PHILIPSBURG:--- The Government of St. Maarten has announced an increase in fuel prices, citing rising costs on the international market and the need for local suppliers to restock at higher rates. The adjustment, which took effect at 6:00 a.m. on April 3, 2026, impacts both gasoline (ULG) and diesel (gasoil) prices across the island.

According to the official public announcement, the government regulates petroleum prices by setting maximum allowable rates for wholesalers and retailers. Recent global developments have driven up fuel prices worldwide, forcing suppliers such as SOL to purchase gasoline and diesel at significantly higher costs. These increases were verified by the Department of Economy, Transportation, and Telecommunication before the adjustment was implemented.

Under the new pricing structure, the maximum consumer price for gasoline (ULG) has risen from 2.850 to 3.055 guilders per liter. Diesel (gasoil) has also seen an increase, climbing from 2.679 to 2.716 guilders per liter.

The detailed price breakdown provided in the announcement shows that several components contributed to the increase, including freight costs, import duties, and wholesale margins. The government emphasized that all figures were carefully calculated and rounded to three decimal places to ensure transparency in the pricing structure.

Officials noted that while the increase may place additional pressure on consumers and businesses, the adjustment is necessary to maintain a stable fuel supply on the island. Without the price revision, suppliers would face difficulties sustaining operations under current market conditions.

The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic, and Telecommunication reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring global fuel trends and ensuring that local pricing remains fair and reflective of international realities.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official government channels for any future adjustments as market conditions continue to evolve.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Department of Statistics (STAT), in collaboration with the General Audit Chamber, wishes to clarify the scope and intended interpretation of the recently published audit concerning the environment in which official statistics are produced in Sint Maarten.

This clarification is necessary in light of recent public commentary and media coverage that may have created the impression that the audit concluded that Sint Maarten’s official statistics are inaccurate or unreliable. That interpretation is incorrect.

The audit reviewed the institutional, operational, and resource environment in which STAT carries out its work, including matters such as staffing, governance, data access, stakeholder coordination, documentation, and internal processes. Importantly, the audit did not test, validate, or verify the accuracy of STAT’s published statistical figures or outputs. The report itself makes clear that the review focused on the conditions under which statistics are produced, rather than on testing the figures already published.

A clear distinction must therefore be made between:

• the operating environment in which official statistics are produced; and
• the technical methodologies and standards used in the production of those statistics.

 Although the General Audit Chamber did not test statistical outputs, STAT mentions it continues to produce official statistics using internationally recognized scientific and statistical methodologies, including established approaches to sampling, weighting, estimation, and validation. These methods are aligned with accepted international standards and are supported, where relevant, through technical collaboration with recognized institutions such as CARTAC and Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

The Department of Statistics also states its commitment to operating in accordance with the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, which guide the production of official data based on professionalism, scientific rigor, impartiality, and transparency.

The audit identifies important areas where the broader statistical system can and should be strengthened, particularly in relation to staffing, documentation, data-sharing arrangements, quality control procedures, and inter-agency coordination. These findings are constructive and relevant to the continued development of the national statistical system. They do not constitute a finding that the official statistics currently published by STAT have been invalidated or found to be inaccurate. Reliability of statistics does not depend only on final figures, but on the systems, resources, and controls behind them. The audit therefore rather focused on whether those conditions are in place.

As with national statistical offices worldwide, STAT relies in part on data received from households, businesses, and partner institutions across both the public and private sectors. Timely, complete, and consistent cooperation from these stakeholders remains essential to maintaining a strong, responsive, and resilient national statistical system. In this regard, the audit’s recommendations support the continued strengthening of the broader environment in which official statistics are produced.

STAT and the General Audit Chamber therefore underscore that the report should be understood as a constructive assessment aimed at strengthening the systems, coordination, and institutional conditions that support official statistics in Sint Maarten. It was also the intention that based on the findings of the audit, the Government will facilitate the Stat dept with the necessary resources needed to execute it’s responsibility. It should not be interpreted as a conclusion that the official statistics themselves were tested and found to be unreliable.

STAT remains committed to transparency, continuous improvement, and the production of high-quality official statistics that support sound policymaking, informed public dialogue, and national development. To this end, the Stat dept is presently acquiring Technical Support for one year throught the Country Package project to further strengthen and improve the technical aspects of the Department.

For further information or clarification, please contact the Department of Statistics at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the General Audit Chamber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The report is available on the website of the General Audit Chamber: www.arsxm.org.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Department of Statistics (STAT), in collaboration with the General Audit Chamber, wishes to clarify the scope and intended interpretation of the recently published audit concerning the environment in which official statistics are produced in Sint Maarten.

This clarification is necessary in light of recent public commentary and media coverage that may have created the impression that the audit concluded that Sint Maarten’s official statistics are inaccurate or unreliable. That interpretation is incorrect.

The audit reviewed the institutional, operational, and resource environment in which STAT carries out its work, including matters such as staffing, governance, data access, stakeholder coordination, documentation, and internal processes. Importantly, the audit did not test, validate, or verify the accuracy of STAT’s published statistical figures or outputs. The report itself makes clear that the review focused on the conditions under which statistics are produced, rather than on testing the figures already published.

A clear distinction must therefore be made between:

• the operating environment in which official statistics are produced; and
• the technical methodologies and standards used in the production of those statistics.

 Although the General Audit Chamber did not test statistical outputs, STAT mentions it continues to produce official statistics using internationally recognized scientific and statistical methodologies, including established approaches to sampling, weighting, estimation, and validation. These methods are aligned with accepted international standards and are supported, where relevant, through technical collaboration with recognized institutions such as CARTAC and Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

The Department of Statistics also states its commitment to operating in accordance with the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, which guide the production of official data based on professionalism, scientific rigor, impartiality, and transparency.

The audit identifies important areas where the broader statistical system can and should be strengthened, particularly in relation to staffing, documentation, data-sharing arrangements, quality control procedures, and inter-agency coordination. These findings are constructive and relevant to the continued development of the national statistical system. They do not constitute a finding that the official statistics currently published by STAT have been invalidated or found to be inaccurate. Reliability of statistics does not depend only on final figures, but on the systems, resources, and controls behind them. The audit therefore rather focused on whether those conditions are in place.

As with national statistical offices worldwide, STAT relies in part on data received from households, businesses, and partner institutions across both the public and private sectors. Timely, complete, and consistent cooperation from these stakeholders remains essential to maintaining a strong, responsive, and resilient national statistical system. In this regard, the audit’s recommendations support the continued strengthening of the broader environment in which official statistics are produced.

STAT and the General Audit Chamber therefore underscore that the report should be understood as a constructive assessment aimed at strengthening the systems, coordination, and institutional conditions that support official statistics in Sint Maarten. It was also the intention that based on the findings of the audit, the Government will facilitate the Stat dept with the necessary resources needed to execute it’s responsibility. It should not be interpreted as a conclusion that the official statistics themselves were tested and found to be unreliable.

STAT remains committed to transparency, continuous improvement, and the production of high-quality official statistics that support sound policymaking, informed public dialogue, and national development. To this end, the Stat dept is presently acquiring Technical Support for one year throught the Country Package project to further strengthen and improve the technical aspects of the Department.

For further information or clarification, please contact the Department of Statistics at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the General Audit Chamber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The report is available on the website of the General Audit Chamber: www.arsxm.org.

THE HAGUE / WILLEMSTAD / ORANJESTAD / PHILIPSBURG:---  Cooperation between the Netherlands and its Caribbean partners is beginning to bear fruit, but deep-rooted challenges continue to slow the pace of reform, according to a new interim evaluation released this week.

The report assesses the Mutual Regulation for Cooperation on Reforms, a framework established in 2023 to guide structural reforms in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. These reforms were initially tied to financial support provided by the Netherlands during the COVID-19 crisis.

A Crisis-Driven Partnership

The origins of the cooperation lie in the economic fallout of the pandemic. Facing severe financial strain, the Caribbean countries turned to the Netherlands for emergency liquidity loans. In return, they committed to sweeping reforms to strengthen governance and economic resilience.

What followed was an ambitious reform agenda spanning public finance, taxation, healthcare, education, and the labor market. But from the start, the scale of these plans posed a significant challenge.

“The reform packages were exceptionally broad and ambitious,” the evaluation notes, highlighting that multiple large-scale changes had to be implemented simultaneously under difficult circumstances.

Progress, but Not Without Strain

Despite early tensions, the report finds that cooperation has improved over time. Joint planning, regular coordination, and support from the Netherlands—particularly through the Temporary Work Organization (TWO)—have helped launch numerous reform projects.

In several areas, tangible progress has been made. Governments have taken steps to improve financial management, modernize tax systems, and strengthen institutional oversight. These efforts, while often technical and behind the scenes, are seen as crucial building blocks for long-term economic stability.

Still, many reforms remain in early stages.

“Much of the work is transitioning from planning to implementation,” the report states, emphasizing that structural changes require years, not months, to take full effect.

Capacity and Politics Slow the Pace

One of the most persistent obstacles is limited administrative capacity. Governments in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten often lack the personnel and expertise to implement complex reforms while managing day-to-day responsibilities.

At the same time, political instability and frequent leadership changes have disrupted continuity. The evaluation stresses that progress depends heavily on consistent political commitment—something that has not always been present.

Differences between the three countries have also played a role. Each entered the reform process with its own institutional strengths and weaknesses, resulting in uneven outcomes across the region.

A Cooperation Built on Trust

Unlike more rigid international agreements, the current framework relies on cooperation rather than enforcement. There are no strong legal mechanisms to compel progress, meaning that trust and mutual commitment are essential.

This has proven both a strength and a weakness. While it allows flexibility and respects each country's autonomy, it also makes the process vulnerable to delays and shifting priorities.

Looking Ahead to 2027

The agreement is set to run until 2027, with the option to extend it. Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg told parliament that the evaluation will serve as the basis for discussions with Caribbean leaders on the future of the cooperation.

Experts say continuation is likely, given the unfinished nature of many reforms.

The evaluation itself recommends extending the collaboration, warning that ending it prematurely could undermine progress already made.

Long-Term Payoff Still Uncertain

While the reforms are designed to strengthen economic resilience, their impact is not yet fully visible. Many initiatives focus on improving governance and institutional capacity—changes that take time to translate into economic growth.

For now, the report offers a cautious but clear message: cooperation is working, but only just.

The coming years will determine whether this unique partnership can deliver lasting results—or whether its ambitions will outpace its realities.