WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, politically responsible for the execution of the Country Package (Landspakket) under his Pisas II Cabinet, reflected on the successful implementation of reforms and Curaçao’s strengthened position within the Kingdom.
Following negotiations with Dutch State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen (D66), Curaçao successfully opposed the COHO (Caribbean Body for Reform and Development) proposed by former State Secretary Raymond Knops (CDA). Instead, the country agreed on a mutual cooperation arrangement with the Netherlands, Aruba, and Sint Maarten for long-term public sector reform—a Dutch requirement after the COVID-19 pandemic, when the islands had to rely heavily on financial support from the Netherlands.
With the formation of the new Dutch coalition government led by PVV, NSC, VVD, and BBB, the newly appointed State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, Zsolt Szabó (PVV), has outlined three key objectives for Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten:
Economic self-sufficiency
Good governance
Sound financial management
Economic Self-Sufficiency
After nearly four years of successful public sector reforms, the Pisas II Cabinet has effectively met the commitments made with the Netherlands under the Country Package. Last Friday, State Secretary Szabó publicly stated that the Dutch government is satisfied with Curaçao’s execution of the reforms between 2021 and 2025.
This progress has contributed significantly to the goal of economic self-sufficiency, leading the Dutch government to open financial guarantee arrangements for small and medium-sized enterprises (B-MKB). This decision allows local businesses and investors to access commercial loan guarantees from local banks, fostering economic growth that is expected to become evident by 2026.
Good Governance
The Pisas II Cabinet successfully negotiated and implemented 14 reform agendas over the past four years without taking any measures against the interests of the people of Curaçao.
Beyond executing the Country Package, Prime Minister Pisas emphasized to the Dutch government that good governance is part of his administration’s vision for Curaçao’s sustainable development. The government remains committed to upholding good governance across all sectors, ensuring adherence to national laws and regulations.
Sound Financial Management
The Dutch government and the CFT (Financial Supervision Board) have repeatedly confirmed that the Pisas II Cabinet, under the leadership of Finance Minister Javier Silvania, has significantly improved Curaçao’s financial position. This led to a substantial budget surplus, strengthening the country’s economic foundation.
Despite Dutch pressure to resolve the ENNIA pension fund issue as a condition for refinancing COVID-19 loans, the Pisas II Cabinet successfully implemented an effective structure to guarantee pension payments to 25,000 retirees. As a result, Curaçao secured the refinancing of nearly 1 billion guilders in COVID-19 loans at a significantly lower interest rate of 2.9%, reducing the financial burden on the national budget.
Additionally, the government allocated necessary reserves for healthcare expenditures and improved tax collection efficiency under the Country Package reforms. As a result, Curaçao’s liquidity position remains stable, and the government has not needed financial assistance from the Netherlands in recent years.
These achievements underscore Curaçao’s financial stability, reinforcing its path toward economic self-sufficiency.
Recognition and Gratitude
Recognizing these accomplishments, Prime Minister Pisas organized a “get-together” with key government officials, including the National Reform Commission, secretaries-general, and principal coordinators of Curaçao’s ministries. During the event, he expressed gratitude for their hard work and professionalism in executing the reforms over the past four years.
Prime Minister Pisas also extended his appreciation to the three consecutive Dutch governments he worked with, acknowledging their support through funding and expertise. Furthermore, he welcomed State Secretary Szabó’s commitment to continued cooperation, ensuring the ongoing success of the reform program.