The Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) has established the 2023 maximum rate for electricity and drinking water on the islands. The ACM does this yearly, and ensures that the productions companies have sufficient financial power to invest in developing sustainable electricity and drinking water production.
This is important, as major sustainability projects have been scheduled on all of the islands for 2023 and beyond. In the ACM’s view, sustainable production of energy and drinking water on Bonaire, Saba and St Eustatius is not only good for the climate, it also ensures energy and drinking water rates on the islands are less dependent on turbulent global fuel prices.
On Saba, the maximum variable consumer rate for electricity will decrease. On Sint Eustatius, it will slightly rise. In actuality, promised subsidies will make sure that consumers will pay less for water and electricity in 2023. The standing charge (fixed costs or capacity rate) will be fully subsidized. The only charge will be based on the variable amounts of electricity consumed. Furthermore, a 50% subsidy will apply to any proportion of the variable costs that exceeds USD 0.38 per kWh.
The maximum rate for drinking water will decrease from around USD 8.62 per m3 to around USD 5.79 per m3, but the standing charge will increase from 93.76 USD per month to 98.78 USD per month. However, a capacity rate subsidy will still apply.
The Board of the Chamber of Commerce, was ready to hold elections in December 2022 on the islands of Sint Eustatius and Saba. Based on the new Laws of the Chamber of Commerce the five positions on the Board are to put vacant and elections are held every three years.
After weeks of advertising there were five valid postulations. Based on the Law, if the amount of candidates is the same as the amount of vacancies, all candidates are elected to the Board automatically and no election has to be held.
The newcomer candidate on Saba is Mr. Michiel (Mike) Stamm, who will replace Mr Glenn Pileo. The new candidates in Statia are Ms. Daniela Richardson and former Board member Mrs. Ebelene Schmidt-Hinds. Hermanus van Xanten, the sitting President of the Chamber Board, has been reelected as Board member. Sitting board member Mr. Vaughn Sams was reelected as well. The Executives of the Board will be decided from among those five members during the first Board meeting in January 2023.
From 15 to 17 November, a delegation from all islands belonging to the Kingdom of the Netherlands conducted business in Colombia, during the Caribbean2Colombia Mission.
Thanks to the joint work of the Colombian-Dutch Chamber of Commerce-Holland House Colombia, Stichting Beheer MKB fondsen and the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Dutch Caribbean, a Caribbean2Colombia Mission was carried out in November. The main objective of the mission was to establish a relationship and connection between companies in the Dutch Caribbean and in Colombia, in search of the creation of business networks and commercial agreements. Participants were companies and entities from all 6 Caribbean islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands: Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba and St. Maarten.
Expanding the market in both directions
Within the welcome meeting, which took place at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bogotá, 7 companies and entities from the islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands confirmed their willingness to expand their market towards new horizons through bilateral trade. For Jan Willem van Bokhoven, director of the Chamber of Commerce-Holland House, geographical and cultural proximity is a fundamental pillar for trade, which generates that the islands and Colombia become crucial trading partners. Likewise, he affirmed that there is a lot of interest in strengthening and getting many more Colombian companies to arrive with their products to the Caribbean and use the islands as a commercial hub for the entire region.
As expected, the delegation was able to carry out commercial approaches with different relevant actors in the services, tourism and agriculture sectors during their visit to Bogota. The formal closing of the mission was on the 17th with the celebration of the Day of the Entrepreneur, an event that seeks to highlight the innovative ideas of all those businessmen and entrepreneurs of both Colombia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Air connection with Copa Airlines
Hemmie van Xanten, President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Statia and Saba, was among the participants: “I had the privilege to meet with several companies who provide fresh fruits and vegetables. Together with the Chamber of Commerce of St. Maarten we are investigating the possibility to bring these fresh products to our islands. Considering the currently difficult maritime connection between Colombia and The Windward Islands, Copa Airlines has been approached in order for them to fly goods to St. Maarten. From thereon, goods will find their way to Saba and Statia.
I also met with construction companies on Saba with regards to construction materials like prefab housing, sanitary products, ceramics, electrical goods and many other materials.”
The Chamber of Commerce will pass on the contact details of the various companies to relevant businesses on Saba and Statia so that they can directly get in contact with the Colombian suppliers. The Chamber is happy to facilitate and support the businesses by gathering and offering the necessary information to establish a fruitful trading relationship.
If you have any questions or specific interest in the topic, please contact your local Chamber office.
As of the 1st of January 2023, the minimum wage and all benefits in the Caribbean Netherlands will increase. The Minister for Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions announced the concrete amounts on 28 November 2022.
Minimum wage
The minimum wage will be increased by 18.2 per cent on Bonaire, 14.3 per cent on St. Eustatius and 15.0 per cent on Saba. For a working person aged 21 or older, at a 40-hour workweek, this amounts to a minimum income of $1,236 per month on Bonaire, $1,446 on St Eustatius and $1,434 on Saba. This means workers earning the minimum wage will gain about $180 to $190 per month. Click here for the full minimum wage table.
Child benefit
All parents and caregivers will receive around $30 per child per month more child benefit in 2023. This will make the child benefit per child on Bonaire $131, on St Eustatius $128 and on Saba $129 per month.
Old age pension (AOV)
Senior citizens will receive a higher old age pension (AOV) in 2023. This will increase by about 39 per cent on Bonaire, 23 per cent on St. Eustatius and 31 per cent on Saba. This means that a pensioner with full AOV accrual on Bonaire will receive $1,047 per month. On St. Eustatius and Saba, it is $1,113 and $1,175, respectively. This includes the so-called ‘duration allowance’ received by AOV recipients in the Windward Islands. This increase accelerates the AOV to the level of the benchmark social minimum. AOV beneficiaries on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will gain $295, $151 and $204 per month respectively in 2023. For couples, this is double the amount.
Social relief
The concrete increase in the social relief level depends on the household situation. As of the 1st of January 2023, the social relief for single persons living independently will be $413 per two weeks on Bonaire, $487 on Sint Eustatius and $483 on Saba. That is an increase of about 35 per cent, which will make singles gain about $110 to $120 per two weeks. For couples living independently, the social relief is $571 per two weeks on Bonaire, $668 on St. Eustatius and $662 on Saba. That is an increase of 36 per cent on average, giving couples around $160 to $170 more per two weeks in 2023. The basic social relief amount will be increased only by inflation and will come out at $216 on Bonaire, $254 on St. Eustatius and $252 on Saba.
Click here for an overview of the social benefit amounts in 2023 or visit www.rijksdienstcn.com for more information.
All registered business are invited to the first annual Business appreciation network event on Sint Eustatius.
We hope to welcome you there!
Now that St Kitts has finally lifted the travel restrictions that applied since the Covid19 pandemic, Makana ferry is able to connect Saba, Statia and SXM to the island. From Statia, there will be a morning (7AM) and an afternoon (4:20PM) option on Mondays and Fridays. The travel time between St Kitts and Statia is 1 hour and 10 minutes. The first trip is scheduled for Monday October 31st.
Reservations to St Kitts must be made 24hours in advance and all travelers must complete the immigration and customs form before travel.
Business and leisure possibilities
The improving connectivity between the islands gives great opportunities for interregional travel and trade. Passengers are allowed to bring luggage on the ferry, making pleasure shopping or business purchasing a lot easier. The Makana ferry offers travelers an alternative and more affordable option to visit Statia and Saba, a development that will help boost our local economy.
Entrepreneurs, your market is expanding!
If you have a business in hospitality, taxi service, car rental or otherwise: your target market just got bigger! Now is a good time to evaluate your marketing strategy and activities and see how this island connectivity development can widen your reach and grow your business.
Check the website www.makanaferryservice.com for the latest schedules and fares.
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Do you wish to be on the board of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry St Eustatius and Saba for the next three years? Or would you like to nominate a candidate?
From November 1st to November 14th, 2022 the nominations can be submitted at your local Chamber of Commerce.
Who is eligible for a board position?
Anyone who represents a legal entity that is registered at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry St Eustatius and Saba, with the exception of foundations and associations, can be nominated for board membership. You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid residency in St Eustatius or Saba for the past two years. Acting board members can be re-elected up to three times.
Candidates must represent one of the following entities:
- N.V. (limited liability company)
- B.V. (private liability company)
- Proprietorship
- V.O.F. (general partnership)
- C.V. (limited partnership)
What it takes to be a board member
A good candidate should have an interest in the economic situation on the islands. You want to help strengthen the business community and have a drive to make a difference. You are willing to invest 2 to 3 hours per week in your board member position. As president and vice-president, you will most likely spend double that amount of time. You are expected to attend and actively participate in the board meetings that take place once per month. A candidate must be fluent in the English language (Dutch is preferable but not necessary).
It’s a great advantage if you already have any board experience and understand the difference between the tasks of a board and the tasks of the director. The board sets the vision and mission and makes decisions (and advises) on policy, priorities, goals and budgets. The director and employees are responsible for the daily operations of the Chamber and executing the tasks that follow from the before mentioned vision and direction set by the board.
What’s in it for you?
A board position will definitely expand your personal and professional network and business knowledge. Being closer involved with the local and regional business community and on a different level will most likely help grow your own business too. Last but not least: a board position looks great on your resume!
Who is eligible to vote and to nominate?
Representatives of all legal entities registered in the local Chamber of Commerce registry, except of foundations and associations, as listed above.
How to nominate a candidate?
As of October 15th, you can pick up the necessary declaration forms during office opening hours at the Chamber of Commerce offices in Sint Eustatius and Saba. Then, from November 1st to November 14th, these completed nominations can be submitted at the one of the Chamber of Commerce offices.
Documents to be submitted are:
- A declaration signed by at least five (5) voters who are qualified to participate in the election.
- A written statement from the candidate, that he/she is willing to accept a candidacy. Each statement may only contain the name of one candidate.
- An extract from the population register (census office) showing that the candidate has been resident of Statia or Saba for the past two years.
What happens after November 14th?
An election committee will review all declarations and verify if the candidates meet the legal requirements. When the final list of candidates has been made public, the election date will be announced on which eligible voters have the opportunity to elect the new members for the Board of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry St Eustatius and Saba.
We will keep you informed during the whole process.
Declaration forms available now
The forms for the nomination of candidates and for the written declaration referred to above are available as of October 15th, 2022, during office opening hours at the Chamber of Commerce offices in Sint Eustatius and Saba.
More information
For further information please contact the Chamber of Commerce St. Eustatius and Saba by telephone 318-3332 (Statia) / 416-2554 (Saba) or by e-mail to: director@statiasabachamber.com.
This nomination process is in accordance with the provisions of art. 5 and 6 of the Electoral Decree of Chambers of Commerce and Industry BES (Dutch version).
See here who the current Board members of the Chamber of Commerce St Eustatius and Saba are.
Are you internationally orientated? Have you ever thought of Colombia as a possible business market or a trade partner for import, export, purchasing and supply for Statia and Saba? Would you like to learn more about business opportunities in Colombia?
Join the free webinar about exploring business cooperation between Colombia and Dutch Caribbean islands
Registration is necessary via this link
Date: October 12th, 2022
Time: 16:00 EST
Language: English
Speaker: Wessel Mol
The Association of Dutch Caribbean Chamber of Commerce (DCCC) is looking into business opportunities between the Dutch Caribbean islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Saba) and Colombia. To benefit and help grow their economies and business communities.
To inform all business communities, the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Curaçao is organizing a FREE webinar for everyone who is curious about this international development and specifically about trading opportunities with Colombia.
During this informative online session, brought to you by Holland House Colombia based in Bogota, the following topics will be discussed:
- Colombian market: Why now?
- Characteristics of the market
- Sectors of opportunity
- Tips & Tricks
- Mission to Colombia November 15-18, 2022
On August 26th the members of the Association of Dutch Caribbean Chamber of Commerce (DCCC), met in Curaçao to discuss various matters pertaining to the economies of the Dutch Caribbean and to interchange ideas on servicing their members. DCCC consists of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St.Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, representing over 65.000 companies in total.
The one-day event included a discussion on the ‘LandsPakket’, the relationship with Venezuela, new rules on company registration, and most importantly, ways to improve the economic connectivity of the islands.
After a fruitful day of discussions and exchange of knowledge and ideas, the members of DCCC signed a document with 3 points that they agreed upon to be very important for the economies of the islands:
- That the Chambers support the implementation of the ‘Landspakket’ to increase the resilience of the economies of the CAS- islands countries in the Kingdom. In addition, they find it essential that fiscal-, social-, economic- and labor reforms lead to sustainable improvement. In this document it is also stated that it is fundamental that a holistic and integrated approach is required, and that the meaningful and timely engagement of the stakeholders is important in this regard. Furthermore, they emphasized that in order to increase the transparency of the reforms, the recommendations should be made publicly available.
- To open borders with Venezuela as soon as possible in the interest of our communities to promote and facilitate trade.
To stimulate and promote trade among the islands in the most cost-effective way and increase affordable connectivity between the islands.
The document was signed by (in picture left to right) Ms. J. Carty, President of the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. H. Van Xanten President of the Saba and Statia Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. W. Jonckheer, President of the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. H. Groot, President of the Bonaire Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Mrs. M. Kock, President of the Aruba Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Long-awaited notary services have been secured for Saba and St. Eustatius with the arrival of Marcia Bouterse. The two islands did not have direct access to a notary for a long time. Bouterse has 16 years of professional experience working in the Netherlands and seven in the Caribbean region.
Bouterse recently met with Saba Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, Commissioner Rolando Wilson, Government Advisor Gerald Simmons and Mortgage Registrar Robert Zagers on Saba. She also visited St. Eustatius where she met with Government Commissioner Alida Francis. Notary Bouterse discussed her short- and long-term business plans with both governments.
Land ownership issue
During the meeting on Saba, Island Governor Johnson provided a detailed introduction to Saba’s land ownership registration rights issue, including its historical development. Simmons shared ideas on possible solutions and a way forward for the Saba people who have land registration problems. “Following the project that was started with the Legal Desk on Saba, a new project has to be worked on in collaboration with all stakeholders,” said Simmons.
He mentioned the Kadaster in the Netherlands, the Housing Department of the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom relations (BZK), and the Public Entity Saba. “It is important that this project will be done in an inclusive way with the Saba community to ensure that the local historical knowledge of property rights is considered. The notary plays a very important role in this,” stated Simmons.
Service is needed
During her meeting with Bouterse, Government Commissioner Alida Francis spoke about the general perception that there is insufficient business on Statia and Saba to have a notary office permanently established. “I am convinced however that this service is needed as the island continues to develop.
The high demand for notarial services linked to the mortgage loans is a main priority now. However, I have encouraged Bouterse to inform the community of the wide range of services, including last testament, civil partnerships etc.,” she stated.
Gratitude
Government Commissioner Francis, Island Governor Johnson and Commissioner Wilson expressed their gratitude to Notary Bouterse for coming to St. Eustatius and Saba. The government representatives assured her that she has a strong partner in both public entities who will support and facilitate her in whatever way possible.
The notary’s office on Saba is located in The Bottom, next to the Own Your Own Home Foundation, Cobblestone Road 3C and in Oranjestad, St. Eustatius at Emmaweg 2 in front of the St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum. Ms Bouterse can be reached by phone at +1721 528 8884 and via email at notary@statiasaba.com.