~ Governor tells Parliament ~
PHILIPSBURG--A National Development Plan, a successor to the Multi-Annual Policy Plan (MAPP), will be undertaken by government post haste and will require broad private-sector input and support, Governor Eugene Holiday said in his presentation of government's plans at the opening of the new Parliamentary Year on Tuesday.
Speaking in Parliament House, Holiday said government realised that national long-term planning "can no longer be postponed."
Through this National Development Plan, government will continue to promote economic growth through investments in public programmes and by creating an enabling environment for business development.
"Government sees a market which promotes competition; a market where market forces compete fairly; a market in which clear rules and incentives for good corporate citizenship apply; and a market guided by government through dialogue and enabling legislation," he said.
He added that in developing this plan consideration would be given to the fact that the traditional view of stay-over tourism product as the prime engine of growth was a mature one and the need to encourage property owners to upgrade their properties was ever present.
More attention is warranted for the market of condominium development, the governor said.
"Noteworthy in this context is that the cruise product continues to hold its own and has bridged the rather sluggish global economic conditions and their effects on the region. Additionally, other areas such as the marine trade industry continue to hold their own and demonstrate further growth potential."
To support its socio-economic development, Holiday said it was essential that St. Maarten invest in the maintenance of a durable weather-proven economic infrastructure comprising adequate housing, a good road network, modern sea- and airports, adequate lighting, proper drainage and efficient waste disposal.
Government has embarked on the implementation of a road and drainage maintenance programme. "Notwithstanding the budgetary challenges, neighbourhood development is a priority of government for this governing term."
Waste disposal improvement and furtherance of a modern waste disposal plant in St. Maarten are under consideration.
The government commissioned the project "St. Maarten Housing Vision 2012-2017" recently. The goal is to develop a five-year policy plan for housing with specific attention for lower- and middle-income categories. The project also will address the legislation governing housing, with the goal of improving the overall quality of housing.
In addition, the governor said government intended to pursue the creation of a development bank or have an institution serve as such by tapping into the available revenue streams. "This becomes even more pressing as traditional development aid from the Netherlands is being phased out. Associated with this idea is the creation of a financing agency for social programmes, as a successor for Reda Sosial in St. Maarten."
As government invests in the economic infrastructure, it is cognizant that the environmental health of the country is "delicate." Holiday said a "green" vision of government for sustainability was therefore one of careful balancing. "The zoning of the island has taken on renewed impetus, and the management of waste water and refuse is a top priority."
With Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation's (SLAC's) commitment to improved management of the lagoon and the imminent cleanup of Great Salt Pond, the governor said these two vital water areas would be given "new breath."
He said government "supports and encourages the use of alternative energy sources."
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