GEBE rolls out temporary payment policy, restarts disconnections July 20

The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) on St. Maarten has awarded a contract to Pinnacle Consultants, a locally based consulting firm, to develop the institutional and operational framework for a new Investment Promotion Agency (IPA). The IPA is intended to serve as a dedicated body to attract and facilitate foreign and domestic investment on the island. By contracting a St. Maarten-based firm, the ministry signals a commitment to leveraging local expertise in shaping the agency's structure. An IPA would give St. Maarten a formal mechanism to market investment opportunities, streamline processes for incoming investors, and compete more effectively with other Caribbean jurisdictions that already have such agencies in place. The move is seen as a significant step in the island's broader economic development strategy. Once the framework is complete, it is expected to guide the formal establishment and eventual launch of the agency.

The St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) recorded a surplus of Cg 11.8 million in 2025, signaling a strong financial performance for the island's primary healthcare facility. Total revenue climbed to Cg 138.9 million, reflecting growth in patient services and operational income. The figures represent a positive trajectory for the medical center, which serves as the main provider of hospital care for residents of St. Maarten. A surplus of this scale suggests the institution is operating above break-even, which could support future investment in equipment, staffing, or facility improvements. The results are significant for an island still navigating long-term recovery and infrastructure development following Hurricane Irma in 2017. Strong financials at SMMC are broadly seen as critical to maintaining quality healthcare access for the local population. No specific breakdown of revenue sources or spending plans was included in the initial report.

St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), located in Cay Hill, has recorded Cg. 10.1 million in losses due to unpaid patient bills in 2025, highlighting a serious financial strain on the island's primary healthcare facility. The mounting debt reflects ongoing challenges in healthcare cost recovery on St. Maarten, where patients — both insured and uninsured — leave bills unsettled. SMMC is the sole full-service hospital on the Dutch side of the island, making its financial stability critical to public health infrastructure. Uncollected revenue at this scale threatens the hospital's ability to maintain staffing, equipment, and quality of care for residents and visitors alike. The figure underscores broader systemic issues around health insurance coverage gaps and payment enforcement on the island. Hospital administrators and policymakers will likely face pressure to address the shortfall before it further impacts operations.