Curaçao Unveils Plan to Boost Exports and Draw IT Investment

Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island, has unveiled a new policy framework aiming to boost its exporting sector.

The tiny Caribbean country is hoping to attract investment to the industries of information technology (IT), financial services, education and port and maritime services, among others.

“The government is 100% behind the implementation of the strategy and we will implement it together; the public and private sector, but also the civil society/NGOs,” stated Minister Ruisandro Cijntje after officially launching Curaçao Export Week 2022 earlier this week.

The government has also indicated that it would form an agency to promote foreign investment in the country.

The island nation says that it is confident that its strategy will lead to the creation of more jobs in addition to helping the economy diversify.

Although home to less than 150,000 people, Curaçao’s “Open Arms” policy features a heavy focus on attracting IT companies. So far, the biggest private employer in the country is an oil refinery, which refines oil from Venezuela for export to the US and Asia.

Despite having extensive sunny beaches like many other Caribbean countries, Curaçao’s economy is less reliant on tourism. “Exports are essential to Curaçao’s prosperity and economic development,” stated Minister Cijntje.