Kamp pledges his support for entrepreneurs on Saba

Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp pledged his support for business people on Saba at the end of his two-day visit on Monday.

“Entrepreneurs do not have it easy on Saba due to the small scale on the island, and also because of its difficult connections with St. Maarten and the rest of the world,” Kamp said during a joint press conference with Commissioner of Finance Bruce Zagers at the office of Government Service Caribbean Netherlands RCN in The Bottom.

In closing off his visit, Kamp said the opening of the new state-of-the-art power plant of Saba Electric Company (SEC) was also good news for the island’s business community, as it will provide the island with reliable and affordable electricity.

The economy of Saba relies heavily on tourism, and, therefore, the Dutch Government wholeheartedly supports the Island Government’s Tourism Action Plan, Kamp said.

The announced closure of the Saba branch of Windward Islands Bank (WIB) was considered bad news for the island, its people and its entrepreneurs. “They need an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and need be able to bring money to the bank,” said Kamp.

The Dutch government is planning to engage in talks with the banks, but as Commissioner Zagers stated, “governments cannot control private business operations.”

Minister Kamp said special attention will be given to the improvement of Internet connections on Saba and St. Eustatius. “Government has invested a lot in a sea cable for fast and reliable Internet connections for Saba and Statia, but up until now Internet is still not working properly.”

Kamp said fast Internet is becoming more and more imperative these days. He said the improvement of Internet connections will become a special point of attention for the Dutch Government and the Island Government alike.

The Daily Herald.