PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Aquatic Federation (SMAF) national swim team consists of 10 swimmers—5 boys and 5 girls.  The team consists of Azaiah Roper- Duzon, Holdson Jean Fort, Kjeld van der Meer, Declan Boyd, and Emmbriel Flanders, as well as J’aishaa Jeffers, Victoria Otto, Caithlyn Challenger, Lois Geeerdink, and Aiyana Bourne.  Both Victoria and Holdson are new members of the national swim team.  They will compete against athletes from 20 Caribbean countries at the CARIFTA 2026 Aquatics Championships, which will take place in Martinique from April 3–8, 2026. The young athletes will compete in a variety of aquatic disciplines, showcasing their skills and determination on a regional stage. Accompanying the team will be a coach, Dwight Vermeer, and a delegation leader, Claudia Connor, both representing SMAF and providing guidance and support throughout the competition.

All pool events will be held at the Lamentin Aquatic Center in Martinique. The CARIFTA Aquatics Championships is regarded as a key developmental event, offering young swimmers the opportunity to gain valuable international experience and prepare for higher levels of competition.

Supporters and fans are encouraged to follow the team’s journey and stay updated on their performance through social media platforms, including Instagram (@cariftamartinique2026 and @liguenatationmartinique) and Facebook (CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 and Martinique Swimming League).

PHILIPSBURG:--- Excitement filled the air on Sunday, March 29th, as students, parents, and supporters gathered to witness the annual Caribbean Gems Interscholastic Elementary and High School Swim Meets. The event, organized by Caribbean Gems, Carib Swim Team (CST), and the St. Maarten Aquatic Federation (SMAF), brought together young swimmers from the different schools in a spirited display of talent and sportsmanship.

The morning session kicked off with the elementary school competition, featuring seven participating schools. St. Dominic Primary School emerged as the overall winner, followed by Learning Unlimited in second place and Sr. Regina Primary School in third. Caribbean International Academy secured fourth place, while Asha Stevens Hillside School placed 5th, John A. Gumbs MAC Campus placed 6^th , and Martin Luther King School placed seventh. Notably, Martin Luther King School was represented by a single swimmer, demonstrating determination and resilience. The School Spirit Trophy was awarded to Sr. Regina Primary School for their enthusiastic support.

In the afternoon, the spotlight shifted to the secondary schools. Caribbean International Academy (CIA) claimed first place, with St. Dominic School High finishing second and Milton Peters College taking third. Learning Unlimited placed fourth, followed by St. Maarten Academy in fifth, MAC Comprehensive Secondary Education in sixth, and St. Maarten Vocational Training School in seventh. Similar to the morning session, St. Maarten Vocational Training School was represented by a single swimmer. The School Spirit Trophy went to St. Dominic High School.

The St. Maarten Aquatic Federation expressed its gratitude to Caribbean Gems for its continued sponsorship of the event for over 30 years. The company’s contributions include providing medals, trophies, certificates, and facilitating the use of the swimming pool. Appreciation was also extended to Carib Swim Team for technical support, WIEMS, lifeguards, Eline Broere, and Nikki Grandtner, as well as the volunteers from CST and the board members of SMAF who ensured the success of the event. We would like to thank all participating schools and expressed hopes for an even greater turnout at the 2027.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Tax Administration is pleased to announce that number plates within the MF and V categories, which were previously unavailable, are now ready for collection. Motorists who have already completed payment and are awaiting their plates are encouraged to visit the Receiver’s Office on Pond Island to collect them.

Motorists who were issued temporary M plates are requested to return these plates in order to receive their assigned V or R number plate.

To collect your number plate, motorists must present the following documents at the service window: proof of payment, valid insurance, and a valid inspection card. Payments can be made online, via bank transfer, or in person at the Receiver’s Office.

Online payments are available via the online portal at https://services.sintmaartengov.org/ or via bank transfer to the following accounts: WIB USD 324800-05 / XCG 324800-03; RBC USD 8200000403930461 / XCG 8200000005425048.

For payments made via bank transfer, motorists must include their name and vehicle plate number in the payment description. Receipts, stickers, or number plates can be collected at the Receiver’s Office within three to five working days, provided all required documents are presented.

The Tax Administration urges all motorists who have not yet paid for or collected their 2026 motor vehicle stickers to do so at their earliest convenience.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten on Tuesday outlined reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, during the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) Town Hall at the Belair Community Center.

Addressing a cross-section of the business community, the Minister stressed that economic growth requires partnership between the Government and the private sector, supported by trust, dialogue, and collaboration.

A key development is a pilot within the Department of Economic Licenses allowing certain applications to be submitted online, moving toward more accessible and transparent service delivery. This forms part of broader efforts to modernise systems and reduce administrative barriers.

The Minister also acknowledged that unclear requirements often discourage entrepreneurs. An information campaign is therefore being developed to better guide the public on procedures, documentation, and compliance.

Beyond licensing, she highlighted the role of the St. Maarten Small Enterprise Development Centre (SEDC) in supporting entrepreneurs through training and guidance, and pointed to continued focus on economic diversification, including opportunities within the Orange, Green, and Blue economies. The Agri Loans initiative, offering financing at two percent interest, was cited as one example.

The Minister further called for fairness and transparency within the business sector, noting the need to balance support for local businesses with affordability for the community.

She also underscored the importance of initiatives such as COCI’s Start Smart programme, which helps individuals transition from ideas to structured businesses.

Looking ahead, Government is working toward an integrated digital platform where users can apply, track, and manage business processes in one place.

The Minister reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with COCI and the wider business community.