June 16, 2026 No comments
Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied strengthens cultural partnerships across the SSS Islands
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied (CCG) recently concluded a working visit to Saba, St. Eustatius and Sint Maarten, strengthening relationships with cultural stakeholders, supporting project development and exploring new opportunities for cultural investment across the region. The visit culminated in two key highlights on Sint Maarten: the introduction of the Fonds op Naam (FoN) concept to the business community and the presentation of the 2026 CCG Culture Prize to EPIC (Environmental Protection in Sint Maarten). Throughout the week, the CCG team met with artists, cultural organizations, heritage practitioners, educators and community leaders through a series of information sessions, project consultations and stakeholder meetings across the three islands. Supporting Cultural Development On Saba and St. Eustatius, discussions focused on heritage preservation,...
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June 16, 2026 No comments
Successful No Mas No More Work Conference Held in Sint Maarten and St. Eustatius
SINT MAARTEN/SINT EUSTATIUS - From June 8 to 12, 2026, members of the No Mas No More (NMNM) working group gathered in Sint Maarten and St. Eustatius for their annual work conference. The conference brought together representatives from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and the Dutch ministries of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), Education, Culture and Science (OCW), and Justice and Security (JenV). The goal was to strengthen cooperation in combating domestic violence and child abuse. During the week, participants worked on topics such as the future ratification and implementation of the Istanbul Convention, temporary barring orders, inter-island cooperation for victim support and early detection of risk factors related to gender-based violence. In addition, participants worked on agreements for a...
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June 16, 2026 No comments
DIGITAL HEALTHCARE MILESTONE REACHED AS ALL LOCAL DOCTORS ADOPT NEW SYSTEM
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Sint Maarten has reached a major milestone in the modernization of healthcare, with all general practitioners (GPs), on the Dutch side, now connected through a digital General Practitioner Information System (GPIS), implemented through the coordinated efforts of SZV Social & Health Insurances and the country’s healthcare partners. The implementation marks an important advancement in SZV’s broader healthcare transformation agenda and represents a significant step toward more connected, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare delivery on Sint Maarten. The GP Information System enables healthcare providers to securely register, manage, and exchange patient medical information digitally. The system improves access to important patient information, streamlines administrative processes, and strengthens collaboration between healthcare professionals across the healthcare chain. One of the first major...
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June 16, 2026 No comments
It’s Time to Count the Cost
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Almost everyone knows the feeling of starting a project with good intentions. A home renovation. A new business idea. A community project. At the beginning, the goal is clear, the energy is high, and the belief is there that things will work out along the way. Now imagine a developer who starts building without fully calculating the total cost. He has money available, so the first phase begins. Workers are hired, materials are ordered, and consultants are brought in to help guide the process. At first, everything seemed manageable. But as the project continues, the real cost becomes harder to see. More money is needed for materials. Delays require extra labor. Mistakes have to be corrected. Some agreements were...
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June 16, 2026 No comments
MINISTRY OF FINANCE IMPLEMENTS PAYROLL TAX ADJUSTMENTS AHEAD OF JUNE VACATION PAYROLL
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Ministry of Finance has successfully implemented payroll tax adjustments ahead of the June 2026 vacation payroll following concerns raised by Justice personnel regarding the taxation of certain extraordinary payments. The matter was brought directly to the attention of the Honorable Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, during one of the Minister’s monthly Finance Friday consultations, where several police officers expressed concerns about the taxation reflected on their payslips. Taking these concerns seriously, Minister Gumbs immediately requested that the Government’s payroll software provider conduct a thorough review of the matter to determine whether adjustments were required. Working closely with the Wages and Salaries (Loon & Salaris) Department, the payroll software provider conducted a detailed assessment of the payroll...
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