CAY HILL--The St. Maarten Entrepreneurship Development Center (SEDC) has launched its Advanced Education Program, an initiative to strengthen entrepreneurship, build capacity, and support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The launch was held on Wednesday at Paradise Hall.
Established on February 20, 2023, SEDC is a private foundation endorsed and subsidized by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation, and Telecommunication (TEATT). The organization is mandated to implement St. Maarten’s MSME Policy Framework as part of the government’s effort to improve the business climate.
The Temporary Work Organization (TWO) has awarded Cg 1.1 million in grants for the Advanced MSME Education Program, which will run for three years. The funding is part of the Country Package under Theme E6, focusing on entrepreneurship development and capacity building. The program was developed under the Plan of Approach, approved by the Council of Ministers on October 23, 2023, and responds to recommendations from the SEO Amsterdam Economics Report of 2022 and Country Package Measure E6.
The Advanced Education Program will offer sector-based education and training, including capacity-building workshops for MSMEs, online and hybrid courses in tax compliance, administration, and labor laws, and coaching services for start-up entrepreneurs. It will integrate entrepreneurship into the local education system through internships and promote responsible business practices. Sectoral consultations and diploma-level training will be guided by sector needs assessments.
The program will be managed by SEDC with the International Trade Institute (ITI) of Ireland, under the supervision of the Ministry of TEATT and with support from the Temporary Work Organization. Regular progress and financial reports will be provided during the three-year implementation period.
In her remarks at the launch, Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger-Marten said: “This program is born out of our government’s commitment following the SEO Amsterdam Economics Report of 2022 and Country Package Measure E6. That report reminded us of a simple truth, our small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of our economy. Today, we’re delivering on our promise to strengthen them.”
She added: “The Advanced Education Program gives entrepreneurs practical tools to plan smarter and operate stronger, from financial literacy and digital readiness to sustainable business practices and innovation. It’s about preparing small businesses not just to survive, but to lead and compete.”
The minister also noted the role of cooperation: “When collaboration is real, reform becomes opportunity. The partnership between the Ministry of TEATT, the Temporary Work Organization, RVO, and SEDC proves that shared vision creates real progress.”
She continued: “Our entrepreneurs embody resilience, rebuilding after storms, adapting to challenges, and driving our economy every day. Programs like this one honor that spirit. We’re not just supporting businesses, we’re empowering builders, dreamers, and doers who turn ideas into livelihoods and ambition into achievement.”
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