Vice Prime Minister Theo Heyliger and Minister of Finance Hiro Shigemoto on Monday met with VVD Liberal Party Faction Leader Stef Blok and member of the Second Chamber of Parliament Andre Bosman (VVD).
The meeting was of an introductory nature and an exchange of information with respect to how the island is developing since achieving country status on October 10.
The VVD members of parliament were interested in learning about the current situation of the Sint Maarten economy in light of the global financial-economic crisis and how the island is coping with this situation; the budget and how the country would deal with budgetary challenges in the future.
The Dutch Members of Parliament (MPs) also wanted to know from the ministers if the country would become financially independent from Holland in the future.
Vice Prime Minister Heyliger responded that Sint Maarten was looking for cooperation from Holland and the CFT Financial Supervisory Commission to have more flexibility as it is related to the stringent rules which would facilitate the development of a number of projects that would create employment on the island as well as economic activity.
An example of success was the harbour project formula which resulted in investments being made in many areas of the Sint Maarten community that have contributed to the improvement in the quality of life.
The VVD MPs were also interested in the justice system, immigration and government policies related to the environment.
Both Ministers conveyed to the VVD MPs that Sint Maarten also welcomes more Dutch companies investing in the island.
Accompanying the Sint Maarten delegation are cabinet staff members Veronica Jansen-Webster and Cleveland Beresford.