The Prime Minister of Aruba
The Ministry of General Affairs, Integrity, Energy, Innovation, and Government Organization - Year Report 2020
From the Office of the Prime Minister:
The year 2020 would be the year of consolidation of the previously made efforts and sacrifices. It would be the first year, in a long time, that Aruba would not have a budget deficit, but a budget surplus of no less than Afl. 40 million. This would be invested, among others, in education, health care, the care and treatment of addicts, and care of the elderly. The ‘Social Crisis Plan’ would begin to bear its first fruit and the first serious attempts of diversifying the economy would bear fruit. It would be the year of growth.
However on March 13, 2020, everything changed. The first COVID-19 cases were knocking on our door and all attention and energy had to be focused on fighting the effects of crisis. First in the Public Health area, and then in the Economic and Financial areas. Previous and intended plans and intentions, had to give way to managing the worst crisis and disaster that, to date, is affecting and has affected the entire world. As a small island, Aruba was severely affected because Aruba is heavily dependent on tourism. Thanks to the fact that Aruba had prepared well at an early stage for the COVID-19 crisis and thanks to a professional and dedicated crisis team, Aruba succeeded, despite everything, in managing this crisis. Aruba is being cited as an example in many countries, because of the COVID-19 approach and that is reason to be proud.
As a result, unfortunately many of the targets initially set for 2020 were not achieved, but in 2021 this will certainly be given priority.
Since October 15, 2020, the Minister of General Affairs, Integrity, Energy, Innovation, and Government Organization has also been charged with the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Infrastructure and the Environment. The work of the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Infrastructure and the Environment are reported separately for 2020.
This annual report further discusses the work carried out in 2020 by the Ministry of General Affairs and the results achieved. I wish you enjoy reading this report.
Evelyn Wever-Croes – The Prime Minister of Aruba