It seems a majority of Parliament backs the deal reached with the Netherlands (see related story) on more financial assistance accompanied by a “country package” of restructuring measures and investments with the Caribbean Reform and Development Entity COHO that is to control their execution. Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs (National Alliance (NA)) spoke of being stuck between a rock and a hard place, having to balancing striving for autonomy with meeting the immediate needs of the population, which must ultimately get her highest priority.
The severe socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 crisis coming on top of the widespread devastation caused by monster Hurricane Irma in September 2017 leaves St. Maarten with little choice. The prime minister mentioned in a press release issued Monday evening as well that not only recovery from that natural disaster but also improvement of government’s effectivity and efficiency had been too slow.
Independent parliamentarian Christophe Emanuel flatly rejects the proposal. In a release of his own he asked, “why give up now” and accept seven years (it actually appears to be six) of supervision when the world is “on the last leg” of the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccines and “we held on so long and did everything ourselves?”
The latter is incorrect, of course, because – in addition to relief and medical aid – several liquidity loans were already provided, enabling wage and income subsidies that have helped keep the island going despite its tourism economy remaining at a practical standstill for close to eight months. The reality is that lacking such in the period ahead would still lead to layoffs and business closures until the dominant hospitality sector including cruise visits fully recovers.
In the meantime, once signed the agreement will release 61.5 million Netherlands Antillean guilders to continue four months of the payroll support and fund the operations of government, which has seen its tax revenues take a nosedive. The Netherlands is also refinancing a NAf. 50 million bond that matures December 18.
Grants of up to 15 million euros for financial management and tax reform from remaining means in the Trust Fund plus 2.7 million euros to strengthen law enforcement by having Dutch military police and Customs beef up border security can be expected, along with 30 million euros to build a new prison system.
So, should one even want to speak of “selling out” under the current dire circumstances, it is certainly not just “for 30 pieces of silver” but to try and ensure the people’s wellbeing.
