Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – The Sint Maarten Trust Fund’s Enterprise Support Project (ESP) which is managed by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) has officially presented the Government of Sint Maarten with an Entrepreneur Guide and Policy Brief, drawing on lessons learned from supporting businesses to help inform future entrepreneurship development.
The documents were presented during ESP’s From Recovery to Resilience networking event at Pasture Piece on October 26, where entrepreneurs connected with Government representatives, international stakeholders and the business community.
Established in 2020 to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) recover from Hurricane Irma and strengthen their businesses, ESP has provided a total of US$20.2 million in financing to 325 MSMEs, supporting 718 full-time equivalent jobs, including 428 new jobs. A further 374 individuals received business training, and 56 businesses participated in coaching after receiving financing.
The Entrepreneur Guide is written for entrepreneurs at every stage and draws on ESP’s own experience and real stories from beneficiaries. It covers the practical realities of doing business in Sint Maarten, from building a usable business plan and realistic financial projections to preparing for hurricane season.
The Policy Brief offers policymakers and partners candid lessons on what worked and what did not. Its recommendations include a sequenced support model combining training, business advisory services, financing and coaching. It also recommends establishing a guarantee or collateral facility and a functioning credit bureau, and embedding financial literacy in the education system.
During the handover, ESP Project Manager Anisa Dijkhoffz introduced the publications, which were presented by World Bank Task Team Leader Melissa Metz to Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten.
Minister Heyliger-Marten emphasized that support for entrepreneurs must continue beyond the life of individual projects. She highlighted the Ministry’s priorities, including entrepreneurship education, financial literacy, improved access to investment and modernized business licensing. She also welcomed the Entrepreneur Guide and Policy Brief as resources to help inform future policies and practical action to support local businesses.
Toyin Jagha, the World Bank’s Program Manager for the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, reflected on her own experience as a young entrepreneur and the value of having a support system. She highlighted how ESP combined financing with training, guidance and coaching, and how the publications would carry those lessons forward. “Let us keep coaching and training at the heart of every small business program in Sint Maarten,” she urged.
National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) Deputy Director Rueben Thompson highlighted the importance of carrying forward the knowledge gained through ESP’s work with local businesses. He described the publications as part of the project’s lasting contribution, providing practical guidance for future business owners and informing how Government and other partners support them.
The event also featured a testimonial from the founder of Angie’s Pizza, Angelica Brown, who shared how ESP supported her business journey. She reflected on the challenges she faced as a new entrepreneur and the perseverance it took to keep going. She explained how ESP financing enabled her to purchase equipment and grow her business, expressing appreciation for the project’s support in helping her reach this stage.
Ahead of its scheduled closure on June 30, 2028, the NRPB’s ESP Team will continue working with the World Bank, Government and financial institutions through its Access to Finance Study to identify financing gaps and recommend practical ways to improve access to finance for MSMEs. The project will also provide individual business coaching, assess business resilience and work with the Ministry of TEATT to develop standards for the governance, monitoring and quality of MSME programs. The Entrepreneur Guide and Policy Brief will remain available after the project closes.
ESP invites current and aspiring entrepreneurs to explore the Entrepreneur Guide, now available on the ESP’s webpage, www.nrpbsxm.org/esp. Drawing on the experiences of local businesses, the guide offers practical advice and inspiration to help entrepreneurs take their next steps, whether starting a business, navigating challenges or planning for growth.
The Enterprise Support Project is implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau and funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, financed by the Government of the Netherlands, and administered by the World Bank.
Photo a: A photo wall at ESP’s “From Recovery to Resilience” event showcases local entrepreneurs and their experiences of building and growing businesses with support from the project.
