TEATT Minister says transaction-tax discussions have not produced an agreed tax-reduction plan, targets a 2027 start for Philipsburg improvements and acknowledges staffing constraints affecting business licenses and inspections.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten outlined an ambitious restructuring of the country’s revenue system during the 2027 draft budget debate, while acknowledging that discussions with the Finance Ministry had not yet produced an agreed plan to reduce existing taxes.
Answering MPs on November 6, the minister confirmed that a joint TEATT–Finance task force was assessing a proposed financial transaction tax. She also promised to publish the updated basket of goods in the coming days, defended scrutiny of the fuel supply chain, and identified the second to third quarters of 2027 as the intended start of phased improvements to Philipsburg.
Her responses also revealed practical constraints: only two employees were assigned to processing business licenses, four of six economic controller positions were filled, and structural transportation reforms would not all be completed before the approaching tourism season.
At the center of her presentation was a recurring argument: the benefits of tourism and economic activity must reach residents, while a broader range of people and businesses benefiting from the island should help finance it.
Transaction tax under assessment, not an adopted replacement
Responding to MP Dimar Labega, Heyliger-Marten confirmed that the financial transaction tax concept had been formally presented and discussed with the Ministry of Finance.
Those discussions resulted in a joint task force to examine feasibility, economic impact, and its potential as an alternative to some existing taxes.
The minister described a vision that could include eliminating turnover tax and income tax, substantially reducing or potentially eliminating profit tax, and replacing those revenues through a broader system.
She identified the proposed transaction tax, tourism levies, modernized accommodation taxes, maritime fees and targeted excise or “sin” taxes as measures for examination.
However, she stressed that economic modeling and assessments were necessary before policy decisions.
Later, answering MP Veronica Jansen-Webster on whether tourism growth could translate into direct tax relief, the minister explicitly qualified the status of the discussions.
“I would not present those preliminary discussions as an agreed plan to reduce taxes,” she said.
The distinction matters: the minister’s preferred direction has not become a settled government program specifying which taxes would disappear, what would replace them, or when residents would receive relief.
Tourist-tax delay remains without a firm timetable
Labega asked what was holding up tourist-tax legislation and whether it was a priority for both TEATT and the Council of Ministers.
Heyliger-Marten said modernizing tourism legislation was a priority for her ministry and should be one for the Council as well.
She argued that a country with approximately 45,000 residents, but millions of annual visitor movements, could not continue placing the principal financial burden of sustaining its economy on residents and local businesses.
“The principle is simple. Cast a wider net,” she said.
However, she referred to the relevant ministry for confirmation of the outstanding legislative steps and current status. Her answer did not identify a completion date or a specific timetable for bringing the measure forward.
Updated basket of goods promised within days
Responding to MP Egbert Jurendy Doran, the minister said the updated basket of goods had taken longer than planned but would be published in the coming days.
Retailers and wholesalers would receive one week’s notice to make the necessary adjustments, she said.
She distinguished the basket of goods from the hurricane price list, explaining that the latter served emergency circumstances rather than everyday price management.
The updated measures would operate alongside a study examining the price structure and supply chain of approximately 40 essential consumer products.
That study would follow products from their purchase price at source to their final supermarket shelf price.
Heyliger-Marten supported Jansen-Webster’s suggestion to examine supplies from South America and the wider Caribbean rather than concentrating exclusively on traditional imports from the United States and Europe.
However, she cautioned that lower purchase prices abroad would not automatically produce lower prices locally. Transportation, supply reliability, and product quality would also have to be assessed.
The stated objective was to combine updated price measures with practical opportunities for improved affordability, including during the holiday period.
Port fee reduction would offer limited electricity relief, minister says
Doran asked whether reducing the port’s fuel throughput fee could lower electricity costs.
Heyliger-Marten said yes, but argued the potential savings had to be put in context.
According to the figures she presented, GEBE spends about US$7.5 million a month on fuel, of which roughly US$100,000 is the port throughput fee—about 1.3%.
Using a household consuming 1,000 kilowatt-hours monthly as an illustration, she estimated that completely eliminating the fee would save approximately 6.20 guilders, or US$3.44, per month, assuming the entire saving reached the customer.
Those were estimates from the minister, not a confirmed tariff adjustment.
She argued that removing the port fee alone would not provide the level of relief residents were seeking.
“We cannot continue focusing on the port’s relatively small fee while leaving the much larger fuel supply arrangements without the same level of scrutiny,” she said.
She called for examination of charges and markups within the wider fuel supply chain, including whether they were fair, reasonable and justified.
BTP review and alternatives to supplier dependence
Heyliger-Marten said BTP’s examination of fuel pricing was intended to establish greater transparency about costs passed to GEBE.
She argued that a dominant supplier faced limited competitive pressure to reduce prices and that the government needed to examine the entire arrangement.
Her stated objectives included encouraging competition and exploring whether GEBE could eventually develop its own fuel storage and procurement arrangements.
These remained matters for examination; she did not announce that independent storage or procurement facilities had been approved or financed.
The minister defended the time devoted to the exercise, saying she would not have been equipped to give the same explanation a year earlier.
Using a colloquial appeal for time to complete the work, she told Parliament: “Let me cook.”
Utility tariff review considers small businesses and vulnerable groups
Doran also proposed differentiating utility charges between large and small commercial users.
Heyliger-Marten said BTP was examining how electricity and water tariff structures could better reflect the needs of different consumers, including seniors, farmers and small businesses.
However, she cautioned that a system based on business turnover would pose practical difficulties because GEBE is not a tax authority and does not have direct access to companies’ financial information.
She identified connection capacity, measured in kilovolt-amperes, as one existing technical factor differentiating electricity consumers.
The review would examine whether classifications could be refined using objective and transparent criteria. Her response did not announce a new preferential tariff or an implementation date.
Philipsburg redevelopment targeted for 2027
Responding to MP Lyndon Lewis’s comments about the architectural images presented during the debate, Heyliger-Marten said the proposals were intended to become more than attractive drawings.
The Philipsburg development master plan envisioned landscaped streets, improved building facades and lighting, public squares and revitalized alleys connecting Front Street, Back Street and the Boardwalk.
She also described cultural performances, music, outdoor cafes, local artisans and attractions designed to encourage visitors to spend more time—and money—in the capital.
The ambition was to expand Philipsburg beyond a predominantly daytime shopping destination into an evening destination for culture, dining and entertainment.
Parking, she acknowledged, would be necessary to support that transformation.
The minister said implementation was intended to begin between the second and third quarters of 2027, using a phased approach and scheduling construction during the slower season to limit disruption.
She did not provide a complete construction schedule or funding breakdown in this response.
On the marketplace, she confirmed to MP Omar Ottley that the project was slated to be a one-story building.
Traffic measures are underway, but structural reforms will take longer
Heyliger-Marten acknowledged that traffic congestion was a serious concern heading into the tourism season.
She distinguished TEATT’s responsibility for organizing and regulating transportation from responsibility for road construction and traffic enforcement.
Her ministry’s work included verifying transportation permits, identifying inactive operators and updating the sector’s database.
She also referred to efforts to re-establish the Public Transportation Committee after more than a decade of inactivity, although her remarks did not unequivocally confirm that the process had been completed.
In June, she said, she instructed Port St. Maarten to prepare a comprehensive traffic and passenger-flow management plan, particularly for busy cruise days.
The ministry’s mobility request-for-information evaluation was nearing completion, with the final committee evaluation scheduled for the following week.
She also reported discussions with VROMI and KPSM concerning ATV tours, bus stops, public transportation, road safety and accidents disrupting traffic.
However, she acknowledged that the structural reforms would not all be ready before the approaching season.
Immediate cooperation with VROMI, Justice and KPSM would therefore focus on practical traffic-management measures while longer-term solutions advanced.
Alternative transport, including possibilities relevant to future homeporting, remained under consideration rather than an announced operational service.
Business licensing depends on two processing employees
Responding to questions about licensing delays, Heyliger-Marten said two employees were assigned to processing business licenses after preliminary front-office work.
She acknowledged the impact of delays on applicants seeking to start or expand businesses and said she was working with the department to simplify procedures and arrange additional internal support.
Her response did not supply the requested number of outstanding applications or identify how many had been pending for more than six months.
Digital licensing would be introduced in phases during 2027, she said, subject to tendering, development and testing.
The objective was to simplify applications, clarify requirements and improve predictability—not simply transfer existing bureaucracy online.
License conditions, she explained, were determined by law or by the minister where legislation granted that authority, together with applicable policy.
Inspection capacity remains constrained
Heyliger-Marten said four of six economic controller positions were filled, placing staffing at approximately 67%.
Those officers handled more than supermarket price checks. Their responsibilities included business-license compliance, permit conditions, displayed prices, weights and measures, fuel-pump calibration, vending and other economic regulation.
The ministry was moving toward risk-based inspections, prioritizing businesses and practices according to complaints, compliance history and potential consumer harm.
A digital inspection and case-management system was also being pursued to improve follow-up.
The minister did not identify a definite number of additional inspectors who would begin work after the 2027 budget passed.
Cannabis agreement remains confidential
Jansen-Webster questioned why a columnist could discuss details of a cannabis agreement while Parliament had received the document confidentially.
Heyliger-Marten said she could not identify the author’s source, but said her Cabinet had not provided the contract to the author.
She defended the confidential submission as a way for Parliament to scrutinize the agreement while protecting sensitive information and ongoing processes.
The appearance of details elsewhere, she argued, did not remove the obligation to respect confidentiality.
Her response did not announce that the confidentiality restriction would be lifted.
Ambassador program delayed by its design
Heyliger-Marten acknowledged Labega’s concern about the time taken to implement the local tourism ambassador program approved in the 2025 budget.
She said work on participants’ responsibilities, support, contracts, and their connection to tourism niches had taken longer than anticipated.
The program would also create room for people with smaller audiences whose representation of St. Maarten could still have value.
The minister said airport and port support had been secured to help showcase participants, and that arrangements had progressed sufficiently to announce the program “soon.”
She did not provide a launch date.
She also advocated greater involvement by local public-relations firms, photographers, videographers, content creators and other professionals in destination marketing, supported where necessary by training, mentorship and international partnerships.
Discussions with the airport and port included cultural displays, videos, signage, voiceovers and trivia presenting the island’s history, achievements and national figures.
Visitor conduct and Colombian promotion
The minister confirmed work on a visitor code of conduct addressing appropriate public attire, respect for communities and the fact that the tourism destination was also residents’ home.
Information could be distributed through a booklet, digital material and tourism partners.
On the Colombian visitors brought through Wingo’s surprise-destination experience, she acknowledged that no dedicated formal exit survey had been conducted.
She described interviews, testimonials and social-media feedback as positive, while recognizing that those impressions were not a substitute for a formal survey.
Staffing, project costs and preparations
The minister reported continuing recruitment across TEATT, including priority recruitment for the Statistics Department’s head.
Three of six budgeted Statistics Department vacancies had been filled, while two remaining posts would not be filled during 2026. Three Tourism Office positions were in recruitment, and a Civil Aviation and Maritime vacancy had not resulted in an appointment, nor was further recruitment planned for 2026.
A senior policy-adviser position was in recruitment, while a secretary vacancy had not yet been advertised.
For consultancy and project allocations, she cited 50,000 guilders for access-to-finance work, 200,000 guilders for digitization and automation, and 126,000 guilders associated with gambling and lottery reform. She said she would provide further service-level-agreement details.
On capital projects, the minister said preparatory work would advance where reasonably possible before funding, so projects could proceed once financing and approvals were available.
Responding to MP Franklin Meyers’s call for a comprehensive assessment of the country’s financial needs, she agreed that government should cost its ambitions but cautioned against creating another committee before consolidating existing work.
Animal permits remain free during review
Heyliger-Marten said the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Department, commonly known as LVV, had three of four positions filled.
It processed 2,039 applications in 2025 and 1,781 from January 1 through November 4, 2026, according to its administrative records.
The ministry issued animal movement permits free of charge, generating no fee revenue.
The ministry was reviewing mandates, procedures and service delivery, including whether fees would be appropriate. The ministry had not decided to introduce a fee.
Medical tourism and U.S. preclearance remain ambitions
Heyliger-Marten said the government had no plan to build a medical-tourism hotel near the new hospital, but considered related accommodation a potential private-investment opportunity.
She linked the wider medical-tourism ambition to the hospital's completion, the proposed BIG legislation, specialist capacity and an appropriate regulatory framework.
She also suggested that medicinal cannabis could eventually complement relevant healthcare services where medically appropriate and supported by scientific evidence.
On U.S. preclearance, she said she was unaware of a formal indication that the United States had permanently closed the door on St. Maarten.
TEATT remained supportive of renewed engagement because of the potential benefits for the airport’s hub role and competitiveness. Her answer did not establish that negotiations, U.S. approval, or an implementation agreement were in place.
Across her responses, Heyliger-Marten presented a ministry pursuing economic diversification and broader revenue collection, while acknowledging that major proposals still depended on analysis, staffing, legislation, funding and cooperation with other authorities.