Heyliger-Marten Eyes Miami-Dade partnership to create opportunities for St. Maarten

GREAT BAY--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten says discussions surrounding a possible sister city relationship between St. Maarten and Miami-Dade County could create new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, investment, education, tourism and trade.

Heyliger-Marten recently represented St. Maarten at the 28th Inter-American Conference of Mayors and Local Authorities, marking what she said was the first time the Government of St. Maarten had been invited to participate in the event.

During a panel discussion at the conference, the Minister spoke about the proposed relationship between St. Maarten and Miami-Dade County and stressed that any formal partnership must produce practical benefits for the country.

According to Heyliger-Marten, areas being explored include trade, entrepreneurship, investment, knowledge-sharing across sectors, educational exchanges, tourism and innovation.

She said Government should not pursue partnerships simply for the purpose of signing agreements or holding ceremonial events. Instead, she said, the relationship must result in opportunities that residents and businesses can access.

The Minister identified Miami as an important gateway between the Caribbean and the wider United States market, particularly for entrepreneurs from small island economies seeking access to buyers, distributors, investors and potential business partners.

For St. Maarten businesses, she said, stronger ties with Miami-Dade could create access to markets and connections that might otherwise be difficult for small businesses to reach independently.

Heyliger-Marten said Miami-Dade representatives expressed strong interest in strengthening collaboration with St. Maarten.

She also linked the discussions to the upcoming Island Routes to Global Routes trade mission, which is being supported by the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The trade mission is scheduled to take place in Miami from November 16 to 19, 2026, and is intended to provide local entrepreneurs with opportunities to build international business connections and explore new markets.

Heyliger-Marten encouraged established businesses, new entrepreneurs and persons considering entering business to explore the opportunity.

She said St. Maarten's size should not limit the ambitions of its business community, pointing to local products, services, creativity and talent that can potentially reach customers and investors beyond the island.

Registration for the Island Routes to Global Routes trade mission closes October 15, 2026, while the registration payment deadline is October 30.

The Minister said the broader objective is to help businesses that begin in St. Maarten develop connections that allow them to find customers, partners and opportunities internationally.

“Our roots will always be here, but our reach does not have to end at our shores,” Heyliger-Marten said.

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