PHILIPSBURG:--- Now that we have entered the new decade 2020, we look forward to many new opportunities that offer hope and optimism for our country, our families and ourselves. May we be blessed this year, with a clear vision to identify these opportunities, and a brand new courage to make bold new moves in the improvement of country, community, and self.
As Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), I also take this opportunity to outline a number of projects already in motion for the year 2020 that promise to stimulate our island’s economy and ultimately improve the wellbeing of our people.
Seven primary schools, having signed a Memorandum of Understanding, can proudly boast as participants in the recently introduced school-agriculture program which is geared to foster agriculture in schools as an integral part of our island’s economic sustainability.
The Ministry of TEATT is embarking on the implementation of a Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) project, and a Business Development Center (BDC), through which new and existing qualified entrepreneurs are offered corporate support in the development and continued enhancement of their business ideas.
Taxi Operators can expect improvements to their accommodations and facilities in the Philipsburg area as this is also in our pipeline for further development this year.
Finally, in an added effort to enhance our visitors’ experience at our shores, the ministry has plans for training sessions for those in the service industry. These projects when implemented will bring about hope of prosperity for our tourist industry and by extension for our people.
This year 2020 is the year in which government and citizens alike must come together to make this island, which we call our home, the paradise it once was. Competition is becoming fiercer. We cannot afford to be complacent. We must push on so that everyone benefits from the positive end results.
On behalf of my family, my cabinet and my ministry, I take this opportunity to wish everyone, a bright, healthy, prosperous new year filled with all the blessings 2020 has to offer.
May God bless you all.