Stronger oversight, improved policy execution and greater accountability are needed to ensure that public funds in St. Maarten are used effectively—particularly in climate policy—according to the 2025 annual report of the General Audit Chamber of St. Maarten. The report, released on March 31, 2026, concludes that while progress has been made in several areas, gaps remain between policy goals and actual results. The Chamber stresses that more consistent implementation and monitoring are required to safeguard good governance and public finances. Chairman Alphons M. Gumbs notes that 2025 was marked by a strong focus on climate-related audits, reflecting growing concerns about how effectively the government is responding to environmental challenges. The institution assessed whether…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs on Tuesday delivered a frank assessment of the state of the monetary union with Curaçao, telling Parliament that the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS) has not consistently functioned as an equal partnership. Speaking during a Central Committee meeting on the future of the monetary union, Gumbs said the Central Bank’s performance over the past 15 years has been “mixed,” pointing to structural imbalances that, in her view, have disadvantaged Sint Maarten. “In theory, it was to serve both countries independently and impartially with balanced representation and shared consensus decision-making,” Gumbs said…
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten — Winair has taken a significant step in strengthening its aviation services with the addition of Southwest Airlines as a new ground handling client at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). The national carrier announced that its ground handling division, Winair Ground Handling (WGH), will provide full operational support for Southwest Airlines starting April 7, 2026. This includes both above-the-wing services, such as passenger check-in and boarding, and below-the-wing services, including ramp handling and aircraft turnaround. Boost for Connectivity and Tourism Southwest Airlines is set to launch nine weekly flights to St. Maarten, connecting the island directly with key…
PHILIPSBURG — Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten on Tuesday outlined reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, during the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) Town Hall at the Belair Community Center. Addressing a cross section of the business community, the Minister stressed that economic growth requires partnership between Government and the private sector, supported by trust, dialogue, and collaboration. A key development is a pilot within the Department of Economic Licenses allowing certain applications to be submitted online, moving toward more accessible and transparent service delivery. This forms part of broader…
By Terence Jandroep, CRA, CQA, CLA Certified Risk Auditor & Forensic Integrity Specialist In the specialized field of Forensic Integrity Auditing (FIA) and preemptive risk analysis, we often identify vulnerabilities within systems that are not merely technical, but behavioral. One of the most corrosive structural risks to fiscal integrity emerged in the late 1980s and has since solidified into a systemic crisis: the transition of government tax inspectors into private independent consultancy. To protect the sanctity of the public treasury and the objectivity of the audit process, we must address this “revolving door” not as a career move, but as a…
Offering Extended Hours, Instant Reconnection, and Added Customer Convenience Philipsburg, Sint Maarten (March 30, 2026) – Leading telecoms provider Flow is pleased to announce the launch of its latest customer-focused innovation: a modern outdoor Self-Service Payment Kiosk, accessible seven days a week and beyond regular store hours. This initiative underscores Flow’s ongoing commitment to innovation, accessibility, and seamless digital experiences for customers across St. Maarten. Strategically positioned at the rear of the Flow Retail Store in Philipsburg, the kiosk offers a new level of convenience for customers who wish to manage their mobile bill payments at a time that best…
“Focus Must be on National Issues, no time for distractions“. The leader of the Democratic Party MP Sarah Wescot has confirmed that coalition party leaders will meet to discuss the current political developments, particularly those involving members of the Council of Ministers. The DP leader indicated that the Democratic Party will approach these discussions with a focus on stability and continuity of governance. She noted that Sint Maarten is facing a range of pressing challenges that require the full attention of government. “This is a time for thoughtful leadership, for dialogue, and for keeping the interests of the people of…
March 30, 2026 Sint Maarten – The accusation by Professor Dr. Arjen van Rijn that Governor Ajamu Baly significantly overstepped his authority appears to be based on one-sided and incomplete information that had been provided to him by Prime Minister Luc Mercelina. Van Rijn claimed that his striking report was based on “facts.” This according to a report published on Dossier Koninkrijksrelaties. The professor and lawyer Van Rijn had been asked by the prime minister for advice following a conflict he had with one of his ministers. The intervention by Governor Baly—made with the approval of the other ministers—did not sit well…
The ongoing discussion surrounding the governance of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) has exposed something far more important than a disagreement over board appointments. It has exposed a fundamental reality: Sint Maarten is not in control of its own monetary destiny. And that is a problem. Economic Sovereignty Is Not a Luxury — It Is a Necessity For years, Sint Maarten has operated within a monetary union that was built on the principle of cooperation and parity between two countries. On paper, that sounds fair. In practice, it means that our financial future is tied to…
March 30, 2026 Sint Maarten – The College for Financial Supervision (Cft) is “seriously concerned” about the liquidity position of Sint Maarten. The balance is declining so rapidly that, according to the Cft, there is “a real risk of not being able to meet obligations and absorb setbacks.” This is according to a news report published on DossierKoninkrijksrelaties.nl. From the Cft’s response to the (once again submitted far too late) implementation report for the fourth quarter of 2025, it appears there is even more cause for concern. Sixteen years after 10-10-10, financial management is still described as disorganized. Budgets are structurally approved…
