According to a report by Caribbean Net News, State Secretary of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles, Alex Rosaria, has recently sent a diplomatic note to the Jamaican authorities expressing his wish to start talks drafting a tax treaty.

“Jamaica is one of the largest economies of the Caribbean region. The Netherlands Antilles has one of the most solid international financial centres in the world. I think that together we should build a mutually beneficial relationship based on our common values and aimed at our common aspirations,” Rosaria was quoted as saying.

The Netherlands Antilles have tended to move away from double tax treaty arrangements during recent years, letting a number of treaties with prominent countries lapse. However, Rosario reiterated that jurisdiction is now pursuing a policy of becoming a "committed neighbour" in the Caribbean region.

The Netherland Antilles is currently in talks with the governments of Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago towards the creation of double tax treaties, while talks towards similar agreements with nordic countries are due to start in February. Lawmakers in the country have also agreed to bring into force a bilateral Tax Information and Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with the United States.

Furthermore, the Netherland Antilles is also keen on increasing its links to the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which is in the process of establishing a single Caribbean market, after formally requesting to become an associate member of the group last year.