Doing business & staying in touch while in Curaçao

Curaçao: Doing business & 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.

Media: 

Press: 

English-language newspapers include the Bonaire Reporter (weekly), Business Curaçao and The Daily Herald (Sint Maarten).