The finance minister of the Netherlands Antilles, Alex Rosaria, and his opposite number at the Isle of Man, Allan Bell, are to meet to talk on how to combat their jurisdictions being branded as “tax havens” by some nations, especially members of the European Union, according to Caribbean Net News.

According to Mr Rosaria, State Secretary of Finance, such jurisdictions face serious external pressures: “We comply with all sorts of directives and regulations put forth by the European Union but instead of being commended, we are punished and chastised as 'tax haven'. What we want is a level playing field and will not accept to be held to higher standards than is demanded of for example Austria and Switzerland”.

Mr Rosaria hopes that by working together with the Isle of Man, the European Union can be convinced to stop its arbitrary labelling. The meeting between Mr Rosaria and Mr Bell, Minister of the Treasury of the Isle of Man, is scheduled to take place on 7 November on the Isle of Man.