THE HAGUE - Despite reservations, the Dutch House of Representatives is set to approve the tax treaty between Curaçao and Malta on Tuesday. The skepticism about the treaty's usefulness is shared not only by Dutch parliamentarians but also by MAN party leader Giselle McWilliam, who participated as a special delegate in the debate today.
McWilliam expressed concerns about whether Malta has implemented sufficient anti-money laundering measures. “We believe that before approving this tax treaty, a thorough investigation should be conducted into its potential negative effects on Curaçao's economy. Another specific area of concern is whether a treaty with Malta might inadvertently harm the online gambling sector. While the maritime, tourism, and aviation sectors could benefit, could the treaty make gambling less safe? Malta was reprimanded for this in 2021. The upcoming governing party, New Social Contract, rightly questioned whether this treaty could result in profits being funneled to other countries. We share this concern and call for proper research into these effects.”
Members of Parliament, Foreign Minister Bruins Slot, and State Secretary for Fiscal Affairs Van Rij grappled with the fact that Curaçao is an autonomous country that decides on its own treaty partners. While Curaçao's efforts are welcomed, “why on earth choose Malta first?” exclaimed Idsinga (NSC). “Malta has a rather dubious international reputation and limited economic ties with Curaçao. It’s a country heavily reliant on the gambling industry and sells European passports to non-EU millionaires. Its former prime minister is currently facing trial for a corruption scandal. Why not choose neighboring countries or major trading partners like the United States, Venezuela, or Colombia for the first tax treaty?”
White (GroenLinks-PvdA) added, “My faction also has some concerns. Malta doesn’t seem like the most logical choice for a treaty. It’s a small, distant country with a poor reputation for tax avoidance, known for selling passports to wealthy individuals and facilitating the online gambling industry.” Vlottes (PVV) commented, “This treaty seems like cherry-picking; we’re choosing whatever suits us best and putting the treaty together accordingly.”
Despite these concerns, the House is expected to move forward with the treaty, reflecting the complexities and debates surrounding international tax agreements and fiscal autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.