COLE BAY:--- Motorworld opened its doors to hundreds of guests on Friday, June 6th, for the EV Experience. This exciting and educational evening event brought the future of driving directly to St. Maarten. Guests were invited to explore the latest advancements in electric vehicle technology through live demonstrations, direct engagement with product specialists, and test drives of a diverse range of electric vehicles.

Designed to inform, engage, and inspire, the EV Experience featured a dynamic lineup of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), Extended-Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs), and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). Vehicles were showcased from some of the leading and emerging electric automotive brands, including Nevo and Deepal (EV lines of Changan), Aion Hyptec (the luxury EV line of GAC), Hyundai, and Riddara, China’s No.1 EV pickup brand.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore the latest EV models up close, speak directly with knowledgeable product experts, and participate in hands-on test drives—all in an interactive and welcoming environment. The event aimed not only to introduce electric mobility, but also to emphasize how accessible and practical EV ownership is for the people of St. Maarten.

Members of the Motorworld team broke down the technologies of electric vehicles and showcased how easy it is to charge them from a household 110v or 220v outlet, whilst paying as low as $30.00 USD a month on the Dutch Side or €20 on the French Side, offering tremendous fuel savings to buyers.

“We wanted to create an event that wasn’t just exciting, but informative,” said Tariq Amjad, Managing Director at Motorworld. “Motorworld is proud to be the first dealership in St. Maarten to take this bold step toward electric mobility and offer such a wide range of options to the public. Our goal is to electrify the island and encourage everyone to do their part to reduce their impact on the environment. With the range of EVs now available, there truly is something for everyone looking to make the switch.”

The EV Experience underscores Motorworld’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community education. Consumers now have the choice to go electric, and can rest assured that Motorworld is fully equipped to handle the electric vehicles, with all the necessary tools and certified EV Technicians. The public is encouraged to visit the showroom to learn more about the growing world of electric vehicles, ask questions, and take a test drive to discover firsthand what it’s like to go electric.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Today, Monday, June 9, 2025, at 10 am, the Minister of Finance returns to Parliament to continue discussions on the 2025 Budget. As previously stated, this version of the budget solely incorporates the amendments and modifications formally approved by Parliament in January 2025.

The Minister intends to provide a detailed breakdown of how each amendment and modification has been incorporated. This follows remarks made by Members of Parliament, suggesting that not all amendments were correctly reflected. The Minister wishes to reiterate that it is understandable that a one-to-one reconciliation may not have been immediately evident. If that were the case, there would be no need for this continued discussion, and the budget would already have been enacted.

While the Minister would have preferred to present a partially revised budget at this time, the decision was made to incorporate the amendments into the existing budget solely, to have it swiftly approved. This approach takes into account the deadline issued by the Kingdom Council of Ministers on April 30, 2025, as well as the sentiments expressed by Parliamentarians following the Minister's earlier proposal to submit a new budget with amendments. A formal budget amendment for 2025 will still be forthcoming at a later stage.

In addition to the detailed review of each amendment, the Minister will also present a comparison of the first quarter (Q1) actuals to the approved budget figures. This comparison will demonstrate that the budget, even as amended, remains realistic and aligned with the country’s financial performance to date.

As mentioned in earlier sessions, several of the amendments contained technical and numerical inconsistencies, making full incorporation challenging. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Finance has translated all approved amendments and modifications into the budget figures as accurately and comprehensively as possible.

During today’s meeting, the Minister will walk Parliament through each amendment and modification, line by line to provide full clarity and transparency. The Minister kindly asks for patience, as the session will be highly detailed, but essential to achieving mutual understanding and alignment. Owing to the fact that Parliament has already approved the incorporated amendments and modifications, the Minister is hopeful that the current round of meetings can be concise, and that the budget may move more swiftly toward final approval and enactment.

~“The 11th edition is a testament to the island’s resilience, strength, adaptability, and collective spirit!”~

PHILIPSBURG:---  SXM DOET proudly celebrated its 11th successful year of fostering community spirit, volunteerism, and positive change throughout our communities. Despite experiencing inclement weather during the official SXM DOET weekend on May 16 & 17, the initiative successfully supported 97 community projects, thanks to the unwavering dedication of over 1,500 volunteers and committed organizations.

This year, 42 projects were completed on Friday, May 16th, 29 projects on Saturday, May 17th, and the remaining 26 projects were rescheduled between May 24th and June 7th, due to heavy rainfall the island experienced on May 17. While volunteer turnout was slightly affected by the adverse weather conditions, the enthusiasm and commitment of participants remained strong, reaffirming the deep-rooted culture of volunteerism that defines SXM DOET.

A wide variety of projects were undertaken during this year’s edition, including social initiatives supporting elderly, vulnerable and differently abled groups, the operation & distribution of soup kitchens, the sprucing up and beautification of community spaces, mural paintings, and even an open house session. These diverse activities reflect the wide reach and inclusivity of SXM DOET, touching every corner of our community.

SXM DOET was honored to have the likes of diverse sectors of volunteers, including government departments, members of Parliament, and the private sector. Their participation helped to strengthen the bond between public service, civil society, and the communities they serve.

Special appreciation goes to our dedicated volunteer coaches, who worked closely with the coordination team to check in with the various NGOs and ensure the smooth execution of projects. Their behind the scenes support is vital to the success of the initiative. “Without their help, we would overlook so much, so for them, we are eternally grateful,” said the SXM DOET Project Coordination team.

“We are incredibly proud and grateful for the resilience shown by our NGOs, volunteers, sponsors, and partners,” the team added. “The weather may have changed our schedule, but it did not dampen our spirits or the impact made. The continued community support ensures that SXM DOET remains a beacon of hope and unity in our community.”

SXM DOET extends its heartfelt thanks to Oranje Fonds, Be the Change Foundation, all participating NGOs, businesses, sponsors, partners, and every volunteer who contributed their time and energy. “Without your selfless efforts, SXM DOET would not be possible. You are the heart of this movement,” the coordinators emphasized.

As the organization looks beyond the event weekend, SXM DOET encourages individuals and organizations to continue their volunteer journey through Volunteer.sx, a platform connecting passionate volunteers with meaningful causes year-round.

For more information about SXM DOET or to learn how to contribute, feel free to contact the SXM DOET Coordination Team members at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.sxmdoet.com, www.facebook.com/SXMDOET. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to stay connected with all things SXM DOET. Here's to many more years of building a stronger, kinder, and more connected St. Maarten, together.

MARIGOT:--- A tragic road accident occurred late this morning on the Cul de Sac road, shortly before the Super U roundabout. The incident involved a collision between a scooter and a car, and sadly, resulted in a fatality.

According to initial reports, a pedestrian was present at the scene and may have witnessed the accident. The Gendarmerie is eager to locate this individual, who could provide crucial information about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The magistrate has issued an appeal for witnesses, urging anyone with knowledge or information about the accident to come forward, particularly the pedestrian involved.

Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact authorities promptly to aid in the ongoing investigation.