PHILIPSBURG: --- Finance Minister Ardwell Irion said on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers press briefing that he is disappointed with the statements made by the CFT in an article published earlier this week. Minister Irion said CFT said that there is no progress with the improving of the financial management on St. Maarten.
Irion said that the Ministry has been constantly making adjustment and have been working with the Netherlands with every request made by them through the CFT. The Minister said that they have a plan of approach which includes automation, improved checks and balances, process efficiency, and improvements in general. He said such a vast plan can only be executed with the extra investments, investments he said is what helps to keep the budget balanced while the Netherlands refused to subscribe to the capital bonds for investments.
The Finance Minister said St. Maarten has been making strides in improving the financial management of the country while it is unfortunate to read inaccurate information given by the CFT.
Asked by SMN News if he is surprised with the behavior of the CFT after what was done when he wanted to float a bond a few weeks ago, Irion said he is not at all surprised but in fact, this is what the country should expect in the future, he said St. Maarten can even expect worst going forward based on the country packages prepared by the Netherlands along with the powers that will be given to the CFT going forward.
