Melissa Arrindell-Doncher.
PHILIPSBURG–The promotion of agricultural activities in schools, increasing airlift, placing more emphasis on the marine sector, addressing matters relating to the tourist season with Port St. Maarten and improving quality control on petroleum products are amongst the initiatives that recently-sworn-in Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Melissa Arrindell-Doncher wants to accomplish during her tenure in office.
The minister outlined her goals during her first live Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday.
Arrindell-Doncher said the ministry has contacted a number of schools that are currently involved in agricultural activities to grant support to the initiative that will further enhance their school feeding programmes and showcase the importance and relevance of agriculture for the TEATT Ministry which is responsible.
“We envision this initiative to continue into the year 2020 and beyond and we will be involving other agricultural stakeholders in our community,” she said.
As it relates to promoting innovation and green initiatives for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), she said the ministry will develop a grant project to support new and existing businesses within a to-be-determined timeframe. “Considering the current needs of our SMEs and the still-to-be-defined Enterprise Project under the NRPB [National Recovery Programme Bureau – Ed.], the ministry intends to allocate a sum of NAf. 200,000 as a grant to be disbursed on a demand-driven basis to assist at least 20 SME businesses. This will be a maximum of NAf. 10,000 per business. Of course, the applying businesses will have to meet certain criteria which will involve, but are not limited to innovative application, job potential [will it create jobs], exporting potential and minimal impact on the environment,” the minister explained.
Another initiative is the setting up of a business development centre. “During my previous tenure as Minister of TEATT, my cabinet started the process to establish a business development centre that would cater to the needs of new and existing businesses and investors. The ministry views the existence of this entity as the vehicle to empower entrepreneurs to establish, develop and grow their own businesses.”
She also plans to bring improvement to taxi stands, noting that as the ministry responsible for the transport sector, it will be looking towards the improvement of some of the taxi facilities to enable them to comfortably and efficiently execute their tasks and thus render better service, particularly to visitors.
Another initiative is the re-establishment of a well-coordinated and controlled economic activity on the Simpson Bay beach area (also referred to as Kim Sha Beach). “The ministry will be collaborating with the Ministry of [Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure] VROMI to re-organise and re-open the vending booths in the area. This is an avenue for our local business entrepreneurs to capitalize on the already-started Christmas season. Locals and tourists will have another local Christmas spot for entertainment,” she said. “Through this initiative, we will ensure that proper utilities and restrooms are provided for the safety and cleanliness of the area. At the same time, an efficient control mechanism will be applied for the well-being of all who congregate in the area and for the permanent residents.”
Additionally, the minister said although the holiday season has already started, the ministry intends to collaborate with other ministries and stakeholders to decorate the Philipsburg area, including Boardwalk Boulevard in an effort to enhance, beautify and bring about the festive feelings during the holidays.
“We encourage business owners and residents in the Philipsburg area and in fact throughout the entire island to follow suit and do likewise.”
She said there are other initiatives that the ministry will be engaging in during the interim period including increasing airlift to the island, placing more emphasis on the marine sector, discussion with Port St. Maarten on matters pertaining to the current tourist season and beyond and improving quality control on petroleum products.
She said while her time in office will be short and the proposed initiatives may seem ambitious and may not be completed, with determination they are achievable.
The minister expressed gratitude for the “privilege” to once again serve the country and its people as TEATT Minister.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/93015-promoting-agriculture-in-schools-increasing-airlift-among-arrindell-doncher-s-goals
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