PHILIPSBURG:--- The Government of St. Maarten intends to submit a request to borrow some 88 million guilders in order to finance several projects. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams at the Council of Ministers' weekly press briefing on Wednesday. "We had to redo this process several times before we came down to the final figure. At first it stands at 200m." These monies will go under the capital expenditures of government. Wescot Williams made clear several times that they did not obtain any money as yet but they have decided on how much they will borrow. She said when the submission is made government has to itemize each project they intend to finance and how much it will cost. High on the list is the purchase of the Government Building that is located on Pond Island, it should be noted that the Government of St. Maarten does not own that building, they are leasing it from RGM. Another project the Government of St. Maarten has high on their agenda is the purchase of the Emilio Wilson Estate since a court verdict was rendered in that case. However, Wescot Williams did mention that the Government of St. Maarten had held talks about appealing the verdict but she was not able to say on Wednesday if the appeal was already submitted.
Another topic Wescot Williams touched on was the signed contract with the European Union on OCTs and environmental protection which was signed in 2007. She said the environmental protection played a key role on OAD "Overseas Association Decision."
Wescot Williams also announced that the request submitted by St. Maarten to Brussels to obtain financial assistance for projects was submitted in a timely manner and it met all the requirements established by law. The monies she said will be used for the upgrading of Dutch Quarter when it is allocated.
The Prime Minister also announced that St. Maarten was asked if they are in agreement with adding Peru to the "Colombian Emerade Visa Policy". Wescot Williams said the Government of St. Maarten did not object to the request but they also suggested that China, India and United Emerades be added to the "Colombia Emerades Visa Policy".