Why did Saba have limited economic importance during Dutch colonial rule?

Saba’s limited economic importance during Dutch colonial rule was primarily due to its challenging geography. Settled by the Dutch in 1632, the island is the peak of an extinct volcano, Mount Scenery, characterized by rugged terrain and steep sea cliffs that made it highly inaccessible.12

Because of this difficult landscape, the island could not support the large-scale agricultural or commercial activities that drove the economies of other colonial territories. Instead of becoming a significant economic hub, the island often functioned as a stronghold for buccaneers.1