{"id":855,"date":"2025-06-24T11:33:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T11:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/?page_id=855"},"modified":"2025-06-24T11:39:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T11:39:25","slug":"sint-maarten-charts-its-own-course","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chile.panorama.uk.com\/es\/sint-maarten-charts-its-own-course\/","title":{"rendered":"Sint Maarten charts its own course"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sint Maarten charts its own course<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \t
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Sint Maarten has made an extraordinary recovery since the 2017 hurricane, but there is lots more to do and lots of potential<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \t
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With its dazzling turquoise waters, green hills and a culture shaped by centuries of French and Dutch heritage, Sint Maarten is both an island paradise and a nation in transformation. Sint Maarten\u2019s prime minister, Luc F.E. Mercelina, has no shortage of plans, ambitions and visions for his country\u2019s future. The knowledge gained from past challenges inform much of his decision making and his call to professionals and investors to join in building a stronger, more resilient Sint Maarten is rooted in the country\u2019s reputation for tolerance, economic freedom and a way of living which combines both island life and the feel of a large city.<\/p>\n

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\u201cSint Maarten is a very attractive place at this particular moment,\u201d he begins. \u201cWe have 120 different nationalities living peacefully with each other. We have an incredible landscape that on a small square combines green hills, white beaches and sun. That\u2019s the best combination ever and the way God created Sint Maarten, it\u2019s so attractive and beautiful.\u201d The prime minister shares his vision for the country\u2019s future, the lessons learned from past challenges and his call to professionals and investors to join in building a stronger, more resilient Sint Maarten.<\/p>\n

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The island is one of the world\u2019s few territories in which a single island is shared with another country \u2014 France. Mercelina offers a historical overview of the island\u2019s unique political geography: \u201cSint Maarten is divided into two countries: the Dutch side in the south and the French side in the north,\u201d he explains. \u201cWe used to be part of the Netherlands Antilles, which included six islands. Over time, we moved towards more autonomy and on October 10th, 2010 \u2014 known as 10-10-10 \u2014 we became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.\u201d<\/p>\n

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That transformation required building critical infrastructure and institutions. \u201cTo function as a country, you need seven pillars: reliable utilities, telecommunication, a harbor, an airport, healthcare, security and education and social services. We weren\u2019t strong on these when we became a country, but I\u2019ve made it my mission to strengthen these foundations.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A major turning point for Sint Maarten came in 2017 with Hurricane Irma\u2019s devastation. The prime minister candidly discusses the country\u2019s recovery process. \u201cWhen I took office, we had an unstable supply of electricity. The entire country was experiencing rolling blackouts. I had to act quickly to stabilize the grid and we\u2019ve made great progress,\u201d he says. \u201cWe\u2019re also investing in renewable energy. Solar panels will cover about 25-30 percent of our energy needs in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Reform and rebuild<\/b><\/p>\n

Reconstruction hasn\u2019t stopped with utilities. Major community investments are underway. \u201cWe\u2019re building a new national library, a cultural complex to honor our heritage and a new general hospital. The airport, which reopened in November 2024, is now one of the most advanced in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.\u201d He adds: \u201cThese are dreams I have because I\u2019m very sensitive to nation-building. I want a university, a development bank and an education system that meets the demands of our labor market.\u201d<\/p>\n

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While progress has been made, challenges persist, particularly in human resources. \u201cAfter Hurricane Irma, we received a \u20ac550 million [$623.4 million] grant from the Netherlands, managed through the World Bank. But after seven years, \u20ac200 million [$226.7 million] remains unspent,\u201d he admits. \u201cWe lack professionals to implement the projects. This is a serious problem we continue to face.\u201d The prime minister called on the international community to assist. \u201cWe need professionals in every sector. If you\u2019re in healthcare, construction, or education, come and help us build this country.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The government is actively encouraging investment, especially in real estate and tourism. \u201cSint Maarten has a very attractive tax system and stunning real estate options. Because of our hilly landscape, properties offer magnificent views,\u201d he said. \u201cWe welcome those focused on tourism or enhancing the visitor experience.\u201d High-net-worth individuals are especially welcome. \u201cProfessionals can come and invest in their profession here. If you want to contribute to tourism or improve the quality of life on the island, you are welcome,\u201d he emphasizes.<\/p>\n

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The topic of currency reform is also on the government\u2019s agenda. In March, Sint Maarten and Cura\u00e7ao adopted the Caribbean guilder, a new shared currency that has considerably more advanced security features than the previous Netherlands Antillean guilder. Mercelina has a different vision, however: \u201cTo be honest, my dream is to dollarize our economy. If smaller islands like Saba, Sint Eustatius and Bonaire can survive on the U.S. dollar, why can\u2019t we? We have a stronger economy,\u201d he said, noting the stability and ease dollarization could bring.<\/p>\n

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Between 60 and 70 percent of Sint Maarten\u2019s tourism traffic is from the U.S. and Canada, the dollar is widely recognized and accepted anyway. In 2023, U.S. exports to Sint Maarten were valued at $847 million, while U.S. imports from Sint Maarten totaled $90 million. The United States Consulate General in Cura\u00e7ao manages the day-to-day relations with the Dutch Caribbean including Sint Maarten. Environmental sustainability is another key area of focus. \u201cIn everything we do, we emphasize resiliency. Hurricane Irma taught us the destructive power of climate change,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are not industrial polluters, yet we pay the price. I want the world to recognize that small island developing states like ours deserve more support.\u201d The country has made significant strides in rebuilding its energy infrastructure with resiliency in mind. \u201cWe\u2019ve installed new generators, an initial 10-megawatt unit, followed by a further 20 megawatts and we\u2019ve ordered another three9-megawatt units to make 27 in total. This will stabilize our grid.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Tourism remains the lifeblood of Sint Maarten\u2019s economy. Mercelina sees both opportunity and room for improvement. \u201cWe need to professionalize our hospitality sector to boost those numbers,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had high-end tourists in the past, but we became complacent. If we improve service and quality, the tourists will return.\u201d He emphasized the island\u2019s inclusive culture as a draw. \u201cNobody cares who you are or where you come from. Everyone\u2019s welcome. In our own Council of Ministers, there are three men and four women. That shows our balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

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As Sint Maarten looks to the future, Mercelina is clear on his priority: building a resilient, inclusive and dynamic nation. \u201cWe are not a rich country and we have financial limitations. But when I look back over the last seven years since Hurricane Irma, I\u2019m proud. With the odds stacked against us, we have achieved a great deal.\u201d He concludes with a call to the global community: \u201cWe want to do better and we can. But we need partners. Investors, professionals, dreamers, we invite you to come and help shape the future of Sint Maarten.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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