Caribbean Business Hub, the Dutch Caribbean network organisation, held an inspiring Business Event on 8 July, “High-level networking is the key to success”.
With a perfect mix of business and warm hospitality, the audience was treated to a fascinating evening with speakers and a tropical buffet. The hosting was excellently done by the students of Mondriaan College in The Hague in their beautiful theatre.
The meeting was opened by Mr. Nico de Visser (owner of curators offices). He welcomed everyone with a “Welcome Back” on behalf of the board of CBH, Corinne and Germaine Hernández-Croes (NQcosmetics / Caribbean Park), Mr Martijn (political advisor and entrepreneur) and Mr. Georgo Muller (social entrepreneur).
After COVID-19, there is clearly a need for a boost and inspiration again. He thanked the professionals and top entrepreneurs, old and new members, for everyone’s presence. Special thanks to the delegations of the Embassy of Curacao and the Embassy of Aruba House.
CBH is the platform of inspiration for professionals and entrepreneurs from Europe and the Caribbean. Cooperation within the Kingdom of The Netherlands, between the Netherlands, Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten and the BES is an opportunity to emerge stronger from the past period.
Then the newly appointed minister plenipotentiary of Curaçao, Mr Carlson Manuel, spoke. He gave wonderful examples of developments on the beautiful island of Curacao that will boost tourism and employment. Like the Corendon Mangrove Beach Hotel with about 850 rooms and suites and a new project Sandal Resort with 350 luxury suites, 18-hole golf course and two private marinas. Apart from tourism, Curacao is also working on sustainability and a living lab will be set up. In order to give tourism a long-term boost, a hospitality training programme will be set up in cooperation with Mondriaan.
Mr Marco Fontijn, director of ROC Mondriaan, Tourism and Recreation, gave a short presentation on what ROC Mondriaan is going to do in Curacao for hospitality education. A project involving many parties and offering many opportunities for parties in the Netherlands and on the islands. It will be a local project with teachers from Curacao.
Mr. Roy Hart, advisor for Economic Affairs of the Cabinet of the minister plenipotentiary of Aruba, then outlined the developments in Aruba. Mr. Hart talked about the megaproject Aruba Airport Gateway 2030 and the success of Aruba Aloe Balm N.V., the first company in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom to obtain the designation Royal. Aruba Aloe Balm consists of a network of shops in Aruba and the United States and its own factory. A professional film of the major redevelopment project Gateway 2030 gave an excellent impression of the island of Aruba, despite the coronavirus times.
CBH closed with words of thanks to the speakers and with the promise to hold the next meeting in the first week of October. Caribbean Business Hub would like to and can be the platform for Dutch Caribbean, British Caribbean and Latin America for a boost after Corona. www.caribeeanbusinesshub.nl
*With thanks to Nico van der Ven, press photographer (Reuters) and friend of CBH. nivenpress@gmail.com
