On Friday morning, a meeting took place in the Council of Ministers’ conference room between the Government of Aruba and representatives of the San Nicolas Business Association (SNBA).
Errol de Freitas, president of SNBA, expressed satisfaction with the meeting. During the formation period of the AVP-Futuro Cabinet, SNBA had already submitted a draft of its vision plan to the government and requested support in implementing various projects for San Nicolas.
According to de Freitas, the vision of SNBA aligns well with that of the AVP-Futuro Cabinet, highlighting the consistent collaboration with Finance Minister Wever, whose support has continued since the formation period. “It’s a stable continuation, and I feel the meeting was very positive because there’s a real sense of commitment at the table,” he said.
De Freitas emphasized that while the island’s tourism sector has grown—“the beaches are organized, there are 15,000 hotel rooms, and the economy is strong”—there is a need to balance this growth and ensure that San Nicolas also benefits.
Projects such as the Farmer’s Market, Carubbean, and the revitalization of Bernhardstraat are all part of SNBA’s development vision. However, he suggested reinstating fiscal incentives that previously existed to help local entrepreneurs invest and grow their businesses.
De Freitas remains optimistic, noting that San Nicolas has always had a unique cultural and authentic character, which should be restored and promoted as part of the island’s broader development.
Photo Credits : https://diario.aw/categories/noticia/general/asociacion-snba-ta-comparti-vision-pa-san-nicolas-cu-gobierno
