TEATT Minister says economic growth must reach families; announces Miami trade mission, opportunities for local artists and Christmas vending plans.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication has launched a comprehensive assessment of essential-goods prices to determine why residents pay so much for everyday necessities and what the government can responsibly do to improve affordability.
Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten announced the assessment during the October 7 Council of Ministers press briefing, saying economic progress must be measured by what families experience at home—not simply visitor numbers, investment or business expansion.
“Can you fill your grocery cart? Can a senior stretch a pension through the month?” she asked, highlighting the pressure on households and small businesses.
Ministry will follow prices from import to supermarket shelf
Heyliger-Marten said the assessment will examine how the price of an essential product develops from its purchase for import through shipping, freight, insurance, handling, storage and distribution until it reaches the consumer.
The ministry wants to establish where costs are added, how much is added and why.
The objective, she said, is to identify cost pressures and practical policy measures that could improve affordability, rather than produce another study without a useful outcome.
The assessment will also examine the relationship between grocery prices, household income and the overall cost of living.
Affordability, the minister emphasized, depends on what prices represent relative to what a household earns.
Regional Comparisons to Identify Local Pressures
The ministry intends to compare essential-goods prices in Sint Maarten with those in neighboring islands and comparable jurisdictions.
Heyliger-Marten said this would help distinguish wider pressures, such as freight and international commodity costs, from factors specific to Sint Maarten’s market.
The findings could inform future decisions on price controls, competition, importation, taxation and other consumer-protection measures.
She did not announce new price controls or immediate reductions during the briefing, nor did she provide a completion date for the assessment.
“Government must understand what people are paying, why they are paying it, and what can responsibly be done about it,” she said.
Royal Day Creates Opportunities for Local Businesses
Turning to tourism’s contribution to the economy, Heyliger-Marten highlighted Royal Day, hosted in Sint Maarten on October 6 as part of Royal Caribbean’s President’s Cruise.
According to the minister, the event involved 24 vendors, 53 entertainers and 128 service staff, creating opportunities for local businesses, performers and service providers to earn income and showcase their work.
She said economic diversification also means increasing the value tourism retains locally by connecting visitors with Sint Maarten’s food, culture, entertainment and services.
The minister reported positive feedback from Royal Caribbean and congratulated Port St. Maarten, the cruise company, organizers and local participants.
No total spending figure or independent economic-impact assessment was presented.
Miami Trade Mission Opens Door to Wider Markets
Heyliger-Marten also outlined efforts to help entrepreneurs reach customers and partners beyond Sint Maarten.
She said she represented the country at the 28th Inter-American Conference of Mayors and Local Authorities, marking the first time the government had been invited to participate.
During a panel discussion, she addressed a proposed sister-city relationship with Miami-Dade County, with possible cooperation in trade, entrepreneurship, investment, education, tourism, innovation and knowledge sharing.
The relationship remains under exploration.
Heyliger-Marten said partnerships should produce practical opportunities rather than exist simply for signing agreements and taking photographs.
She pointed to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Island Routes to Global Routes trade mission, scheduled for November 16–19, 2026, in Miami.
Registration closes October 15, while the registration payment deadline is October 30.
Established businesses, new entrepreneurs, and those considering their next business step were encouraged to seek information from the Chamber and the initiative’s social media platforms.
Free Soca Workshop Supports Creative Talent
About 20 participants are expected to take part in a free Soca Rumble workshop this weekend, hosted by Fantopia in collaboration with the Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau.
Heyliger-Marten said available spaces filled quickly after registration opened.
The workshop will provide local artists with access to songwriting, production, and music-industry guidance, whether they are preparing for Soca Rumble 2027 or seeking to strengthen their craft.
She described investment in creative talent as another avenue for economic diversification.
Limited Christmas Vending Spaces Planned for Philipsburg
The ministry will again offer limited holiday vending spaces along the designated lane between Kitty’s Kitchen and Fat Boy Jimmy’s in Philipsburg.
The anticipated vending period is December 21, 2026, through January 6, 2027.
Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the application requirements. A public notice and flyer are expected during the week of the briefing, announcing when forms can be collected.
Applications will be available in person, with a submission deadline in early November, as specified in the official notice.
Heyliger-Marten warned that the application counter will close once the department has received the maximum number of applications it can consider.
The department intends to notify applicants approximately one week after applications close. The application package will outline requirements, conditions and necessary arrangements with relevant authorities.
Particular attention will be given to presentation, organization, safety and the appearance of the vending area.
Results Must Be Felt in Daily Life
Heyliger-Marten said the ministry is addressing backlogs, improving processes and confronting unresolved practices, while acknowledging that residents will judge its work by actual changes in their lives.
“Government must deliver. Businesses must operate fairly,” she said.
The minister encouraged continued scrutiny and public accountability, while urging residents and stakeholders to contribute solutions.
For households facing high living costs, the essential-goods assessment now sets a clear expectation: its findings must explain the pressures on prices and lead to concrete decisions about what can be done.