WILLEMSTAD - In a response to a group of more than fourteen representatives of the business world, Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath declared that currently there is no alternative to financial aid that is at the same time sustainable than the option offered by the Netherlands.
This is the group that recently indicated that would choose to be directly financed by the Netherlands to deal with the corona consequences.
The Prime Minister says that discussions with the Netherlands are therefore of great importance, he does not agree with the proposal of the interest groups, which creates a discord in the discussions with the Dutch government.
“It is undesirable for another country to interfere with our economy and to finance companies and make investments, without a vision regarding the development of our country. This will not help us to one day be self-reliant (self sustainable).”
The discussion with the Netherlands is intended to reach an agreement that complies with Curaçao legislation, democratic and parliamentary principles (budget law), autonomy (powers) and the fact that Curaçao has its own responsibility regarding socio-economic development. "That is our responsibility as a country, together with the public and private sector," said Rhuggenaath.
The prime minister gives as an example of how this discord can develop, the Dutch support that now runs through the Red Cross, while an organization of its own was already "in place", namely the Food Bank.
“The Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) drew up a plan of action within the existing system, with assistance in phases, from emergency support with food packages to empowering people to become self-reliant. This was presented to the Netherlands, but nothing was done with it. There was no cooperation, no data was exchanged, and we saw a representative from the Netherlands who started handing out food parcels in our neighborhoods,” the Prime Minister said.
He cannot imagine that the group of fourteen would opt for such an approach, which lacked vision and social embedding.
Rhuggenaath would like to reach an agreement with the Netherlands about the progress and possibly even an increase in financial support. He believes sustainable cooperation is important, including reorganization and modernization of the investment climate and a structural investment program can be set up.
"That is possible if the Netherlands is also interested in the content of what we have put forward on various occasions and the points for attention of the Advisory Board (RvA)."
This does not alter the fact that he agrees with the group that the support as it has been given so far with the help of the Netherlands has not been sufficient and that new arrangements are needed to maintain employment, such as the reduction in working hours (ATV ) and other subsidies with which companies can continue to bear other costs such as the rent and utility bill.
The legislation regarding the ATV is almost complete and the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) is working on the proposal to set up a "guarantee fund for financing companies" and a regulation against fixed charges (LTV).
The prime minister ends his letter to the fourteen interest groups by stating that it would have been better if the business community had sought cooperation with the government to take a stronger position with regard to the Netherlands. "Our message to the Netherlands must be one from a potential and not from a weakness and despair."