Netherlands Sees Opportunities For Caribbean Territories

by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels

09 September 2011

The Dutch government, in a policy memorandum tabled before the House of Representatives, has announced that it is seeking to begin a new age of participation in the Caribbean region, following constitutional reforms in 2010, with new economic opportunities now presenting themselves for all parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the government said.

As a result of the constitutional reforms of October 2010, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is now made up of four countries: the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten. The islands of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba are now public bodies of the Netherlands. These developments mean that part of the Netherlands is now in the Caribbean.

The government said that the Caribbean countries - known among other things for their international financial centres - can provide a springboard for business in the wider region, which includes such growing economies as those of Brazil, Mexico, Panama and Colombia.

“As a minister of the Kingdom, I can open doors for all our four countries,” said Uri Rosenthal, Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Through synergy between the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten we can set our sights on business and trade with Central and Latin America, and strengthen the Kingdom as a whole.”

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