WILLEMSTAD - The Chamber of Commerce (KvK) is concerned about the implementation and effectiveness of the reforms, as well as the pace of implementation. This was revealed in a speech by the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Billy Jonckheer, during a recent business dinner.
Uncertainty continues to prevail with the Landspakket (Country Package) and the Mutual Arrangement (OR), according to Chairman. It remains unclear to the KvK whether the reform plans will actually lead to economic growth. Jonckheer notes that the private sector was not involved in the Landspakket and the reform plans. In addition, the reforms from the Landspakket are supposed to lead to resilience, but nowhere is it defined what resilience entails or what is meant by it. It is also unclear what purpose the baseline measurements serve.
"Reforms are certainly not an end in themselves. They are only means to achieve a certain goal. Theoretically, in our case, the country assumes that resilience is the goal, but this assumption is not supported by any measurable result. In our case, reforms are likely being implemented to build resilience. But what does that mean? Since resilience is not necessarily a result of reforms, one may wonder why these reforms are not specifically aimed at economic and social development," says Jonckheer.
And, he continues: "Baseline measurements seem to indicate a redistribution of scarcity, which actually lowers our standard of living. Where are our ambitions?"
The chairman emphasizes that Curaçao needs economic growth and development. There has been no growth and low productivity for twenty years, which has had significant consequences for the well-being of the community. Jonckheer states that "without economic growth, there is no money to do what needs to be done to not only grow the economy but also our population, which is urgently needed."
According to Jonckheer, it is essential to focus on productive and sustainable growth. This requires a policy direction, which can be undertaken through actions that fit within the design for the future. It also implies that all stakeholders endorse this direction. In 2018, the Chamber of Commerce issued a report, "Ban Sembra awe pa Kosechá mañan", in which they identified five pillars for the new Curaçao economy that they believe should be seriously considered: tourism, logistics, international education, information technology, and the financial sector. Jonckheer also gives the health sector as an example of an opportunity.
He explains that the Chamber of Commerce has developed a plan for a new activity, a "retirement community," targeting wealthy individuals from the United States (US), Canada, the Netherlands, and Belgium. During the project, there will be a need for construction workers and developers. Once the project is completed, there will be a need for high-level employment in support staff, nursing, and management. In addition to these direct effects, there will be numerous indirect effects that will impact various industries, such as tourism, construction, real estate, education, electricity, retail, finance, and agriculture. Such projects require high-service standards, and it is up to both the government and the private sector to live up to them.
The chairman concludes his speech with the motto, "I would say that the secret of getting ahead is getting started," or loosely translated, "stop thinking and start doing."