The consumer price index for Sint Maarten has decreased in the month of December 2011 by 0.3 percent compared to that of October 2011. Although generally prices showed a dip when comparing these two months in 2011; when looking at average consumer prices over a twelve month period (Dec. 2010 to Dec. 2011), an increase of 4.6 percent was recorded compared to the same period one year earlier.

A significant amount (41 percent) of the entrepreneurs indicated that they experience investment obstacles. As can be seen in the figure, these are mainly due to a shortage of financial resources (increased from 15 to 19%) and a poor market forecast of 14 percent. Also government policy (from 12 to 13%) and obtainment of work permits are important obstacles for investments, the latter increased from 10 to 12 percent.