WILLEMSTAD - At the request of the Minister of Economic Development, Mr. Ruisandro Cijntje, the Council of Ministers has agreed to change the destination of one-third of the economic zone located in Nieuwe Haven (Koningsplein). This part will become an industrial/commercial area that will serve economic activities such as production, logistics services, and technological services. More than 60 companies, both local and international, will soon have the opportunity to establish themselves in this new industrial/commercial area.
Our current industrial park in Brievengat is already full, and Curinde, who is responsible for managing the industrial park, has indicated that they regularly receive more requests from companies that wish to establish themselves in an industrial/commercial area. This was the main reason why Curinde approached the Government of Curaçao in 2018 with a request to adjust the economic zone in Koningsplein to meet the existing demand for an additional industrial/commercial area.
This petition took some time, considering that it involves a change in the law, but finally the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO), Ministry of Finance, and Curinde are proud to announce that it has become a reality and thank the "Modernization Economic Zones" commission for their hard work in finalizing this process.
The remaining two-thirds of the area in Koningsplein will continue to function as an economic zone and will continue with their regular activities. The portion that will function as an industrial and commercial area will have its own entrance via Dokweg, while the economic zone will continue to use the entrance via Nieuwe Haven. Curinde will soon work on the path to modernizing the economic zone law, which will also contribute to attracting other types of activities to the area.
Unlike the law that restricts companies in the economic zone from exporting, businesses in the industrial and commercial area do not necessarily need to be focused on exporting. Of course, if one of the businesses in the industrial/commercial area wishes to export, they are free to do so. Companies established in this industrial and commercial area are subject to paying all taxes and turnover tax (OB), which means they will actively contribute to the economy of our country.