• GDP: US$3.3 billion (2005).
• Main exports: Petroleum products.
• Main imports: Machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil (for refining and re-export), chemicals and food.
• Main trade partners: Venezuela, Guatemala, Singapore and USA.

Note: The information above relates to the entire Netherlands Antilles.

Economic conditions vary widely between the different islands in the Netherlands Antilles group. Saba relies partly on 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 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.

Curaçao Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 10, Kaya Junior Salas 1, Curaçao
Tel: (9) 461 3918.
Website: www.curacao-chamber.an

St Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry
PO Box 454, C A Cannegieter Street 11, Philipsburg, St Maarten
Tel: 542 3590.
Website: www.sintmaartenchamber.org