Preface
Preface
Dear Reader,
Since you are reading this bi-annual Investor’s Guide, it is very likely that you are looking for a location to establish your business. As a prospective investor, you want to get all the relevant information, from a source that gives you a clear view of the situation. We have put together a list of facts and relevant data that will quickly provide you with the information needed to assist you in taking a decision (or in advising a client). You should not be too skeptical when taking note of all of the positive features of doing business on our island. Curaçao offers a very attractive opportunity to investors, as it is one of the best kept secrets in the business world. This is a status, however, we no longer want to maintain.
Curaçao, being a Dutch overseas territory, offers to the investor the best of both worlds: a relaxed spirit and a well developed infrastructure. That makes it easy and, at the same time, comfortable for doing business, whether as customers on the island or overseas. Adding to its attractiveness is the island’s unique political structure, which offers preferential trade imports into the USA and Europe, under respectively the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) and its Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) status in the European Union. Another treaty, the African Caribbean and Pacific group (ACP) gives Curaçao, through tariff preferences, access to the European market and to special funds which maintain price stability in agricultural products and mining products. The icing on the cake are the several tax incentives, which the Curaçao government has introduced over the last decade.
Our island’s geographical location serves as a connection between South America, southern Caribbean, North America and Europe and is supported by the crossroads of major shipping routes with the region’s largest deep-water port and a state-of-the-art container transshipment terminal and air connections, which facilitates commerce between these continents. The highly rated educational system has produced a multilingual (English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamento) workforce, with people who have obtained their academic education either on the island, in the USA, in Europe or in a combination thereof. Curaçao is also blessed with the fact that it lies outside of the hurricane belt, which means lower risks for your venture, which translates into fewer operational expenses.
By establishing in one of our seven E-zones on the island, companies pay only 2% profit tax on export profits. Curaçao has a diversified economy, which is internationally oriented and based on several pillars: tourism, financial services, oil refinery, logistics and e-commerce.
Our economy has characteristically had a low rate of inflation, supported by our currency (the local guilder), which is pegged to the US dollar (1 US$ = 1.77 guilder). Another positive feature of the Curaçao product is our stable government, which is democratically chosen (through peaceful elections) and which considers the safeguarding of the investors’ properties an important task. The telecommunications infrastructure in Curaçao is in par with European and US standards, and includes fast broadband communication, modern digital switches, direct telephone links worldwide, mobile networks, satellite link-ups, and fiber optic cabling.
Living in Curaçao is a unique experience. Curaçao has several museums, natural beaches with crystal clear water, numerous country houses with fascinating architecture, and a friendly population. The island provides a lifestyle with all the modern comforts of major international locations such as an international school, upscale boutiques and shopping malls, excellent restaurants including fine cuisine and fast food.
For enjoyment and relaxation, Curaçao offers amongst others: a golf course, several tennis courts, a yacht club, and diving and snorkeling facilities. Cultural activities abound, including the famous annual Carnival parades.
Hence, it’s is no surprise that Curaçao has been receiving constantly increasing approval ratings by both local and foreign investors since 2005. It should be no surprise either, that large international companies are choosing, or have been choosing, Curaçao as a place to do business. We hope you follow suit soon.
The Commissioner of Economic Affairs
