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>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department Head of the Public Service Center, Emilia Thomas recently returned from a working visit to the Netherlands, where she visited the public service centers in the Municipalities of the Hague, Zoetermeer and Stichtse Vecht. The purpose of the visit was to (re)-establish working rapport with said municipalities in view of Government's commitment to improve its efficiency and vision to further expand its services to the public by creating a "one-stop shop" operation. The visit to the Netherlands was co-coordinated by Mr. Perry Geerlings, Director at the Office of the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague.

Thomas said that the trip was extremely successful. We were able to view first-hand the front- and back office operations at the respective centers. Presentations were made by various management teams about their operation's success as well some of their challenges. One of the highlights during the visit was that to the Call Center at the "Stadsdeelkantoor Centrum" in the Hague. Call Centers in the Netherlands are part of the normal operations at the public service centers. The purpose of these centers is to assist all citizens by providing pertinent information about all government services and products. This information can range from inquiries with regard to the application of processing of a passport; to a citizen reporting about uncollected household waste, making an appointment for a service or informing about requirements for applying for study financing just to name a few. It was an impressive operation that we were able to witness at these Centers. The use of (innovative) modern technology, online- and digitalized service processes are standard, which ensures that effective and efficient services are provided to all. Government's ICT Information Analyst, Ms. Caren Matthew also travelled along on this working visit to witness first-hand how the systems used there could work within the Government of Sint Maarten's infrastructure.

Thomas said that the way we provide services to our citizens are changing especially in view of new technological advances. The visit clearly underscored the need to focus on improving access to government services and information through the integration and the seamless workflow of the various processes. As stated before, this form of service delivery aims to bring government services and information together in a way that it is easily accessible to all. Citizen's service satisfaction is our ultimate goal. This is the premise on which the Public Service Center St. Maarten was established. Thomas said that it is our intention going forward to learn from the experiences and make use of the expertise as witness at the public service centers in the Netherlands.

Perry Geerlings mentioned 1 time