Government Buys Former SEHOS Hospital for Otrobanda Redevelopment

Girobank in Curaçao is set to repay a loan from the Netherlands in five years rather than the originally agreed 15-year term, significantly accelerating the repayment schedule. The change represents a major shift in the financial obligations tied to the troubled bank, which has been under government support following its collapse. The shortened repayment timeline suggests that either Girobank's financial position has improved enough to manage faster repayment, or that terms were renegotiated between Curaçao and Dutch authorities. This development is significant for Curaçao's public finances, as the loan repayment has long been a point of fiscal pressure for the island government. Completing repayment a decade early could free up budgetary resources and reduce the island's long-term debt burden to the Netherlands. The move also reflects the ongoing financial and institutional relationship between Curaçao and the Netherlands following the 2010 dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.

Retirees under the APC (Algemeen Pensioenfonds Curaçao) pension fund will receive a pending indexation payment of 0.51 percent from 2025, disbursed starting this November. The adjustment will be applied retroactively as of January 1, 2026, meaning retirees will see the accumulated difference reflected in their upcoming payments. This indexation represents a cost-of-living adjustment intended to help pension benefits keep pace with inflation. The announcement was made in Willemstad, Curaçao. For pensioners who have been waiting on this adjustment, the November payout provides financial relief. The retroactive application ensures no eligible retiree misses out on the benefit from the beginning of the applicable period. While the percentage is modest, it signals that the APC is moving forward on its indexation commitments to beneficiaries.

Bonaire Holding Maatschappij (BHM), the public holding company overseeing state-owned enterprises on Bonaire, is making progress in processing and filing its outstanding annual financial statements. The company has been working to bring its financial reporting up to date, an issue that has drawn scrutiny from oversight bodies and government officials. Delays in filing annual accounts are a recurring governance concern across public entities in the Dutch Caribbean, often hampering transparency and accountability. BHM plays a significant role in managing key public services and assets on the island, making timely financial reporting critical for both local governance and investor confidence. The steps being taken signal a renewed commitment to financial compliance and proper administrative management. Stakeholders including the Island Council and central government in The Hague have a vested interest in the company meeting its legal reporting obligations. No specific timeline or deadline for full completion was mentioned in the report.