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Sint Maarten to close Kim Sha Marketplace to make way for future construction

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SINT MAARTEN GOVT NEWS INFORMATION

#SintMaarten, July 5, 2019 — The Ministry of Tourism Economic Affairs Transport & Telecommunication TEATT and the Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure VROMI has decided to close the temporary vending outlets at the Kim Sha Beach Marketplace in preparation for the planned improvement project for that area.
Minister of TEATT, the honourable Stuart Johnson, told the Parliament of St. Maarten of his intention during the 2019/2020 Budget Debate last week. On Monday July 1, Johnson said the decision was not an easy one as it regards the livelihood of several individuals. He held discussions with the Vendors in both Simpson Bay and Philipsburg earlier this year and gave them an idea of what was planned. The TEATT and VROMI Ministry intends to build hurricane-resistant structures that were modern and attractive.


Both Ministers Johnson and VROMI Minister Miklos Giterson also explained that the intention was to work on finding an alternative location for vending during the time of the construction project for both Kim Sha Beach Parking Lot and Philipsburg vendors. The temporary location was created based on the need to accommodate cruise passengers since there was severe damage to Orient Beach and the Great Bay Beach, post Hurricane-Irma.
In a letter sent to the Vendors explaining the motivation for the decision not to extend the Vending Permits which expired at the end of June. Johnson said the original intention was to create a village of a variety of local food and beverage options to give our cruise and stayover visitors an authentic experience during the day and early evening hours. He noted that he had received several complaints regarding how some vendors managed their booths. Charges included loud noise, hygiene concerns and extended opening hours without prior authorization, which was a violation of their vending permits.

Kim Sha Beach, Sint Maarten


He said, “The intention was never for the marketplace to act as a late night hang out, especially considering the current issue of noise pollution in the Simpson Bay area and Government’s attempts to mitigate such pollution. It is for this reason that a ban was placed on (loud) music and a closing time of 10 pm was implemented for the Kim Sha market place.”

Once the new facilities are constructed, vendors will have to adhere to strict rules governing their operation. Johnson said the concern that some have over Inspectors and Police targeting specifically the Market Vendors was based largely on misinformation. “When it comes to noise pollution and the disruption of the otherwise pleasant experience of our visitors on whom we depend for economic activity, no business is exempt from controls,” said Johnson.
He said Inspectors conduct routine checks to see how much decibels of noise is produced by the various sound systems throughout Dutch St. Maarten. Police officers are also called regularly to different areas on the island where either residents or business owners are alleged to be causing a nuisance with their music. Johnson said the Control Officers from the Ministry of TEATT have a clear mandate on what they should look for, and that has always been in place.
Where it concerns the Police officers who may from time to time close businesses found to be violating the law, Johnson said: “the police are just doing their jobs.” 

“If the police get complaints about loud noise coming from these vendors after certain hours and find that the permits in their possession do not allow them to open at that hour, the decision is within the prevue of the Police and Justice Department to determine that the Vendor must close,” said Johnson.

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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Adam Stewart named CNW’s Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025

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Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, Adam Stewart, has been named Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025 by the regional news publication, Caribbean National Weekly (CNW).

The publication recognised Stewart for his leadership in hospitality, his ongoing investments in regional tourism, his steady crisis response and his philanthropic work throughout what it described as a year filled with both remarkable achievements and significant challenges.

CNW highlighted how 2025 saw industry recognition for Stewart, major announcements of multimillion‑dollar developments across his all‑inclusive luxury resort brands and an invitation to join the prestigious Wall Street Journal CEO Council.

But the publication said his impact extended well beyond business milestones.

“In 2025, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts didn’t just guide his iconic hospitality empire through crisis – he used its scale and influence to help shape Jamaica’s rebound and lay groundwork for future regional growth,” CNW wrote.

The defining moment, it said, came in late October when Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to parts of Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. Stewart responded by leading transparent communication with global travel advisors, partners and team members, and made a landmark pledge, that 100 per cent of Sandals and Beaches employees would remain on payroll and receive Christmas bonuses, even at resorts temporarily closed for extensive restoration and upgrades. The company also committed more than US$3 million in staff recovery aid, providing direct support to families affected by the storm.

CNW further highlighted the work of the Sandals Foundation under Stewart’s guidance, noting record levels of community engagement and targeted disaster‑recovery support in healthcare, livelihoods and the environment.

In response to the honour, Stewart said he was “deeply humbled” to receive the Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year recognition and expressed his gratitude to his teams and partners for their dedication during an extraordinary year.

“This award reflects far more than any one individual. It is a direct result of people showing up every day for their communities and believing business is a force for good. It belongs to the extraordinary teams who carry our shared vision forward – especially the Sandals Foundation, whose work continues to create lasting change across education, health care, disaster relief and environmental stewardship,” Stewart stated.

“To every colleague and partner who helps bring this mission to life – thank you for your commitment, heart and belief.”

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