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Netherlands Antilles

Quick Facts

Population:	219,958
Land area:	960 square Km
Capital:	Willemstad Curacao
Language(s):	Dutch Papiamento
Local Currency:	Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG
Exchange:
UNDP Human Development Rank:	Not ranked
Life Expectancy:
Adult Literacy rate:
Official Government website:	http://www.gov.an/

Government

Governor Frits GOEDGEDRAG
Prime Minister Etienne YS
Dep. Prime Min. Min. of Constitutional & Interior Affairs Richard GIBSON
Min. of Economic Affairs & Labor Min. of Education & Cultural Affairs Maritza SILBERIE
Min. of Finance Ersilia DE LANNOOY
Min. of Foreign Affairs Etienne YS
Min. of General Affairs Etienne YS
Min. of Health & Social Affairs Joan THEODORA-BREWSTER, Dr.
Min. of Justice Norberto RIBEIRO
Min. of Telecommunications & Transportation Omayra LEEFLANG
Min. Plenipotentiary to The Hague Dir., Bank of the Nertherlands Antilles Emsley TROMP

Public Holidays:

Economic Development

Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2005-2006

This survey examines the macroeconomic performance of selected countries of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) for 2005 and their outlook for 2006.

Throughout the region, countries adopted a conservative monetary stance in order to defend the parity of their currency. Rising interest rates on international capital markets,increasing fiscal deficits in some cases and the effects of rising oil prices on the current account and on inflation prompted the authorities to adopt this policy. The current account position deteriorated for all economies (-9% and –17% of GDP in 2004 and 2005) with the exception of Belize, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. The latter was also the only country to record a surplus in its external accounts. The behaviour of the current account responded to the significant increase in the energy bill, higher food prices and the rise in the demand for construction materials.

Social Development

Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean.
March 2007
The drug trade is a prime driver of crime across the Caribbean. In the Netherlands Antilles, authorities estimate that 75 percent of crime is drug-related. Some 60 percent of all the cocaine seized in the Caribbean in 2004 was seized in the Netherlands Antilles, and cocaine seizures there increased dramatically between 2001 and 2004. Confronted with large numbers of people attempting to smuggle drugs by commercial flights, authorities implemented a “100% Control” policy of screening large numbers of passengers for drugs. Drugs were confiscated from the couriers, but in most cases the couriers themselves were not arrested. The program has been very successful in reducing cocaine smuggling via air courier, and could be tested in other contexts, including other Caribbean countries suffering from drug transshipment. The Antillean example also highlights the need for cooperation between Caribbean transshipment countries and destination countries in maritime interdiction.
Source: UNODC & The World Bank

Education

Environment

Solid Waste Management

Health

Government is in the process of establishing a National Health Fund to finance health care services for eligible citizens. Government contributions as well as mandatory contributions of 2.5% from employers and employees will fund this service. The fund will cover basic primary, dental and vision care, as well as prescription drugs. The establishment of this National Health Fund will provide universal health care, one of the UN Millennium Development Goals. The government also hopes to improve the health sector by strengthening the Ministry of Health through policy development and regulations. Efforts to raise HIV/AIDS awareness are also being intensified. Through the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre, Anguilla issued its updated Preparedness Plan for Surveillance and Treatment for Avian (Bird) influenza in 2006.
Anguilla National Health Fund Act
Avian Influenza Pre-Pandemic Plan 2006