Economic information of Sint Maarten (Dutch part)

Sint Maarten is an island country in the Caribbean as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The island forms the Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin and borders the French island of Saint-Martin. Sint Maarten's economy is based on tourism and relies heavily on spending by tourists to the island nation. The tourism sector is a pillar of Sint Maarten's economy and accounts for a large portion of the island nation's GDP. Sint Maarten is famous for its white sand beaches, luxury resorts, casinos and nightlife. Throughout the year, many tourists come to the island country by cruise ships and spend expenses such as accommodation, food and beverage and shopping here. The tourism sector provides the majority of the Sint Maarten government's tax revenues and contributes to the country's job creation. Sint Maarten also has an area known as a free trade zone. This region offers the opportunity to trade without tariffs and other trade barriers. Companies operating in the free trade zone contribute to the island nation's economy and create employment. Sint Maarten receives economic assistance from the Netherlands and also has economic cooperation with other islands in the Netherlands Antilles. The Netherlands provides financial assistance to Sint Maarten and contributes to the development of the island nation's infrastructure. However, Sint Maarten's economic situation can sometimes fluctuate. Especially natural disasters can negatively affect the tourism sector. The island nation was severely hit by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and its tourism industry suffered greatly. These events are among the risks affecting Sint Maarten's economy. In general, Sint Maarten's economy is based on tourism, and the tourism sector is an important factor for the island nation's growth and job creation. Factors such as Dutch financial assistance and the free trade zone also contribute to Sint Maarten's economy.