SABA (THE BOTTOM) - With the Saba Conservation Foundation’s ReLeaf Saba reforestation project having come to an end, the monitoring and maintenance of the trees that have been outplanted and those in its tree nursery have been transitioned to the Public Entity’s reforestation project.

This step was taken to ensure the survival of the trees and to ensure the efforts of the SCF have a lasting impact. These trees will play a critical role in increasing Saba’s biodiversity, further helping the land restoration efforts of the Public Entity and in making Saba more resilient to climate change.

To prepare for this, the management of both projects met for a smooth transition of trees and all relevant data that the Public Entity’s reforestation project will need to continue with the monitoring and maintenance of the trees. Over the span of the project, over 1,500 trees have been outplanted by the ReLeaf team across 6 different sites. The outplanted trees have been recorded in a database, which will help the Public Entity’s reforestation team with continued monitoring and maintenance. These trees will be monitored for another year to ensure they continue to grow in the natural environment of Saba until they are established and are able to survive on their own.

The saplings remaining in the SCF’s tree nursery that had not been outplanted were also transferred to the Public Entity’s reforestation project. Both project teams transferred over 300 saplings and other plant species to the new nursery site of the Public Entity’s reforestation project. These trees will be used by the Public Entity’s reforestation project for outplanting. In the meantime, the trees will be kept and cared for at its new and second nursery site at the hydroponics farm project in Rendezvous.

The Saba Conservation Foundation started its ReLeaf Saba reforestation project in April 2023. This project was done in collaboration with the reforestation project of St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA) in St. Eustatius, was funded by the European Union program RESEMBID (Resilience Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity) and implemented by ExpertiseFrance. This project has helped enhance Saba’s national park and the Public Entity’s ability to respond to the needs of the marine environment through reforestation, which will help improve the ecosystem services, biodiversity, and economic resilience of the island.

SABA/SINT EUSTATIUS - As of 1 January 2025, the deposit guarantee has been amended in three key areas: the coverage amount, the removal of the residency criterion, and the establishment of a fund for financing the deposit guarantee.

The Deposit Guarantee for the Caribbean Netherlands (DGS BES) was introduced in 2017, with an agreement to evaluate it after several years. The evaluation concluded that the current design of the DGS BES does not sufficiently contribute to enhancing financial stability and consumer protection. Consequently, it has been adjusted in three areas.

Adjustments

The DGS BES has been modified as follows:

1. The maximum coverage amount has been raised from USD 10,000 to USD 25,000. This enhancement means that more account holders are protected. With a maximum of USD 25,000, over 90% of account holders will receive a full refund of their funds. This percentage aligns with that of the European part of the Netherlands. This adjustment ensures that the guarantee meets international standards prescribed by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI).

1. The residency requirement has been eliminated. The DGS BES now protects all account holders of banks in the Caribbean Netherlands, regardless of their place of residence or establishment.

1. The financing of the deposit guarantee has been restructured. Banks will now contribute in advance to the establishment of a fund.

Deposit Guarantee

The Deposit Guarantee for the Caribbean Netherlands is administered by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). It is a free protection scheme that automatically safeguards customers' (savings) deposits ranging from 1 US cent up to a maximum of 25,000 USD, in the event of a bank failure.

A deposit refers to funds held in bank accounts such as current accounts, savings accounts, and time deposits. If a bank covered by the deposit guarantee becomes insolvent, De Nederlandsche Bank will compensate eligible account holders.

This protection applies per individual or business (not per account), per bank (holding a licence from De Nederlandsche Bank). 

More Information

If you have questions about the deposit guarantee for the Caribbean Netherlands or require further information, please visit www.dnb.nl/caribisch-nederland, or contact De Nederlandsche Bank's Public Information Service (available in Dutch and English).

• Website: www.dnb.nl/caribisch-nederland
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SABA (WINDWARDSIDE) - Within the first half of 2025, Hyacinth House – a traditional Saban cottage nestled in the heart of Windwardside – will undergo various renovations and restoration.  

This cottage, owned by the Public Entity Saba (PES), had been previously untouched during the development of the big parking lot, in order to maintain the notable history and charm of the area. However, the building is in urgent need of maintenance and repairs.  

As PES works towards protecting our cultural identity, the necessary improvements will balance a thorough renovation with preservation of historic details. The main renovation work will include a new roof and windows, repairing of shutters and shingles, and repainting of the entire building.

It is also envisioned to add traditional porches and the typical Saban “Gingerbread” roof details. To make the building “future proof”, several other upgrades are planned, such as the electrical system, installing air conditioners and insulating the building and adapting the interior to be used as office spaces.

With these future repairs and upgrades, the cottage will then be better suited to fill the need for additional office space for the Public Entity. This then ensures continuous use of the building and reduces the shortage of office space within the organization.  

A public tender will be advertised in the upcoming weeks for contractors to submit their bids.  

Public Entity Saba looks forward to the completion of this project, as we work to restore this building to its original character while maintaining its distinctive features and increasing functionality.  

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is thrilled to announce that all 79 booths in the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village, popularly known as Carnival Village, have been fully allotted for Carnival 2025. This marks the first time since 2017 that the foundation has been able to award all booths.

The allotment of all booths is particularly meaningful as 12 were damaged or destroyed during the passing of Hurricane Irma in 2017. In the years since, the SCDF faced the challenge of creatively masking the sight of the damaged booths while still hosting Carnival in the venue. These 12 booths are now under reconstruction and are on schedule to be completed in time for the festivities, which officially begin on April 21, 2025. The SCDF traditionally assumes responsibility for Carnival Village operations from April 1 until May 13 each year.

In December, the SCDF held the first of three general meetings with registered booth holders, including the 12 new additions who were welcomed into the vibrant Carnival family. SCDF President Edwardo Radjouki expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are very happy to have a full Village back. It gives us the opportunity to allow more people to operate a booth for Carnival, showcase the Village in all its glory, provide more options for attendees, and fill a crucial financial gap for the foundation. At the end of the day, that support is vital.”

He said the new booth holders are equally excited to join the Carnival experience. Many have expressed their eagerness to contribute to the festive atmosphere of Carnival Village and immerse themselves in the rich cultural history on display.

The second preparation meeting with booth holders is set for the end of January 2025. Radjouki also extended his gratitude to the more than 200 individuals who registered for a booth. “If you did not get a reply from us at this stage, it means you weren’t selected. We wish we could accommodate everyone, but obviously, we cannot. We sincerely thank everyone for their interest and support.”

Carnival 2025 promises to be a revitalized celebration, with a fully operational Carnival Village ready to host the largest cultural event on the island. As the SCDF continues preparations, the excitement for Carnival's return to full capacity is high, setting the stage for a truly unforgettable season.