PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Luc Mercelina and Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs cosigned a letter of intent, the Gustavia Appeal, in support of regional cooperation in waste during the Zero Waste Conference. Spearheaded by SYVADE, the Regional Waste Management and Recovery Center in Guadeloupe, to address waste at the regional level. 

Co-signing the Gustavia Appeal were Mr. Xavier Ledee, President of Saint-Barthelemy; Mr. Louis Mussington, President of Saint-Martin; Mr. Kyle Hodge, Minister for Economic Development and Natural Resources of Anguilla;  Jean-Philippe Courtois, First Vice-President of the Departmental Council of Guadeloupe; Mr. Bruce Zagers, Commissioner of Saba; and Mr. Domique Biras, President of SYVADE. The Sint Maarten delegation included Mr. Stuart Johnson, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister; Mr. Claret Connor, Director of the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), and Mr. Ronald Halman, Representative of Sint Maarten on the Trust Fund Steering Committee.

In the Letter of Intent, Governments recognized the shared challenges of managing waste and the need to collectively find solutions. As part of its mission, SYVADE supports cooperation across municipalities and agencies in Guadeloupe and has been working to expand this collaboration throughout the Caribbean. This initiative towards a regional approach to waste is supported by the European Union and aims to assist Caribbean islands with waste solutions through knowledge exchange, advanced technology, and innovative financing. 

The Ministry of VROMI is in the final stages of designing the solution for the landfill under the Emergency Debris Management Project (EDMP). The project, administered by the World Bank, through the trust fund, has earmarked over USD$50 million towards waste reforms. These reforms will consist of physically improving the landfill, enhancing existing waste regulations and financing, and introducing a more circular economy that makes use of the value of our collective waste; thereby minimizing the amount of garbage going to the landfill.

Minister Gumbs outlined his Ministry's definition of success for EDMP as the "improving of current disposal practices supported by a financially sound waste management system that focuses on creating a circular and safe economic environment. Gumbs concluded by stating "these efforts are geared towards the closure and rehabilitation (cleaning up) of the existing landfill site; cooperation with our subregional partners plays a critical part in achieving this success through joint solutions for waste treatment and management".

As focal point of the Trust Fund, Prime Minister Mercelina reiterated his commitment to supporting VROMI’s vision for waste reforms through regional cooperation. During the conference Prime Minister Mercelina met with regional colleagues to discuss economic opportunities through regional cooperation and how best to align national policies to facilitate such engagement. Prime Minister, who is charged with foreign relations, pledged his support to facilitate agreements that may be deemed necessary to support this initiative. "the Caribbean must no longer see waste as a burden, but as a resource and an opportunity,” stated Prime Minister Mercelina reflecting about the seminar. “We are here because regional cooperation is key to supporting our future; our environment demands more than words, it demands decisive, collective action.” Prime Minister concluded by issuing a call to regional leaders to be a catalyst for real change, underscoring Sint Maarten's readiness to find regional solutions to collective challenges.   

As Minister Gumbs continues to lead in the advancement of EDMP, what will be important is a comprehensive update to the Parliament of Sint Maarten in the coming months. The request for this meeting will be made once the long-term vision for waste management is finalized. Minister Gumbs stated that "for the first time ever both political will and financing have aligned and offered the opportunity to fix the landfill and by extension our ongoing waste challenges. The Government of Sint Maarten remains committed to addressing this in support of improving the overall well-being for both residents and visitors alike, as well as our future generations. 

SIMSPSON BAY:--- Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) proudly announces officially signing a long-term Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Concession Agreement with ExecuJet, a globally renowned leader in private aviation services. The signing ceremony took place today at the airport, marking a key milestone in PJIAE’s strategy to enhance its premium travel offerings and overall passenger experience.

Under this agreement, ExecuJet will manage and operate FBO services at PJIAE, bringing its signature excellence, international standards, and high-end customer service to the St. Maarten aviation community.

"This partnership represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to raise the standard of service and experience at Princess Juliana International Airport," said Michiel Parent, Commercial Director of PJIAE. "ExecuJet brings unparalleled professionalism, global experience, and a commitment to excellence that aligns perfectly with our vision for the future."

As CEO of Luxaviation/ExecuJet Group, I am deeply committed to delivering the highest standards of service and hospitality, in line with our proven concepts and global reputation,” said Patrick Hansen, CEO of Luxaviation/ExecuJet Group. “Our dedicated team in Sint Maarten exemplifies our passion for creating unique and memorable experiences for high-net-worth individuals traveling to the Caribbean. I look forward to working closely with Michael Cleaver and his team at PJIAE to ensure every guest enjoys a truly exceptional journey from arrival to departure.”

Gary Forster, Managing Director and experienced FBO developer at ExecuJet Caribbean, added: 

“We are delighted to extend our working relationship with PJIAE. After many years in the region, this location will become the key hub of the ExecuJet FBO network in the Caribbean as we develop our regional footprint. Our partnership with PJIAE marks a significant milestone in our expansion strategy, and we are excited to deliver world-class services to clients traveling through this vital gateway.”

Princess Juliana International Airport continues to position itself as a leading gateway for both commercial and private aviation in the region. This new concession agreement reinforces PJIAE’s commitment to innovation, growth, and world-class service.

Michael Cleaver, CEO of PJIAE, concluded the ceremony by saying, “This is more than just a business agreement, it’s a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. We are confident that ExecuJet will not only elevate our FBO services, but also contribute positively to the tourism and business landscape of St. Maarten. We look forward to what this new chapter brings.”

Symposium, Strategic Meetups, & Masterclasses for entrepreneurial leaders

PHILIPSBURG:---  Islandpreneur has entered a season of powerful momentum, marked by a series of impactful engagements that demonstrate its leadership at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and island-based growth.

Last week, Islandpreneur’s founder Ife Badejo moderated the inaugural Labor Symposium, facilitating a high-level dialogue on the evolving workforce. During the symposium, she also delivered a powerful workshop on the Future of Work and Education, engaging over 150 stakeholders in preparing for a rapidly changing digital economy. Capping off the week, Badejo guest lectured for a cohort of senior professionals at the Digital Business Strategy & Leadership course, equipping leaders with an ‘islandpreneurial’ mindset and tools to thrive in a tech-driven world.

This week, the momentum continues. On May 22, Islandpreneur will host its second Inner Circle Meetup at Morgan Resort. This is free for Inner Circle Members and $25 for non-members. This meetup is a curated space for visionaries and change-makers to connect and collaborate.

Immediately following, on May 28, is the “From Islander to Investor” masterclass, a strategic training designed to demystify the investment journey for entrepreneurs and professionals ready to build wealth intentionally. This masterclass will be facilitated by financial expert Emilio Kalmera. The goal is to show how to invest in such a way to gain financial freedom in the near future. This is not a get rich scheme but a proven wealth creation strategy.

These events are more than moments—they are part of a movement.

“May is a catalytic month for us,” said Badejo. “As we build toward our official launch of The Islandpreneur Experience 2025 in June, these activities are strengthening the ecosystem and laying the groundwork for a year of transformation.”

The Islandpreneur Experience 2025 will be officially launched on June 27-28 at a special event in St. Maarten that includes the launch of Islandpreneur’s international events, a business matching event with islandpreneurs from other islands, and a showcase of the Inner Circle community. With additional initiatives like AI LAB, the Smart Guide Series, and regional and international events, Islandpreneur continues to bridge the gap between island dreams and global opportunities.

For more information to register, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or connect with us on Facebook at www.fb.com/iamislandpreneur.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Since the incident at Pointe Blanche Prison on May 14, the Ministry of Justice has worked around the clock to stabilize the situation and restore safety to the facility. Daily assessments, coordinated logistics, and collaboration with local and Kingdom partners remain central to our response.

Following the removal of debris from the initial cleaning, a second assessment was conducted by the Inspectorate of Public Health (VSA). This evaluation confirmed the need for specialized post-fire cleaning due to the lingering presence of soot, smoke residue, and potentially hazardous particles. A certified local company has been contracted to carry out the work. To allow for a more efficient and thorough cleaning process, inmates near the affected wing will be temporarily relocated to other safe and enclosed areas within the facility. The group currently held at the Foreign Detention Center (FDC) will remain there. Discussions are also underway with Kingdom partners regarding the potential relocation of female inmates to free up additional space for the males.

While the current situation is not ideal, the Ministry remains fully engaged in managing the situation responsibly. It is firmly committed to the safety, health, and well-being of staff and inmates. All decisions are being made with these priorities in mind.

The Minister has been briefed on the Prison Director’s decision to temporarily suspend inmate rights and privileges for 72 hours. In the interest of maintaining safety and operational stability, the minister has extended it for an additional 72 hours, effective May 19. At the same time, the Ministry is exploring options to reestablish communication between inmates and their families through in-person visits, video calls, or other means. Proposals such as a designated Family Day with limited recreational activities are being considered, with further assessments ongoing.

Inmates with injuries sustained during the incident are monitored and treated twice daily by on-site medical staff. One inmate was briefly transported to the emergency room but was promptly returned, as the treatment provided at SMMC aligned with the care already being administered within the facility. The Ministry has contingency plans in place to manage potential delays and remains focused on restoring stability while ensuring clear communication with inmates, their families, and the court system. While there is no confirmed timeline for full restoration of the affected wing, the priority remains transparency, safety, and a return to normalcy. Timely updates will continue as recovery efforts progress.