One in three residents in the Caribbean Netherlands lives in poverty. That is why this cabinet is allocating €30 million in 2024 to improve the purchasing power of residents of Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius. From 2025, this amount will be increased to €32 million annually. Among other things, the …
Read More »Tax plan BES islands proposal for a new law
Here is an overview of the most notable measures – for civilians and companies located in the Caribbean Netherlands – within the Tax Plan 2024 proposal for a new law. This proposal was sent to the House of Representatives on Prinsjesdag. If the proposal is approved by the House of …
Read More »Saba’s youth center, The Spot, opens
Young adolescents, many accompanied by their parents, turned up in large numbers for the official opening of The Spot youth center on Friday, September 15, all eager to see Saba’s new teen drop-in and after-school clubs center in The Bottom. “We have envisioned The Spot as a safe haven, a …
Read More »A stronger, prosperous Kingdom elements in election programmes
Various smaller parties in the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament dedicate attention to relations within the Kingdom in their draft 20232027 election programmes, varying from a few lines to two pages. A stronger Kingdom with more prosperity and equality are returning elements. The ChristianUnion party election programme “New Connectedness” emphasized …
Read More »MP Wuite warns against creating two legal orders
Member of the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament Jorien Wuite of the Democratic Party D66 is concerned that the discrepancy in policy and legislation between the Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands is starting to form two legal orders. Just before the summer recess, the Second Chamber spoke about the manner …
Read More »Saba gasoline sales resume after row over Customs fuel tax error
Saba’s only gas station, which is operated by Big Rock Engineering NV. Sabans were conserving gasoline for several days after the island’s only fuel supplier Big Rock Engineering NV on Saturday refused to sell gasoline due to an excise tax dispute with Caribbean Netherlands Customs. Saba’s government stepped in …
Read More »Island Council, Executive Council participate in coaching session
The Island Council, Executive Council and support staff on Tuesday, September 12 and Wednesday, September 13 took part in a program that focused on roles, procedures, and teamwork. “Coaching sessions like this one are important for the Island Council and Executive Council to enhance their functioning, to better use the …
Read More »Temporary halting of water production
Due to weather circumstances related to the passing of hurricane Lee, the production of reverse osmosis (RO) water has been temporarily halted. As a regular practice with the passing of a storm, the suction line at Fort Bay Harbor was pulled out. This is to prevent damage to the water …
Read More »Increase in social relief for single persons and widows’ and orphans’ pension from the 1st of October 2023
From the 1st of October, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment will increase the social relief for single persons who live independently and the widows’ and orphans’ pension (AWW) in Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius. This will increase all minimum social benefit levels for the old age pension (AOV), …
Read More »Saba Island Council visits Bonaire for meetings, Bonaire Day
The Saba Island Council traveled to Bonaire last week for a series of meetings and to attend Bonaire Day. On Monday, September 4, and Tuesday, September 5, the Island Council met with representatives of the Tax/Customs Office, the Caribbean Netherlands units of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (SZW), …
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