WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao government has paid out a total of 223.34 million guilders in the period from April 2020 to May 2021 in connection with the various support arrangements for business owners. This is done with liquidity support from the Netherlands.
According to the figures from the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO), the largest part went to companies that appealed to wage subsidies through the NOW (Emergency Measure Bridging for Employment) scheme: 135.17 million guilders. That money was distributed among 6,778 companies that could employ an average of 7,892 employees each month.
Another 26,516 business owners without staff received financial support through the Temporary Assistance Self-Employed Entrepreneurs (TBZO) for an amount of 34.45 million.
In addition, 53.72 million guilders TVL subsidy (Compensation for fixed costs) was granted to 1,171 companies.