160 likes | 299 Views
Welcome to Aruba…let us be your guide. Michael-Leo van Romondt Deloitte Dutch Caribbean. Backbone of our economy. SME ’ s account for more than 65% of Aruba economy Medium < 50 employees Small < 10 employees Micro < 2 employees Different types of companies (NV/VBA/AEC).
E N D
Welcome to Aruba…let us be your guide Michael-Leo van Romondt Deloitte Dutch Caribbean
Backbone of our economy • SME’s account for more than 65% of Aruba economy • Medium < 50 employees • Small < 10 employees • Micro < 2 employees • Different types of companies (NV/VBA/AEC)
Backbone of our economy • Aruba government has been facilitating foreign investment through ARINA (one stop shop) • Improving the business climate such as speeding up licensing procedures and lowering costs. • In comparison to mainly Europe, Aruba still has substantial lower costs of doing business
Backbone of our economy • Aruba Customs is currently undergoing a transformation process to simplify procedures, which will facilitate doing business • Deloitte is facilitating this process through our indirect tax expert/partner Julian Lopez Ramirez, who is also present at this event for further explanation
Current situation • Diverse economy needed from risk perspective • Infrastructure development underway (new road development/airport improvements/renovation and expansion hospital/harbour move to Barcadera) – better transit flow of goods and services
Current situation • Specific tax products in place (more underway for specific areas of development) • Excellent airlift to the Americas and Europe • Good harbour facilities (expansion plans underway) • HUMAN ASSET is Aruba’s biggest asset (service minded, multilingual, educated)
Focus • Aruba as a Gateway • Better utilization/marketing of current incentives (IPC, Freezone, AEC, Transparant company)/further improvements underway • Special industries (niche market) • Proven top brand tourist product – from undiscovered to unparalleled
Focus • Partnership with larger groups, which have added value for Aruba economy (capital injection) • Local involvement – transfer of know how and expertise • Local entrepreneurs with cross-cultural expertise
Logistics and Business • Airport • San Nicolas • Harbour • Free zone
Gateway in motion • Schiphol • TNO • Several Medical schools • Tourism education programs • Baptist medical cooperation with IMSAN • Gasunie
Practical examples SME’s • Tourism Center of Excellence (export knowledge/experience) • Schiphol cooperation has given ample opportunities to local entrepreneurs to expand business and bring it to the next level (onsite operators, aircraft registration, private aircraft facilities)/F&B operators and maintenance
Practical examples SME’s • Local entrepreneurs working with world class brands are currently expanding to other countries • Due to shift towards green economy, there is a spin off of technology expertise inflow towards Aruba, which will bring local expertise to even higher level (f.e. better storage of overcapacity of wind energy)
Practical examples SME’s • Free zone opportunities has already brought lower costs (in comparison to mainly Europe) to the attention of European entrepreneurs • For the Latin American partners, we see somewhat different reasons to do business in Aruba (f.e. safety reasons/relationship with Europe/excellent airlift/closeness to Latin America/multilingual and multicultural)
Gateway between Europe and the Americas The Green Dot is at Your Service to facilitate your use Aruba’s Green Gateway!
Masha danki pa e atenshon • Dank voor uw aandacht • Thank you for your attention • Muchas gracias por su atencion