Page 7 - aruba-today-20221221

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local Wednesday 21 december 2022

Minister of Economic Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Wever:

City center must become a center of housing and gastronomy

Soon the procedure will
begin for Oranjestad to be
recognized as a “Culinary
Capital” under the interna-
tional program “World Food
Travel Association”, so that
in time, we can reach the
highest title awarded by
the international program
UNESCO City of Gastrono-
my. This title will put Oran-
ORANJESTAD – During the will receive a public invest- jestad on the international
unveiling of the first phase ment that will translate in map and attract new and
of the project Revitalization infrastructural changes to exclusive clientele for our
of Oranjestad last week, enhance the area, make it island.
minister of Economic Af- more accessible to people
fairs, Mr. Geoffrey Wever with limitations, and include The first phase of the Revi-
expressed that after speak- more plants to provide talization of Oranjestad is
ing with everyone – big more shade and comfort in only the beginning. For a
and small businesses – this public area in the city while already work is being
who wanted to share their center. carried out on other proj-
thoughts, vision, desires There will also be invest- ects that are yet to be an-
and concerns for the future ments made in more illu- nounced. Minister Geoffrey
of the Main Street, Caya mination for the area and Wever wants to send the
Betico F. Croes, and the more terraces and rec- correct signal and show cises were done to present
center of Oranjestad, the reational areas. This way, that the Government of realistic projects of such Finalizing his message,
conclusion was reached the sense of security will in- Aruba want to partner with magnitude that they result Wever expressed that he
that the city center needs crease and support will be the private sector in devel- in a significant increase is happy with this first step
to become a center of given to investments that opment. in the amount of people to develop Oranjestad in
housing and gastronomy. have already been made in our city center. “When a housing and gastronomy
in the area from the private Creating housing in our city people live in the city cen- center. The hope is to mo-
For the first phase, it was sector. Together with the center is an important ele- ter, it creates a constant tivate commerce, finan-
chosen to begin with the private sector, the intention ment to achieve the revi- flow of people who will be cial institutions and local
revitalization of the area is to create the maximum talization of Oranjestad. In clientele for the businesses and international investors
of Colombusstraat and impact with what little pub- order to give content to this in the city center”, Wever to invest in our city center,
Wilhelminastraat, which lic funds are available. vision, the necessary exer- pointed out. Oranjestad.q

Prime minister and Dutch Secretary of

State pay visit to Foundation Against

Relational Violence

ORANJESTAD – Dutch Sec- Secretary of State Van den panded thanks to funds
retary of State, Mr. Eric van Burg is also in charge of Jus- from the Netherlands, and
den Burg is carrying out a tice and the issue of asylum for this reason, it is impor-
short work visit in Aruba, re- seekers. But also in charge tant for them to see what
lated to the apology of the of the topic of violence was done with their funds.
Netherlands regarding the and abuse against people.
topic of slavery. Also dur- In this context, Van den FCVR is doing enormous
ing his visit, together with Burg visited FCVR consider- work for our local com- ery sense. have the need for such a
prime minister of Aruba, ing this visit to be of great munity by helping women foundation, but the real-
Mrs. Evelyn Wever-Croes, importance for the Secre- that are in difficulty so that “It is always a pleasure ity is that we need it, and
Van den Burg paid a visit to tary of State to have insight they can have a safe and when you visit a founda- we can count on this foun-
the Foundation Against Re- on what Aruba is already secure place to turn to, tion doing such a great dation in cases where it is
lational Violence, FCVR. doing regarding this issue. so they can stand on their job. Of course in my heart necessary”, prime minister
The FCVR building was ex- own two feet again, in ev- I wish that we would never Wever-Croes said. q