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The Public Entity Saba welcomes the announcement by ING that it will officially open its doors on Saba on November 26, 2026. This marks an important milestone in improving access to banking services for residents and businesses on the island. The Public Entity has advocated for improved access to essential banking services for several years. Throughout this period, the challenges experienced by residents and businesses have been raised with the Dutch Government, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) and other stakeholders. Commissioner of Finance Bruce Zagers met this news with the statement, “This is very welcome news for Saba. For many years, we have continued to advocate for better access to banking services, recognizing how important these services are to our residents, businesses and the local economy. It has taken considerable time, effort and cooperation to reach this point. We are grateful for the commitment and support of the Dutch Government and DNB throughout this process, and extremely pleased that ING has made the decision to establish a physical presence on our island.” ING’s announcement comes ahead of the planned closure of RBC’s physical branch on Saba in January 2027. “The circumstances surrounding RBC’s departure were unfortunate and created a great deal of uncertainty within our community. Throughout this period, our priority has remained ensuring that residents and businesses continue to have access to essential banking services. ING’s arrival provides some much-needed reassurance and represents an important step forward” stated Commissioner Zagers. Continued Improvements and Challenges While the opening of ING is a significant development, questions and concerns remain about access to cash, particularly the availability of change for local businesses and the ability for residents and businesses to make cash deposits. These matters are a priority in ongoing discussions with the relevant stakeholders. As part of the banking initiative with DNB and Brink’s, two additional ATMs for cash withdrawals and B-boxes for business cash deposits will be available in the coming weeks. The two new ATMs will be installed in Windwardside and The Bottom, in addition to those currently installed at the harbor and airport. Public Entity will continue to work closely with ING to support a smooth transition, particularly on the needs of pensioners and other residents who may require assistance with changing banks or using digital banking services. “While we are very pleased with this announcement, we also recognize that there is still work to be done. Access to cash, the availability of change and the ability to make deposits are important issues that we continue to address. We also want to ensure that our pensioners and other residents who may need additional assistance are not left behind during this transition. We will continue working with ING, DNB and the Dutch Government to find practical solutions to these challenges.” The Public Entity Saba expresses its appreciation to ING, the Dutch Government, DNB, and all stakeholders who have contributed to making this important development possible, and we look forward to continued dialogue with ING and other stakeholders on improving access to banking services for residents and businesses. PES.

The Island Council of Saba has unanimously approved the Island Ordinance Audit Chamber Saba and adopted the Multi-Annual Budget 2027-2031, following two days of discussions on gov­ernment performance, public finances, infrastructure and essential services. The decisions followed a Central Committee meeting on October 26 and an Island Council meeting on Octo­ber 28, during which Council Members questioned the Ex­ecutive Council on progress under the Governing Execu­tion Plan and the island’s fi­nancial and development pri­orities. At the Central Committee meeting, chaired by Island Council Member Elsa Peter­son, the Executive Council presented updates on com­pleted initiatives, ongoing projects and implementation challenges. Progress included the first phase of the Giles Quarter Road project, affordable housing initiatives, funding for seven owner-occupied homes in The Range and the expansion of the hydroponics farm. Work continues on the Black Rocks Harbor Project, the tender policy and the Eco­nomic Development Strategic Plan. However, several initia­tives are expected to extend into 2027 because of organisa­tional capacity constraints. The proposed Multi-Annual Budget 2027-2031 provides approximately US $37.1 mil­lion for 2027. The Financial Supervision Board CFT con­firmed that the budget is bal­anced for 2027 through 2030 and provisionally meets the central budgetary require­ments under the Public Fi­nances BES Act FinBES leg­islation. During the review, Council Member Vito Charles raised questions about government vacancies and projected tour­ism tax revenue, prompting further discussion on staffing capacity and revenue collec­tion. At the October 28 Island Council meeting, chaired by Island Governor Jocelyn Lev­enstone, members examined a range of issues affecting residents, including transpor­tation expenses, the cost of living, housing, infrastructure, water security, childcare and government accountability. The affordability and re­liability of transportation emerged as a major concern. Council Member Julio Ev­ery called for an assessment of temporary financial relief for residents facing high air and sea travel expenses while efforts continue to secure a structural Public Service Ob­ligation (PSO). Charles also raised the possi­bility of reducing airport taxes for residents and improving ferry reliability. The Executive Council reaffirmed its com­mitment to securing a com­prehensive PSO for air and sea transportation, but con­firmed that no interim subsidy arrangement had been devel­oped or financially assessed. A new tender process for the ferry PSO will be required in 2027, with an update on structural funding expected in the second quarter. Ferry accountability and passenger safety were also discussed, following concerns raised by Council Member Saskia Mat­thew about the current opera­tor’s performance. The cost of living was anoth­er key issue, particularly with the electricity subsidy sched­uled to expire at the end of 2026. The Executive Council outlined ongoing efforts to se­cure additional support from the Netherlands. A planned solar park expansion in early 2028 is expected to increase renewable energy production to approximately 90%. Peterson raised concerns about road safety, traffic management and the future operation of Black Rocks Harbor, including staff­ing, maintenance costs and management arrangements. Members also discussed housing accessibility, parking and the need for improved public transportation. The Executive Council confirmed that a request for a mobility expert had been submitted. Road improve­ments between the Arawak Hotel and the Trail Shop are scheduled to begin in No­vember 2026. Water security and long­term planning were also dis­cussed, with Council Mem­bers calling for measures to prevent a repeat of previous shortages. The Executive Council outlined plans to increase water production, including an additional de­salination unit expected in January 2027. Childcare discussions fo­cused on staffing shortages, waiting lists and support for children with special needs. The proposed budget in­cludes an additional US $535,000 for childcare ser­vices, while construction of a new facility is expected to begin in the second half of 2027. Members also raised ques­tions about transparency in government subsidies and how funding recipients are evaluated. Other matters in­cluded support for cultural and heritage organisations, enforcement capacity and oversight of public expendi­ture. Following the deliberations, the Island Council approved the Island Ordinance Audit Chamber Saba, establish­ing the legal framework for an independent body tasked with examining the effective­ness, efficiency and lawful use of public funds. The Audit Chamber is in­tended to strengthen trans­parency, accountability and good governance through independent findings and recommendations to assist the Island Council in its over­sight responsibilities. The Multi-Annual Bud­get 2027-2031 was also ap­proved, with four votes in favour and none against. In addition, the Council approved the appointment of a second Acting Island Registrar to ensure continu­ity within the Office of the Island Registrar. In closing, Levenstone thanked the Executive Coun­cil and Island Council mem­bers for their respectful and constructive exchanges, de­scribing the deliberations as a demonstration of democ­racy in practice. The Daily Herald.

Public Entity Saba would like to inform residents that on Saturday, November 7, 2026 there will be road closures in The Bottom from 6:30 AM until 10:00 AM for the Bizzy B 5k. The start is at 7:00 am at the S.E.C. parking lot (Saba Electric), and the kids’ run starts at 8:15 am. The route is shown on the map. Between these times, please take the detours into account to keep all participants safe. Closed: the race route and the finish road at Saba Electric and Bizzy B. To Windwardside from Fort Bay and Under the Hill: turn at the Old Governor’s house into the pharmacy street, at the pharmacy go left and then right, and continue via Upper Road and Church Street. To Fort Bay from Windwardside: turn right at the police station, go up Upper Road, then turn left and left again down to Fort Bay. Volunteers will guide traffic at every crossing. Thank you for your patience! For questions, contact Jochem Batstra at +599 416 5151 or hello@event66.nl. In case of an emergency during the event, always call 911. PES

PES

Residents of Saba and St. Eustatius will soon be able to bank with a Dutch bank again. ING will open an office on St. Eustatius on 24 November, followed two days later by a branch on Saba. With the new branches, residents of the Caribbean Netherlands can open an account with a Dutch bank for the first time in years. A year and a half ago, ING announced plans to return to the islands, promising “the same service as on Texel.” Getting there took a lot of preparation. The islands are special municipalities of the Netherlands, but they fall outside the European Economic Area, and people make payments in US dollars. That makes it legally complicated for a Dutch bank to offer accounts and cash services. Absent from the islands Partly for this reason, ING withdrew from the Netherlands Caribbean Bank in 2009. ABN Amro still offers internet banking, but no longer accepts new customers from the islands, and Rabobank only does so if someone has a “clear economic link” with the Netherlands. Residents wanting a bank account have had to turn to foreign banks, which is also cumbersome. ING now says it has met all legal and regulatory requirements to resume services on the islands. To start with, residents and entrepreneurs on both islands can open a current account, apply for a debit card and bank digitally. Online and telephone customer service will run through ING’s regular channels. Cash will be available from new ATMs installed by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). ING calls the two offices a “first step in the further development of services on the islands.” The bank says it hopes the branches will contribute to the islands’ economic development. NOS

For 2027, the government has set up around $6.9 million for the Caribbean Netherlands; Modifications starting in 2028. In 2027, Saba businesses and residents can also anticipate more affordable fixed internet. The State Secretary informs the House of Representatives in a letter that the government is extending the structural subsidy on internet connections by one year. The monthly subsidy in Saba is $35 per connection. For all BES islands, an extra USD 15 per subscription will be added starting in 2024. Regardless of income, both individuals and enterprises are eligible for the subsidy, which telecom providers are required to transfer directly to end users. The Caribbean Netherlands’ entire 2027 budget is $6,895,320 USD. Six providers—Satel NV, Eutel NV, Digicel, Telbo NV, WICC, and Flamingo TV—will receive the funds. The number of connections as of July 31, 2026, is the basis for the extension. According to an EY study, the plan is viable, accessible, and particularly valuable in terms of pricing. No adjustments will be made prior to 2028 due to the evaluation’s delay. More information will be sent to the House of Representatives during the first quarter of 2027. Dossier koninkrijksrelaties

Construction of the Bottomline plaza, a shopping arcade and apartment complex funded by Pension Fund Caribbean Netherlands (PCN), reached a major milestone with the pouring of its ground-floor concrete on Friday, October 30. The operation began  on Friday at 2 p.m. and continued into the early hours of Saturday, with the final bucket poured at 1:30 a.m. The successful undertaking marked a moment of pride for the construction crew and the island community. The project represents a significant investment in Saba’s capital, adding commercial space and housing. Excavation began in early September, and completion is expected in 2027. With the concrete poured, preparations can move forward for installation of the building’s steel structure once it arrives on the island. BES Reporter

Collision resulting in injury On Wednesday, the 28th of October, around 3:45 PM, the central control room received a report of a collision involving an injured person in the Zions Hill area. Upon arrival, a pickup truck was found partially in the brush, where it had come to a stop against the rocks. The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries and was transported by ambulance to the hospital for medical treatment. After being discharged from the hospital, the driver inquired about his waist fanny pack and its contents. However, the waist fanny pack and contents were not found in the vehicle. The driver filed a report of theft with the police. The case is under investigation. KPCN

Gross domestic product (GDP) of Bonaire grew by 4.0% in 2024. This growth was broad-based. The economy of St. Eustatius also grew, by 1.6%, mainly driven by growth in business services, public administration and the construction sector. In Saba, GDP contracted by 4%, mainly due to a decline in education and public ad­ministration. Statistics Netherlands CBS reported this on the basis of newly released figures. In Bonaire, the value added of numerous sectors grew in 2024. The economic value added by Bonaire’s energy, water and waste manage­ment sector rose by 11.0% in 2024, driven by higher production of electricity and water. Population growth of 5.0% and higher production in most sectors drove de­mand for these utilities. Growth in the accommoda­tion and food services sector and the recreation sector co­incided with a higher number of tourists and a rise in the average disposable income of households. The number of tourists staying on the is­land rose by 7.4% compared with 2023, while disposable income increased by 15.0%. The value added of the accommodation and food services sector increased by 8.0%. In the trade and health care sectors, value added rose by 6.0%. Conversely, the agriculture, mining and quarrying, con­struction and manufacturing sectors saw a decline in value added, which is in line with changes in the number of jobs in these sectors. In the con­struction sector, production remained unchanged, but consumption increased, re­sulting in lower value added. Economic growth in St. Eu­statius in 2024 was mainly driven by the rise in value added of the business servic­es sector. Public administra­tion also contributed to eco­nomic growth, with labour volume rising by 7.2% in that sector. In addition, the construc­tion sector expanded. By contrast, value added of the transport and information and communication sectors declined. The education sector made the largest contribution to the economic contraction in Saba in 2024. A decline in student numbers led to a de­crease in value added to this sector. Public administration also contributed to the contrac­tion in GDP, as the number of jobs in this sector fell by 1.6%. However, the value added by the trade, health care and accommodation and food services sectors in­creased. The economy of Bonaire has grown significantly com­pared with 2014, while the economies of St. Eustatius and Saba have contracted. Bonaire’s GDP (adjusted for price changes) was more than 40% higher than in 2014. This growth is seen across most sectors. St Eustatius’ GDP was nearly 30% lower than in 2014. This was mainly due to a decline in value added at a limited number of large enterprises. Saba’s economy also contracted compared with 2014, primarily due to a decline in the education sec­tor. The Daily Herald.

Alto de Pacho is back on Saturday, 21 November. Three kilometers, 344 meters of climbing, and 12.5 percent on average. Short, steep, and spicy, and the clock does not care how you get up there. What: solo bike time trial, riders start one at a time, all bikes welcome When: Saturday, 21 November, briefing 15:45 at Cove Bay School, first rider at 16:00 Where: Cove Bay up to Zion’s Hill, finish near Pacho’s Entry: $20, including a drink and a snack at Pacho’s afterwards. Pay online by 31 October. Sign up here: https://www.event66.nl/alto-de-pacho/ Together with Saba Triathlon Foundation. Most people stay for drinks and some music at Pacho’s after, which is the real finish line. Also coming up: Sea to Scenery on 5 December, run or walk from the sea at Cove Bay to the top of Mount Scenery: https://www.event66.nl/sea-to-scenery/ Hope to see you at the start! Sporty greetings/Sportieve groet, Jochem www.event66.nl