News item | 16-09-2025 | 15:44
In the cooperation with the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, good governance and a strong constitutional state, healthy and sustainable public finances and economic resilience of the islands are central. From this perspective we work on a shared future with an eye for local circumstances of all six islands. Due to their location, the islands can immediately experience the effects of geopolitical developments. Continuity and tranquility are central in times of geopolitical tensions. The 2026 budget therefore builds on the actions that have already been taken.
For Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba it is about preserving and growing broad prosperity so that the islands can develop further in social, physical and economic fields. This is done, among other things, via the three regional fasteners. Together with the island authorities, the government is focusing on future -proof finances and good governance. Among other things due to the renewal of the laws that arrange the financial and administrative relationships. In the future, for example, these islands will have opportunities to take out loans, so that they are able to perform their duties properly.
To better support the island authorities, we strengthen the implementing power. There is more than € 4 million here in 2026. Extra involved. The Agenda Good Governance Caribbean Netherlands contributes to this, among other things, through better services to residents, strong institutions and approach to integrity violations. To improve connectivity, the subsidy for the Makana Ferry is extended. Furthermore, in 2026, € 10 million. made available for the port of Saba, in addition to the € 30 million. from 2025. To improve the roads on Bonaire, € 16 million is for the period 2025 to 2028. available. In 2026 there will be an integral approach for the physical infrastructure of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The three islands and the departments involved work on physical agendas per island in which implementation power and demographic developments are taken into account.
In the collaboration with Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, the focus is on good governance and strengthening the rule of law. This is a precondition for safe and stable society, positive economic development and sustainable public finances. Also in 2026 the Netherlands supports the autonomous countries with this joint objective, here in 2026 there will be more than € 68 million. for available. In 2026, the land packages for the implementation of socio -economic reforms will continue to work with the help of the temporary work organization. In 2026, € 27.6 million. available for this.
To stimulate the economy, the Netherlands will open the Aruba, Curaçao, Sint-Maarten guarantee scheme. This scheme makes it possible in 2026 and 2027 that lenders in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten can use the same facility as lenders in the Netherlands and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The Netherlands will continue to support Sint Maarten financially with the reconstruction after Hurricane Irma in 2017, with the use of the Trustfonds at the World Bank and with technical assistance.
Up to and including 2028 is a total of € 24 million. Available for a revolving fund for projects that contribute to increasing food security on all six islands. In 2026, the subsidy scheme for social initiatives and the action agendas for all six islands in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, as a follow -up of the apologies for slavery history, will be implemented. In 2026 it will be € 23 million.