The MinPres was guest-speaker yesterday at the AHATA meeting at the Alhambra ballroom.
It was the first such meeting under new-normal rules. We were seated miles apart and required to keep our masks on.
The MinPres wore pink, her hair set in soft flowy waves, she came, she spoke, she left.
I was a bit stung by her performance, she told us what we already knew and did not thank the industry, seated at her feet, for being this island’s cash cow. She did not solicit any feedback.
Veni, vidi, vici!
As if easy.
Tell me, she asked the hoteliers, what can you do for us, what can each and every one of you do to increase the shared value of tourism? What can you do today for future tourism, for the ecosystem, for the environment, for the community?
As I said, I was stung. What do you mean, what AHATA can do? AHATA has been doing all along. It is the bureaucracy you represent that has stolen Aruba for 35 years.
AHATA has been working hard, paying taxes, and begging GOA to create a supportive ecosystem where entrepreneurs may thrive, but GOA did not listen, just wasted AHATA’s money, mortgaged its grandkids, and is now asking again, what can AHATA do?
Can I get a napkin, I have dirt on my shoes, read a WhatsApp message from a friend across the aisle, she too felt MinPres slighted the hard working forum. Why doesn’t she speak to the Labor Unions or her fellow ministers like that?
Don’t the hotels deserve credit from MinPres for their uber-performance, at least a thank you note. Chocolate? Flowers?
But then I mulled her message over, consulted with my friends and here’s the bottom line.
She is our change manager.
She has a huge task ahead of her.
The auditors are here and they are looking at the books.
They will return to the Netherlands with a harsh and clear directive to cut. And if Aruba doesn’t execute there will be no money in January.
We’re under Rijkstoezicht since Friday the 13th, the Dutch were willing to help but dictated conditions.
According to MinPres we’re in for HALF A BILLION, this year alone.
She said it took time to negotiate the deal because Aruba cannot be tossed into one bag with SM and Curacao, we are different and she wanted to help the Dutch understand the distinction.
Having introduced the hoteliers to the concept of RAFT and COHO, Caribbean Organ for Reform and Development, she went on to outline what is expected of us before January, so that we would qualify for additional aid in 2021.
It is ambitious.
We are to show progress on reform in the financial sector, we must review all salaries of public employees, and we must launch an education assessment, according to the masterplan put together by more than 100 professional volunteers who wrote the roadmap to a resilient, better Aruba.
Other reforms on the agenda, with a December 15th deadline include changes in labor laws – which the industry is waiting for with bated breath, red tape reduction, systemic taxation evaluation, and E Government introduction.
Imagine this laundry list.
And MinPres is the one in charge of making sure it happens.
More on her plate?
The refinery deal. Incentives for farming and agriculture, medical cannabis, and other items from the six primary sectors earmarked for diversification.
The woman will never sleep in the next three years until the agreement is revised/reviewed.
So, I simmered down.
We must support her in her herculean feat, so make sure you vote for her next fall, she must stay on task, for a smooth transition into the next government.
Sorry peeps, support of MinPres will guarantee the success of the masterplan, and the much-needed reform we crave, so I suggest you all bury your hatchets.
