SXM DOET Partners with St. Maarten Tourism Bureau to Promote Volun-Tourism and Volunteerism.

PHILIPSBURG:---  SXM DOET and the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) is pleased to announce an exciting collaboration for the 11th edition of this impactful community-driven initiative. In a powerful partnership, the STB will help promote SXM DOET across their social media platforms, while also assisting in the sourcing of exclusive Early DOETi trinkets to organizations that register early for the event.

This partnership reaffirms the Government of St. Maarten’s commitment to volunteerism and community engagement. By supporting SXM DOET, the STB is also championing the concept of volun-tourism – an opportunity for travelers to experience more than just the island’s famous beaches and resorts. Tourists can now roll up their sleeves, give back, and actively participate in community projects, forging meaningful connections with the island and residents.

SXM DOET, slated for May 16 and 17, 2025, has been a signature event for the past decade, bringing together volunteers, NGO’s, foundations, and residents to improve and enhance communities across St. Maarten. The event not only boosts the local economy but also strengthens the community ties on the island, making a positive and lasting impact on both residents and visitors alike.

"At SXM DOET, we understand the importance of our communities and recognize the power of giving back. By partnering with the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, we’re highlighting how travelers can make a difference while enjoying everything St. Maarten has to offer," the Project Coordination Team added. "This partnership showcases our shared commitment to supporting local initiatives and engaging visitors in meaningful ways."

“St. Maarten is more than just a destination—it’s a community,” said May-Ling Chun, Director of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. “Through this partnership with SXM DOET, we invite visitors to go beyond the beaches and experience the heart of our island by giving back. Volun-tourism allows travelers to make meaningful connections while leaving a positive impact on the places they visit. We are excited to support this initiative and showcase the true spirit of St. Maarten.”

For more information on how to get involved with SXM DOET or to register as a volunteer, please visit www.sxmdoet.com and follow us on Instagram at @sxm.doet and Facebook.com/sxmdoet. For more information on the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, visit www.vacationstmaarten.com.


The Committee of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry of Parliament to receive a presentation on the Soualiga Feed Us - Floating Farms concept.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Permanent Committee of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry (CAFAH) of Parliament will be meeting on April 1, 2025.

The Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 14.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Mr. Louis Engel will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:
Presentation on the Soualiga Feed Us - Floating Farms concept (IS/251/2024-2025 dated November 6, 2024)

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

Caribbean Guilder Officially Legal Tender in Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

caribbeanguilder31032025Willemstad/Philipsburg:--- As of today, March 31, 2025, the Caribbean guilder is officially recognized as the legal tender in the monetary union of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. This morning, the ceremonial first exchange from the Netherlands Antillean guilder to the Caribbean guilder took place at the offices of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) in both countries by the Ministers of Finance in the presence of members of the board of directors, the supervisory board, and CBCS staff.
Starting today, the new currency is being introduced into circulation by the CBCS through commercial banks. For a period of three months the Caribbean guilder will co-circulate alongside the Netherlands Antillean guilder (NAf), after which it will be withdrawn as legal tender on July 1, 2025. Until that date, cash payments can still be made in NAF.
The NAf can be exchanged for Caribbean guilders by account holders at commercial banks starting tomorrow, April 1, 2025. Individuals without a bank account can exchange cash at the CBCS1. Today, banks are preparing for adjustments in cashless payment transactions, including the change of the currency code from ANG to XCG. The CBCS advises the public to follow individual announcements from their commercial banks regarding availability of their systems. The CBCS awaits this transition with confidence.
For more information on the Caribbean guilder, download the My Caribbean Guilder app or visit www.caribbean-guilder.com. Questions can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at +599 9 434 5500.

Willemstad March 31, 2025
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN
1

Women’s Conference “We Listen, But We Don’t Judge” Delivers Powerful Conversations and Inspiring Speakers.

womensconferrence31032025St. Maarten:---  The highly anticipated women’s conference, “We Listen, But We Don’t Judge,” hosted by Access Media Productions, was a tremendous success on Saturday at the Simpson Bay Resort. With a vibrant dress code of “Cute and Colorful,” attendees fully embraced the empowering atmosphere, making it an unforgettable experience.

The conference featured an outstanding lineup of speakers who shared their personal journeys, expertise, and insights:

Madame Valérie Damaseau – President of the Tourism Office and Territorial Council of the Collectivité de St. Martin. She spoke about the Dare to Evolve initiative, which aims to uplift people and support community-driven projects for 2025. Additionally, she shared her experiences as a woman navigating the political landscape.

Dr. Gale TC Rigobert – Dean of Academics at the University of St. Martin. She addressed the challenges of education as a handicap, reflecting on her personal journey from St. Lucia and the obstacles she overcame in academia.

Stacy-Ann Violenes – Nutse and healthcare professional. She provided valuable insights on pre-menopause and menopause, emphasizing the importance of empowering women in all professions. She also discussed the judgment surrounding Botox and fillers, encouraging women to embrace personal choices without fear.

Chef Ashanta Daniel – Award-winning chef from the Festival de la Gastronomie in St. Martin. She captivated the audience with a live cooking demonstration, inviting two lucky volunteers to recreate the dish for a chance to win a prize from Golden Taste Catering Services.

Dr. Napolina Richardson – Spiritual leader and speaker. She delivered a heartfelt talk on the effects of rejection throughout a woman’s journey, inspiring attendees to embrace self-worth and resilience.

Maya Thomas – Founder of Reflourish & Co. Thomas shared essential tips on natural haircare and introduced her line of hair products designed for natural hair.

A major highlight of the event was the surprise all-male panel, where distinguished gentlemen Pastor Rolando Toulon, Herbert Martina, and Edsel Gumbs engaged in a raw and frank conversation about relationships. The audience, composed entirely of women, did not hold back with their questions, leading to an open and eye-opening dialogue between the sexes.

“The men showed up and showed out!” The discussion provided a unique perspective on relationships, giving women the opportunity to better understand the male mindset through candid, judgment free conversation.

This inspiring event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and vendors:
      •     Domino’s
      •     Fit Food
      •     Guardian Group
      •     Telem Grouo
      •     Kangaroos Wholesale
      •     Zen2DZen
      •     Kiss by Naira
      •     University of St. Martin
      •     Reflourish by Maya Thomas

“We Listen, But We Don’t Judge” proved to be more than just a conference, as it was a movement for empowerment, education, and open dialogue. Attendees left feeling heard, inspired, and uplifted, ready to embrace their journeys with renewed confidence.

Postponement Public meeting of Parliament handling the draft National Ordinance containing rules regarding a basic payment account for consumers.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Public meeting no. 11 which was to be held today Monday, March 31, 2025 at 14.00hrs. with as agenda points:
1. Incoming documents
2. Ontwerplandsverordening houdende regels met betrekking tot een basisbetaalrekening voor consumenten (Landsverordening basisbetaalrekening) (Zittingsjaar 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 d.d. 20 december 2023)

Has been postponed until further notice upon request of the Minister of Finance.


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