Business View Caribbean - Feb 2024

DIGITALIZING THE ECONOMY Aruba is still in the early stages of its digital transformation journey, but it has taken important steps in digitizing public services, simplifying bureaucratic processes, and reducing red tape. The Government of Aruba released the Aruba Digital Transformation Roadmap which outlines the government’s vision for its digital transformation. It includes several specific initiatives, such as developing a digital government platform, creating a digital identity system, and investing in digital skills development. The e-government initiative offers citizens and businesses increasing access to a wide array of government services online, from requesting and renewing licenses to paying taxes. E-Government creates a pathway to unlock new economic value and opportunities created by the digital economy and aims to engender a seamless public sector experience. SAN NICOLAS AND ORANJESTAD DEVELOPMENT San Nicolas, once a thriving industrial town, saw a drastic decline in economic activity and socio- economic well-being following the closure of the oil refinery.While San Nicolas is the island’s second- largest city (second to Oranjestad), its downtown has been barren for quite some time. Minister Geoffrey Wever has made it a top priority to revitalize the city. The revitalization plan aims to generate substantial investments and stimulate entrepreneurship in the area with a special focus on developing San Nicolas into Aruba’s creative and cultural capital. Hand-in- hand with this are a number of projects geared at beautifying the area to create a vibrant and thriving urban environment. Besides expanding public spaces, upgrading public facilities, improving accessibility, and more parking opportunities, developing the cultural and creative industries will foster artistic and cultural activities that will contribute to the city’s unique identity. Oranjestad won’t go untouched either. There is a revitalization plan for it as well to create a vibrant and inviting city center that offers more than just 21 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 02 THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF ARUB