The Public Entity Bonaire has recently acquired two new economic policy models: the macro-economic model BONóstiko and the purchasing power model KOMBO, developed by Economic Bureau Amsterdam (EBA) in cooperation with the Public Entity.

On July 2 and 3, a two-day training took place for employees and administrators of the Public Entity on the use and management of the models. With the two models, Bonaire can better map the economic and social effects of proposed policies and base policy choices on objective analyses.

BONóstiko is a macro-economic model that enables monitoring of economic developments in Bonaire and calculates the effects of various policy and future scenarios. The model supports, among other things, the preparation of tourism policy, investment decisions, labor and migration policy, energy policy, budgets, and strategic choices.

The purchasing power model KOMBO clarifies what consequences changes in the tax system and social services have on the purchasing power of different types of households. This allows the Public Entity to better assess how proposed measures affect residents with varying incomes and household compositions.

During the training, employees not only received explanations about the theoretical foundations of the models, but also learned how to update, manage, and use them for scenario analyses. By working with practical examples from Bonaire, participants gained direct experience applying the models to current policy issues.

The models align with the ambition of the Public Entity to base policy development more strongly on data, analyses, and facts. By building this knowledge within the organization, economic developments and the effects of policy proposals can be analyzed faster and better.

Koert van Buiren, director of Economic Bureau Amsterdam, is pleased about the successful completion of the training:

“Good policymaking begins with a clear understanding of expected effects. With BONóstiko and KOMBO, the Public Entity Bonaire now has two instruments specifically developed for Bonaire to visualize the economic and social consequences of policy in advance. By transferring this knowledge to the staff of the Public Entity, we are not only investing in models, but especially in the sustainable strengthening of Bonaire’s policy and analytical capacity.”