Guide to Doing Business
in Aruba

Regulated industries

Banking

The monetary system of the island is regulated by the Central Bank of Aruba. The principal tasks of the Bank are to maintain the internal and external value of the Aruban Florin and to promote the soundness and integrity of the financial system. To realize these objectives the Bank formulates and implements monetary policy.

Education

Aruba’s educational system is patterned after the Dutch system of education. There are more than 80 schools on Aruba. Aruba has public and private schools. Also there are a few international schools. The main institute of higher learning is the University of Aruba which offers bachelors and masters programs in law, finance and economics, hospitality and tourism management and arts and science. Aruba is also home to two medical schools: Aureus University School of Medicine and Xavier University School of Medicine.

Energy

Water- en energiebedrijf W.E.B. Aruba N.V. is Aruba’s utility company. W.E.B. has been responsible for the production of Aruba’s drinking water and power. In 2004 a start was made with the development of a wind turbine Park in Aruba. The construction of the wind park was completed at the end of 2009. The government stimulates the use of natural resource which the island has, like sun and wind.

Healthcare

Aruba has one modern hospital, the Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospitaal (HOH), which is located on Eagle Beach in Oranjestad. It has approximately 280 beds. Furthermore there is a medical centre, Instituto Medico San Nicolas, which offers 24-hours emergency assistance. Drug stores cannot fill a prescription from a doctor who is not on the island.

Infrastructure

Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport is located near Oranjestad. It has good air travel links with Europe, the United States, South and Central America and other Caribbean islands. Various airlines maintain facilities in Aruba, both for passengers and airfreight. Aruba has two ports, Barcadera and Playa, which are located in Oranjestad. The Port of Playa welcomes many cruise-ships lines. Aruba’s public buses transportation services is in charge of Arubus, a government based company. Also there are small private vans providing the transportation services in certain areas. Furthermore Aruba has several main roads and one highway that runs across the island.

Telecom

Telecommunications Department (Directie Telecommunicatie Zaken) is the regulatory authority for Aruba communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.