THE HAGUE--The Cabinet of St. Maarten Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague Jorien Wuite hosted a well-attended event on Saturday about St. Maarten’s recovery process. “Don’t focus on the things that are going wrong, but on the things that are accomplished,” said Nazette Smith, one of the speakers.
“Set a goal, focus and visualise, because if you can see it, you can achieve it,” said health care professional Smith. Smith and other speakers were invited by the Cabinet of the St. Maarten Minister Plenipotentiary, also known as St. Maarten House, to share their thoughts on St. Maarten’s reconstruction after Hurricane Irma. This was the third in a series of events organised by the Cabinet.
Minister Plenipotentiary Wuite wants to give St. Maarteners in the Netherlands the opportunity to inspire each other and to involve them to rebuild a stronger St. Maarten. Many young St. Maarteners, either still studying or recently graduated, attended the event. Also, present were Finance Minister Perry Geerlings, Member of the Council of State of the Kingdom Maria van der Sluijs-Plantz, former Member of the Council of State Gilbert Wawoe and former Minister Plenipotentiary Mathias Voges.
“When I look at the audience, it makes me think that we are on the right course” said protocol, communications and cultural affairs officer Kelly Busby of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary. The central themes of Saturday’s event were innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We should teach our children how to become entrepreneurs, be their own boss, instead of how to work for a boss,” said Acting Minister Plenipotentiary Michael Somersall, who emphasised that entrepreneurs can help to create a stronger economic foundation for St. Maarten.
“Right now, we have all our eggs in one basket, which is tourism,” said Head of Finance and Economic Affairs of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary Carol Voges, who pointed out the possibilities of receiving support from Overseas Countries and Territories Association OCTA of the European Union (EU).
Voges gave the Statia Blue project and Bonaire’s Algae PARC project as an example of sustainable projects that were supported by the EU. A questionnaire carried out among the audience on Saturday showed that sustainability is considered a highly important factor in St. Maarten’s reconstruction.
Young and successful entrepreneur John Sandiford shared his vision. Working on his career as rapper Nemesiz, he discovered his talent as graphic designer and his abilities in digital communication. His business has grown, and he now offers support to other entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, St. Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba. “Networking is the bloodline of business. It begins and ends there. It opens doors, but you will be pushed out if you are not capable,” he said.
Teacher and educator Jean Maria Molina pointed out that it was important to have the right mindset. Obstetrician Smith voiced similar words. The speakers not only shared their tips for the students or graduates, but they also had advice for the St. Maarten government, namely, to support starting entrepreneurs.
