PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: LIFTING OF MORATORIUM ON BUSINESS & OPERATIONAL LICENSES ON SUPERMARKETS

The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, hereby informs the general public on the following decisions:

• The moratorium established as of the 18th February, 2014 on the issuance of business and operational license for supermarkets, including the amendments entitled “Supermarkets Moratorium” dated; 3rd July 2015 and 1st June 2017 has been lifted.

• The lifting of this moratorium goes into effect as of 1st March 2018.

This measure is considered necessary for the following reasons:
i. The fact that the government needs to facilitate the further development of the supermarket industry;

ii. The fact that the government needs to mitigate the impact of the current composition of the supermarket industry and the quality of its service on the economy of St. Maarten; especially post Hurricane Irma.

iii. The fact that the Government holds strongly that this sector is an economic driver to alleviate deficiencies post Hurricane Irma and to stimulate economic activity in terms of employment creation and price reduction for the country’s citizens due to increased competition.

 

 

 

MINISTER OF TOURISM, ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATION