CAft: “2020 Draft budget is not sufficiently substantiated”

The draft budget of Aruba for the financial year 2020 closes with a budget surplus of 0.6% of GDP. Herewith the standard for the budget surplus as reflected in the protocol agreed with the Netherlands is met. For the first time in years, the nominal debt and staff expenditures - including those of the budget funds - will decrease. It is important that Aruba indicate in a substantiated manner how the reduction in the personnel expenditures can be guaranteed as well for more years to come. Furthermore, on the revenue side, the substantiation of estimated incidental income should also be improved. The Board of financial supervision Aruba (CAft) calls for more attention to the seeking and applying of opportunities to reduce government expenditures - instead of increasing taxes - in order to achieve lasting and sustainable public finances.