CONDITIONS FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
There is room for improvement
The local conditions in terms of tax, legal, accounting, (telecom) infrastructure and regulatory (supervision of banks, funds etc.) are favorable. There are a considerable number of investors and companies present on Curacao. Not only pension funds and insurance companies, but also large banks, (investment and hedge) funds and fund administrators as well as real estate developers (hotels, apartments, golf courses). This also has to do with the ample presence of the highly trained, English speaking labor force.
Also, what should be mentioned is the Netherlands Antilles being an attractive hub for international activities. In particular exporters in Asia should consider exporting to Latin America using Curacao as a hub. Curacao is an ideal location at the crossroad of trade between Latin America, Asia, the United States and Europe.
There are complaints about over-regulation and red-tape. Such complaints should be taken seriously. The Netherlands Antilles Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ersilia de Lannooy, recently stated that sometimes the local attitude towards potential investors feels a little hostile. Although the current obstacles (click here for a report) seem not to prevent foreign individuals and companies from investing in Curacao, they should and shall be removed.
Karel Frielink
Curacao-based Attorney (lawyer) / Partner
