WILLEMSTAD - The Minister of Finance will indeed submit the draft budget for 2024 at the opening of the parliamentary year. The Council of Ministers did not agree with a late submission. The law stipulates that the draft budget must be submitted to Parliament no later than the second Tuesday of September. This year, that falls on September 12. Silvania initially requested an extension because the government is negotiating with the Netherlands for the refinancing of the COVID-19 loans. Additionally, discussions with the Netherlands are ongoing to find a solution to the Ennia issue.
The Minister expects these negotiations to be concluded by the end of September. However, a majority of the cabinet wants Silvania to comply with the law. The outcomes of the negotiations can be incorporated into the first amendment proposal to the budget, as is customary.