Business Profile
Economy
Economic conditions vary widely between the different islands in the Netherlands Antilles group. Saba has some agriculture, producing sorghum, groundnuts, fruit and vegetables, as well as a modest fishing operation. There is no manufacturing industry other than textiles. Saba has very little of the Netherlands Antilles’ recently developed ‘offshore’ financial services industry; tourism is the most important part of the service sector. Along with Bonaire and St Eustatius, Saba is a net beneficiary of the Netherlands Antilles central treasury. Saba has associate membership of the European Union, as an overseas territory of The Netherlands, and observer status at the Caribbean trading bloc, CARICOM.
Business
Business is fairly formal and visitors should wear a suit. Appointments should be made and always kept as it is very discourteous to be late. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1330-1630.
Commercial Information
The following organisations can offer advice: Curaçao Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 10, Kaya Junior Salas 1, Curaçao (tel: (9) 461 3918; fax: (9) 461 5652; e-mail: businessinfo@curacao-chamber.an; website: www.curacao-chamber.an); or St Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 454, C A Cannegieter Street 11, Philipsburg, St Maarten (tel: 542 3590; fax: 542 3512; e-mail: coci@sintmaarten.net).
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