Business in Paradise Aruba by Susan Campbell

Business

Mix Business with Pleasure in Paradise

by Susan Campbell Aruba offers the best of both worlds.

Little wonder Aruba attracts the most repeat visitors in the entire Caribbean.

This enchanted little isle is a thriving mix of natural wonders, creative industries, and friendly, artistic people. The high quality of life combined with a cosmo­ politan culture, sophisticated infrastruc­ ture, and some of the world’s best beaches make the place a perennial favorite for dis­ cerning travelers from around the world.

Many visitors have returned to discover Aruba is also an ideal venue for business with a healthy GDP growth rate of 2.4% and government initiatives for dynamic, well-planned growth.

is poised to become the island’s carnival capital. The construction of a new carni­ val village, new museums, and new infra­ structure to accommodate visitors and improve local life there will all combine to offer a multitude of investment oppor­ tunities in many different sectors.

In the coming months, further revi­ talization of existing neigh­borhoods and services all over Aruba will also encour­ age foreign and local interest in providing new and forward thinking technologies and amenities within the improvements.

For example, the capital of Oranjestad re­ cently launched a solar-powered trolley

Island-wide development

Oranjestad has already implemented value-adding improvements, while other centers are planning similar developments to boost the local economy and create opportunities for both visitors and in­ vestors. San Nicolas, the island’s first capital city and a historic cultural center,

service linking the cruise ship terminal, downtown, tourist sites, and new com­ mercial precincts. Other advances include relocation of cargo-port facilities, impor­ tant airport upgrades, and construction of world-class resorts to service the rising number of tourists.

And much more is planned islandwide to enhance both the tourist and local experience alike such as the completion of the Caribbean’s longest linear park that will run along the most popular tourist beaches and provide lots of new business development along its route. Aruba is also striving to become the destination wed­ ding capital of the Caribbean for inter­ national visitors through com­prehensive improvements of its nuptial-based offer­ ings. Tropical destination weddings are one of the fastest growing tourism seg­ ments in the industry, and this island will be on the cutting edge of this growth pro­ viding all kinds of opportunities for new business.

Business Quality workforce and infrastructure

Aruba, with its well-educated work­ force, has long been a Caribbean role model for social stability and economic progress.

Most islanders are professionals in their respective fields, have studied abroad, and speak at least four languages: Dutch, English, Spanish, and Papiamento. This human resource makes it easy to find com­ petent local staff in areas such as sales, customer support, telemarketing call cen­ ters, accounting and payroll services, pro­ cessing facilities, and administrative and management duties.

An active Chamber of Commerce and Industry helps enterprises to identify resources, make professional connections, and keep abreast of Aruba’s current busi­ ness trends and new markets. The chamber also administers and supervises the Trade Registry and the Foundations Registry.

The Aruba Investment Agency (ARINA) is set up to fast track the estab­ lishment of new ventures through ex­ clusive permit and licensing procedures.

ARINA also serves as a liaison between

in­­vestors and government to promote timely consideration of business proposals.

Aruba’s stable economy, investment in­ centives, tax regime, experienced legal services, and sophisticated banking system also make this island business-friendly.

The island’s telecommunications compa­ nies ensure top-notch connectivity with the outside world, 24 /7.

Green Aruba opens doors to innovation

By 2020 Aruba plans to become a small-island leader in the application of renewable energy. Twenty percent of the island’s power already comes from wind energy. The government’s commitment to green technologies and eco-friendly innovations was exemplified by its E

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Business co-hosting of the illustrious 2013 Carib­bean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF). Key participants from more than 40 countries gathered to share benchmark practices and world-class technology in the rapidly emerging market for renewable energy.

Aruba has also become an active participant in entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson’s Carbon War Room, an impor­ tant global environment-protection ini­ tiative. Branson said, “Aruba can set a wonderful example for other island na­ tions to prove that they can get rid of fossil fuels, protect their wonderful natural resources and still grow their economy.”

Opportunities for entrepreneurs in new eco-technologies and smart technol­ ogies abound in Aruba’s innovative blue­ print for growth, according to Dr. Franklin Hoevertsz, Managing Director of Utilities Aruba. “As a country, we’re ready for the transition to a 21st century energy econo­ my,” he says. “Now is the time to intro­ duce world-class technology and capital to the broad array of opportunities that exist on Aruba.”

The protection of Aruba’s coastal and underwater treasures are also of utmost importance. The recent establishment of an official Aruba Marine Park foundation

will ensure that this island remains a role model for sustainable tourism for gener­ ations to come.

An ideal gateway

Aruba also hosted the 2013 Europe meets the Americas conference, which con­firmed the island’s position as an im­ portant gateway for the transshipment of goods and services from Europe through­ out the Americas. The recent restructuring of Aruba’s port facility has already im­ proved multimodal cargo movement. At the same time, access to global market­ places via Aruba’s well-established free zone offers many economic benefits such as duty-free passage. Free Zone Aruba also caters to niche markets, such as compa­ nies needing a cost-effective distribution hub to showcase their goods. E

Aruba Bank – A Partner in Prosperity Aruba Bank’s role as a banker goes far beyond loans and deposits. The Bank is also strongly committed in supporting the local community’s efforts to diversify the island’s economy in the context of sustainability and smart growth.

Established in 1926, Aruba Bank has grown into the island’s largest bank, offering a wide variety of products and services to support investors and entrepreneurs, promote economic growth, and improve quality of life.

It is not just the big players in the local economy who benefit. Acknowledging small- and medium-sized enterprises as major employers on Aruba, especially in the tourism sector, Aruba Bank goes out of its way to assist entrepreneurs and dynamic enterprises pursue all available opportunities to grow smart and responsible.

In this way Aruba Bank supports initiatives and incentives to attract overseas business and investment to Aruba. In a volatile global economy, the Bank recognizes the importance of financial education and sound investment strategies for the business community of the island. For example, Aruba Bank sponsors seminars and workshops for owners and key people of businesses in Aruba, whereby experts provide valuable information in areas such as real estate investment, finance, management, tax, and economic development.

Parallel to the Bank’s financial activities, corporate social responsibility forms a fundamental part of its activities. Management follows the principle that successful businesses thrive in healthy communities. In fact, a major portion of the Bank’s marketing budget is earmarked for community projects including youth mentoring and leadership training, social-awareness programs, and sponsoring of sports, arts, and cultural activities.

With its political and financial stability, Dutch heritage and close proximity to the Americas, Aruba itself is often seen as an effective hub between the continents of Europe and the Americas. Aruba Bank’s social and business partnership with the island’s community will continue to support the local development that helps maintain this position.

Courtesy of Gina N. Habibe, Executive Director, Aruba Bank N.V. 48 Nights

Left photo by Bigstock. Right photo by iStockphoto

Business Classy conventions and business events

For conducting business on the island, the services of the Aruba Convention Bureau are available to you at no charge.

So whether you are planning an intimate seaside meeting, a high-powered board­ room seminar or multi-media companywide presentation, Aruba has all the fa­ cilities you need to accommodate every type of business function. Almost every resort on Aruba has some form of event space, and the Renaissance Convention Center on the picturesque marina already offers a massive complex for full-blown functions. The recent opening of new con­ vention facilities via the new ballroom at

the Alhambra Casino complex also adds more square footage for meetings large and small, and the recent revitalization of existing venues such as Aruba Marriott’s million dollar banquet hall refurbishment offer even more first rate spaces and added capacity island-wide. Full services, cater­ ing, tech support, and planning help are all readily available so you can concen­ trate on the event itself.

Ideal corporate retreats

This island is also ideal for productive yet paradisiacal corporate retreats. The Aruba Convention Bureau can connect you with the island’s best destination management companies and group ac­ tivity organizers to aid you in developing exciting team building exercises, attrac­ tion visits, and unique themed events.

And families of the participants will find plenty of fabulous pastimes while busi­ ness is being conducted on island. And after the meetings, gourmet dining and exciting nightlife also await. There are few islands in the Caribbean where business and pleasure can be combined in such high style. E

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Left photo by Brian Jackson. Middle photo by Jean-Marie Guyon. Right photo by Alex Viseaza

Business Join us in an exciting future

There’s never been a better time than now for investment in Aruba or doing business on the island. Aruba’s future growth will focus on both sustainability and innovation to ensure progress remains successful, sustainable, and an example for the region. Add to that a wonderful climate outside the hurricane zone and you have the perfect formula for dynamic business partnerships in an idyllic envi­ ronment.

We look forward to bidding you bon­ bini (welcome) to a partnership that offers the best of both worlds for business and pleasure in the Caribbean. K The following organizations and companies can provide advice and information about investing in or opening a business on Aruba: Aruba Bank NV................................................. Tel: 527-7700............www.arubabank.com/corporate Aruba Chamber of Commerce & Industry...... Tel: 582-1566............www.arubachamber.com Aruba Convention Bureau............................... Tel: 582-3777............www.arubaconventionbureau.com Aruba Investment Agency – ARINA................. Tel: 582-5659............www.arina-aruba.com Aruba Ports Authority NV............................... Tel: 582-6633............www.arubaports.com ASBA................................................................... Tel: 583-1920............www.asbaaruba.com Caribbean Mercantile Bank NV...................... Tel: 522-3000............www.cmbnv.com Free Zone Aruba................................................ Tel: 582-0909............www.freezonearuba.com HBN Law............................................................ Tel: 588-6060............www.hbnlaw.com MIO Wireless..................................................... Tel: 600-0077............www.mioaruba.com

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