The Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and his Chief of Staff Stuart Johnson met with the Temporary Work Organization (TWO) on Monday to receive an update on the progress of the Country
Package measures. The meeting, held at the TWO office, was also attended by Ms. Angelique Gumbs, Acting Secretary General and Head of BAK, along with support staff.
During the session, the Prime Minister was presented with a comprehensive overview of
the ongoing collaboration between Sint Maarten and TWO, which is structured under a
Mutual Agreement set to expire in April 2027. The presentation detailed key financial
commitments made from 2021 to August 2024 across various sectors, including
financial management, public sector efficiency, taxation, economic development,
healthcare, education, and justice reforms.
PM Dr. Mercelina emphasized the significance of these measures, stating, “The Country
Package is not just about reforms—it is about securing a more resilient, efficient, and
future-ready Sint Maarten. We must ensure that every measure translates into tangible
improvements in the lives of our people.”
Several crucial projects were discussed, including the General Health Insurance,
General Health Registrar, Tax Legislation, and critical reforms in education, justice, and
economic development. The Prime Minister underscored the necessity of thorough
research before implementing reforms, a step that has been diligently pursued through
the development of Plans of Approach funded by TWO. With research findings now
available, the initiatives are shifting from planning to execution.
“Moving from research to implementation is a pivotal moment,” PM Dr. Mercelina noted.
“However, we must be mindful that successful implementation requires robust
government capacity. If we do not address our structural limitations, we risk stalling our
progress. Strengthening institutional capacity must be a top priority.”
The discussion also touched on the sustainability of these reforms beyond 2027 and the
evolving role of TWO in Sint Maarten’s development. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his
commitment to ensuring that reforms are not just initiated but successfully
institutionalized for long-term impact.
“We are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more efficient government,” PM Dr.
Mercelina concluded. “This is a defining moment for Sint Maarten, and we must seize
this opportunity to build a future that is fiscally responsible, socially inclusive, and
economically sustainable.”
Further discussions will continue to assess the progress of the Country Package
measures and evaluate the strategic direction of the collaboration between the
Government of Sint Maarten and TWO beyond 2027.