St Maarten Economy and Business

• 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.

Tourism dominates the economy; 70% of all visitors to the Netherlands Antilles visit St Maarten, which results in around half a million tourists annually. Further investment in the tourism infrastructure is under way, including a new major port.

Government service provides one of the few alternative sources of employment, while subsistence farming and fishing meet a fair proportion of the islands’ domestic needs. St Maarten is the only island in the Antilles group apart from Curaçao which has achieved some success in developing an ‘offshore’ financial services industry.

The Netherlands Antilles group enjoys Overseas Territory status at the EU and observer status at the Caribbean trading bloc CARICOM.

Formality in business is expected in most of The Netherlands Antilles and lightweight suits should be worn. Appointments should be made in advance and punctuality is taken very seriously. It is customary to shake hands.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1330-1630.

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