State buys former embassy building

The state has reportedly bought the former US embassy building which is located along the Dr Sophie Redmondstraat for $4.2 million. The Revenue Service which falls under the Ministry of Finance will move into this building. The purchase price is nearly $700,000 below the appraised value. The government was reportedly the only buyer who made an offer. The purchase was financed with the money from envelope that the state has at the Inter American Development Bank (IDB).

Finance Minister Gillmore Hoefdraad pointed out that the building was thoroughly inspected. “It is a building that is in splendid condition.” In the coming weeks the necessary adjustment will be made so that the employees of the Revenue Service can move into their new workplace that is located across the street from the Frank Essed Building. Minister Hoefdraad explained that the purchase is part of the ongoing transformation at the Revenue Service. “This is a building where all of the departments can be put,” said the minister who added that all the new technology will be introduced at the Revenue Service so that it can benefit the entire tax collection system. “The purchasing process was not easy because we had to follow the rules of two countries,” said Minister Hoefdraad as he referred to the rules regarding accounting, the purchasing of real estate and the rules of the IDB.