A document with three points for growth of the islands’ economies was signed
WLLEMSTAD--Members of the Dutch Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (DCCC) association recently met in Curaçao to discuss various matters pertaining to the economies of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, representing over 65,000 businesses and other entities in total.
The one-day event included a discussion on country packages (“landspakket”) with restructuring measures as condition for COVID-19 crisis liquidity support from the Netherlands, the relationship with neighbouring Venezuela, new rules on company registration, and -especially- ways to improve economic connectivity.
After what was called “a fruitful day of discussions and exchange of knowledge and ideas” the members signed a document with three points that they agreed upon to be very important for the economies of the islands.
The chambers support implementation of the country packages to increase the resilience of the economies of the Dutch Caribbean countries Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten. In addition, they find it essential that fiscal-, social-, economic- and labour reforms lead to sustainable improvement.
The document also calls it fundamental that a holistic and integrated approach is required, and that the meaningful and timely engagement of the stakeholders is important in this regard. Furthermore, they emphasised that to increase the transparency of reforms, recommendations should be made publicly available.
Parties strive to reopen borders with Venezuela as soon as possible in the interest of the people as well as to promote and facilitate trade. They also resolve to stimulate and promote trade among the islands in the most cost-effective way, and to increase affordable connectivity between them.
