Draft budget for 2024 faces numerous uncertainties

September 4, 2023  –WILLEMSTAD – The Minister of Finance is compelled to revisit the drawing board concerning the draft budget for 2024. According to the Cft (Committee for Financial Supervision), the initial budget fails to meet the standards outlined in the Kingdom Act on Financial Supervision.  

Notably, the budget is marred by a multitude of uncertainties, primarily revolving around the refinancing of COVID-19 support and the resolution of the Ennia issue. This preexisting challenge prompted the Minister of Finance to postpone the submission of the draft budget to the Parliament until negotiations with the Netherlands were finalized. However, it has now been decided to expedite the submission of a proposed budget amendment note.  

This amendment note will need to factor in anticipated deficits and a substantial debt burden expected in the years ahead.