Ministry · Budget 2027
DraftBefore ParliamentTEATTToerisme, Economische Zaken, Verkeer en Telecommunicatie (TEZVT)
TEATT uses its 2027 money to market Sint Maarten as a destination, to grow the economy beyond tourism (farming, small businesses, investment) and to enforce rules on prices, passenger transport, aviation and shipping. It also runs the weather service, civil aviation and shipping oversight, business licensing and the national statistics office. About a third of its spending (Cg 14.8 million) is covered by outside TWO/Trust Fund financing, which the ministry says mainly concerns Country Package projects.
Mrs. Grisha S. Heyliger-Marten
Deputy PM · Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecom
Day-to-day spending
By type of cost, million Cg
| Type of cost | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Other operating costs | Cg 20.0M | Cg 20.7M |
| Personnel costs | Cg 19.3M | Cg 20.2M |
| Subsidies & transfers | Cg 1.4M | Cg 2.4M |
| Accommodation & transport | Cg 0.4M | Cg 0.5M |
| Total | Cg 41.2M | Cg 43.9M |
Rows may not add up to the total exactly because each is rounded.
Plans
The mission, as the budget describes it
To formulate policy that efficiently and professionally stimulates and facilitates sustainable economic development in Sint Maarten, and to provide analytical, objective and fully reliable information.
Grow the economy beyond tourism by developing sectors such as agriculture, the creative industries and ICT, strengthening micro, small and medium-sized businesses, and attracting investment. Plans include a new Agency for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (ALF) and an Investment and Innovation Promotion Agency. Linked to Country Package measure E6 (economic diversification) and Pillar 1 of the Coalition Programme 2024-2028.
Protect vulnerable consumers against rising prices by strengthening and modernising the Maximum Price System, the legal price caps on critical goods and services such as food and fuel, using digital tools, stronger enforcement and regular market research. The ministry also says it has identified the need to support the Ministry of Finance on tax reform to lower some direct and indirect taxes. Linked to Country Package measure E6 and market-regulation measures. The Dutch title is 'Economische noodhulp' (economic emergency relief).
This objective covers enforcement and supervision, to protect consumers and ensure fair trade and compliance with national and international standards. The Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) and the Department of Civil Aviation, Shipping and Maritime Affairs (L&S) will digitise enforcement, pursue legal reforms, coordinate better with judicial authorities and be more present in the field across economic affairs, passenger transport, aviation and maritime affairs. Work on Fair Trade legislation (competition and consumer protection) is to start in 2027. Linked to Country Package measure H2 (Gaming Authority and stronger supervision).
Modernise the Statistics Department (STAT) and improve how data is shared between departments and with the public: national surveys such as the Household Budget Survey and the Labour Force Survey, a digital upgrade of the Statistics Bureau, better tourism, labour and price statistics, and in-house measurement of inflation (a localised consumer price index, CPI). Linked to Country Package measure A2 (strengthening STAT and data systems).
Modernise how tourism is managed and marketed and reduce seasonal swings by drawing more visitors in the quieter months (May-November). Plans: set up the St. Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) for industry-led tourism management, update the Tourism Master Plan (including air transport and carrying-capacity studies), expand marketing across several source markets, promote niche markets such as meetings and events (MICE), sports, cultural, heritage and film tourism, and improve the visitor experience through product development, beautification projects and better-organised events.
Build up the ministry's own capacity: strengthen regulators such as IETA and STAT, digitise business licensing and inspections, promote regulatory frameworks for sectors such as gaming (including drafting the law for a Sint Maarten Gaming Authority, SMGA), and invest in training, recruitment and knowledge management so the ministry relies less on outside consultants over time. Linked to Country Package measures A2 (STAT reform) and H2 (gaming supervision).
Programmes
Showing 12 of 41 programmes.
Agricultural research programme (E6)
Cg 300kA Farm-to-Fork pilot roadmap with at least five action areas approved in Q4 2027, and a digital knowledge-sharing platform for the agricultural sector with at least 80% of key stakeholders contributing within six months of launch.
Agri Loan
Cg 392kLow-interest microfinance through Qredits: at least 75 people trained to qualify for 2% microloans, and 3 agri-business academies with 25 candidates each (target dated Q4 2026).
Agri in schools
Cg 161kContinued subsidy support so 9 schools can run and expand hydroponic systems, and agriculture-in-schools initiatives completed at 13 schools (targets dated Q3 2026).
Investment and innovation promotion programme (E6)
Cg 400kResearch, business case and roadmap for the formal establishment of the IPA (the planned Investment and Innovation Promotion Agency) completed by Q4 2026-2027.
Small and medium-sized enterprises Empowerment and Support programme (E6)
Cg 1.1MFurther development of SEDC and new training tools, giving technical support and training to at least 50 small and medium-sized businesses by Q4 2026-2027.
SEDC subsidy
Cg 250kAn annual subsidy for SEDC's operating costs so its support services for at least 50 small businesses can continue (Q4 2026-2027).
Economic Monitoring and Forecasting capacity building
Cg 150kAt least one economic forecasting model in use and at least two employees trained, to improve national economic data (Q2 2026-2027).
Business processes Digitalisation Programme (E6)
Cg 350kDigitised, automated systems for CCCI (not spelled out in the source) and the Department of Economic Licences (DEL): a fully working digital licensing system by Q2 2027, cutting processing time by 50% in Q4 2027.
Policy and legislation review at DEL (E6)
Cg 900kA full review of the Department of Economic Licences' policy and legislation, with updates completed by Q4 2027.
Digitalisation and monitoring programme for maximum prices
Cg 91kAn online price database open to the public and inspectors, covering at least 80% of key goods and services (launch dated Q2 2026).
Price modelling and forecasting system
Cg 91kA dynamic, transparent mechanism for adjusting price ceilings, based on inflation, shipping costs and global price indices, publishing quarterly updates on all regulated items (dated Q1 2026).
Consumer awareness campaign
Cg 540kAt least four awareness campaigns to raise consumer awareness and reporting of price violations (dated Q4 2026). The table's description column instead refers to completing draft Competition and Consumer Protection legislation.
Since 2026
2026: Cg 500k2027: Cg 50k
Carnival funds are moved to subsidies, and parties that fall below performance standards are removed. The subsidy statement in the Dutch numbers book shows the Carnival subsidy at Cg 600,000 in both 2026 and 2027.
2026: Cg 02027: Cg 400k
Start-up money to set up infrastructure and expand support and services for farming, livestock and fisheries through the new ALF agency. The ministry says the amount will be reduced once the facilities are in place.
2026: Cg 40k2027: Cg 283k
More statistical research, plus standard expenditure. The table prints the change as +708%; the actual increase is about +608% (283 is 7.08 times 40). In the Dutch numbers book, ledger 438 for Statistics is 'statistics costs', budgeted at Cg 200,000 for 2026 and Cg 543,000 for 2027.
2026: Cg 261k2027: Cg 100k
The table says what the subsidy is for (supporting agricultural schools and training support staff) but not why it falls. The Dutch subsidy statement shows the same drop (Cg 261,211 to Cg 100,000). The 'Agri in schools' programme on the same account is budgeted at 161 (EN 130).
2026: Cg 990k2027: Cg 850k
Marketing presence in the American region is reduced. The explanation stops mid-sentence ('in order to') in both the English and the Dutch text, so the purpose is not stated.
2026: Cg 02027: Cg 120k
The table gives only the name 'SMART', which is not spelled out. Under its meetings, festivals and events programme (also 120, on account 8340-435) the ministry refers to supporting 'our own annual SMART'.
Capital budget
The items listed here add up to Cg 22.5M, less than this ministry's capital chapter total of Cg 22.6M: the chapter also holds amounts that are not itemised here.
The Dutch numbers book has the same amount (Cg 10,533,000, Meteorology). The project sheet gives Cg 10,690 thousand instead: a building on a 1,215 m2 plot near Princess Juliana International Airport for the Meteorological Department and the Civil Aviation Department, first estimated at Cg 9.5 million (2024), moved to 2027 for budget reasons and re-estimated for construction inflation. The documents do not reconcile 10,533 with 10,690.
Numbers book: Cg 5,109,783, booked to the Economy, Transport and Telecommunication department, while the memorandum codes it to IETA. The project sheet gives Cg 3,600 thousand, for core parts of the Philipsburg Beautification Masterplan (public spaces, branding, cultural programming, digital initiatives, public-private partnerships). The gap between 5,110 and 3,600 is not explained.
Numbers book: Cg 4,199,772, booked to the Economy, Transport and Telecommunication department, while the memorandum codes it to the Tourist Bureau. No project sheet explains what is being bought.
Matches the numbers book (Cg 1,200,000), which also lists the same amount for 2026.
Matches the numbers book (Cg 525,000, Meteorology). The memorandum plans a further 925 for fit-out and 582 for furniture and equipment for the new Met building in 2028.
Matches the numbers book (Cg 325,000).
Matches the numbers book (Cg 199,000). The same amount, 199, also appears as an operating programme under objectives 3 and 6 (digital enforcement and case-management platforms); the memorandum does not say whether these overlap.
Matches the numbers book (Cg 145,722), which lists the same amount for 2026.
This ministry's capital chapter, 2027
Cg 22,564,809
9.1% of the country's Cg 248,519,771 capital budget, to the guilder, as printed in the numbers book. Across all chapters the capital budget also covers loan repayments and study loans.
Targets
Visitor arrivals compared with 2024 (strategic marketing campaigns)
TargetAt least +17% by Q4 2027, with at least one new source market contributing to arrivals
Off-peak visitors in May and June compared with 2025 (meetings, festivals and events policy)
Target+12% (forecast)
Regional sports events attracted (sports tourism)
TargetAt least two, including basketball and padel, in Q4 2027
Film projects launched on the island
TargetAt least two by 2027
Small and medium-sized businesses given technical support and training
TargetAt least 50 by Q4 2026-2027
People trained to qualify for 2% agricultural microloans (Agri Loan, via Qredits)
TargetAt least 75, plus 3 agri-business academies with 25 candidates each, by Q4 2026 (deadline as printed in the 2027 budget)
Schools with agriculture projects (Agri in schools)
Target9 schools running and expanding hydroponic systems; initiatives completed at 13 schools, by Q3 2026 (deadline as printed)
Business-licence processing time
Target50% shorter: digital licensing system fully operational by Q2 2027 and -50% in Q4 2027 (objective 1); objective 6 gives the same -50% 'by the end of 2026'
Staffing
169 filledof 234 posts (establishment)
Matches Staat B, the personnel statement in the Dutch numbers book (NL 73): 169 current staff, 65 vacancies of which 13 are budgeted (so 52 unbudgeted), 182 budgeted positions and 234 required positions; Staat B budgets Cg 18,218,853 for the 182 budgeted positions. The memorandum's text says the ministry 'generally operates at 73%' of capacity, but its table and the 169/234 count give 72%. Lowest occupancy: BIE SXM (not spelled out in the source) has 0 of 3 posts filled, all unbudgeted; among the other departments, Statistics has 6 of 11 (55%), which the memorandum calls the most understaffed, and Economy, Transport and Telecommunication 9 of 14 (64%). The Inspectorate of Economic Affairs has 80 of 122 posts filled (66%) and holds 41 of the 52 unbudgeted posts; the ministry says this will be addressed through a revised job book. No reference date for the count is printed.
Risks
Inflation, fuel price increases and supply-chain disruptions. The ministry also names US tariffs, trade wars and hurricanes as outside factors that often shift priorities. This is the highest-scored risk on the list.
Programmes on economic diversification, relief, enforcement and tourism may not be delivered. The ministry notes that budget approval sometimes delays the start of programmes and their deadlines.
New laws and plans, such as the Sint Maarten Gaming Authority (SMGA), the Tourism Authority (STA) and updates to the Tourism Master Plan, could be held up.
Vacancies and recruitment problems. The ministry says public-sector salaries are less competitive than the private sector's, and a limited budget restricts training in areas such as legislation, economic modelling and forecasting. Restructuring should help, but its pace is largely outside the ministry's control.
Statistics programmes could be hampered by poor or missing data.
The memorandum notes that these milestones are linked to performance-based financing.
The numbers book
Projects & activities
Projecten en activiteiten
Economy, Transport & Telecom department
Gross salaries
Brutolonen en Salarissen
Economic Inspectorate
Marketing
Marketing
Tourist Bureau
Gross salaries
Brutolonen en Salarissen
Civil Aviation & Shipping
Tourist Bureau subsidies
Totaal Toeristen Bureau subsidies
Semi-private & NGO organisations
Gross salaries
Brutolonen en Salarissen
Meteorological Department
Gross salaries
Brutolonen en Salarissen
Tourist Bureau
Gross salaries
Brutolonen en Salarissen
Economy, Transport & Telecom department
Projects & activities
Projecten en activiteiten
Economic Inspectorate
Gross salaries
Brutolonen en Salarissen
Economic Licences
In plain English
TEATT's draft 2027 budget is Cg 43.9 million, 6% more than the approved 2026 budget. Cg 14.8 million of it is covered by outside TWO/Trust Fund financing, which the ministry says mainly concerns Country Package projects, leaving net spending of Cg 29.0 million, up 3% (EN 126, EN 127).
The Tourist Bureau's budget falls 6%, from Cg 6.4 million to Cg 6.0 million: marketing drops from Cg 3.8 million to Cg 3.5 million and festival money from Cg 500,000 to Cg 50,000, with carnival funds moved to subsidies. A new, industry-led Sint Maarten Tourism Authority gets Cg 750,000, and the target is at least 17% more visitors than in 2024 by late 2027 (EN 126, EN 127, EN 128, EN 138).
On prices, the ministry plans an online maximum-price database open to the public and inspectors (Cg 91,000), a mechanism that adjusts price caps and publishes quarterly updates (Cg 91,000), and Cg 540,000 for consumer-awareness campaigns. All three targets carry 2026 deadlines (Q1, Q2 and Q4 2026) although this is the 2027 budget (EN 131).
169 of the ministry's 234 positions are filled (72%). The Inspectorate, which enforces economic and passenger-transport rules, has 80 of 122 posts filled, and 41 of its 42 open posts have no money in the budget; Statistics has 6 of 11 (EN 141).
The biggest investment is a new Meteorology & Civil Aviation building near the airport, Cg 10.5 million in the capital table (Cg 10.69 million on its project sheet). Clem Labega Square in Philipsburg (Cg 15 million) and the Flagpole project (Cg 4 million), both budgeted for 2026, are listed with no money for 2027. The 2027 investment plan totals Cg 22.5 million in the memorandum and Cg 22.6 million in the Dutch numbers book (EN 132, EN 175, NL 52, NL 56).
2027–2030
