Bulletins

In support of the Social Minimum Committee for the Caribbean Netherlands, Amsterdam Bureau for Economics and SEO Amsterdam Economics conducted research into the economic effects of increasing the social minimum. With the increase in the statutory minimum wage in 2024 proposed by the committee and the related increase in social assistance, the social minimum for singles can be achieved in the short term. Additional measures are needed for families with children.

The Dutch working week is short, but the Dutch work about as much per capita as the average in the EU. Martijn Mak (Amsterdam Bureau for Economics) shows this in a contribution to the ESB. However, the hours are much more unequally distributed between men and women than in the rest of the EU, which puts women in a vulnerable position.

Aruba leads the Caribbean ranking with the most attractive investment climate. Newcomer Sint Maarten has the second most attractive investment climate. Curaçao drops from 4th to 7th place in the ranking.

On Monday May 22, Amsterdam Bureau for Economics (EBA) presented the results of a study into vacation home rentals at the University of Aruba. On the basis of this study, the Minister will develop policy in close consultation with stakeholders in the near future.

The economy of Bonaire is undergoing an impressive development, describes Koert van Buiren (Amsterdam Bureau for Economics) in the Bon Bini Bonaire magazine. At the same time, there are large parts of the population that do not or that hardly benefit from these developments. For further and, above all, inclusive growth, it is key that Bonaire develops its own earning capacity, especially in the market sector, and that poverty is combated.

In an article in Antilliaans Dagblad, Martijn Mak and Koert van Buiren of Amsterdam Bureau for Economics show how the population is developing more unfavorably than previously assumed. Because the shrinking population and increasing aging are putting pressure on the affordability of vital facilities, the negative spiral of economic decline and emigration must be broken.

In an opinion piece in the Antilliaans Dagblad, Koert van Buiren and Peter Martens argue in favor of granting Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten quick access to the Dutch guarantee and climate fundss and to the National Growth Fund.

The book was edited by Amsterdam Bureau for Economics and the Cft secretariat.

As of 1 November this year, Tom Smits (econometrician, 34 years old) is a senior manager at Amsterdam Bureau for Economics (EBA). With his arrival, EBA strengthens its position in the Dutch and European market for policy evaluation and economic impact and effect measurement.

Cees van Gent, associate partner at Amsterdam Bureau for Economics, assisted author Roy op het Veld in writing this book. Among other things, the book answers the question of whether regulators are able to limit the power of big tech companies such as Google and Facebook.