Goverment Institutions
The Curaçao Chamber of Commerce and Industry represents the general interests of the Curaçao business community and advocates on its behalf. It also provides all business-related documents, information and support services to small business and other entrepreneurs.
The law requires that all companies and legal entities must be registered at the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce.
The Ministry of Economic Development aims to assist in achieving a sustainable economic development for the country of Curaçao in order to attain a higher level of welfare for the local population. Furthermore the Ministry also wants to stimulate a strong economic position along with competitive and high-quality production. The ministry wants to achieve this by providing optimal service, working on strengthening the economic structure to improve the investment climate and responding effectively to social and international developments.
The Tax Administration is responsible for the implementation of tax legislation, taxation and collecting of taxes, and for the registration of start-ups. After their registration at the Tax Administration, these companies receive a unique registration number for administrative purposes, the so-called “CRIB number.” After this, the company is recognized as such by the tax authorities, and becomes subject to sales-tax retention.
The Social Insurance Bank (SVB) is a government institution with a public-law entity within the Ministry of Public Health, Nature and Environment, and is responsible for the execution of several ordinances in connection with social security. All employers must be registered at the SVB in order to operate a business.In order to protect several employee rights, registration is mandatory.
Affiliate organizations
The government foundation Fundashon Marshe was founded in 1997. The foundation manages the old market, the so called Plasa Bieu , Marshe Rondo and the market in Otrobanda. Small entrepreneurs can rent a market stand, a unit or a kitchen to sell their products. Since 2018 the foundation also manages the open air markets at the Sha Caprileskade, Otrobanda and Punda.
Fundashon Marshe’s new vision is to focus on three important pillars:
1. Offering and infrastructure for small entrepreneurs
2. Attracting more creative and innovative Entrepreneurs
3. Organizing the monthly BETH market
We are Qredits, the social lender for entrepreneurs in the Netherlands and the Caribbean. In addition to offering microloans up to NAF 100.000 for starting and existing entrepreneurs, we also offer free personal coaching for our clients for up to 1 year.
Qredits Curaçao opened its office in April 2018 in order to contribute to entrepreneurship on the island. Our team of 4 on the island, consisting of 3 experienced loan advisors and 1 intern aims to aid each entrepreneur to make their dreams come true. We have already provided nearly 150 loans in two years of existing, for a total amount of over NAF 4 million.
Do you also have a plan for your own company? Or do you want to grow? Submit your application via www.qredits.com and choose Curaçao. Who knows, we’ll see each other soon!
The Curaçao Innovation & Technology Institute (CITI) is a non-profit organization focused on the promotion and implementation of innovation programs, mainly for small and medium enterprises (SME’s), youths and start-ups.It strives to use technology and innovation as a tool to stimulate social and economic development in Curaçao, focusing on improving the competitive position of Curaçao vis-a-vis the region.
The Stichting Belasting Accountants Bureau (SBAB) is a non-profit government organization within the Ministry of Finance. The SBAB works to improve the tax compliance of all businesses subject to taxes. SBAB works to ensure that all businesses file their tax declaration forms, and the payment thereof. This is the reason the SBAB is engaged in conducting audits on businesses in Curaçao.
The Curaçao Investment and Export promotion agency (CINEX) is a non-profit organization whose goal is to attract and assist foreign investors and entrepreneurs throughout the process of seeking and setting up a business on the island. In addition, CINEX also assists local companies seeking to export and expand their business internationally.
ORGANIZATION'S OF INTERESTS (FOR BUSINESSES)
The Curaçao Association of Small Entrepreneurs (ADECK) is an association for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME). Established in 1993, it is the largest MSME association in the region. ADECK represents its members by stimulating collaboration between them, facilitating their development and growth, cultivating national and international inter-agency organizational relationships and protecting the interests of Curaçao’s MSMEs.
The Curaçao Trade and Industry Association (VBC) is an association for the Curaçao business community. The VBC aims to protect the interests of the business community in Curaçao in order for these businesses to achieve their potential and fulfill their role in the community, by exercising its influence on public opinion, government policies and legislation relating to the business sector.