AMENDMENT TO LEGISLATION FOR THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE COMMERCIAL REGISTERWITH EFFECT FROM 1 JANUARY 2022

With effect from 1 January 2022, the BES Chambers of Commerce and Industry Act, the BES Commercial Registers Act 2009, the BES Commercial Registers Decree 2009 and the BES Chambers of Commerce and Industry Elections Decree will be revised.

The changes in the new legislation and regulations mainly apply to:

• The elections of Chamber board members;
• The duties of the Chamber;
• The fees for a number of activities and products, which the Chamber provides.

The modernization of these laws and regulations will enable the Bonaire Chamber of Commerce to perform its tasks more efficiently and effectively, and in a way that fits in with the current spirit of the times. An overview of the changes to the legislation will be published on the Chamber’s website in due course and will include the new price list for the Chamber’s services. An explanation of the most important changes is detailed below. For a complete overview, please refer to the texts of the relevant legislation and regulations.

Board Member Elections

A number of important changes involve the election of board members to the Chamber of Commerce Board. A distinction between representatives of large and small companies will no longer be made. From now on elections will take place every three years, rather than every year. Additionally, instead of just electing part of the board as previously, the entire board will be appointed simultaneously in the new election.

Duties and Powers

 The Chamber of Commerce’s duties will be expanded to include providing information and advice to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate such as, for example, supporting the Ministry’s economic policy. The Chamber will remain responsible for the Commercial Register and for providing appropriate advice to entrepreneurs.

Rates

 The annual contribution rates for organizations registered in the Commercial Register will depend upon their legal form and it will no longer be determined on the basis of subscribed capital. For public limited (NV) and private limited (BV) companies, a distinction will be made between small and large NVs and BVs on the basis of the number of registered officials. Small NVs and BVs (with only one official registered in the Commercial Register) will fall into a lower category than NVs and BVs with several registered officials.

The Chamber of Commerce will publish an overview of all consequences of the new legislation and regulations on its website accompanied with applicable links. It is important for all entrepreneurs to take note of these new laws and regulations.