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News from the Caribbean as of
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Netherlands Antilles policy towards the Caribbean is one of committed neighbour
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
WILLEMSTAD, Curacao: In preparation for a trade mission of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Curacao to Barbados during the first week of September, State Secretary of Finance, Alex Rosaria, recently delivered a speech about the policy of the Government towards the Caribbean.
In this speech the State Secretary indicated that, in the past, the Netherlands Antilles had behaved somewhat indifferently when it came to the Caribbean, but that in the last years the Government has been actively pursing a policy of being ‘committed neighbours’.
Even though he did not want to dwell too much on the past as to the reasons for this indifference, he did indicate that divide-and-rule policies played a great role. “It gives me great pleasure to see the efforts being made by the Caribbean nations to unite that which colonialism in our region had divided for more than five centuries,” said Rosaria.
According to the State Secretary, the Government has been walking the talk regarding more cooperation with this region. Last year as Minister of Economic Affairs, Rosaria visited the Headquarters of CARICOM where he officially requested the status of associated member for the Netherlands Antilles.
In May this year Rosaria accompanied a trade mission to Trinidad & Tobago during which it was agreed with the twin island nation to start to negotiate a tax treaty.
Rosaria, who will be accompanying the Curacao trade mission to Barbados, will also be meeting with the Barbados minister in charge of international tax treaties. During his meetings with the Barbadian authorities, the State Secretary hopes to reach an agreement to start to negotiate not only a tax treaty but also a customs treaty with Barbados.
Barbados, one of the largest CARICOM economies, has achieved unprecedented growth during the last years. According to Rosaria it makes a lot of sense for the private sector to seek business opportunities there. “My role is to act as a facilitator and open doors. A tax treaty and a customs treaty will for sure stimulate business between us and them,” said Rosaria.
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