The business community is being given a greater role in the cooperation with the Caribbean islands and countries in the Kingdom. Local entrepreneurship is encouraged by combining money from the Central Government and local private parties. This new approach is now the first to be deployed with the 24 million …
Read More »PES attends Zero Waste Seminar
Last week, Commissioner Bruce Zagers attended the second edition of the Zero Waste Seminar in St. Barthelemy. The event was part of the INTERREG Zero Waste in the Caribbean program, initiated by SYVADE. The INTERREG program is an initiative funded by the European Union, to promote sustainable waste management and …
Read More »Emergency police assistance no longer guaranteed 24/7
The Council for Law Enforcement today publishes its State of Law Enforcement in the Caribbean Netherlands 2024. While the Council acknowledges the hard work and progress of various justice chain partners—particularly the Dutch Probation Service and the efforts of the Board of Chiefs of Police to improve inter-island cooperation—it issues …
Read More »Council for Law Enforcement warns of structural vulnerability in Caribbean rule of law: emergency police assistance no longer guaranteed 24/7
Today, the Council for Law Enforcement publishes the State of Law Enforcement Caribbean Netherlands 2024. In the report, the Council expresses its appreciation for the efforts of judicial chain partners and the progress that has been made at various organisations individually and in their cooperation. In doing so, the Council …
Read More »Hyacinth House Restoration has begun
Renovations and restoration to The Hyacinth House, located in the heart of Windwardside, have begun this week. Hyacinth House is a historic Saban cottage located in the heart of Windwardside on the island of Saba. Owned by the Public Entity Saba, this traditional wooden structure is undergoing significant restoration in …
Read More »Van Haasen Proposes Exempting Caribbean Flights from Increased Dutch Flight Tax
In a debate on the economic development of the Caribbean Netherlands, PVV MP Van Haasen submitted a motion to exclude flights to and from the region from the Netherlands’ planned flight tax increase, set to take effect in 2027. The proposal highlights concerns over the islands’ heavy reliance on air …
Read More »Governments of St. Eustatius and Saba address Increased Rates for Makana
The Governments of St. Eustatius and Saba provide the following update regarding the Makana Ferry service and ongoing discussions about its operational funding under the Public Service Obligation (PSO) agreement. The PSO partners include the governments of St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Maarten, and Makana Ferry. As part of the second …
Read More »New interim director for Saba’s secondary school
The new interim director for Saba Comprehensive School (SCS), Marco de Vries, was introduced to parents and members of the community on Wednesday evening during a town-hall meeting hosted by Saba Educational Foundation (SEF). De Vries served as an Interim Director for various schools in the Netherlands for eight years …
Read More »Oranje Fonds opens voting for “Appeltjes van Oranje” on May 20th
Theme 2025: Indispensable links – the power of social initiatives Social organizations play an important role in our society. They identify problems, see where the greatest need lies and offer help where it is most needed. From supporting vulnerable groups, creating meeting places or connecting people with local services. They …
Read More »Dutch Parliament lacks clarity on cost-of-living measures for BES
Members of the Dutch Parliament’s Committee on Kingdom Relations are calling for greater transparency regarding the various measures aimed at improving purchasing power of residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES islands). According to right-wing People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD Member of Parliament (MP) Aukje de Vries, …
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