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~ Assessment on 12.5% cuts to take place during the Spring~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Dutch State Secretary of Kingdom Relations and Digitalization, Ms. Alexandra van Huffelen said on Saturday when she met the press with Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs that the Dutch Caribbean Islands are in dire need of reforms through the COHO in order for things to get better for the people of St. Maarten.
Van Huffelen said that she is more than happy to visit the islands to see for herself the effects of Hurricane Irma on St. Maarten as well as the coronavirus pandemic. She explained that the effects of both can still be felt within the economic and social fabric of the island. Despite such she is very much impressed with what she heard and saw thus far as there are many people working extremely hard for a brighter future for St. Maarten and its people.
The Dutch State Secretary said she held meetings with the board of the NRPB and even visited some of the homes they assisted in repairing. She said is glad that the Netherlands was able to assist with the reconstruction of the homes, the infrastructure, the economic development and now addressing the issues surrounding waste management. Van Huffelen further stated that this is how it should be because St. Maarten forms part of the Kingdom as we are brothers and sisters within the Kingdom of the Netherlands even if one argues or disagree.

With regards to the COHO, Van Huffelen said that the islands are in need of the necessary reforms in order to better the future of St. Maarten and its people. She said since the Netherlands had to assist the Caribbean Islands in order for them to get through the pandemic, it was necessary for the Netherlands to grant the countries liquidity support, therefore it was important for things to be reformed. Some of those things are to build a stronger government, to assess the labor market and the basis of the economics, and to ensure the country function well in the future and remain sustainable while developing a good social fabric, these and others she said she believes the reforms are necessary and the countries will be working on these reforms together.

With regards to the 12.5% cuts imposed on salaries in exchange for liquidity support. Asked if the Kingdom would consider removing the cuts knowing the cost of living on St. Maarten. Van Huffelen said that these discussions were held with the government and parliament when she met with them. She recognized that these cuts have placed the people of St. Maarten in a strenuous and stressful position. However, this matter would have to be further discussed after a full assessment is made. She said that these discussions and assessments should take place anytime during the spring of 2022. However, the goal is to ensure that the cuts would be made bearable for the people of all the islands. One of the things that will be discussed is the cost of living on St. Maarten and how its been influencing peoples lives.
The Kingdom also has to discuss further if St. Maarten would receive any further liquidity support in the second quarter 0f 2022. The State Secretary acknowledged that St. Maarten has lots of challenges and there is a lot more that must be done together.
She said even though there is no definite decision on whether or not St. Maarten will get further financial support there are still a number of projects and programs in place for continuity.
She said the loans granted to St. Maarten during the pandemic will be discussed in March in the RMR.