New economic affairs website
streamlines info for investors
PHILIPSBURG--Delivering needed information and links to the relevant departments are the core aims of the new Website of the Sector Economic Affairs: www.stmaarteneconomy.com that was launched by Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus Thursday.
The site streamlines information that potential investors would require in their quest to set up a business and links to new policies, economic reports such as the 2008 Economic Outlook, Tourism Master Plan, price comparisons and indexes.
At the launch held in A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall, Buncamper-Molanus said that the site is a definitive step in transparency of government as all information is, and will be, readily available as updates are made.
Draft policies will also be uploaded on the site for public review with a forum from which members of the public can critique the document and leave suggestions for additions or changes.
Sector Head Miguel de Weever said one example of how fast the site can be is the upload of the recent price comparisons of local supermarkets on the Website. This comparison will be printed in the local newspapers next week, putting the site days ahead in readily available information.
Students and other professionals enquiring about job opportunities in the various sections of the department also have a page to upload their resume and other information. Copies of all emails will be forwarded to the sector head and government personnel affairs department.
In the area of employment, Buncamper-Molanus also gave an update of her recent trip to the Netherlands to recruit St. Maarten and Netherlands Antilles professionals and students interested in returning to work with government. She was accompanied by a delegation comprising civil servants from various departments who helped to interview interested applicants and provide general information at various forums they attended.
From 35 students and professionals interviewed, government employment contracts were immediately signed with three and five others are forthcoming to fill critical vacancies in government.
New civil servants Julisa Frans, Suhail Gomez and Mariska Dias will take up positions as policy advisors in the departments of education and finance.
Besides recruitment locally and in the Netherlands, the commissioner said the possibility of a similar trip to Tallahassee, Florida, where a large contingent of students from the island is studying, is being explored.
