PHILIPSBURG:--- During the second draft budget debate, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, provided comprehensive responses to questions posed by Members of Parliament (MPs). The Minister addressed a wide range of topics, from economic diversification and tourism strategies to infrastructure projects and policy reforms. Below are the key highlights from her responses.

Energy Transition: LNG and Renewables

Responding to concerns about the adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy, the Minister acknowledged the urgency of diversifying Sint Maarten’s energy mix. However, she noted that extensive feasibility studies revealed LNG may not be a cost-effective or practical solution for the island due to infrastructure limitations, market volatility, and evolving trends in the cruise industry. Instead, the government is focusing on long-term sustainable energy solutions, including solar and wind energy.

Digital Visibility and International Accessibility

MPs raised concerns about Sint Maarten’s omission from international websites and dropdown menus, as well as the lack of recognition for the country code +1-721. The Minister explained that the Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP) has engaged the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to address these issues. However, she noted that updating global databases ultimately depends on individual companies and platforms. Efforts are ongoing to improve Sint Maarten’s digital presence through regional and international partnerships.

R4 Strategy: Reshaping Governance

The Minister highlighted the Ministry’s R4 strategy—Reshape, Reform, Rebuild, and Restructure—as a guiding framework for long-term economic growth. She outlined initiatives such as digitizing the business licensing process, clearing backlogs, and streamlining internal operations. These efforts aim to make government services more efficient and accessible, particularly for young entrepreneurs entering digital industries like content creation.

Collaborations and Public-Private Partnerships

Minister Heyliger-Marten underscored the importance of inter-ministerial and public-private collaborations. Examples include:

• Launching an Agri-loans program in partnership with Qredits to support local farmers and entrepreneurs.
• Strengthening ties with the French side of the island to align efforts in tourism and agriculture.
• Coordinating with multiple stakeholders to bring events like the 2024 Christmas Parade to life.

These partnerships are part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to stimulate economic growth and community engagement.

Tourism Diversification and Data-Driven Policies

The Minister detailed efforts to diversify Sint Maarten’s tourism offerings beyond traditional sun-and-sea travel. Initiatives include promoting culinary tourism, cultural storytelling, wellness travel, and eco-tourism. Local entrepreneurs, artists, and cultural leaders are being integrated into tourism programming to create more meaningful visitor experiences.

Data is playing a crucial role in shaping tourism policies. The Ministry relies on metrics such as visitor demographics, spending behavior, and travel motivations to guide marketing strategies and investment decisions.

Soul Beach Festival and Economic Impact

Addressing questions about the Soul Beach Festival, the Minister defended the event as a strategic investment that stimulated economic activity. Preliminary reports indicated that over $500,000 was spent locally on production, staffing, marketing, and accommodations. She emphasized that the use of public funds for such events aligns with the Ministry’s mandate to boost tourism and generate revenue.

Agriculture and Food Security

The Minister outlined ongoing efforts to develop the agriculture sector, including:

• A hydroponics “train-the-trainer” program in schools.
• A micro-financing scheme offering low-interest loans to farmers and fishers.
• Research projects focused on water quality, local produce distribution, and farming supplies.

These initiatives aim to enhance food security and support local farmers while laying the groundwork for the establishment of an Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Agency.

Casino Policy and Responsible Gambling

The Minister provided updates on the implementation of the 2011 casino policy, which includes entry restrictions for locals and a centralized self-exclusion database. Stakeholder consultations with casino operators have been conducted to ensure compliance and improve responsible gambling measures.

Balancing Public Consultation and Decisive Action

In response to criticisms about public projects, the Minister stressed the importance of balancing public consultation with effective decision-making. She noted that while public sentiment is considered, actions are guided by data, legal obligations, and structured dialogue with stakeholders. The Ministry remains focused on long-term goals rather than reactionary policymaking.

Looking Ahead: Long-Term Initiatives

The Minister shared plans for 2025, including:

• Establishing the St. Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) and an Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Agency to ensure sector-driven development.
• Reforming outdated processes, such as transitioning to a fully digitized business licensing platform.
• Continuing efforts to diversify tourism and enhance the island’s global visibility.

Conclusion

Minister Heyliger-Marten’s responses during the budget debate reflect a commitment to transparency, collaboration, and long-term planning. By addressing challenges head-on and implementing strategic initiatives, the Ministry of TEATT aims to drive sustainable economic growth and improve the quality of life for all residents of Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG: --- The redevelopment of the Philipsburg Marketplace, a key project aimed at revitalizing the heart of Sint Maarten’s capital, has faced delays due to unforeseen technical challenges. Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, addressed these issues during the second draft budget debate, providing clarity on the current status and next steps for the project.

The Cause of Delays

The delays stemmed from a recommendation by the Ministry of VROMI’s Department of New Works to explore the feasibility of a multi-story structure for the marketplace. This proposal aimed to maximize the use of government-owned space and provide long-term value. However, the additional soil and structural studies required for this design caused a significant pause in the project timeline.

After thorough assessments, it was concluded that a multi-level structure was not practical for the location. As a result, the project reverted to the original plans, but valuable time had already been lost in the process.

TEATT’s Role and Commitment

Minister Heyliger-Marten emphasized that the Ministry of TEATT has taken full responsibility for coordinating with vendors, project partners, and other supporting ministries to ensure the project moves forward. While the technical expertise of VROMI was critical in advising on the structural aspects, TEATT has remained the primary point of contact for vendors.

The Minister reassured stakeholders that her Ministry is actively finalizing revisions to the plans and coordinating with co-financers to avoid further delays. “It’s a commitment we’re following through with, step by step, in partnership with the co-financers and, most importantly, our vendors,” she stated.

Vendor Communication and Combating Misinformation

To address concerns and keep vendors informed, the Ministry has launched a dedicated WhatsApp channel. This platform provides direct updates, clarifies misinformation, and ensures that vendors receive accurate information straight from the Ministry. The Minister acknowledged the challenges posed by misinformation in today’s fast-paced digital environment and stressed the importance of clear and frequent communication.

“In a time where misinformation spreads faster than facts, we’ve made it a priority to communicate more clearly, frequently, and directly,” the Minister noted. This approach aims to rebuild trust and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned as the project progresses.

Next Steps

The immediate focus is on receiving the final adjustments to the marketplace’s design plans. Once these are completed, they will be submitted to the Permits Department for reevaluation. Discussions are also underway to explore whether the project can proceed under the existing building permit, provided the final design meets all technical and regulatory requirements.

The Minister expressed optimism that construction would commence soon, stating, “Our goal is to finalize these revisions and begin construction without further delay. This project is about more than just building a marketplace—it’s about restoring livelihoods and delivering on a commitment to the people who depend on this space.”

A Vision for the Future

The Philipsburg Marketplace redevelopment is a cornerstone of the government’s broader efforts to revitalize the capital and stimulate local commerce. Once completed, the project is expected to enhance the shopping experience for both residents and tourists, boost economic activity, and restore Philipsburg’s reputation as the “Shopping Mecca of the Caribbean.”

The Minister concluded by reaffirming her commitment to the project and the vendors who rely on the marketplace for their livelihoods. “This is about more than construction. It’s about rebuilding trust, restoring livelihoods, and delivering on a promise to our community.”

The Philipsburg Marketplace redevelopment remains a priority for the Ministry of TEATT, and despite the setbacks, the government is determined to see the project through to completion. With clear communication and a focus on collaboration, the Ministry aims to deliver a marketplace that meets the needs of vendors, residents, and visitors alike.

~As global uncertainties intensify~

Willemstad/Philipsburg – On June 19, 2025, the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) decided to keep its monetary policy stance unchanged. As a result, the pledging rate will remain at 4.75% and the reserve requirement percentage at 18.50%. The most recent adjustment to these monetary policy instruments occurred in November 2024, when both figures were reduced by 0.50 percentage points, a move supported at the time by the monetary union’s solid foreign exchange position and adequate import coverage. While domestic economic and monetary indicators remain solid and broadly aligned with expectations, the global outlook has become increasingly fragile due to mounting downside risks. Heightened uncertainty in global trade and financial markets, rising geopolitical tensions, along with the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed)’s continued pause in its policy rate cuts, were key factors in CBCS’s decision. Given the prevailing uncertainties, the CBCS is maintaining a cautious policy stance and will continue to closely monitor both domestic and international economic developments, adjusting its policy as necessary. The current account deficit of the balance of payments as a percentage of GDP is expected to narrow from 16.8% in 2024 to 15.0% in 2025 due mainly to an increase in net exports of goods and services driven by higher exports, complemented by a decline in imports. Exports growth is expected to be led mainly by increased foreign exchange receipts from tourism activities across the monetary union. Meanwhile, the projected decline in imports is mainly due to the anticipated impact of lower international oil prices on the oil import bill. In contrast, non-oil merchandise imports across the monetary union are projected to increase, driven by increased tourism spending and higher domestic demand. So far this year, gross official reserves have increased by Cg 203.5 million as of June 2, 2025. By the end of the year, reserves are expected to have risen by Cg 51.8 million, as external financing and capital transfers are expected to exceed the deficit on the current account of the balance of payments. In line with this development, the import coverage has also shown an upward trend. The average import coverage is projected to increase from 4.4 months in 2024 to 4.7 months in 2025, remaining well above the norm of 3 months. However, the external environment has deteriorated significantly in recent months and could affect key monetary indicators. In particular, the escalation of (retaliatory) trade measures and prolonged trade policy uncertainty have intensified global trade tensions and disrupted supply chain stability. In addition, the intensification of geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East could further disrupt global supply chains and raise energy and other commodity prices. These developments pose significant risks to import-dependent economies, like Curaçao and Sint Maarten as rising import costs may put pressure on the balance of payments and, consequently, gross official reserves. Considering these developments, the CBCS has decided to maintain the pledging rate at 4.75%, remaining aligned with the Fed, which decided on June 18, 2025, to keep its policy rate unchanged at 4.50%. The decision by the Fed to pause monetary easing reflects the growing uncertainties arising from the deteriorating global environment, including rising trade and geopolitical tensions. In addition, the CBCS will keep the reserve requirement percentage unchanged at 18.50%. Moreover, it will continue to offer attractive rates on its weekly auctions of certificates of deposit (CDs) with the aim of holding more bank liquidity domestically to support the preservation of a solid foreign exchange position. Willemstad, June 20, 2025 CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN

James Finies, leader of Pueblo Progresivo Uni, and Davika Bissessar Shaw, President of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization, recently participated in the High-Level Meeting “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Hosted by the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA), the President of the UN General Assembly (PGA), and the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the UN (AUPOM), the event featured the participation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang, and African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. It brought together global leaders to advance reparative justice and sustainable development for Africa and its Diaspora.

James Finies of Bonaire delivered a statement to the meeting alongside representatives of Member States.

Speech:

Repair of Human Dignity for People of African Descent in the Caribbean – The People Left Behind

Haiti sparked the journey toward repair of dignity and decolonization in the Americas in 1804. Over two centuries later, the people of Bonaire remain under unresolved colonial rule. Eighty years after the founding of the United Nations, we issue an urgent appeal: the people of Bonaire are facing cultural and ethnic erasure.

Bonaire, an island just 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela, was unilaterally integrated into an European colonial constitutional framework in 2010—against the will of its people and under unequal legal conditions. Since then, laws foreign to our values and identity have been imposed. One of the most troubling is the euthanasia law—a practice that violates our deep cultural respect for life.

Eighty percent of Bonairians are of African descent. For us euthanasia is not an act of compassion but a violation of life. Our people have consistently and publicly rejected this law, which clashes with our ethical, religious, and cultural beliefs. Yet, despite mass opposition, it was enforced without consent through colonial rule.

The consequences have been profound. Since its introduction, Bonaire’s death rate has doubled. Even more alarming is the demographic shift: our native population has declined from 80% in 2010 to around 30% today. For comparison, in Palestine—after decades of conflict—the decline is approximately 6%. On Bonaire, a decline of 50% in a single decade—without bombs or bullets, but through policies that ignore our humanity.

This struggle cannot be separated from the legacy of transatlantic slavery, colonialism, and extractive systems that devastated Africa and its diaspora. As Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warns, ignoring history blinds us to the present. Our challenges today are rooted in centuries of exploitation and imposed rule. True justice demands reparatory frameworks that restore dignity and empower communities like ours to reclaim cultural, economic, and political control. Sustainable development is impossible without justice, inclusion, and self-determination.

We are now a minority on our ancestral land, facing the dire threat of cultural extinction. This is modern colonialism—quiet, systemic, and deeply destructive.

Our recommendation: We urge the international community to prioritize the recognition and decolonization of remaining territories like Bonaire as part of the global reparatory justice agenda.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. So are we—the people of Bonaire.

We will not be silent. We call upon the world to stand with us in our struggle to justice, to repair and reclaim our right to life, right to dignity, and right to self-determination.

video UN WEB TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZFlbrz064c