Interviews

CKB directly relates with many different organizations on a daily basis. Below are excerpts of interviews regarding CKB of some of its Board Members and other important entities.

Leonard U. G. Domacassé, Senior Account Manager, Maduro & Curiel's Bank (Bonaire) N.V.

Q: How are you involved in CKB?

A: I'm the one who coordinates and administers the SESNA funds for MCB. So, when a loan is granted, I make sure it's properly booked on the SESNA fund account, collect all the information and prepare reports for the SESNA office in Curaçao. Loan applications are handled by the account managers and it's the Bank's decision as to whether to grant a loan or not, because MCB is also taking 50% of the risk in these loans. Additionally, the Bank cannot ask for hard collateral for these loans. The normal limit on any loan is FL 50,000, although in certain situations, that amount can be raised, where the Bank takes care of any additional financing needed. The reason these loans are advantageous to the applicants is that they make it easier for small business entrepreneurs to start up a business making use of favorable loan conditions (interest rate 9%, up to 6 months grace period).

Q: In the past 18 months since CKB became totally operational, how many loans have CKB/MCB granted?

A: Over 20 loans have been granted in this time period, and they cover all types of venues: car repair, computer sale, SCUBA diving, a chicken farm, various restaurants, snacks, and an embroidery and silk-screening venture. About 60% of these entities are directly related to tourism.

Note: In conjunction with the provision of business training, advisory, and information services, which are the main objectives of CKB within the SESNA program, there is also a financial component. This financial component makes it possible for local entrepreneurs, with the assistance of CKB’s advisory services, to come into remark for a business loan of up to Nafls. 50.000. View some of the local business sectors which have received loans from the SESNA financial component during work program # 3.

Mr. Domacassé , raised in Bonaire, came back "home" 3 years ago, after studying in Curacao and Holland and working for 2½ years at MCB Curacao.

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Carmelita Gerling-Samijadi, Assistant Manager, CKB

Q: What are your duties with CKB?

A: I have been with CKB since December, 2001, and I do all the administration for the foundation, I coordinate the training as well, and I serve as backup to Anthony, when he is not in the office. I have contact with a variety of people, and I feel very satisfied if I can help; luckily, in most cases, I can assist the people who come to CKB for help.

Q: Please explain the process of what you do to assist these people when they first approach CKB for help.

A: When they first come in, I sit down with them and ask them what their goal is. Most of the time, they want to attend a course, get business advice, business accounting services, or apply for a SESNA loan. CKB has 15 business advisors who reside here on Bonaire, and who work with CKB's clients to build or expand their businesses. The costs for any business training advice is split between the recipient (30%) and CKB (70%), excluding OB*. These benefits are available to any small or micro business owner on Bonaire.

* For other types of training not directly related to business but which contribute to job conservation and enhances the production level of the person involved, the cost sharing is 50/50. For business advisory services to micro and small entrepreneurs the cost sharing is 60/40.

Ms. Gerling-Samijadi moved to Bonaire from Surinam in November, 1996. She is married, has three children, and now enjoys life on Bonaire. She can assist CKB's clients in English, Papiamentu, and Dutch.

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Marjolein Hayden, Director, Antillean Wine Company and CKB Board Member representing Bonhata (Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association)

Q: What is the link between Bonhata and CKB?

A: Most recently, it was agreed CKB would provide funding for training courses for the employees of Bonhata members working within the hospitality sector, i.e., restaurant, maintenance, and housekeeping personnel. These courses are to begin in 2005 and are still in the process of being set up.

Q: Do you think the services of CKB are being well utilized by the micro- and small business owners on Bonaire?

A: Absolutely. I have used CKB's services myself. You just walk in and request business advice. How it works is that any business owner can buy "credits" which they can then use for future hours of business advisory services. I have personally found the advice given by CKB to be very helpful in the management of my own business. It's there for you, use it!

Ms. Hayden is the owner/director of Antillean Wine Company. Originally from Holland, Ms. Hayden relocated to Bonaire in July, 2000, and is active within the business community of Bonaire. She has been serving on the CKB board since 2003.

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Paulina E. Martis van Arneman, Acting Head of Service, DEZA (Department of Economic and Labour Affairs) and CKB Board Member representing Government

Q: Can you provide a brief history about the upcoming Investment Conference and how it came about?

A: During a meeting in 2002 between the CKB chairman (at that time Mr. Burney el Hage) and the Manager in charge of the execution of the SESNA program, it was decided that the manager, Mr. Anthony Cecilia, would seek the necessary funding and expertise to introduce and organize Bonaire’s first Investment Conference.

Bonaire’s geographical position, good financial services, infrastructure, political stability and favorable tax regime make it an attractive location for investors. There is a great demand for all sorts of investments on Bonaire. A prime condition here is that industries are asked to comply with the requirements placed by the environmental policy and which improve and/or support the quality of Bonaire’s economic product.

The Bonairean Government has started a structural process of augmenting its investment climate and, at the same time stimulating competitiveness, within the philosophy that the private sector is the engine of the economy.

A number of investment incentives have been devised to stimulate prospective investors to start new business ventures in Bonaire such as accelerated depreciation, reduced profit tax, tax holiday, or investment allowances.

The main areas for investment are: Tourism, Medium and Small Business Development, Airport and Seaport business development, E-Commerce, Ecological Projects, Health Oriented Projects, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Telecommunications.

Q: What do you directly do as a board member of CKB and what are your duties in that capacity?

A: Simply put, my tasks are that of "supervision and monitoring" the activities of CKB as set forth in the SESNA financing agreement and in the Bonaire Five Year Strategic Business Plan.

Ms. Martis has been working at DEZA since 1995, and now occupies the position of Acting Head of the Bonaire Government Department of Economic and Labour Affairs. She is Chairperson of the Board of Directors and carries the responsibilities of the organization that this position involves, such as being the Impress Account Holder. Since CKB's main mission is to stimulate the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), DEZA is an active member of CKB and contributes in the name of the government to guarantee a sustainable growth in the economy and ensure the continuance of the existing SME sector.

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Evert L. Piar, Managing Director, Maduro & Curiel's Bank (Bonaire) N.V., and CKB Vice Chairman representing the Bonaire Bankers' Association

Q: In what capacity do you serve CKB?

A: My function is Vice Chairman of the CKB and I represent the Bonaire Bankers' Association; I was one of the original founders of the organization. Besides the monthly board meeting, most of my duties involve supervision of the daily management of the foundation, and, additionally, part of my duties as Vice Chairman require that I review and sign documents, checks, and perform other administrative functions.

Q: In your opinion, what is one of the most important functions that CKB is fulfilling? And do the people of Bonaire have a good understanding of what is available to them?

A: In the past 18 months since CKB became truly 100% functional, it has assisted 20 to 25 entities with the procurement of business loans at a rate they can truly afford, so that they could begin their businesses. By assisting with the procurement of these business loans, CKB is directly responsible for the addition of these businesses to Bonaire's overall economic health. The role which CKB plays in loan procurement is supplementary to that of Bonaire's banking community, but is definitely one that is important to the island.

I believe that we can still make improvements and review our approach in getting the information out to the community. This is one item currently under discussion with the Board and one that we wish to improve for the future. There has been a good deal of press about CKB recently, and I believe that everyone on Bonaire is aware of CKB's existence, but I don't feel they have a good understanding of exactly what is available to them. This is what we hope to improve.

Mr. Piar is a Managing Director of Maduro & Curiels Bank (Bonaire). Mr. Evert joined MCB in July 1967, became the Manager in 1978 and has been the Managing Director since February 1990. He has been involved in the founding and growth of most of the service groups and foundations on Bonaire over his many years in service including Rotary, The Bonaire Businessmen’s Association and the Tourist Office. He is very involved in social and cultural causes on the island, and has served on the board of CKB since the birth of CKB on July 1, 1999.

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