WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao and the City of Savannah, Georgia, have taken an important step toward strengthening their relationship with the signing of an International Friendship Agreement aimed at expanding economic, educational, scientific and cultural cooperation.
Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof and Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson II signed the agreement on behalf of Curaçao and the U.S. city.
The agreement is the result of a relationship that began two years ago during the visit of the Dutch King and Queen to Georgia. During that mission, Curaçao’s then Minister of Economic Development accompanied the Royal Couple and initiated discussions with Mayor Johnson about establishing a long-term relationship between Curaçao and Savannah.
Johnson responded positively to the proposal, after which teams on both sides continued discussions and worked to develop the relationship.
The Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Atlanta played an important role in bringing Curaçao and Savannah together and supporting discussions over the past two years. Former Consul General Jaap Veerman was particularly involved in establishing and maintaining the contacts.
Opportunities for Cooperation
Savannah and Curaçao are comparable in terms of population size, while their different economic strengths could provide opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Savannah is home to one of the most important ports in the United States and has significant industrial and aviation sectors, including companies such as Gulfstream Aerospace and Hyundai. Its coastal location has also contributed to extensive expertise in marine sciences, fisheries and coastal areas.
That expertise was reflected in Mayor Johnson’s delegation, which included representatives of Savannah State University.
During the visit, university representatives held initial discussions with organizations in Curaçao about possible cooperation in research, education, marine sciences and coastal studies.
The Friendship Agreement identifies several potential areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, tourism and heritage tourism, marine and coastal research, the creative industries, hospitality and culinary tourism, innovation, education and sports.
Sports received particular attention during the visit. Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas requested that opportunities be explored for Savannah’s expertise, experience and coaches to contribute to the further development of sports in Curaçao.
From Agreement to Action
Representatives from Curaçao, Savannah and the United States attended the signing ceremony. Among them were U.S. Consul General Ramón “Chico” Negrón, Prime Minister Pisas, members of the Council of Ministers, the President of the Curaçao Parliament and members of Parliament’s Economic Affairs Committee.
Middelhof emphasized that the agreement should become more than a document bearing two signatures. He called on Parliament to continue monitoring its implementation and to question the government about progress and concrete results.
One of the objectives is to encourage companies in Savannah to explore business and investment opportunities in Curaçao. At the same time, Curaçao wants to encourage local entrepreneurs to establish contacts and pursue business opportunities in Savannah and the broader U.S. market.
The agreement also demonstrates how Curaçao can develop economic relationships with individual cities and regions abroad. In addition to traditional relations between countries, Curaçao can establish partnerships with places with which it shares economic, scientific or cultural interests, allowing businesses, universities, government institutions and communities to work directly with one another.
The signing is therefore intended to mark the beginning rather than the conclusion of the process.
As Mayor Johnson emphasized during his visit, friendship provides the foundation for cooperation. Building relationships based on trust can make economic and institutional cooperation easier, more sustainable and more meaningful.
The next challenge will be to transform that friendship into concrete opportunities, projects, exchanges and lasting connections between Savannah and Curaçao.
From friendship to partnership — and from partnership to action.