The letter dated July 30th, 2012 was sent to the Council of Ministers informing them that the co-owners of Emilio Wilson Estate have decided to accept the offer from the Government of St. Maarten to purchase 370,000 m2 of the estate for a total price of USD 17,000,000.00.
The Council of Ministers took a decision on July 17th, 2012 to purchase the 370,000 m2 of the Emilio Wilson Estate but that decision could not be executed immediately because the co-owners asked the Council of Ministers to grant them some time to consult with Rainforest Tours (RFT) who already received building permits from the former Minister of VROMI, Theodore Heyliger. According to the information provided to SMN News, Henri Brookson wanted to offer sale of the property to the owners of Rainforest Tours before proceeding with the sale to the Government of St. Maarten.
The Minister of VROMI William Marlin sent a letter to Brookson on July 20th informing him that the Council of Ministers had taken a decision to purchase the property. Brookson said in his letter dated July 30th, 2012 that the owners of the EWE in principle accepted the contents of the letter sent to them by Marlin on July 20th, 2012.
Brookson further explained in his letter to government that he had to make reservations with regard to the right of preference that was granted to RFT under the cooperation agreement in which it is stipulated that they have the right to purchase the property under the exact and equal conditions that government wanted to purchase the property.
Brookson further stated in his letter to the Council of Ministers that on July 23rd he asked RFT to inform EWE whether that right of preference will be used by them (RFT). The co-owners of Emilio Wilson Estate also gave RFT a deadline in which they must inform them of their decision which was to be before 12 noon on Monday July 30th, 2012.
Brookson therefore informed the Council of Ministers that RFT (Rainforest Tours) did not respond to their request and they are now willing to move forward with the discussions and sale of the property to the Government of St. Maarten. Brookson made clear that based on the letter sent to the co-owners of EWE including the discussions held previously prior to Government taking the decision, they understood the decision of July 17th, 2012 to be irrevocable and that the closing (sale) of said property should take place in the near future.
Click here to view the letter sent to the Council of Ministers regarding the sale of EWE.