Regulated industries

Banking

The monetary system of Curaçao is regulated by the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten. The Bank’s most important objectives are to maintain the external stability of the Netherlands Antillean Guilder and to promote the efficient functioning of the financial system in the Countries Curaçao and St. Maarten. To achieve these objectives the Bank has frequently recurred to credit control measures and/or to changing the discount rate.

Education

Curaçao’s educational system is patterned after the Dutch system of education and besides the public schools, private and parochial schools are also available. The main institute of higher learning is the University of Curaçao mr. dr. Moises Frumencio da Costa Gomez, the former University of the Netherlands Antilles. It is a public university, graduating approximately one hundred students per year.

Energy

Currently there is a monopolistic market model in the electricity and water sector. Aqualectra is Curaçao’s utility company. They are responsible for the production, distribution and transport of electricity and water. On February 16th, 2011 the government of Curaçao determined the Bill on Regulation Electricity Provision Curaçao 2011-2015. This Bill describes the vision and policy intentions of the government on the electricity supply on Curaçao. The government wants to stimulate the use of natural resource which the island has been blessed with, like sun and wind.

Healthcare

There are a number of medical centers on the island, one of those is the Curacao Medical Center (CMC), a brand new state-of-the-art hospital with widely specialized medical care. The CMC replaced the St. Elizabeth Hospital in November 2019. In addition Curaçao also has two private clinics named the Taams Clinic and the Antillean Adventist Hospital. For minor complaints, over the counter medicines are found at a local pharmacy, the so called “Botika”.

Infrastructure

Curaçao International Airport or Hato International Airport is the airport of Curaçao. The airport is strategically located between North and South America has good air travel links with Europe, South America and North America and other Caribbean islands. Various airlines maintain facilities, both for passengers and airfreight. Furthermore Curaçao has two cruise-ships terminals that are both located in the Otrobanda section of Willemstad. Several major U.S. and European cruise lines stop at Curaçao. The best way to travel on Curaçao is by car. The public transportation is fairly limited. Curaçao offers two kinds of public transportation: the large yellow or blue busses, go for a longer distance, and the collective cars for more urban routes.

Telecom

Bureau Telecommunications and Post is the semi-autonomous regulatory authority for Curaçao communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. International roaming is available in Curaçao.