WILLEMSTAD - The first “Invest in Willemstad” investment summit took place in 2019, three years ago. After this multi-day event, organized by the Dutch employers' organization VNO-NCW and various Curaçao parties, there was an optimistic atmosphere about the development opportunities for our world heritage city. A direct consequence of this summit was, for example, the purchase of Plaza by the APC pension fund in consultation with the HPC group.
Two years ago, and also last year, the 2nd and 3rd edition took place on a modest scale due to Covid. This year the 4th edition of Invest in Willemstad will be organized on Wednesday 30 November. This event will take place, in Pietermaai in the Nieuwe Straat next to Mr. Porter from 16:00-19:00.
The Covid crisis, with the result that cruise ships no longer called at Curaçao and overnight tourism collapsed, caused a delay in the implementation of the plans among investors and business owners who wanted to do something in Willemstad. However, the tide has turned. A lot is being invested now, especially Otrobanda is very popular. The construction of the Wharf on Scharloo also leads to an inkblot effect in Scharloo Abou. New projects are in the starting blocks in Pietermaai and Penstraat. Punda awaits the developments around the Plaza hotel. Despite this, local business owners in Punda have continued to renovate and restore their old buildings into modern apartments.
This year is a very special year for Willemstad. Our historic city center is celebrating 25 years of Unesco World Heritage City. In this fourth edition of “Invest in Willemstad” we also want to reflect on this. Naturally, the emphasis of this 4th edition is on investing and new economic activities in Willemstad, but also on what more is needed to make the city attractive, lively and livable. Hence the addition to the title “and more”: Invest in Willemstad and more.
In that context, we have also invited speakers who will reflect on the role of monuments, the need to preserve the character of the city and the neighborhood and the role that the government should play in this.
In addition, as in previous editions, representatives from the districts of Punda, Otrobanda, Pietermaai and Scharloo will be present to explain the developments in their areas.
The opening will be by the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Billy Jonckheer, representing the private sector. Maarten Schakel and Jefka Alberta will be the presenters, who will conclude, if everything goes according to plan, an interview with one of the Ministers present.
Interested parties can follow this 4th edition of Invest in Willemstad via a zoom link. To do this, they must register via the link on the Facebook page of “InvestinWillemstad” https://www.facebook.com/investinwillemstad. The language of instruction is English. The broadcast starts on Wednesday 30 November at 16:25 and lasts until 18:30.
