WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch Council of Ministers has approved the allocation of funds from the Borgstelling MKB-kredieten (BMKB) program to support entrepreneurs in Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten. This initiative aims to improve access to financing for businesses in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, contributing to the region’s economic growth and resilience.
Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Beljaarts, emphasized the vital role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in economic development: “SMEs create jobs and provide the essential goods and services we rely on daily. With the launch of the BMKB program in the Caribbean, entrepreneurs will have new opportunities to realize their ambitions. This is a crucial step in strengthening the business climate and economic resilience.”
The BMKB program facilitates access to financing by offering partial government guarantees, reducing risks for lenders, and encouraging credit issuance. This enables entrepreneurs to invest, innovate, and create employment opportunities.
The program will be implemented by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. State Secretary Zsolt Szabó is working with the governments of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, as well as local financial institutions, to enhance funding access. “SMEs in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom often struggle to secure capital, despite being essential for economic self-sufficiency. This program provides an opportunity to contribute to a more prosperous future for the islands' residents,” Szabó stated.
The BMKB scheme is set to launch after the summer of 2025. Lenders will be able to apply for guarantees through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Following the Dutch government’s approval, an online consultation will be held, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback. The documents will be made available in three languages, and the governments of the autonomous countries will be asked to formally approve the measure. If all goes as planned, the program will take effect in September 2025, with financial institutions expected to start offering credit under the scheme from September/October 2025.
