PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten has announced that the Ministry of TEATT will spearhead a strategic trade mission to participate in Agroalimentaria 2025. The event, one of the Caribbean’s most prominent trade fairs, will take place in the Dominican Republic from May 28 to 31, 2025.
Agroalimentaria is a vital platform for connecting regional and international suppliers, exporters, and businesses. Key areas of focus for the trade fair include fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables, agribusiness products like juices, canned goods, and cigars, and industrial items such as textiles, footwear, and cement. Traditional crafts, including jewelry, woodwork, and handmade products, also feature prominently.
The trade mission aligns with the ministry's broader goal of fostering economic resilience in Sint Maarten. Minister Heyliger-Marten emphasized that this initiative is instrumental in addressing critical priorities such as reducing dependency on a limited pool of suppliers, mitigating risks related to inflation and price shocks, and building stronger local supply chains, particularly in food security.
The delegation representing Sint Maarten will include officials from the Ministry of TEATT, members of the Chamber of Commerce, representatives from the Social Economic Council (SER), and potentially a Member of Parliament from the CAFAH Committee. Additionally, local business leaders from the food, retail, logistics, and shipping sectors are expected to join the mission. The team will collaborate with the Dutch Consulate and the Ambassador to the Dominican Republic to ensure the mission’s success.
The Agroalimentaria trade fair provides extensive opportunities for long-term benefits. During the event, key priorities will center on gaining a deeper understanding of regional food supply chains, securing stable and fair trade agreements, and exploring training and technology integration opportunities. Other objectives include improving logistics for cost-effective imports, sourcing economical agricultural inputs, and establishing direct business connections between Sint Maarten and regional suppliers.
Minister Heyliger-Marten also highlighted that the Dominican government has proposed potential hotel incentives for qualifying businesses participating in the event. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Agroalimentaria website or email Sint Maarten’s Secretary General, Mr. Miguel de Weever, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about these incentives.
Through initiatives such as this, the Ministry of TEATT aims to strengthen Sint Maarten’s position as an economically resilient and integrated regional partner. The Agroalimentaria trade mission supports local businesses, enhances food safety and import standards, and fosters strategic partnerships with neighboring economies.
This event is expected to provide valuable market insights and facilitate negotiating trade agreements that could reduce costs and bring long-term socio-economic benefits to Sint Maarten.
