Clockwise from left: Governor Ajamu Baly; Director of the Governor’s Cabinet, St Maarten Gerhard Hoogers; Director of the Cabinet Minister Plenipotentiary Carol Voges, and Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell.
THE HAGUE--Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell and Governor Ajamu Baly discussed European Union funding opportunities and ways to address brain drain during a meeting in the Netherlands on Monday, September 14, 2026.
Baly met with Arrindell during his working visit to the Netherlands. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on various matters of importance to St. Maarten.
Among the topics discussed were developments in European Union affairs, including EU funding opportunities. The discussion included the importance of developing investment-ready projects and strengthening regional cooperation to align with the European Union’s programming priorities in the coming years.
Arrindell and Baly also discussed ways to address brain drain and strengthen ties with St. Maarteners living in the Netherlands.
Arrindell highlighted the Cabinet’s efforts through its diaspora database to keep the diaspora engaged and to help identify and match suitably qualified candidates with key positions and opportunities on the island.
She also highlighted student engagement sessions and the upcoming St. Maarten’s Day celebration as opportunities to maintain connections with St. Maarteners in the Netherlands and strengthen their involvement in the Cabinet’s networks.
The discussion further focused on the Cabinet’s efforts to make greater use of knowledge, expertise and professional networks available in the Netherlands, including through organisations such as VNG and other partners.
These efforts are aimed at connecting relevant expertise and resources in the Netherlands with concrete needs and opportunities on St. Maarten. relevant expertise and resources in the Netherlands with concrete needs and opportunities on St. Maarten.
The meeting also focused on continued dialogue and cooperation and the use of St. Maarten’s networks in the Netherlands to support the country’s development priorities.
