June 29, 2026 No comments
Fire Dept. Urges Public to Exercise Extreme Caution Amid Elevated Bush Fire Risk
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – The Fire Department, a department within the Ministry of General Affairs, is urging all residents, landowners, farmers, contractors, and business owners to exercise extreme caution as prolonged dry weather conditions have significantly increased the risk of bush fires across Sint Maarten. With vegetation becoming increasingly dry and highly combustible, even a small spark can quickly ignite a fire that may spread rapidly, particularly during periods of strong winds. Bush fires not only threaten homes and businesses but also place lives, emergency responders, wildlife, and the island's natural environment at serious risk. The Fire Department is strongly advising members of the public not to discard lighted cigarettes, cigars, matches, or any other burning materials, especially along roadsides,...
Read more
June 29, 2026 No comments
Sint Maarten’s Population is 42,449. Grows by 0.4 Per Cent as of January 1, 2025
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Department of Statistics (STAT) has published its latest population estimates for Sint Maarten. The figures are built from vital statistics: the counts of births, deaths, and registered arrivals and departures supplied by the Civil Registry Department. They give an up-to-date picture of how the population is changing. Following the 2022 Population and Housing Census, the estimates have been brought into line with the total population counted in that census. Anchoring the series to this census figure, in keeping with international statistical practice, ensures the estimates rest on the most reliable measure of the population available and sharpens the trends they describe. As part of this update, the Civil Registry revised its vital statistics for earlier years, so the...
Read more
June 29, 2026 No comments
Prime Minister Welcomes St. Dominic Student to Cabinet as Part of Youth Career Development Initiative
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Prime Minister Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina welcomed Ms. Jada Benfield, a Form 4 student of St. Dominic High School, to the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of General Affairs as part of the school's annual Job Shadow Week 2026 initiative. The programme provides students with valuable opportunities to gain practical workplace experience, explore career paths, and better understand the responsibilities and opportunities that exist within both the public and private sectors. Throughout her placement, Jada was afforded a comprehensive introduction to the work of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of General Affairs. In addition to observing the daily operations of the Office of the Prime Minister, she spent time with...
Read more
June 29, 2026 No comments
IETA Announces Relocation of Transport and Taxi Dispatching Offices and Temporary Service Adjustments
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) hereby informs the public that, effective June 29, 2026, the Transport Section and the Taxi Dispatching & School Bus Inspection Section have relocated from their former location across from Fair Way Supermarket to the Telem Building on Pond Island, Philipsburg, behind the Government Administration Building. This relocation forms part of IETA's ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency and enhance service delivery to the public. As operations transition to the new facility, members of the public may experience temporary delays in processing times and service delivery for certain services, including: Driving Examinations. Confirmation Letters. Substitute Vehicle Letters. General Information Inquiries. To ensure continuity of service during this transition period, members of the public are encouraged...
Read more
June 29, 2026 No comments
COM UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES MILESTONE 2027 DRAFT NATIONAL BUDGET
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Government of Sint Maarten has reached a historic milestone following the unanimous approval of the 2027 Draft National Budget by the Council of Ministers (COM) on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The Minister of Finance announced that the 2027 National Budget is expected to complete the constitutional process within the legally prescribed timeframe. While several important steps remain before ratification, this approval by the Council of Ministers places Sint Maarten in a position to have an approved national budget before the end of the year for the first time in the country's history. This milestone is the result of months of preparation, unprecedented collaboration across Government, and a deliberate decision to learn from the past and fundamentally...
Read more
