WILLEMSTAD.- The financial contribution that Isla Refinery generates to the Community of Curaçao is not as high as the politicians say. This according to Arjan Linthorst in a letter sent to the press. In a letter SMOC explained that in his opinion, politicians always exaggerate the economic effect of Refinery for Curaçao.
In his letter Linthorst reacted to the presentation that Finance Minister Kenneth Gijsbertha made this week during the public meeting of Parliament. According to Gijsbertha, the impact of Refinery is very large for Curaçao. If the Refinery closes its doors, this will have very negative effects for our tourism, for our public finances and for our economy. According to Gijsbertha, the closure of the refinery will affect thousands of people in Curaçao.
Linthorst mentions in his letter that Gijsbertha previously worked for Refinería (among others as Spokesperson), and that his presentation is not true. Linthorst mentions an agreement between the Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao and Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. which has as a consequence that Refinery is exempt from different taxes, for example: taxes on profits. As a consequence of this, it happens that for different years the refinery profit goes to Venezuela. According to Linthorst, the Island Refinery is obliged, on the basis of the Environment permit, to invest a lot of money in Curaçao to reduce the discomfort of the Island’s environment. “But Isla does not do this, and the Government for many years has refused to attend with Isla about this respect “.
