WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao seems to be heading for a considerably less bad financial result than previously calculated. The implementation report for the first quarter shows that the country has realized a surplus of 102 million guilders, twice more than budgeted.
Initially, a deficit of 162 million was taken into account for the whole of 2022. On the basis of advice from the Financial Supervision Board (CFT), this was later reduced to 123 million. Based on the figures for the first three months, the expectation seems justified that the deficit could turn out to be even smaller. However, the CFT still points to uncertainties and risks.
The better result is largely due to 40 million higher tax revenues. The CFT is therefore positive about the approach of Finance Minister Javier Silvania. Unlike Aruba and Sint Maarten, the government of Curaçao manages to keep its budget under control, because the post goods and services show a windfall of 10 million.