Investment Barriers in Curaçao Drop, But Remain High

Several micro-entrepreneurs operating at Plaza Nobo in Willemstad, Curaçao, have contacted the editorial team at Extra Curaçao to report an unexpected situation they are facing. The vendors say they have been confronted with surprise costs related to entering or operating at the marketplace. The issue appears to have caught small business owners off guard, raising concerns about the financial burden placed on micro-entrepreneurs who rely on the venue for their livelihoods. Plaza Nobo is a commercial space in Willemstad that hosts small-scale vendors and local businesses. The situation highlights the vulnerability of micro-entrepreneurs to sudden policy or fee changes that can significantly impact their operations. No official response from Plaza Nobo management has been reported at this time.

Willemstad-based Random Consulting Limited has issued a categorical denial of what it calls false allegations made by Luigi Faneyte, who attempted to link the firm, its associate Mario Galea, and Curaçao to a government contract awarded by Armenia to a separate entity called Random Systems International. According to Random Consulting, there is no connection whatsoever between the two organizations despite their similar names. The company describes Faneyte's claims as recent and erroneous, suggesting the allegations may be damaging to its reputation and business operations. The denial signals a public dispute involving at least three parties — Random Consulting, Mario Galea, and Luigi Faneyte — over business dealings tied to the Armenian government. The firm's forceful public rebuttal indicates the stakes are significant, potentially involving legal, financial, or political consequences for those named. No further details about Faneyte's original claims or his role have been confirmed from the excerpt available.

On Thursday, September 4, 2026, government officials, legal experts, and maritime specialists will gather at the Maritime Museum in Willemstad, Curaçao, for a full-day symposium on the history, present state, and future of ship registration and oversight on the island. The event marks 75 years of the Shipping Inspection service in Curaçao, a milestone that has prompted reflection on the island's long-standing role as an offshore ship registry. The symposium is being organized in part by the Stichting Nationale Geschiedenis Curaçao, indicating a strong historical and cultural dimension alongside the technical maritime discussions. Curaçao operates one of the world's recognized offshore ship registries, making the topic of regulatory oversight and international maritime standards particularly relevant. The gathering is intended to address both what has been accomplished over the past seven-and-a-half decades and what reforms or developments may shape the registry's future. The Maritime Museum in Willemstad provides a fitting venue, anchoring the discussions in the island's deep nautical heritage.