GREAT BAY--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten told Parliament Thursday that St. Maarten’s economy is showing positive signs, but warned that economic growth cannot be measured by statistics alone if families continue to struggle with the cost of electricity, fuel, transportation and food.
Presenting TEATT’s priorities during the public debate on the draft 2026 National Budget, Heyliger-Marten said tourism remains strong, arrivals are increasing and higher hotel room and car-rental tax collections demonstrate that tourism activity is generating additional Government revenue.
However, she stressed that growth must ultimately translate into tangible improvements for residents.
“When inflation is 5.45% and families are paying more for electricity, fuel, transportation and food, we cannot simply point to GDP and declare victory,” Heyliger-Marten said. “Economic growth must ultimately become economic opportunity, and people must be able to feel it.”
The Minister presented TEATT’s work under its 2026 theme, “Forward by Design,” describing it as the continuation of last year’s “R4 Effect: Reshape, Rebuild, Restructure and Reform.”
She explained that the Ministry is attempting to modernize economic structures while simultaneously protecting tourism, St. Maarten’s principal economic pillar, and creating the conditions for new industries, investment and economic opportunities.
“We have the responsibility of protecting and strengthening the principal pillar of our economy, while simultaneously creating the conditions for new industries, new investment and new opportunities to emerge,” Heyliger-Marten said.
She said the Ministry’s work includes improving conditions for businesses, strengthening regulation, improving transportation and connectivity, encouraging responsible investment, advancing diversification and creating opportunities for the next generation.
The Minister cautioned that many Government initiatives take considerable preparation before the public sees the final result. Research, legal work, funding, stakeholder consultation, procurement, implementation planning and coordination with other government entities and external partners often take place long before a project or policy becomes visible.
“Not all progress is immediately visible,” she told Parliament.
Heyliger-Marten said that when she assumed responsibility for TEATT on May 3, 2024, the Ministry began laying the groundwork for a series of reforms and initiatives, stressing that there is a difference between putting a project in motion and bringing it to completion.
She compared the Ministry’s position to “The Little Engine That Could,” saying TEATT continues moving despite staffing shortages, outdated legislation, inherited backlogs, multi-year obligations and projects dependent on decisions outside of the Ministry’s direct control.
“The engine is small, the hill is steep, and the load is heavy. Yet it keeps moving, because the destination matters,” she said.
Heyliger-Marten said TEATT carries responsibility for tourism, economic development and diversification, transportation, telecommunications, aviation, maritime affairs, statistics, licensing, inspections and consumer protection while accounting for approximately 6.4% of the national budget.
Much of that allocation, she noted, is already committed to personnel, specific programs and ongoing reforms. Despite those limitations, the Minister said work is advancing in several areas.
TEATT is strengthening statistics and economic data, modernizing licensing, advancing transportation reform, improving consumer protection and fair competition, and strengthening the aviation, maritime and telecommunications sectors.
The Ministry is also working to establish the legislative and institutional foundations for tourism management, agriculture, investment and new areas of economic development.
Heyliger-Marten said Government is additionally examining how economic activity taking place in St. Maarten can contribute more fairly and sustainably to the country’s revenue base.
She was careful, however, not to present ideas still being examined as finalized Government policy.
“I have deliberately avoided presenting exploratory ideas as approved policies or projected revenues,” she said.
“Preparation is not inactivity. Caution is not a lack of ambition. And refusing to promise what cannot responsibly be delivered is accountability.”
The Minister acknowledged the unusual timing of the 2026 Budget debate, noting that approximately four months remain in the budget year.
Rather than suggesting the Ministry could execute an entire year of new initiatives during the remaining period, Heyliger-Marten said the focus must be on advancing work that can continue into 2027 and beyond.
“We have approximately four months remaining in this budget year. Four months cannot reasonably produce twelve months of new execution, and I will not pretend otherwise,” she said.
“But four months can move legislation forward. Four months can advance projects. Four months can strengthen institutions. And four months can lay the foundation for 2027 and beyond.”
Heyliger-Marten said the broader objective is to ensure continuity in economic policy and institutional development, rather than relying on individual projects or short-term interventions.
She argued that achieving sustainable economic progress requires policy, legislation, institutional strengthening, investment and continuity across successive budget years.
The Minister closed by again using the image of the “little engine” to describe TEATT’s work and the demands placed on the Ministry.
“The little engine does not ask to be judged by its size. Judge it by the weight it carries, the ground it covers and the value it creates,” Heyliger-Marten said.
“The hill remains steep and the load remains heavy. But the engine is moving. The tracks are being laid. And the destination is clear.”
“We are not moving forward by chance. We are moving St. Maarten Forward by Design.”
