The Cabinet of the Governor of Sint Maarten

Speech Opening Parliamentary year 2024-2025

Madame Chairlady, Members of Parliament, Good Morning,

As stipulated in our constitution I stand before you in my capacity as Governor on this second Tuesday in September, to present you with an outline of the policy to be pursued by Government in the coming parliamentary year. 

Country St. Maarten is at a critical turning point in its development, from the devastating hurricanes of 2017 to the COVID-19 pandemic and the current utility crisis.
St. Maarten continues to contend with recovery efforts and sustainable development. Sustainable development requires an environment that is enabling. An environment that is conducive, with equity and equality for the greater good. However, achieving such requires a foundation built on good governance.

Good governance embodies an effective and efficient government. This embodiment is dependent on adequate coordination, collaboration and cooperation between ministries and between ministries and the council of ministers. Considering that this is a complex relationship, governed by procedures for collaboration to facilitate the management and communication of the entire public administration. As such, effective inter-ministerial coordination and cooperation is seen as key in governing as a collapse of internal governance structures, results in maladministration.

Currently Government’s administration, whether in policy formation or operations, is compartmentalized or siloed, which limits the level of coordination and cooperation needed for strategic planning and decision-making. This should not be the case, especially as government struggles with the lack of capacity and resources as well as the ongoing developmental challenges.

The baseline study of the public administration identifies conformity as the main issue, as the procedures, rules and regulations are in place. Conformity issues are related to the fact that, an integrated public administration working to implement unity of government policy, is largely absent. Roles, responsibilities and moreover accountability needs to be in-balance in order for any organization to achieve its objectives and purpose.

Currently the “work focus” and use of resources is to maintain recurrent operational tasks. There is an inability to manage programmatically, thereby leading to inefficiencies and ineffectiveness, distorted decision-making and strategic management. The current case of public governance needs to re-align with its original institutional design and procedures of Country St. Maarten. Moreover, there is a need to finalize the institutional design of Country St. Maarten.

Off the heels of the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of St. Maarten has deployed the National Development Vision of St. Maarten (NDV). The NDV is a first step in the direction of strategic planning and long-term sustainable development.
The Baseline Study of St. Maarten’s development from a government perspective has revealed that St. Maarten is still transitioning in building government infrastructure and an enabling environment to operate autonomously as a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The transition process essentially requires St. Maarten to build a whole government infrastructure (including the effective exercise of a new government system) from scratch whilst at the same time maintaining public services. Despite a great deal of local planning undertaken to effect the transition by 2012, momentum and efforts have faltered.

From 2010 to date St. Maarten has had several changes in government. Changes in the Executive Branch brings along a varying manner in the handling of the public administration. This in particular as it pertains to top-down management of the ministries. As such, operational and strategic governance is in particular impacted, as every government tends to “govern” in a different manner. Albeit the case, this should not continue to negatively affect the functioning of government, as the framework of the public administration serves as the operational anchor for the public administration and good governance.

Taking the aforementioned into consideration, it is imperative that the institutional design of Country St. Maarten is completed and fully enacted, anchored adequately to ensure not only continuity but moreover ensure strategic and operational governance. Change in the Executive Branch should not equate to the complete and continuous disruption of the public administration, as processes, rules and regulations remain in place. 

To effectuate such, currently under development are a series of instruments and initiatives that will support a whole-of-government approach to high-level management. The objective of this approach is to streamline efforts and resources, anchor high-level management, enhance integration of efforts and establish a knowledge-based public service.

These four instruments and initiatives are:
1. Strengthening strategic and operational performance through management platforms (the SG and the Policy Platform);

These 2 platforms form an integral part of coordination and collaboration within the public administration with as objective safeguarding the uniformity, inter-ministerial coordination and cooperation to ensure integration and unity.
This requires political maturity. Political maturity to complete the institutional design of country St. Maarten and implement accountability and transparency. But moreover, political maturity to understand the role of Government in governing for the future, the long term future.  

2. Enhancing Donor Relations through (a Funding Desk, the Special Envoy and the Hub);

St. Maarten is eligible for a range of funding. However, accessibility to funding is not the challenge. The challenge lies more in the areas of governance, project- development (writing) and management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Exacerbating the aforementioned, is the lack of adequate financial management and having annual audited accounts to secure donor funding.

Therefore, to support the communities of St. Maarten in the area of donor relations a Funding Desk is being developed that will provide not only insight into funding streams and requirements, but also support varying aspects surrounding requests for funding, such as providing trainings and review of aspects related to governance.

Government has also decided to make use of the “Special Envoy”. The “Special Envoy” will serve as a direct partner in the identifying, lobbying and securing donor funding for St. Maarten.

In addition to the aforementioned is the pilot project, funded through the RESEMBID program and implemented by Expertise France better known as “The Hub”. The Hub is a facility that will support the Oversees Countries and Territories (OCTs) in pursuing development financing. This is a shared space where the OCTs can connect, strategize, share and collaborate on development issues, strategies and activities in priority areas. The Hub will also support the OCTs on technical level with donor envelopes, not only by identifying relevant envelopes, but also in supporting the application process, program and project management of projects under the guidance of the respective OCT. Furthermore, the Hub will act as an information and knowledge base facility for OCTs.

3. Mainstreaming National Development (CRP, SDGs, SIDS, other development agenda’s);

In 2022 the government of St. Maarten concluded and launched the National Development Vision. The National Development Vision is a high-level shared vision that highlights the vision statement of St. Maarten along with the respective development themes and goals to 2030 and beyond.
Government continues to ensure alignment with the visionary goals. Alignment of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Small Island Developing States programs, Ministry Plans, Governing Programs and the Country Reform Package.

4. Underpinning Disaster Risk Management (ODM, EWS, Climate Change).

A critical characteristic of St. Maarten is its geographical position on the hurricane belt, compounded by the effects of Climate Change.
Government continues to deploy measures to support these challenges. This is done by reinforcing disaster risk management through the development of an Office of Disaster Management. Funded through the EU RESEMBID program, implemented by Expertise France, the project Office of Disaster Management is well under way. With the inception phase finalized, the next steps are workshops to determine, tasks, roles and responsibilities along with lines of communication. A critical aspect of the project Office of Disaster Management includes the linking of climate change to disaster risk management. This is a critical component of the project as having mitigation and prevention efforts in place, will limit the effects of disasters and moreover incorporate climate change in decision-making processes, resulting in minimized impact.

In addition, and also funded by the RESEMBID program is the Early Warning Systems project. This project is of great significance for St. Maarten as it will create a framework for early warning. This framework will include the required processes, standardized messaging in varying languages as well as identify the most suitable technologies for early warning for St. Maarten.

Government has also acquired technical assistance for a “National Climate Change Report on Sint Maarten”. This project aims to develop a Climate Change Report for Sint Maarten, and to lay the groundwork for the development of a National Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

As it pertains to Finance, government aims to design a macroeconomic framework to achieve and maintain long-term financial stability.
This entails establishing strong and healthy financial management and oversight, ensuring government control. Government is in the process of restructuring and redesigning the tax system. The goal is a robust tax system with a broad base, contributing to a fair distribution of income, stimulating the economy, ensuring feasibility and controllability by the tax authorities, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the tax collection process and simplifying the tax system.
These initiatives aim to improve government budgeting, strengthen fiscal policy, support new enterprise establishment, enhance existing business productivity, and contribute to national welfare and prosperity.

Madame Chairlady, Members of Parliament,
Presently the focus for government, as it pertains to public health is on better understanding the impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and healthy lifestyle choices.
Government is currently carrying out the PAHO/WHO NCD STEPS Survey. This is a national population survey to assess the prevalence of NCDs and their biological and behavioral risk factors.
This acquired information is important to help prioritize and develop relevant prevention programs such as health promotion campaigns; population screening programs; guidelines for early detection and management of diseases at the primary care level, including lifestyle counseling; and guidelines for the management and follow-up of people with NCDs by specialized healthcare services.
Given the issues surrounding mental health, government has continued to prioritize the appropriate steps  needed to execute the necessary improvements to support the mental health sector in Sint Maarten. These steps include but are not limited to the development and improvement of legislation, the development of an updated National Mental Health plan, the development and implementation of a mental health project via the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), and securing the realization of a new mental health facility.
The four countries in the Kingdom have established structured 4-country consultation meetings to strengthen collaboration on social and labor aspects. A vision document is currently being prepared to be approved by all four countries in a consultation meeting scheduled for October.
A pilot project was carried out by a joint taskforce between the Ministries of VSA, Justice and TEATT, to regulate illegal employment of foreign workers and the report for this was recently compiled and will be analyzed to further determine if these attempts were beneficial before moving towards formal changes in regulations.
For the remainder of 2024 and into 2025, government continues to work on the following policies and legislations in the area of Health Reform, Social Reform and Labor Reform, General Healthcare Insurance, an unemployment fund and poverty alleviation, especially amongst the elderly and an additional amendment to Book 7, Title 10 of the Civil Code, regulating labour agreements. 

Government is working to establish a sustainable solid waste management system across the island, with the ultimate goal of creating a Waste Authority responsible for all waste management activities, including setting tariffs and fees.
A budget proposal for 2025-2027 is being developed, along with a scenario analysis model to determine the Waste Authority's revenue needs beyond 2028. Plans are also underway to procure waste collection services from 2026 onwards, with a focus on improving waste collection and preventing illegal dumping.
Government is drafting A comprehensive, long-term strategy in the form of a National Housing Policy. The Housing Policy will not only address the immediate need for more housing units but will also consider the quality and sustainability of these homes. It will ensure that our social housing projects are built to withstand the challenges of our unique environment and provide a safe and healthy living environment for the residents of St. Maarten.

Madame Chairlady, Members of Parliament,
The UNOPS prison project
The new prison project consists of two phases: Phase 1, with a duration of 20 months, started in the second quarter of 2023 and focuses on the design and procurement of a sustainable and effective prison that meets international human rights standards and promotes the reintegration of convicts into society. This phase, amounting to approximately USD 4 million, is fully funded by the Netherlands.
The design is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2024 whereafter the tender for the construction of the new prison will be published in January 2025.
Phase 2 of the project includes the construction of a sustainable and effective prison that ensures adequate, safe and a humane detention. Currently, the total cost of construction of the new prison has been estimated at USD 51.678 million (Source: UNOPS).
For phase 2, an amount of USD 29.53 million (ANG 43.2 million) has been reserved in the capital expenditure budget of Sint Maarten for 2024 and a multi-year amount of ANG 10 million for 2025. The Netherlands has made an amount of EUR 20 million available for phase 1 and 2 of the project. The new prison will be completed in 2028.

As a result of the increase in incidents involving firearms in the past few months the police force is currently working on a crime image analysis for St. Maarten. This crime image analysis is also being produced at a regional level in cooperation with all countries within the Kingdom. These analyses are used for the strategic choices regarding the approach to crime and organized crime.
The Emergency Recovery Program 1 (ERP1) has repaired 19 hurricane-damaged schools. School gym and sport facility repairs are pending, while the Raoul Illidge Sport Complex has had its artificial turf replaced, and the athletics track replacement is underway through government-funded investments.
The Fostering Resilient Learning Project, with approximately $26.8 million USD from the Trust Fund, continues preparations to rebuild two inclusive schools, restore library services, and develop the Ministry's Management Information System. Demolition of the Sister Marie Laurence School and the Charles Leopold Bell School is scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. These schools are anticipated to open in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Ongoing policy developments in the Education Sector include:
Special Needs Education Roadmap;
Foundation Based Education (FBE) evaluation;
Assessment of Educational Infrastructure;
Language Policy;
Literacy and numeracy strategy assessment;
Framework for Higher Education Accreditation; and
Roadmap for Higher Education Ordinance Implementation.
Efforts continue to develop policies for tangible and intangible cultural heritage, aiming for a UNESCO-‘reporting point’ and co-ratification of the Underwater Heritage Treaty.
The Business Outreach & Placement Program (BOPP) provides youth with labour market skills. This year’s program recently ended with no less than 117 participants and a record number of employers from the private sector.

This brings me to: The State of the Economy
Sint Maarten has shown a robust post-pandemic recovery, driven by stayover tourism and construction. GDP growth is forecasted at 4.3 percent for 2024, showcasing levels back to normalcy. This growth has been bolstered by accelerated reconstruction activities, supported by significant disbursements from the Trust Fund, new construction via private investments and by an increase in stayover tourism.
Inflation in Sint Maarten is projected to increase slightly, primarily influenced by global trends, particularly from our main trade partner, the United States.
The Unemployment Rate is forecasted at 5.4% in 2024. This is down from 7.6% in 2021.
Stay over Arrivals are anticipated in 2024 to be 400,000 approximately a 10-15% increase of arrivals in comparison to 2023 and drawing us closer to our figures pre Irma and Maria.
In 2024 we expect 1.4 million cruise passengers.
Cruise Arrivals have taken a few years to recover and by extension increase in passenger arrivals. However, we do anticipate further growth this year and by extension in 2025 especially after the FCCA conference that is planned to take place here in October 2024.
Efforts of getting the Marketplace Re-construction completed is also imperative for the industry alongside beautification and revitalization of Philipsburg to ensure economic activity remains and passenger experience is enhanced to build loyalty.
With the aim of Improvement of the Economic and Investment Climate, projects are about to start in particular to address the legislative concerns to ensure that doing business in St. Maarten can be made easier.

Legislative work is near completion and thus making it one step closer to the Gaming Authority which will assist with the required regulations for safe and responsible gaming while addressing social issues.

In the area of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries: Government is ensuring to stimulate the sector in various ways namely:
? Green Overseas Program;
? Train the Trainer Hydroponics in School & Communities;
? Establishing industry standards & requirements;
? Working alongside neighboring islands to ensure Food Security which includes the French Side and islands such as Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and the Dominican Republic; and
? Securing education programs and Funding for business opportunities in the sector.

Government is planning a Review of the current structure and processes in regards to, public transportation and defining a way forward for the industry noting the challenges, cost and taking into account, innovative ways to enhance the experience of residents and visitors alike.

Data gathering & Research Analysis is planned to update the existing National Energy Policy, given the various challenges and commitments, not only of the Country, but that also of our Utility Company for synergy and sustainability purposes.

Government is also determined to establish the St. Maarten Tourism Authority.

Government is committed, as always to monitoring economic trends and employment indicators allowing for adaptation of strategies and policies effectively, ensuring sustained economic growth and prosperity for Sint Maarten.
Madame Chairlady, Members of Parliament,
I started off today by stating that Country St. Maarten is at a critical turning point in its development.
That it is imperative that the institutional design of Country St. Maarten is completed and fully enacted, anchored adequately to ensure not only continuity but moreover ensure strategic and operational governance.
And that this requires political maturity.
Our key socio-economic and financial indicators are looking promising. But, attaining and maintaining sustainable economic growth that leads to prosperity for St. Maarten requires, as previously stated, political maturity to understand the role of government in governing for the long term future.

Madame Chairlady, Members of Parliament,

Your role in this aspect is paramount!

Country St. Maarten is at a critical turning point in its development.

Madame Chairlady, Members of Parliament,
In this new parliamentary year, Government will once again present you with various legislative initiatives towards the execution of its plans and realization of its objectives. As representatives of the people of Sint Maarten, Government looks forward to fruitful, efficient and effective dialogue as well as your committed participation this with the aim of garnering your support to serve the public interest on behalf of the people of Sint Maarten.

Madame Chairlady, Members of Parliament,
I wish you much success this new Parliamentary year and I pray for your wisdom and discernment.
Thank you, God bless you and yours and God bless our great nation Sint Maarten.