressions. From traditional wear to modern interpretations of heritage fashion, the event will serve as a vibrant stage where each island’s uniqueness is celebrated while reinforcing the shared cultural roots that connect us. This is an opportunity for our Caribbean community to see its history, pride, and creativity woven together into one grand display.

The organizers—Threads of Identity and We Own T’ing, both emphasize that participation is open to the following islands in the region: St. Maarten, Curaçao, Aruba, Statia, Saba, Bonaire, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Guyana and the August 16th casting call is the first step towards securing a place in this initiative. Applicants should be prepared to present their island’s traditional attire, cultural knowledge, and willingness to actively engage in the preservation and promotion of heritage.

“This is more than an event; it’s a cultural movement,” say the organizing committee. “We want to connect our islands, pass on traditions, and show the next generation that our heritage is alive, relevant, and worth celebrating.” The casting call will take place [insert venue and time], and all interested islands and participants are encouraged to register early to ensure their spot.

For more information, you can contact us via our social media platform:

https://www.facebook.com/weownting

or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:--- This month, the Government of Sint Maarten is launching a coordinated series of joint inspections to promote fair labor practices, protect worker rights, and uphold national laws. These inspections will target high-risk sectors across the island.

The inspections are being led by the Labor Inspectorate (IVSA), Immigration and Border Protection Services (IGD), Tax Administration, Audit Team St. Maarten (ATS/SZV), and Customs, with support from the Police Force and Coast Guard when necessary.

This joint operation focuses on identifying labor violations, illegal employment practices, unsafe working conditions, tax evasion, and other forms of non-compliance. Particular attention will be given to sectors such as construction, hospitality, and retail, where vulnerable workers are often at greater risk of exploitation.

Work should never cost you your safety or dignity. We are committed to ensuring that all workers—local and migrant—are treated fairly and protected under the law.

In addition to enforcement, the campaign also aims to educate employers and workers. Outreach materials in multiple languages will be distributed, highlighting key rights, obligations, and compliance steps. Agencies are encouraging voluntary compliance before penalties are enforced.

The inspections will begin in August and continue throughout the year.