FDI: The Illusion of Foreign Investment

FDI: The Illusion of Foreign Investment

21 September 2025

The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) recently announced a study on the factors that attract foreign investment. On paper, the logic appears straightforward: FDI generates jobs, fosters innovation, and enhances the economy. But in practice, it is more an ideology than an economic necessity.

Foreign investment does not come to bring something; it comes to generate returns. While jobs may be created, they are often low-paying and unstable. Profits primarily flow abroad, while the benefits for the local community remain limited. In some cases, large-scale projects even harm the environment, disrupt daily life, and increase inequality.

The question is whether Curaçao should continue to focus so heavily on FDI. Sustainable growth begins with local entrepreneurship. Small and medium-sized businesses create jobs that remain local, keep capital circulating within the community, and contribute to a more stable and equitable society. Investing in local companies means investing in Curaçao itself.

CBCS may explore ways to attract more foreign investors. Yet before welcoming every new project, we should ask: who truly benefits? And is this the kind of development we want for our island?

Miguel Goede