Governor Alida Francis Engages in high-level Discussions on Governance, Economy and Finance in Curaçao

The meetings were part of a broader regional engagement led by Dutch State Secretary Zsolt Szabo, who was visiting the Caribbean Netherlands. During his visit, State Secretary Szabo met with government officials, entrepreneurs, and sector representatives in both Aruba and Curaçao to explore opportunities for economic resilience and to reaffirm commitments to strong, transparent governance. On Curaçao, Governor Francis joined fellow Island Governor Jonathan Johnson of Saba in key conversations with the State Secretary. These discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in public administration, enhancing financial oversight, and identifying opportunities for sustainable economic growth on the islands. State Secretary Szabo also held discussions with various Curaçaoan stakeholders, including tourism and business leaders, to understand how innovation, entrepreneurship, and public-private partnerships are driving economic transformation. The meetings also highlighted shared challenges such as border control, customs management, and the need for tailored economic policies across the Dutch Caribbean. Reflecting on the visit, State Secretary Szabo noted: “I look back on a good visit during which I got a good impression of many developments that, at least in the economic field, seem promising.”