Real Estate Development is On the Rise.
One of the key indicators that the local island economy is trending upwards is the amount of foreign investment currently taking place in the real estate market. Judging from the increased number of projects that one local architect is experiencing, it seems that the amount of investment in residential developments particularly shows that this sector of the economy is doing well. TEXT BY KATY BRANUM
IHC Architects, have been providing architectural services on the island for almost 10 years, during which time they have seen fluctuations in the amount of investment activity in Curaçao, from the positive investment
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CURAÇAO BUSINESS
climate prior to 2008, to the weakening in demand after the crash of that same year. The period leading up to independence in 2010, saw some investors leave the island, while other investors hesitated to enter into
| NUMBER 1 | 2018
the Curaçao market until they were confident that the political changes occurring on the island would not affect Curaçao’s status as an attractive investment. Since then, many have returned and continue to invest. From these experiences, IHC has observed over the years that there is a direct correlation between political stability and investor confidence. When there is a perceived high potential for sovereign risk default, then investors lack confidence to invest. When the political landscape is stable, then perceived risk is low and the international investment community, have an appetite to invest in the island. This is especially important when it comes to invest-
