The primary function of the Department is to “formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate the socio-economic policies of the Island Territory of St. Maarten with the ultimate purpose of stimulating economic growth and development”.
As an island nation whose economy is based on one industry - tourism - it is of the utmost importance that every visitor - either virtual or real -- to St. Maarten has a positive and memorable experience. An experience that leaves you wanting more as you browse the web, just as you might want one or two days more at the end of your vacation stay.
Consumer prices Sint Maarten February 2008
Prices increased by 0.4 percent compared to December 2007
In February 2008, the consumer price index for Sint Maarten has increased by 0.4 percent compared to December 2007.
Average consumer prices over the past twelve months have increased by 3.0 percent compared to the same period one year earlier.
This appears from data presented by the Central Bureau of Statistics.
Price changes between December 2007 and February 2008
In February 2008, the consumer price index for Sint Maarten has increased by 0.4 percent compared to December 2007.
Food showed the strongest price increase with a 3.6 percent rise. All food groups contributed to this price increase,
but especially dairy products (+12.4%), fats and cooking oils (+4.7%) and potatoes, vegetables and fruits (+4.0%) were a lot more expensive.
Egg prices rose by more than 35 percent, milk powder prices by nearly 27 percent and margarines by more than 11 percent.
Meat and fish, outdoor consumption, prepared food and the category other food showed strong price increases of 2.1 to 2.6 percent.
Prices of cereal products rose by 1.3 percent, with a noteworthy price rise of white rice (+4.2%).
Sugar and chocolate prices rose less strongly (+0.4).
In February, prices of beverages and tobacco were 2.9 percent higher than in December.
Both tobacco (+6.6%) and beverages (+2.8%) contributed to this rise.
Clothing and footwear prices rose by 0.4 percent. Modest price rises occurred for household furnishing and appliances, for transport and communication and for the category miscellaneous (+0.2%). Medical care prices rose by only 0.1 percent.
Housing showed a 0.3 percent price decrease, caused by the decrease of the fuel surcharge for electricity (-3.2%). Recreation and education also showed a 0.3 percent price decrease, due to the price decrease of recreation (-2.2%).
Long-term inflation In February 2008, the twelve-month average of prices for Sint Maarten was 3.0 percent higher than in February 2007. According to the CBS, this is a good indicator for long-term inflation. Thus, the rising inflationary trend continues even stronger than before.
