Promoting Aruban business in the South of the US: The Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Miami recently hosted a successful virtual session for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and stakeholders from Aruba on how to tap into the economic opportunities in the southern United States, particularly Florida. The session introduced the Economic Affairs (EA) team of the Consulate General in Miami and demonstrated how they can support Aruban businesses.
The program highlighted six economic focus sectors, maritime, water & resilience, life sciences & health, mobility, energy, and sports innovation. Each sector was discussed in the context of Aruba’s potential for collaboration, talent development, and economic growth.
In addition, the session spotlighted three priority areas of relevance to Aruba: tourism diversification; education; and tech & start-up innovation, emphasizing the opportunity for partnerships with Florida’s tech ecosystem.
Attendees learned how the Consulate General supports Aruba-based businesses, institutions, and entrepreneurs by facilitating connections, offering guidance, and leveraging its extensive network in Florida.
The session was opened by Maidi Maduro from the EA team and featured opening remarks by Consul General Lisette den Breems. Local Aruba insight was provided by Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba in Washington, Zulema Erasmus-Dabian, and included the presence of Consul General Jaap Veerman from the Consulate General of the Kingdom in the Netherlands in Atlanta, along with speakers from RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency), the Department of Economic Affairs (DEACI Aruba), and the organizing team behind the upcoming StartAruba to Atlanta Mission.
Participants were encouraged to take action by applying for the upcoming StartAruba to Atanta Mission, reaching out to DEACI, RVO, or the EA team, and exploring how they can connect to existing networks or scale their ideas in Florida.
The Consulate emphasized its role as a bridge, not only between the Kingdom and the United States, but between Aruba and Florida, with great potential in innovation, trade, and investment.
This initiative marks a growing commitment by the Consulate General to make Aruba more visible in its economic diplomacy work and to promote collaboration that creates real value for the island.