Princes Day 2025 - In collaboration with the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, good governance and a strong rule of law, healthy and sustainable public finances, and economic resilience of the islands are central. From this perspective, we are working towards a shared future with attention to the local circumstances of all six islands. Due to their location, the islands can directly experience the effects of geopolitical developments. Continuity and stability are central in times of geopolitical tensions. The budget for 2026 therefore builds on the actions already initiated.
For Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, it is about maintaining and growing broad prosperity so that the islands can further develop socially, physically, and economically. This is done, among other things, through the three Regional Deals. Together with the island governments, the cabinet is focusing on future-proof finances and good governance. Among other things, by renewing the laws that regulate the financial and administrative relations. This will give these islands opportunities to take out loans in the future, so they can carry out their tasks effectively.
To better support the island governments, we are strengthening implementation capacity. This involves an additional € 4 million in 2026. The Agenda for Good Governance Caribbean Netherlands contributes to this, among other things, by providing better services to residents, strong institutions, and addressing integrity violations. To improve connectivity, the subsidy for the Makana ferry will be extended. Furthermore, in 2026, € 10 million has been allocated for the port of Saba, in addition to the € 30 million from 2025. To improve the roads in Bonaire, € 16 million is available for the period from 2025 to 2028. In 2026, a comprehensive approach will be taken for the physical infrastructure of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. The three islands and the involved departments will work on physical agendas per island, taking into account implementation capacity and demographic developments.
In collaboration with Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, the focus is on good governance and strengthening the rule of law. This is a prerequisite for a safe and stable society, positive economic development, and sustainable public finances. Also in 2026, the Netherlands will support the autonomous countries in this joint objective, with over € 68 million available for this in 2026. In 2026, further work will be done on the Country Packages for the implementation of socio-economic reforms with the help of the Temporary Work Organization. In 2026, € 27.6 million is available for this.
To stimulate the economy, the Netherlands opens the Guarantee Scheme for SME loans in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. This scheme allows lenders in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten to use the same facility as lenders in the Netherlands and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba in 2026 and 2027. The Netherlands continues to financially support Sint Maarten in the reconstruction after Hurricane Irma in 2017, using the trust fund at the World Bank and with technical assistance.
Until 2028, a total of € 24 million is available for a revolving fund for projects that contribute to increasing food security on all six islands. In 2026, the subsidy scheme for social initiatives and the action agendas for all six islands in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom will be implemented, as a follow-up to the apologies for the slavery past. In 2026, this amounts to € 23 million.
