National Payment Council wants lower bank card transaction fees

PHILIPSBURG — The National Payment Council (NPC), a platform for payment system policy dialogue focused in its second meeting in St. Maarten on ways to reduce bank card transaction fees. The NPC is chaired by the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten (CBCS). It notes that due to the use of Master en Visa cards, payments at local stores are More...

St. Maarten’s yachting sector: A key driver of economic growth and global appeal
St. Maarten’s yachting industry is evolving rapidly, driving economic benefits that extend across multiple sectors. The island’s strategic investments and unique appeal have positioned it as a premier destination More...

Port de Gustavia reaches full capacity, Port Director Brin praises regional cooperation
ST. BARTHS — Port de Gustavia in St. Barthélemy reached full capacity ahead of Christmas, forcing six of the largest mega yachts to anchor outside the harbor. Port Director Ernest Brin noted a sharp increase More...

Traffic Woes in Paradise: Solutions for St. Maarten’s Traffic Congestion Crisis
SIMPSON BAY — St. Maarten, an island renowned for its many beaches, vibrant nightlife and busy tourist seasons, is facing an increasingly urgent challenge: traffic congestion. While many issues plague developing More...

St. Maarten Industry Reps at Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
PHOTO CAPTION: Representatives from Sint Maarten’s marine and yachting sector gathered at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) to strengthen partnerships and explore new opportunities within the More...

A Flood of Consequences
Sunday, St. Maarten found itself drowning—not just in water, but in the stark reality of decades of poor planning, negligence, and outright disregard for sustainable development. Torrential rains have once again More...

The Hidden Costs of Recurrent Power Outages for Small Hoteliers: A National Crisis
GREAT BAY — The persistent power outages plaguing St. Maarten have become a national crisis, severely impacting small hoteliers and their guests. The St. Maarten Small Properties Association (SMSPA), led by President More...

DSTA President calls for urgent reforms following taxi driver incident
PHILIPSBURG — In the wake of a troubling incident that has gone viral on social media, the President of the Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association (DSTA), Maya Friday, has issued a public statement highlighting More...

Shemira Hernandez: Innovating to Elevate Sint Maarten’s Tourism and Recreation Sector
PHILIPSBURG — Shemira Hernandez, Candidate No. 13 on the National Alliance list, has a bold vision for the future of Sint Maarten. Her passion lies in seeing the island flourish, particularly in the tourism More...

New Energy Loan Initiative: Empowering St. Maarten SMEs with Financial Solutions to Combat the Energy Crisis
Philipsburg, St. Maarten – In a proactive response to the ongoing energy crisis that has significantly impacted the business community, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), Member More...