PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Economic Affairs has extended the opening hours for some businesses effective immediately. Gas stations on St. Maarten can open 24/7 effective immediately while barber shops and beauty parlors have until 11pm before closing their doors for business. Secretary General for the Department of Economic Affairs Miguel De Weever along with Head of the Department of Economic Affairs Lucy Gibbs Richardson told reporters on Wednesday that the department was asked to review their policy and in doing so they have decided to allow the above mentioned businesses to open for the extended hours. Gibbs Richardson said after a period of one year an evaluation will be conducted and if feasible then other businesses would get the same opportunity. Other businesses such as stores could also open for extended hours but they would have to submit a request at the Department of Economic Affairs for an exemption from the regular policy and if they are allowed to open they will be required to pay a small fee of Naf. 150.00 per year for the extended opening hours.
However, the Department of Economic Affairs announced that during the month of December all businesses on St. Maarten will be allowed to open until 11pm. This they said is to allow shoppers and visitors to do their extra shopping for the upcoming holiday season.
Another announcement that was made by the Head of the Business License Department Valya Pantophlet Lake is that the Minister of Economic Affairs just recently signed off on a policy which allows the head of the department to sign off on certain licenses. At the press conference on Wednesday, Pantophlet Lake signed off on the permit that would allow the Lions Club to hold their annual bingo. She said permits for events, vendors, and a few other licenses can be signed off by her, applicants have to submit their request 21 days before the event in order for the department to process their request. In the near future the Department of Economic Affairs will begin accepting applications for such licenses online.