Sint Maarten has made an extraordinary recovery since the 2017 hurricane, but there is lots more to do and lots of potential
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’s prime minister, Luc F.E. Mercelina, has no shortage of plans, ambitions and visions for his country’s 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’s reputation for tolerance, economic freedom and a way of living which combines both island life and the feel of a large city.
“Sint Maarten is a very attractive place at this particular moment,” he begins. “We 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’s the best combination ever and the way God created Sint Maarten, it’s so attractive and beautiful.” The prime minister shares his vision for the country’s future, the lessons learned from past challenges and his call to professionals and investors to join in building a stronger, more resilient Sint Maarten.
The island is one of the world’s few territories in which a single island is shared with another country — France. Mercelina offers a historical overview of the island’s unique political geography: “Sint Maarten is divided into two countries: the Dutch side in the south and the French side in the north,” he explains. “We used to be part of the Netherlands Antilles, which included six islands. Over time, we moved towards more autonomy and on October 10th, 2010 — known as 10-10-10 — we became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.”
That transformation required building critical infrastructure and institutions. “To function as a country, you need seven pillars: reliable utilities, telecommunication, a harbor, an airport, healthcare, security and education and social services. We weren’t strong on these when we became a country, but I’ve made it my mission to strengthen these foundations.”
A major turning point for Sint Maarten came in 2017 with Hurricane Irma’s devastation. The prime minister candidly discusses the country’s recovery process. “When 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’ve made great progress,” he says. “We’re also investing in renewable energy. Solar panels will cover about 25-30 percent of our energy needs in the future.”
Reform and rebuild
Reconstruction hasn’t stopped with utilities. Major community investments are underway. “We’re 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.” He adds: “These are dreams I have because I’m very sensitive to nation-building. I want a university, a development bank and an education system that meets the demands of our labor market.”
While progress has been made, challenges persist, particularly in human resources. “After Hurricane Irma, we received a €550 million [$623.4 million] grant from the Netherlands, managed through the World Bank. But after seven years, €200 million [$226.7 million] remains unspent,” he admits. “We lack professionals to implement the projects. This is a serious problem we continue to face.” The prime minister called on the international community to assist. “We need professionals in every sector. If you’re in healthcare, construction, or education, come and help us build this country.”
The government is actively encouraging investment, especially in real estate and tourism. “Sint Maarten has a very attractive tax system and stunning real estate options. Because of our hilly landscape, properties offer magnificent views,” he said. “We welcome those focused on tourism or enhancing the visitor experience.” High-net-worth individuals are especially welcome. “Professionals 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,” he emphasizes.
The topic of currency reform is also on the government’s agenda. In March, Sint Maarten and Curaçao 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: “To 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’t we? We have a stronger economy,” he said, noting the stability and ease dollarization could bring.
Between 60 and 70 percent of Sint Maarten’s 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 Curaçao manages the day-to-day relations with the Dutch Caribbean including Sint Maarten. Environmental sustainability is another key area of focus. “In everything we do, we emphasize resiliency. Hurricane Irma taught us the destructive power of climate change,” he said. “We 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.” The country has made significant strides in rebuilding its energy infrastructure with resiliency in mind. “We’ve installed new generators, an initial 10-megawatt unit, followed by a further 20 megawatts and we’ve ordered another three9-megawatt units to make 27 in total. This will stabilize our grid.”
Tourism remains the lifeblood of Sint Maarten’s economy. Mercelina sees both opportunity and room for improvement. “We need to professionalize our hospitality sector to boost those numbers,” he said. “We’ve had high-end tourists in the past, but we became complacent. If we improve service and quality, the tourists will return.” He emphasized the island’s inclusive culture as a draw. “Nobody cares who you are or where you come from. Everyone’s welcome. In our own Council of Ministers, there are three men and four women. That shows our balance.”
As Sint Maarten looks to the future, Mercelina is clear on his priority: building a resilient, inclusive and dynamic nation. “We are not a rich country and we have financial limitations. But when I look back over the last seven years since Hurricane Irma, I’m proud. With the odds stacked against us, we have achieved a great deal.” He concludes with a call to the global community: “We 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.”