PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion announced on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers press briefing that the State Secretary has released some NAF.19.3M as SSRP support, he said the funds should arrive in St. Maarten’s coffers by Friday this week. The Minister explained that St. Maarten has met all conditions set forth by the Dutch Government, however, St. Maarten lost close to NAF.10M because it did not abide by the conditions when it was outlined in mid-May 2020. Irion said St. Maarten was busy negotiating with the CFT and Dutch government to allow the government to pay out the 80% they promised for the first quarter after which they will reduce it to 60% but the Dutch Government disagreed.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs said the Council of Ministers took a decision to send a letter to State Secretary Raymond Knops requesting a roundtable discussion on the way forward for St. Maarten. Jacobs said her government wants to engage in an open dialogue.
Knops releasing the NAF 19.3M for SSRP. Funds should be received by Friday.
SXM government wants to sit around the table for dialogue. She said the Council of Ministers are of the opinion that certain things must be adjusted while there is no need for a new Kingdom Law but instead make adjustments to the current law which were suggested. Currently the Government of St. Maarten is waiting on a response from the State Secretary as they look forward to having mutual respect and understanding with each other.
