Executive Council Pleased with Recognition of Financial Management

Saba’s Executive Council said that it is pleased to see that the island’s hard work in the area of financial management is being recognized in The Hague. The remarks come after an article in last Friday’s edition of The Daily Herald, where two members of the Second Chamber, Andre Bosman of the VVD and Roelof van Laar of the PvdA commended Saba on its financial track record.

“Saba is on the road of improvement and has a budget surplus in 2014, approved annual accounts and a 2016 balanced budget. A beautiful result,” said Bosman. While MP van Laar asked, “Can we reward Saba for the work it has done? Possibly in the format of being able to acquire loans?”

The Executive Council said, “The comments from the MPs show that Saba’s financial record stands out in The Netherlands. We have been working hard to achieve this goal and the benefits that it can bring to the people of Saba. With our sound financial management, this gives us a better basis during discussions about what needs to be improved. This includes increases in the island’s budget so that we can define our own priorities; more autonomy in executing our tasks, as well as taking over more tasks from The Netherlands.”

Concerning Minister of Kingdom Relations, Ronald Plasterk’s remarks that financing possibilities for Saba would be part of the formal policy reaction of the Dutch Government to the report of the Caribbean Netherlands Evaluation Committee, the Council stated that “We look forward to report of the Dutch Government, and we hope that members of the Second Chamber, particularly those that have been to the island, also look out for the interests of the people of Saba when the report is brought forward to the Chamber.”

Press release GIS.