The AVP-FUTURO government has approved the first budget for the General Investment and Development Fund (AIOF) for 2026 and 2027, marking a step toward turning national priorities into concrete projects. The national investment agenda was presented to the community on Monday evening in San Nicolas.
During the presentation, all ministers outlined key projects within their respective areas of responsibility, giving the public an overview of planned investments and development priorities for the coming years.
Minister Gerlien Croes said the agenda aims to improve quality of life, modernize Aruba, and strengthen the foundations for future development. It includes projects financed through the AIOF as well as investments supported by the regular budget, institutional cooperation, and other funding sources.
“These investments should not be viewed as separate projects, but as part of a broader vision for Aruba’s future. We must connect today’s needs with the Aruba we want to leave to the next generation,” Croes said.
The AIOF provides a framework for planning public investments over several years, allowing major projects to move through preparation, design, evaluation, financing, and implementation. Its first budget was approved following the fund’s legal establishment, budget preparation, parliamentary questions, and debate in Parliament.
Croes stressed that transparency, oversight, and accountability must guide the process from planning through implementation and evaluation. She also emphasized that the focus must now shift to delivering results. “People want to see progress. The government must prepare projects properly, follow the required procedures, and move on to implementation. Announcements are one step, but results are the goal,” she said.
The investment agenda aligns with the AVP-FUTURO Government Program for 2025–2028. Croes said the government would continue to inform the public about the progress of the projects.
“Aruba’s future is not something we should wait for. We must build it together, step by step, project by project, to create a stronger Aruba with more opportunities for everyone,” she concluded.
