PHILIPSBURG – Sint Maarten is making progress on reforms within the Kingdom, but remains highly dependent on external support due to limited capacity and a fragile institutional foundation, according to a new evaluation report.
The assessment of the reform cooperation framework highlights Sint Maarten as the most vulnerable of the participating countries. While reforms are being prepared and partially implemented, the country’s ability to execute them independently remains constrained.
Support from the Netherlands, particularly through the Temporary Work Organization (TWO), has been crucial in advancing reform efforts. This assistance has helped initiate key projects and maintain momentum across various sectors.
However, the evaluation makes clear that Sint Maarten faces deeper structural challenges than Aruba and Curaçao. The country operates with a relatively small government, limited administrative capacity, and a weak institutional base, making reforms more complex and time-consuming.
According to the report, many reforms in Sint Maarten go beyond policy changes and instead involve building the foundations of government itself. Strengthening execution capacity, organizational structures, and data systems is seen as a prerequisite before reforms in areas such as healthcare and education can have meaningful impact.
This sets Sint Maarten apart from the other countries. Aruba is increasingly able to carry reforms independently, while Curaçao continues to struggle with consistency in implementation. In contrast, Sint Maarten must first stabilize and strengthen its institutional framework before reforms can fully take hold.
An additional challenge is the ongoing post-hurricane reconstruction program following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The combination of rebuilding efforts and reform implementation places significant strain on the country’s already limited civil service capacity, with little overlap or synergy between the two processes.
Given these conditions, the evaluation is particularly clear about the future: continued cooperation within the Kingdom is essential for Sint Maarten. Without sustained support, there is a significant risk that reform efforts could stall.
The contrast with Aruba underscores a broader conclusion of the report: while cooperation within the Kingdom can be effective, its success depends on how well it aligns with the specific realities of each country.
For Sint Maarten, this means that the coming years must focus primarily on strengthening the government itself. Only after that foundation is in place can the broader reform agenda be fully realized.