Time Flies: 2025 Is Just Around the Corner
November 19, 2024
2024 has been a good year for me personally and professionally, and I’m also grateful for good health. My reflections don’t come from a place of personal gloom. However, when I look at Curaçao, it’s clear that 2024 was a challenging year for the island despite the booming tourism industry.
Curaçao feels overheated—quite literally and figuratively. The is-land resembles a construction site with all the developments catering to tourism. Roads are being patched up, likely spurred by the upcom-ing elections. This year marked 14 years of autonomy and 70 years of the Kingdom Charter, but Curaçao remains the poorest country in the Kingdom, burdened by severe inequality.
We are now a CARICOM observer, and international elections in Venezuela, the Netherlands, and the United States have significant ripple effects on our island. The refinery is a thing of the past, and Curaçao is looking to embrace the energy transition. Yet, crises con-tinue to plague critical sectors like education and healthcare.
On a brighter note, the ICT sector is experiencing promising growth, which could help modernize and diversify our economy.
All in all, 2024 has been a chaotic year, fitting for a time of transi-tion. However, true progress demands a clear vision. Curaçao needs a long-term plan—Curaçao 2030 or even Curaçao 2050—to guide us forward.
Let’s analyze 2024 together and revise the vision for our future. Join us for the upcoming webinar. Sign up via the link!
Miguel Goede
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