WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Chamber of Commerce is calling for a fundamental shift in how the island approaches economic growth, warning that rising economic activity does not automatically translate into a stronger, more diversified, and resilient economy.
During its Business Mixer on October 15, 2026, the Chamber presented its vision for Curaçao's economic development through 2035, emphasizing that the country must use its current growth to create lasting economic value, improve productivity, and reduce dependence on a limited number of sectors.
Business Mixer
The Chamber's chairman stressed that economic growth and economic development should not be confused.
“There is a difference between economic growth and economic development. Growth tells us how much bigger our economy is becoming. Development tells us what kind of economy we are building,” the chairman said.
According to the Chamber, tourism will remain an important pillar of Curaçao's economy. However, the country must ensure that growth in tourism and other sectors generates greater benefits for local businesses and the wider population.
This requires stronger local supply chains, increased productivity, and the development of new economic activities capable of creating sustainable employment and business opportunities.
The Chamber also pointed to figures from its Trade Register that raise questions about the structure and sustainability of business activity on the island.
During the first nine months of 2026, more than 3,400 new businesses were registered, representing an increase of approximately 38 percent compared with the same period in 2025.
Despite this sharp rise in new registrations, the total number of active registered businesses at the end of September was approximately 5 percent lower.
The Chamber emphasized that further research is necessary to explain this apparent contradiction.
The figures suggest that an increase in business registrations should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a healthier business environment. Additional information is needed to determine what is happening to existing enterprises and how many new businesses develop into sustainable operations.
To provide direction for the coming years, the Chamber introduced its Wensbeeld Curaçao 2035, a long-term vision intended to serve as a framework for assessing investments, economic initiatives, and government policies.
The vision identifies five interconnected areas of transformation: the economy, talent development, resilience, innovation, and implementation.
Rather than presenting a detailed government policy program, the Chamber describes the document as a compass to help decision-makers evaluate whether initiatives contribute to the type of economy Curaçao wants to build.
The organization believes that government and the private sector must work toward a common direction, with public institutions creating the conditions for investment while entrepreneurs transform opportunities into economic activity and employment.
The Chamber's message comes at a time when Curaçao is experiencing economic expansion but continues to face questions about diversification, productivity, and the distribution of economic opportunities.
According to the Chamber, the central challenge is no longer simply how quickly the economy grows, but whether that growth produces a stronger economic foundation for future generations.
The organization argues that decisions taken today will determine whether Curaçao enters the next decade with a more competitive and resilient economy or remains heavily dependent on its traditional economic activities.