PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – In a groundbreaking move towards modernization, the government of Sint Maarten is set to digitize one million paper documents by 2026. This ambitious initiative, spearheaded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund and executed by the National Recovery Program Bureau, marks the first significant digitization effort within the government. The program will enhance archiving practices by providing digital backups, thus safeguarding crucial documents against disaster threats like hurricanes, while also ensuring improved accessibility and resilience.
Initiated in April, the digitization effort is centered around a cutting-edge facility established in the government building, equipped with the latest technology for digitizing various document types, including books, maps, and legal papers. Several government departments, including ICT, civil registry, spatial planning, and business licensing, are participating in the project. They are submitting documents such as building permits, marriage certificates, tax forms, and land deeds for digitization. These documents will be thoroughly scanned and securely stored digitally.
The interim head of the government’s ICT department emphasized the importance of this digital transformation for Sint Maarten’s future. “This initiative is about creating a more efficient future through advanced digital systems in government infrastructure. By streamlining information management and enhancing security, we aim to reduce dependency on physical documents,” she stated. “Our goal is to standardize digital archiving across all departments, which can significantly improve citizen access to government services.”
According to the information business analyst leading the digital archiving initiative, effective implementation hinges on collaboration among departments. “Our system allows departments to submit physical documents for digitization, where our team manages everything from scanning to quality assurance,” he explained.
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma, the urgency to digitize records became evident. “The damage highlighted our vulnerability,” he noted. “Transitioning to digital archives is essential to safeguard important documents. With digitization, we can create editable digital files and enhance overall efficiency.”
The head of the civil registry department echoed support for this crucial initiative, stating, “This transformation will revolutionize how we manage key documents. Our processes will become quicker and more secure, providing the populace with faster access to essential records and services, while ensuring the preservation of important documents for the future.”
This digitization effort is a vital component of Sint Maarten’s Digital Government Transformation Project (DGTP), which aims to improve access to public services by integrating digital systems across government departments. Funded through the Trust Fund, this project is managed with international support, reflecting a strong commitment to enhancing public service delivery in Sint Maarten.
