Finance Minister Ardwell Irion recently announced that the Dutch First Chamber of Parliament had approved a capital expenditure loan of some 60.9 million Netherlands Antillean guilders (see related story) for St. Maarten. This allows for much-needed investments in local schools, sports facilities and cultural centres, but also road-surfacing and other works, expansion of the sewage network co-financed from the Trust Fund, plus improved hard- and software for various departments.
In addition, the Netherlands reportedly granted NAf. 21.9 million for phase one of constructing a new prison as well as the new Tax and Financial Management System. If the latter enhances fiscal compliance so that the collective burden is shared more fairly, most would probably welcome such.
However, apart from infrastructural enhancements, what seems to be missing on the list are investments that can stimulate the economy more directly. It’s been stated in this column before, but ultimately the private sector must earn all that government spends.
Better enabling the country’s business community to do so should remain top priority.
