From Ruins to Radiance: Aruba’s 2026 Starts Right Here

A new year, a new chapter – and if we do this right, a new era for Aruba’s cities. We start the year not just with resolutions, but with resolve. Because this time, we’re not just talking about change. We’re building it. At the center of it all is a bold new fiscal policy, offering developers and investors a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Oranjestad and San Nicolas. If we follow through – turning policy into law, and vision into action – we’ll look back on this year as the one where everything shifted.

This is the beginning of our journey from ruins to radiance.

Real Incentives, Real Development

As of January 1, 2026, the government has activated a serious incentive structure to jumpstart urban revitalization in the heart of Oranjestad and San Nicolas. From 2026 through 2035, qualifying projects will benefit from a full exemption from corporate income tax. Profit distributions made during this period will also be exempt from dividend withholding tax. For those not claiming the full exemption, up to Afl. 500,000 in accelerated depreciation is available. In 2026 and 2027, additional relief applies on transfer tax and BBO/BAZV/BAVP, reducing the upfront costs of acquisition and renovation. This is structural reform – built to attract serious investment, drive construction, and bring life back to historic urban cores that have been overlooked for too long.

A Minister Who Got It Right

Credit where credit is due: Minister Geoffrey Wever delivered. In a time when politics often leans toward small, safe ideas, he went big – and backed it up with sound design. This is not a press release in disguise. It’s a clear, transparent framework that speaks the language of the private sector while protecting the public interest.

Minister Wever didn’t just roll out a policy. He laid the foundation for a new kind of development culture in Aruba – one that’s bold, practical, and future-focused.

But Policy Isn’t Enough – We Need Law

Let’s not lose sight of one critical fact: this is still policy – not yet law. And that matters. If we want developers to commit long-term capital, if we want entrepreneurs to make multi-year plans, and if we want banks to lend with confidence, we need legislative certainty. Parliament must move quickly to enshrine this into law. Policy inspires, but law locks it in. Anything less leaves too much hanging in the wind.

Banks – Your Move

Let’s talk frankly. Aruba’s banks are sitting on excess liquidity. They operate in a protected market, and for too long they’ve reaped the benefits without leaning into their broader role in national development. It’s not just a moral obligation. It’s good business. Healthy cities are good for balance sheets. And in a market this concentrated, it’s also a good time to remember that competition laws in Aruba exist now for a reason.

Well – here’s your opportunity.

These incentives unlock exactly the kind of projects banks say they’ve been waiting for: tangible, asset-backed, economically sound. This is your moment to fund what matters – housing, small business hubs, creative workspaces, and modernized public spaces. It’s not just a moral obligation. It’s good business. Healthy cities are good for balance sheets. The banks must step in – not reluctantly, but deliberately. The economy needs it. So does your future.

This Is About Belief

We’ve talked about tax codes, incentives, and financing. But what this is really about is belief. Belief that Oranjestad and San Nicolas still matter. That buildings left to crumble can become homes, shops, and studios. That what was overlooked can become overbooked. That our cities don’t belong to the past – they are the future.

This is what from ruins to radiance really means. And for the first time in a long time, the tools are on the table.

The Big Picture

Oranjestad and San Nicolas aren’t side projects. They’re central to our national identity – and to our economy. If they shine, Aruba shines. This policy sends a message: we’re not managing decline anymore – we’re designing renewal. The ripple effects are clear: jobs, housing, walkability, nightlife, opportunity. And if we do this right, it will redefine how we think about growth – not just in square meters, but in quality of life.

Let’s Make 2026 Count

To Minister Wever: thank you for the vision, the courage, and the follow-through. 

To Parliament: this is the one to pass. Get it done.

To the banks: you’ve been given the green light. Step up and fund the future. And to every builder, designer, entrepreneur, and investor reading this: this is your year. Let’s turn empty buildings into vibrant businesses. Let’s turn abandoned corners into thriving blocks. Let’s push the economy.Let’s build a future we actually want to live in. Not just for us but for the next generation.

While continuing my legal advisory work, 2026 will also mark the beginning of a new chapter for me: stepping into the world of corporate finance and real estate – this time not from the sidelines. I’m open to thoughtful collaborations with those who are serious about revitalizing spaces and operations with purpose and vision.

Welcome to 2026.

Until next week, take care – and don’t forget to check out my website: www.lincolngomez.com, where all my blogs and podcasts live.

 See you there.

– Lincoln