WILLEMSTAD - The debts of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten to the Netherlands have increased since 2010. This has occurred despite the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) being responsible for overseeing the financial management of these countries. This conclusion was drawn by the Netherlands Court of Audit following an investigation conducted over recent years.
The Netherlands Court of Audit notes that coordinating financing and policy in the Caribbean Netherlands is a task assigned to the Minister of BZK. However, in practice, this has proven to be challenging. Additionally, the organization reports longstanding issues in the operation and execution of the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland. These issues are particularly evident in the financial management of the Social Affairs and Employment unit, where little progress has been made.
The findings will be presented on Wednesday during the debate of the Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations in the House of Representatives. "The lessons we draw from these investigations can assist parliamentarians in developing new plans," said Ewout Irrgang, a member of the Court of Audit.