SINT MAARTEN/CURACAO - The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) today presents the results of the IMF’s Central Bank Transparency (CBT) Code Review.

The CBT Review is an in-depth assessment designed to evaluate how openly and clearly the CBCS communicates and operates across its core responsibilities, including governance, policy development, daily operations, performance reporting, and engagement with government and stakeholders.

The CBCS welcomes the recommendations received to further enhance its transparency and strengthen the CBCS’ disclosures and communication practices. Last year the CBCS requested the CBT review, reflecting its longstanding commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and public trust.

The review provided the CBCS with a valuable opportunity for institutional reflection. The process engaged a multidisciplinary team across several divisions of the CBCS and enabled a comprehensive assessment of the CBCS’ transparency practices, including how information is disclosed to the public.

In addition, the IMF administered a digital survey and conducted in-person meetings in both Curaçao and Sint Maarten to complement the assessment with input from key stakeholders. Collectively, these elements supported the identification of areas for improvement and targeted enhancements to further strengthen transparency and accountability.

As the IMF notes, transparency is an essential pillar for supporting an effective central bank and safeguarding institutional credibility. The CBCS notes that the IMF recognizes the significant strides made in recent years to enhance openness, communication, and stakeholder engagement.

In its review, the IMF highlighted substantial improvements in the CBCS’ communication practices, including more frequent publications, multilingual outreach, expanded use of digital channels, and clearer reporting on core functions.

Stakeholders surveyed by the IMF also acknowledged notable progress, giving the CBCS favorable ratings for overall transparency and accessibility of information. The IMF further commended the CBCS for its highly transparent monetary policy framework, including clear disclosure of objectives, instruments, and the rationale for the currency peg.

The review also praised the CBCS’ publication of comprehensive analyses such as the Financial Stability Report, its well-defined approach to reserve management, and its consistent communication of supervisory policies, consumer protection measures, and AML/CFT guidelines.

The CBCS reviewed all recommendations and has already identified concrete actions to further enhance transparency. All actions arising from the CBT Review have been integrated into the CBCS’ Strategic Plan 2026–2028, ensuring sustained commitment in the coming years.

“This exercise reflects our firm belief that transparency is essential to maintaining trust and ensuring that the public keeps us accountable,” stated CBCS President Richard Doornbosch. “We welcome the IMF’s constructive guidance and will continue to build on the progress already made.”

The CBCS thanks the IMF Mission Team for their professional and effective guidance during the mission. The Board also extends its sincere appreciation to CBCS staff for their dedicated support throughout the review process, as well as to external stakeholders for their constructive engagement and willingness to collaborate.

The detailed Central Bank Transparency Code Review Report is available on our website: https://www.centralbank.cw/about-the-bank/governance-risk-and-compliance

SINT MAARTEN (COMMENTARY - By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert) - The Caribbean will make Renewal certain, and Renewal will be the new status symbol. The Caribbean sets a new global standard of restorative luxury. Luxury that gives you your life back.

The Caribbean concept where science, ritual, and climate restore what the world has taken. Those may become the headlines in the media and tourism promotion. But there must be substance behind those appealing catchlines. That is where thinking and action begins. Yet, only a handful of places in the region can carry that weight.

The first step would be choosing the first pilot location, the place that becomes the prototype for the entire region. The prototype of Caribbean Renewal needs to be more than just beautiful. It must be medically credible, culturally resonant, logistically feasible, and symbolically powerful enough. This prototype sets the standard for the entire region. It creates a repeatable model for other islands in the region with their own strengths. It gives the Caribbean a new brand and a global wellness category that no other region can replicate.

The strategic value for the Caribbean island is that the new Renewal concept becomes a new tourism classification. It positions itself not as a place to escape to, but a place to heal in, and healing is not an appointment. Maybe a whole island will be able to implement the concept, but rather just a district that can be a renewal ecosystem rather than a facility. It can be GDP multiplier for small islands.

Many, maybe most people living in the Caribbean may have never heard of the two words ‘Bohío’ and ‘Cohoba’. Bohío and Cohoba sit at the heart of Taíno civilization. The Taíno were an Indigenous Arawakan people who inhabited much of the Caribbean prior to European arrival.

The unique Caribbean model shall be a Renewal ecosystem grounded in indigenous wisdom and modern science. A Renewal concept inspired by Taíno and Arawak philosophy that will not imitate a spa concept as found in many settings; it would embody a place‑based, culturally rooted system of renewal. Afro‑Caribbean herbal knowledge can be integrated into treatments. Positioned as where Caribbean healing meets centuries of tradition. The concept will create a bridge between ancestral knowledge and evidence‑based wellness, strengthening cultural authenticity. Authenticity, the appealing word used in many tourism promotions.

The next step is to determine which Taíno practices can fit the concept while respecting their culture. These practices represent a place-based wellness philosophy rooted in nature, ritual, community, and the Caribbean environment. Taíno healing followed a holistic worldview that linked physical, emotional, and spiritual health, focusing on harmony with nature, communal support, and rituals. Health was seen as balancing self and environment, a principle similar to modern integrative medicine.

Bohío and Cohoba represent two complementary sides of Taíno life - the Bohío as a symbol of rootedness and belonging, the Cohoba as a symbol of insight, transformation, and ancestral memory. They can be reinterpreted for modern Caribbean identity, one grounded the Taíno in the physical world; the other connected them to the visionary. Cultural and authenticity elevation makes these views especially potent when shaping a narrative or brand language, these two elements can become powerful pillars.

Most tourism destinations in the Caribbean sit on the same traditional continuum of engineered environments for human vacation pleasure. A long history of healing tourism dating back to a thousand years ago. This gives a heritage‑based wellness identity that feels authentic, not manufactured. The new Renewal tourism concept differentiates the region or chosen island from spa‑style individualism and roots it in Caribbean cultural continuity.

This may be the opportunity for the Caribbean to step into its role as the world’s capital of human renewal as the rarest, most valuable experience - yet offered with the confidence of a region that really doesn’t need to shout. A distinctive Renewal model that blends medical credibility and ancestral, nature‑rooted healing into rarefied power that is a public luxury.

By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - FREEGAN Foundation is inviting families from across the island to come together for an evening of connection, fun, and community support at its upcoming Family Fair, taking place on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at FREEGAN Headquarters.

The Family Fair is a key activity of the FREEGAN Support Coaching project, part of the Samen Families Versterken program supported by Oranje Fonds and Kinderpostzegels, through which FREEGAN works to tackle poverty-related challenges on Sint Maarten by making practical resources and support accessible to the families that need them most.

The event is designed as a welcoming space where families can come together and enjoy a variety of free activities while learning about services and opportunities that can support their well-being.

The evening will feature free food and drinks, live cooking demonstrations, health checks, information stands, and engaging activities for children such as a bouncy castle, face painting, popcorn, and cotton candy.

Visitors can also enjoy movement and dancing workshops by Hillianthe Lynch, adding an energetic and joyful element to the program. And to top it all off, attendees can enter a raffle for a chance to win a smart TV.

"Our goal is to create a place and moment where families feel supported and connected," said the organizers. "This fair is about coming together, celebrating what makes our community strong, and making sure helpful resources are easy to reach, in a setting that's fun, not formal."

Visitors can look forward to interactive activities, a chance to meet local service providers, and plenty of moments to build meaningful connections with fellow community members. No registration needed: just show up.

FREEGAN hopes to see families, neighbors, and friends there for an evening that's as much about good company as it is about community support.

FREEGAN gratefully acknowledges the support of Republic Bank, which contributes both financially and through volunteer engagement to the FREEGAN Support Coaching program. The two organizations also plan to roll out financial literacy workshops together in the coming months; practical sessions aimed at improving financial know-how among FREEGAN families.

Community members and local businesses who wish to support FREEGAN's work can get in touch to explore opportunities for donations, volunteering, or partnerships. Every contribution helps expand the reach and impact of programs like this one.

Event Details: 

What: Family Fair 

When: Friday, March 27, 2026, | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM 

Where: FREEGAN Headquarters 

Cost: Free admission, with free food and drinks for all

For more information, community members can contact FREEGAN at +1 721 580 0198 or visit their social media pages.

About FREEGAN Foundation FREEGAN Foundation is a social organization based on Sint Maarten dedicated to strengthening families facing vulnerable circumstances. Through its Support Coach project, part of the Samen Families Versterken program led by Oranje Fonds and Kinderpostzegels, FREEGAN is one of fourteen social organizations across the Caribbean working together to support families in building resilience and accessing the resources they need.

SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY) - With bright Caribbean sunshine and near perfect breeze, dinghy sailors took to the waters of Simpson Bay Lagoon on Saturday, March 21, for the 2026 Hoedemaker Dinghy Regatta. The forecasted 13 to 17 knot southeasterly breeze allowed Race Officer Joris Zweers and his crew of volunteers to run four races before the noon cutoff time.  

Part of SMYC’s Grant Thornton Dinghy Season Championship, the competition was fun to watch in the ILCA, Optimist, Optimist Green, and RS Zest fleets. The start/finish line was set up near the Simpson Bay Causeway Bridge and racers had to navigate upwind and downwind through several anchored cruising sailboats. 

In a somewhat shifting wind, getting a good start was a key for finding success, as was picking your lanes on the upwind legs. Showing lots of progress in this fourth race of the series, the racers’ skills were on full display and the competition was tight. 

In the hotly contested ILCA Fleet, Merlin Guerrier took third place, Clement Le Normand grabbed second place, and taking the overall win was Massimo Lapierre.

The younger sailors in the Optimist Green Fleet delivered their own share of excitement. Louisa Vanden Eynde came in third place, Magnus Cross held on for second, and J'Amari de Groote took home the top prize in first place.   

In the Optimist Fleet, Axel took third place, Adam came in second place, and Nathan Sheppard stood atop the podium in first place. 

Six RS Zests came out for the regatta and it was Ekamjot Jabbal Singh and Luke Little in third place, Hunter Radican and Stefan Correa Sanchez in second place, and Achillle and Samuel taking first place.  

“Overall, the day went very well. It was beautiful out there with great conditions. I’m happy that we were able to get four races finished before noon,” said SMYC Race Officer and sailing coach Zoris Zweers. 

The 2026 Hoedemaker Dinghy Regatta was a success, and we look forward to more events in the future. Next up on the schedule is the Bus Dinghy Regatta on April 11, 2026. For more information and full results visit: https://smyc.com/dinghy-season-championship/