PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Last February 2019, the staff of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary under leadership of Deputy Minister Michael Somersall participated in the Emigration Expo in the municipality of Houten, The Netherlands.
The Emigration Expo, is an annual event which is aimed at migrants, returning emigrants, expats, students, entrepreneurs, retired bon vivants and others to migrate to countries within the region or abroad. It is the largest Expo of its kind in Europe and is visited by more than 11,000 people.
As a first timer to the Expo, Sint Maarten participation attracted a sizable crowd to its stand where it received favourable feedback and a growing amount of interests from the visitors to the stand about the country.
Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Michael Somersall said that he had the opportunity to interact with Sint Maarten students and young professionals who are contemplating coming back home, adding that, some indicating that the expo played a critical role for some of their friends and acquaintances hence the reason for their visit to the Expo every year.
As a result of the success of Sint Maarten at the Expo, Tom Bey, the director, and organizer of the Expo contacted the Cabinet and expressed his gratitude as well as complementing the Cabinet on the positive feedback he received from patrons at the Expo.
The idea of Sint Maarten as the hosting country of the Expo was launched, and the Expo would be themed The Dutch Caribbean.
This opportunity according to Deputy Minister Somersall, falls in line with the Sint Maarten Government’s Governing Program as it entails connecting the academic population and professionals while stimulating and encouraging them to return to the country.
Deputy Minister Somersall encourages all stakeholders to attend the information session taking place this Friday, June 28th at 4:00 pm at the University of St. Martin.
In an invited comment Deputy Minister Michael Somersall said: “Mr. Bey could not have offered us a better opportunity of showcasing Sint Maarten at the Expo.
“The Caribbean aisles are one of the busiest (re) emigration destinations at the Expo. Tranquility, open spaces, a place under the sun, are the ingredients that attract. Annually, there are many Dutch emigrant and Island children who leave for the Caribbean islands to live, work or to set up a business there.
“They help build economic growth in Health Care, Infrastructure, IT and Tourism sectors. It is crucial that all stakeholders; government agencies, estate agents, removal/shipping companies and other service providers help the future young professionals with their (returning) emigration plans during the Emigration Expo.”
