Intellectual Property, Business Registration and Reform Priorities Survey

The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT) is exploring the possible establishment of an Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) for Sint Maarten to strengthen investment attraction and better support local businesses and entrepreneurs.

This short survey for investors, business owners, entrepreneurs, and prospective investors focuses on intellectual property, business registration, and priority reforms to improve Sint Maarten’s business environment.

Responses are anonymous and will be reported only in aggregate form. Any contact information provided for follow-up will be stored separately from your survey responses.

This survey takes approximately 5–7 minutes to complete. Thank you for sharing your perspective.

1.Have you registered a trademark, patent, or other form of intellectual property protection for your business in Sint Maarten?

Yes

No

Not applicable/not needed

Not sure

2.Have intellectual property concerns (e.g., counterfeiting, trademark disputes, unauthorized use of your brand) affected your business?

Yes, significantly

Yes, minor issues

No

Not sure

3.If yes, please briefly describe:

4.If you have not registered IP for your business, what are the main reasons? [Select up to 3]

Cost of registration

Lack of information or guidance about the process

Registration process is too complex or time‑consuming

Limited local access to IP professionals (lawyers, agents)

Not needed for my type of business

Lack of trust in enforcement or benefits of registration

Other (please specify)

5.Is your business currently registered with the Chamber of Commerce of Sint Maarten?

Yes

No

Registration is in process

Not applicable (informal / prospective business)

6.What, if anything, would you improve about the business registration process at the Chamber of Commerce?

8.If you could identify the top 3 “doing business” challenges that Sint Maarten should prioritize as reforms, what would they be?

9.Is there any additional feedback you would like to share on intellectual property registration, Chamber of Commerce registration, or other “doing business” challenges that should be considered in developing Sint Maarten’s future Investment Promotion Agency?

Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses. Your input will help us design an Investment Promotion Agency that better serves investors, entrepreneurs, and the long‑term growth of Sint Maarten’s economy.