Heyliger-Marten outlines 2027 plan to build new economic pillars beyond tourism

GREAT BAY--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten says Government’s 2027 economic strategy will focus on strengthening the tourism sector while deliberately building additional economic pillars in areas such as agriculture, fisheries, digital services, investment promotion and, subject to legislation, a regulated cannabis industry.

Heyliger-Marten said tourism will remain the backbone of the economy, but St. Maarten must reduce its dependence on traditional tourism by widening the types of visitors it attracts and creating stronger links between tourism and other sectors of the economy.

The Minister pointed to agri-tourism, medical and wellness tourism, cultural tourism and experiential tourism as areas with potential for further development.

She said the Ministry also wants to create stronger connections between hotels, restaurants and tourism operators and local agriculture, fisheries, entrepreneurs and other businesses.

A major part of the diversification strategy is the proposed Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Agency.

According to Heyliger-Marten, the agency is intended to help strengthen local production, food security, agriculture and fisheries while opening new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Government also wants to create more direct commercial links between producers and the hospitality sector, including hotels and restaurants.

The Minister said this approach would allow agriculture and fisheries to contribute more directly to economic activity while also supporting efforts to strengthen food security.

The Ministry is also advancing plans for an Investment Promotion Agency and strengthening support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through the Small Enterprise Development Center.

Heyliger-Marten said improvements to the business and licensing environment are also part of the 2027 agenda, with the aim of making it easier to establish, expand and invest in businesses in St. Maarten.

The broader strategy is intended to encourage both local entrepreneurship and additional investment.

Heyliger-Marten identified the digital economy as another area with potential to create new opportunities that are not limited by the country’s small physical size.

She said digital services, technology-based businesses and other location-independent activities could allow St. Maarten entrepreneurs to reach markets outside the country and export services without being constrained by limited land availability.

The sector could also create new forms of employment and business activity that are less dependent on visitor arrivals.

The Minister also said a properly regulated cannabis industry could potentially develop into another economic sector if Parliament approves the necessary legislation and an appropriate regulatory framework is established.

Potential areas of activity could include cultivation, processing, research, distribution and supporting services.

Heyliger-Marten said such a sector could also complement medical and wellness tourism, but stressed that its development remains dependent on parliamentary approval and regulation.

The Ministry has not yet established a single estimate for the total number of businesses or jobs that could benefit from the economic diversification initiatives.

Heyliger-Marten said the eventual impact will depend on how each initiative is implemented and the level of participation from businesses and investors.

As the various plans move from policy development into implementation, the Ministry intends to establish measurable targets covering business participation, investment and employment.

The Minister said the broader objective is not to identify one industry that can replace tourism, but to develop several economic engines that can operate alongside it.

The 2027 strategy, she said, is aimed at strengthening the tourism economy St. Maarten already has while laying the foundation for additional sectors that can create employment, support local businesses and make the economy more resilient.

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