WILLEMSTAD - Former Prime Minister of Curaçao Dr. Bernhard Whitemen called on Premier Eugene Rhuggenaath to resume negotiations with the Chinese company Guangdong Zhenrong Energy (GZE) for the acquisition of the oil refinery. Whiteman even proposes to Rhuggenaath to appoint a special delegation to travel to China for this purpose.

Whiteman stresses that China is still interested in the refinery. In a letter to Premier Rhuggenaath, Whiteman stated that China is willing to come up with an economical solution for Curaçao regarding the refinery.

Whiteman, who some years ago as prime minister, brought GZE in as a possible partner for the acquisition of the refinery after 2019, is concerned about the future of the refinery, which now with ten months to go until the end of the contract with PDVSA is very uncertain.

“The government and the people in general have indicated that the refinery must remain open and operational. The number of existing jobs at the refinery must be guaranteed,” Whiteman writes in his letter.

Whiteman believes that there is no more room for division in the country. “The division that has prevailed for more than twenty years has proven to know more losers than winners. It is of urgent importance that we put the heads together to save Curaçao.”

Given the challenges that Venezuela is currently facing, Whiteman does not see a future for the state-owned oil company PDVSA now and therefore points back in the direction of China.

“The Venezuelan and Chinese governments have large-scale commercial ties in various areas, particularly in the oil sector. The transport of oil under the Chinese flag or that of BP (British Petroleum) will not be subject to US sanctions against Venezuela. GZE has signed a Heads of Agreement with BP for the project of the refinery in Curaçao. GZE has put the arbitration process with Curaçao on hold,” says the former Prime Minister.

Whiteman believes that China is still a possibility for the future of the refinery.