29 March 2018
Outside on the 8th of March it was Dutch cold but within tropical heat. The mixed company of entrepreneurs & investors of Caribbean Business Hub provided a Caribbean ambiance while enjoying Surinamese catering. Corinne Hernandez-Croes, co-founder of Caribbean Business Hub, entrepreneur and creator of innovative projects, opened the evening with the theme "Tropical networking, Business Boost in Dutch Caribbean" and put the emphasis on the trading hub between the Netherlands and the pearls of the Caribbean. Subsequently, the Plenipotentiary Minister of Curacao, Anthony Begina, named the opportunity that the Kingdom of the Netherlands offers to cooperate and jointly achieve successes as the ABC and the Windward Islands. Optimism and a positive attitude are important for this.
One of the new members, Sonja van Haasteren from Factor Plus B.V. then introduced her company and explained briefly what factoring entails.
The keynote speaker was Gerard van den Tweel, Honorary Consul of Suriname and CEO of Van den Tweel Group, owner of many hotels and supermarkets in the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. Recently a Van den Tweel-Fernandes Store opened in Paramaribo. He has built an empire through smart entrepreneurship. But the Caribbean magnate also had some critical remarks about doing business in the Antilles. Unfortunately, the Caribbean Dream is not just rose fragrance and moonshine and requires perseverance and good preparation.
The latter spoke to Alvin Obersi, CEO of Obersi Group and Mindful Enterprise. He inspired those present by briefly explaining his vision on Bonaire, creating a new future for the island from the people themselves. He wants to put Bonaire on the international map, so that in the end every Bonairean will benefit from it. Cooperation with all parties is important for this. Lionel Martijn, secretary CBH, director and entrepreneur, closed the official part of the program, after which there was time to continue networking.
Caribbean Business Hub is a business club for successful entrepreneurs and professionals in the Netherlands who have affinity with the Caribbean. Entrepreneurs and government agencies from the Caribbean can also respond to become business partners.
Twin sisters Germaine & Corinne Hernandez-Croes, founders Caribbean Business Hub, Minister of Finance Aruba, Xiomara Maduro & Minister of Justice Aruba, Andin Bikker
Photo – Nico van der Ven / Minister Plenipotentiary Curacao, Anthony Begina welcomes guest speaker Gerard van den Tweel.
Minister Plenipotentiary Curacao, Anthony Begina & Corinne Hernandez-Croes, co-founder Caribbean Business Hub
Carla Aalse, director Carla Aalse en Partners, Germaine A. Hernandez-Croes, founder of Caribbean Business Hub, entrepreneur, owner NQ Cosmetics , Alvin Obersi, CEO Obersi Group & Mindful Enterprise, Photography Nico van der Ven (Reuters)
Lionel Martijn, politician, entrepreneur, Secretary Caribbean Business Hub & Nico de Visser, visionary, entrepreneur and Chairman Caribbean Business Hub
