PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten - The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams joined a large section of the community in wishing Pastor Wycliffe Smith of the New Testament Baptist Church a happy and fruitful retirement as he moves to phase in life. The Prime Minister highlighted during her address that, although Pastor Smith may be celebrating his retirement, she is sure he will be contributing further to he country during his new phase in life; “The word retirement is sort of off-limits when we discuss Pastor Smith; it could not be since we are not celebrating a retirement but we are celebrating with Pastor Smith and his family him entering a new phase in his life; a new chapter.

I thank you for the opportunity to say a few words because it is a good thing to move unto a different phase in life, especially when persons think of you in terms of already moving into a newer and higher phase. There is so much that we can thank you for, so in that context I would like to thank Pastor Smith for his contribution thus far to the society of St. Maarten and beyond. Pastor Smith I have known you for a very long time, and in so many different functions including in that of education and I am sure that you can look back at a very rewarding time during which you have helped to shape so many of our young people in the way which you did. Thank you Pastor Smith.

Your contribution to Government has been equally important and there too I must say thank you Pastor Smith. Thank you for your kind and intellectual contribution in different ways. Pastor Smith you have always done what you have been called to do without ever making a fuss about it. And so to me the biggest contribution is your contribution to this church and reaching to each and every individual on St. Maarten whether they called on you or when you felt they needed you. I cannot remember a time when you ever refused to serve when called upon when serving your community. For that we thank you, thank you for shaping and lifting up this country. And I am sure we will thank you for what you will be doing in the next phase of your life. You are truly a person who is appreciated and who so many look up to. May God grant you many more years of health and enjoyable life. God bless you,” commented Prime Minister Wescot-Williams.

FRENCH CUL DE SAC, St. Martin - The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams joined residents and dignitaries from French Cul De Sac and all over St. Maarten and the neighboring islands in celebrating the island’s fishing heritage at the twelfth annual Fish Day Celebrations in French Cul De Sac.

The PM also joined the President of the Collectivite Mrs. Aline Hanson in in a moment of silence in remembrance of those affected by the shooting during last year’s Fish Day. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the hard work and dedication fisherman have provided in feeding the population.

“It is good to be here and to be a part of this traditional event celebrating our fishing heritage. It is a good moment, in this celebratory atmosphere to remember the hard work and dedication of our fisherman and our fishing ancestors have shown in going to sea to face the elements in order to feed our population,” commented the Prime Minister.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Ted Richardson met with Secretary General (SG) Maarten Camps from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs during a working visit to the Netherlands.

Minister Richardson informed Camps about his Ministry TEATT’s plans for country Sint Maarten including areas in the economic arena that overlap between the country, the Netherlands and Caribbean Netherlands (Saba and St. Eustatius).

The meeting was originally scheduled with the Dutch State Secretary, however due to unforeseen circumstances the meeting took place with Camps and his delegation.

Camps was very pleased with Minister Richardson’s animated film of the Sint Maarten Economic Road Map where he emphasized the importance of the establishment of the E-Zone and the multiple benefits that come with the establishment of the Bureau Intellectual Property in Sint Maarten to cope with the demand of trademark registration.

Minister Ted Richardson elucidated on the final agreement reach with Curacao’s Bureau of Intellectual Property (BIP) on the dividing ratio pertaining to the payments of the registration fees for patents.

Camps and his team expressed satisfaction about the agreement reached between Curacao and Sint Maarten with respect to BIP, and they were also pleased of the country’s choice to conclude collaboration with the Benelux Office of Intellectual Property which the Netherlands utilizes with respect to the Caribbean Netherlands territories (Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius).  

At the end of the meeting both delegations exchanged tokens of appreciation.

The Minister’s delegation comprised of Chef de Cabinet and Personal Advisor Ludwig Ouenniche and Jaap van Duinkerken from Ministry TEATT.