In a letter sent by AMAK to a senior official of the Tax Department, the Minister of Finance and also the Minister of Culture, AMAK filed an objection against the government’s decision to deny their request for exemption from OB payments regarding the Tumba Festival.
The main reason for this refusal lies in the fact that according to the Law of Exemptions of the OB, the Tumba Festival does not meet the requirements of presenting renowned international artists.
According to AMAK, the reasons for which they delivered the objection is due to the following points:
The Tumba Festival has a budget of almost 2 million guilders and is the largest and most popular festival in Curaçao. The Tumba Festival also generates a positive economic influence on the island in the weeks before and during the festival.
Another reason is the fact that all the income generated by the Tumba Festival remains in the Economy of Curacao, a guarantee to save foreign currency.
For AMAK, the fact that the Law prescribes that international artists with a reputation must participate in this Festival, among others, is a discriminatory act for our local musicians and artists. Additionally, the money that the international artists make from their presentations will not be spent on the island but in the exterior.
The Tumba Festival is considered by AMAK as the greatest event in Curaçao in which almost 80% of our community is directly involved and could be considered the biggest catalyst of our economy. During this week our community joins to continue its development, either at the Festival Center or following the Festival via radio or television.
Finally AMAK asked the Government to reconsider its decision and to give the Organization the exemption from the payment of the OB corresponding to the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
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