Saskia Natacia Walden (born 6 July 1974) is a Surinamese accountant and educator. She served as Minister of Economic Affairs from 16 July 2020 to 18 April 2022.

Saskia Walden
Walden (2020)
Minister of Economic Affairs
In office
16 July 2020 – 18 April 2022
Preceded byStephen Tsang [nl]
Succeeded byRishma Kuldipsingh [nl]
Personal details
Born
Saskia Natacia Walden

(1974-07-06) 6 July 1974 (age 50)
Suriname
NationalitySuriname
Political partyProgressive Reform Party (VHP)
OccupationAccountant, educator

Biography

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Walden was born on 6 July 1974.[1] In 1999, she obtained her bachelor's degree in accountancy from the Port of Spain campus of the Andrews University. In 2011, she obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.[2][1]

Walden started her career as a mathematics and accounting teacher. Later, she became a corporate accountant, and worked for the Surinamese Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education.[3] In 2014, she became the Secretary of the Surinamese Checkers Union.[4] In 2020, she was working for the Surinamese insurance company Assuria, and was nominated by the Progressive Reform Party (VHP).[5]

On 16 July 2020, Walden was appointed as Minister of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship, and Technological Innovation in the cabinet of Chan Santokhi.[6] In October 2021, it was revealed that she was still the owner of nine corporations and foundations.[7] In her defence, Walden stated that she had performed no activities since her appointment,[8] and that ownership is not forbidden according to the Constitution of Suriname.[9]

Walden resigned as minister on 18 April 2022,[10] but indicated that she would remain available for future service.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Minister Saskia Walden". Handelsmissie.sr (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Seventh-day Adventist Appointed to President's Cabinet in Suriname". Adventist World. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Saskia Walden". World Bank. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Frank Lo Kim Lin verlaat schaken voor dammen". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  5. ^ "VHP draagt Saskia Walden voor als minister van Handel & Industrie". GFC Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Dit zijn de ministers in het nieuwe regeerteam van Suriname". Waterkant (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Minister Walden heeft veel bedrijven en stichtingen op haar naam staan". Suriname Herald (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Bedrijven minister Walden slapend, geen activiteiten voor uitgeoefend". Waterkant (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Ir. Richard Kalloe over kwestie minister Walden: "De Grondwet moet op de schroothoop, die garandeert wanbestuur"". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  10. ^ "EZ-minister Walden stelt haar portefeuille ter beschikking - Minister Kuldipsingh volgt Walden op". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  11. ^ "Voormalig minister Saskia Walden met opgeheven hoofd afgezwaaid". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2022-05-13.