WILLEMSTAD – Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten will now have greater access to financing through the newly launched BMKB ACS guarantee scheme, introduced this week.

The scheme is designed to support businesses that lack sufficient collateral to secure loans. By covering part of the risk, the government increases the likelihood that banks and other lenders will provide financing.

Based on Dutch Model

The BMKB ACS is modeled after the successful Dutch guarantee scheme and is implemented by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The initiative aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial climate in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and lower barriers to investment.

Open to SMEs Until 2027

The scheme is available to SMEs with up to 250 employees and will run until July 1, 2027. With this measure, entrepreneurs across a wide range of sectors will have more opportunities to expand, invest, and contribute to the economic development of the three islands.