HomeAbout Us

About Us

The VBC was established as an association on July 24, 1944. The goal of the VBC is to protect the interests of its members so that they can fulfil their role in the community in the best possible way. VBC strives to represent its members’ interests by promoting a high-quality business environment and investment climate in Curaçao. Its role in representing its members is reflected in its active ongoing contacts with the government, politicians, public authorities, trade unions, and non-governmental bodies. As such, VBC helps to define the socio-economic, financial, and fiscal climate in Curacao. 
Through the VBC, businesses can take the lead in expressing their opinions loudly and clearly and at the right moment, jointly as well as independently. 
The VBC maintains contact with organizations abroad and with many governmental and private institutions. 

What does the VBC stand for?

  • An open market economy with responsible enterprise and fair competition.
  • Minimum government interference in the economic sphere with as much freedom as possible in the traffic of persons, goods, services, investments, and information.
  • The removal of barriers that stand in the way of economic growth and development and defend the right of any investor to make a fair return on their investment.
  • Promoting business for its members.
  • To support and stimulate high ethical standards and codes of behaviour in doing business.

The association’s funds are mainly obtained from membership fees and fundraising activities. The general management of the VBC rests with the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is composed and elected from the member associations in accordance with the statutes and regulations. 
The day-to-day management of the association and the execution of the activities in accordance with the articles of association rests with the Daily Board, which is supported by an Executive Director.

Current Daily Board members

President

Tarzeno Circkens

Vice-President

Mireya Hooi

Board member

Hubert Raper

Board member

Horace Hinds

Board member

Gabriel (Boy) Magdalena

Julian Lopez Ramirez

VBC also has an Advisory Board that can provide it with solicited and unsolicited advice in important matters. Current Advisory Board members are: 

Board member

Bas Kooyman

Board member

Herman Behr

Board member

Omar van der Dijs

Treasurer

Yehia (Jack) Baroud

Board member

Reinald (Reintje) Curiel

VBC’s VISION

Creating a shared approach to realize socio-economic growth in Curacao, by continuously building bridges.

VBC’s MISSION

To create a business climate that contributes to employment, the well-being of our society, and economic development, by stimulating and educating Curacao’s private sector in carrying her co-responsibility to solve socio-economic issues in collaboration with social partners.

Three small wooden blocks on top of each other with 'Values, Vision and Mission' engraved in them

HOW DOES THE VBC WORK

  • VBC provides its members with practical services, including assistance, as well as information on economic and social matters and on subjects such as (fiscal) legislation and labor conditions.
  • VBC exercises its influence on public opinion, government policy, and legislation regarding the business sector.
  • VBC takes a stance on current issues, both to protect the interests of its members as well as to stimulate responsible decision-making within the community.
  • Within the scope of its vision, mission, and goals, VBC actively participates in several governmental and private organizations such as: 

Social Economic Council
SER

CIFC, Curacao International Financial Center Foundation (CIFC)

KORPODEKO, Curacao Development
Corporation

Supervisory and advisory board of the Social Security Bank SVB

Supervisory board severance
payments

Social Dialogue Platform
“Plataforma Tripartit”

});