Economic Recovery and Growth:
- Early 2022: Recovery from COVID-19 pandemic begins, with significant increase in tourism. Negotiations with the Netherlands for financial support continue.
- March 2023: Tourism in Aruba is recovering to pre-pandemic levels. The government is focusing on economic diversification to reduce dependence on tourism.
2024:
Financial and Social Welfare:
- 2023-2024: The government is implementing important social policies, including salary increases for public employees, increased pensions and financial support for low-income families. These measures are designed to improve living standards, increase purchasing power and reduce poverty.
Integrity and Anti-Corruption Efforts:
- April 2022: The National Integrity Scan (NIS) is being launched to combat corruption and improve transparency within government. The scan identifies areas for improvement, leading to the development of a strategic plan.
- 2024: Prime Minister Wever-Croes faces criticism over the independence of the Public Prosecutor's Office. She defends the integrity of the Prosecutor's Office and reiterates her commitment to fighting corruption, focusing on misuse of public funds by previous governments.
Challenges:
- Ongoing: Prime Minister Weaver-Croes must deal with global inflation and rising costs of living, caused in part by geopolitical events such as the war in Ukraine. Despite these challenges, her government remains focused on economic stabilization, addressing social inequalities and managing environmental risks.
Additional Focus Areas:
- Cybersecurity and Sustainability: The government prioritizes cybersecurity and sustainability initiatives, including clean energy initiatives and measures against global cyber threats.
- Recognition and Awards: In 2023, Aruba will be recognized as the best-governed country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, attributed to strong financial and social policies led by Wever-Croes.
