The 7^th General Meeting of the Smart Nation Curaçao platform was held on January 25, 2019, at the Amazia Restaurant. The session has opened the Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Steven Martina, who discussed some exciting developments for Curaçao that took place during the “Bon Bini for Business Summit”. Representatives of the Bureau Telecommunicatie en Post, the appointed secretariat of the platform, shared relevant information including the Smart Nation activities that took place in 2018.

The Smart Nation initiative not only focuses on government-supported specific projects but there is also room for innovative projects from the private sector. In 2018 the November edition of “Reach” Magazine was launched with interesting articles about the Smart Nation Initiative.  Several conferences were held last year discussing Smart Nation related topics including the National Tourism Conference and the CINEX Smart Investment Summit. There were also several organizations like the Caribbean Blockchain Network and the Central Bank of Curaçao en Sint Maarten that organized events highlighting new technologies. Students from local universities were proactive in organizing conferences.

Aqualectra is also contributing to the Smart Nation Initiative with its wind park projects, a fleet of electric vehicles, solar panel projects, smart lighting projects, and water cooling projects. Other achievements in 2018 are the established collaboration with the Amsterdam Smart City initiative in order to achieve a digital and circular economy.

The Institute for Future of Living is the organization behind the development of the Kingdom of the Netherlands into a Smart Nation. They prepared a roadmap for this project and Curaçao has been included in this roadmap. Curaçao will be considered a Smart City next to other Smart Cities within the Kingdom. Each City is focusing on a specific area that will contribute to the success of the Kingdom becoming a Smart Nation. Curaçao will have the task of selecting specific areas of expertise as well.

In 2019 the local community will have a significant role in organizing and participating in conferences, workshops, and studies. It is a learning process for everyone and it is important to participate and collaborate with local initiatives. The “Bon Bini for Business Summit 2019” already generated positive results but we need to continue moving forward. The Vision Paper Smart Nation Platform Curaçao includes the 6 pillars identified for the successful development of Smart Nation Curaçao. Feedback and input is needed so feel free to provide it to the secretariat of the Smart Nation Curaçao (smartnation@burtel.cw). Smart Nation Curaçao is an open platform that welcomes feedback, comments, suggestions, and advice from the public and private sector. One of the important goals for the Smart Nation Curaçao Platform is to identify new job opportunities and transformation of jobs as well as educate young and adults in order for them to be able to take on these changes.

In regards to innovation, the Ministry of Economic Development worked on a “National Innovation Policy”. In addition to this, an innovation week is planned during 2019 as well as a Smart Conference to be organized by CINEX.

During the discussion session, several private and public companies were able to discuss/expose their projects that are or will contribute to the development of a Smart Nation.

In order to ensure a successful transition, the platform will work on the development of the Down Town area including Punda, Otrobanda, Scharloo, and Pietermaai, as a pilot project. The development includes a transformation of the area in such a way that the inclusion of a circular economy would be possible. The development of real estate into smart buildings like the Triangle offices in Otrobanda is a specific example to follow.

Let’s learn and work together in building a Smart Nation.

For questions and comments about this meeting contact the Secretariat Smart Nation Curaçao at smartnation@burtel.cw