Follow-up event: Connecting the BES Islands with Colombia, Panama, and the Dominican Republic

Friday, September 19, 2025 – The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bonaire (KvK Bonaire), together with the Cabinet’s Special Envoy, Holland House Colombia, Holland House Panama, the Public Entity Bonaire (OLB), and the participants from the BES Islands, organized a follow-up event to the trade missions to Colombia, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.

Holland House Colombia, Panama, and the OLB gave a follow-up presentation to the group, with many valuable tips and tricks.

We can inform you that within the large group of participants, a significant number have already taken various steps to do business with entrepreneurs in the various countries. Following the trade missions, products are already being imported and knowledge is being shared with companies in the respective countries regarding the agricultural, construction, and housing sectors. Some companies have even opened branches in the respective countries. During the session, discussions focused on Colombia’s logistics study of the BES islands and the next steps needed to address these logistics challenges as a unified business landscape for the BES islands.

Several findings from the study “Navigating the logistics chain between Colombia and the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba” (Grant Thornton) were discussed. The following “low-hanging fruits” were selected for initial action:

• A working group will be formed in early 2026 to work on recommendations from the study “Navigating the logistics chain between Colombia and the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.”
• Companies from the region that present their products on the CAS islands will be invited to visit Bonaire during the same period.

It was also announced that a “Business Close to Home” event will be organized with Aruba and Curaçao in 2026 to promote trade between the islands. This event will allow local companies to showcase their products on the other two islands and vice versa.

The session concluded with a networking reception, where participants and organizers could discuss, share knowledge, and motivate each other.

Would you like to stay informed about the workshops, courses, or projects of the Bonaire Chamber of Commerce and Industry? Then keep an eye on our website and Facebook page.

You can also contact the Chamber of Commerce at 717-5595 or send an email to bis@kvkbonaire.com.