WILLEMSTAD - Monday, May 8, 2023, finally we can once again warmly welcome the two fruit and vegetable boats from Venezuela after five (5) years of closed borders between Curaçao and Venezuela. The Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) is extremely pleased with this development, as the presence of these Venezuelan boats has been part of our tourist attractions in the city center and has also provided affordable options for fruits and vegetables for the people of Curaçao. During a pleasant event this morning, Minister of Economic Development, Ruisandro Cijntje, officially handed over the stand permits to the captains of these two boats, welcoming them back to the dock. This is also a historic moment, as it is the first time these fruit and vegetable boats have received a stand permit.
Since it became known in January 2018 that the boats would no longer come, the Government of Curaçao has taken various initiatives to keep the Sha Capriles area alive. Among these initiatives, MEO restarted the project to allow local entrepreneurs to use the stalls to sell, among other things, local delicacies, fruits and vegetables, and local crafts. With the reopening of the border between Curaçao and Venezuela, Sha Caprileskade will now become a combination of local entrepreneurs and Venezuelan boats. Ten (10) stalls at Sha Caprileskade are reserved to accommodate 5 of the Venezuelan boats, and the remaining 20 stalls are available for local entrepreneurs. As has been the case since 2018, the Marshe Foundation serves as the administrator of the market stalls in the city center, including the Sha Caprileskade area, to ensure continuity and maintenance.
Both Minister Cijntje and MEO are extremely pleased with this development and encourage the entire people of Curaçao to continue supporting not only our own entrepreneurs who make use of this area but also the returning Venezuelan boats.
