THE HAGUE - The Netherlands can save 7 million euros annually on the execution of the Country Packages of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten. This calculation was made by civil servants in the context of the so-called 'cost-cutting list' that Minister of Finance Kaag sent to the House of Representatives today. 

The cost-cutting list provides an overview of expenses that the government could potentially reduce to improve public finances. It is an administrative product that does not pass judgment on the desirability of the listed measures. However, political parties can use the list for their election programs. 

The authors of the list point out that in the execution of the Country Packages, priority can be given to, among other things, tax reforms that contribute to higher income for the countries. They also suggest that the Temporary Work Organization can be made more efficient. Out of the total annual cost of 35 million until 2027, 7 million can be saved. 

According to Finance, savings can also be made on the deployment of Royal Military Police and Customs personnel to the CAS countries. It could involve a 25% reduction starting in 2026, resulting in a structural cost-cutting of 8 million euros per year. The civil servants argue that a strategic vision for the deployment of personnel is lacking, and the efficiency is "difficult" to determine. 

A third potential saving on the list concerns the Dutch contribution to the Caribbean Coast Guard by adjusting the distribution key. Currently, the Netherlands still covers 87.8% of the expenses.