Curaçao: Doing business and staying in touch

Doing Business in Curaçao

Suits should be worn and punctuality is expected.

Office Hours

Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1330-1630.

Economy

Curaçao is the most prosperous of the Netherlands Antilles island group. Oil refining, tourism, telecommunications, transport and the financial services sector form the bedrock of the economy.

The capital, Willemstad, is at the centre of a network of offshore banking facilities and other financial services. Curaçao also houses one of the largest dry docks in the western Caribbean. Transhipment is another key economic activity.
The World Trade Centre, Conference Centre Kura Hulanda and Tres Tan Conference Centre offer world-class convention facilities.

GDP

US$3.3 billion (Netherlands Antilles, 2005).

Main exports

Petroleum products.

Main imports

Crude petroleum, food and manufactured goods.

Main trading partners

Venezuela, USA and The Netherlands.

Keeping in Touch in Curaçao

Mobile Phone

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Handsets can be hired at the airport post office. There is a 5% tax.

Internet

There is an Internet cafe in Willemstad. Some hotels have Wi Fi for guests.

Post

Airmail to Western Europe takes four to six days.