The division Economic policy and Implementation provides the following services:

• Grant import licenses to products related to the “Canasta Basico” regulated basic products and other edible products;
• Grant authorization on import of chicken eggs;
• Grant authorization to export copper and copper holding objects;
• Calculation of the maximum prices for the regulated basic products;
• Calculation of the monthly consumer prices for petrol, gasoil and kerosene.

• Provides information about and the process of the application for obtaining permits pursuant to the “Business Licensing Ordinance”, including, but not limited to, establishment of a new business, for acting as a director of a company, transfer of an already established business and others.
• Receives applications for before mentioned business licenses
• Issues business licenses

The division of Foreign Economic Relations and Business Development consist of two units, being IDEA and Exprodesk that provides the following services:

Idea stands for:
In English: Initiative for the Development of Aruba Enterprises.
In Papiamento: Iniciativa pa Desaroyo di Empresa Arubano.

What we do

Idea offers free help and extensive guidance, to the entrepreneur that wants to start a small business or have an existing business, who many times encounters different challenges such as basic business skills, access to credit, technology, marketing and the different existing regulations.

Information

Idea provides information and assistance to the new starting and existing businessman and offer them guidance in developing innovative ideas to continue enhancing their business activities such as:

• What steps to take when starting a business;
• The Import & Export transactions;
• The steps to take and motive to export;
• The rights and obligations of employer & employee

Idea will contribute to the formation of sustainable development in the business sector, to increase productivity and efficiency and to have a strong and healthy labor market.

Workshops and training

Idea organizes through the whole year different free trainings & workshops for people who have a business or want to start a business. According by the request of the SME’s where Idea feels that there is a lack of information, we try to organize trainings & workshop, which are facilitated by professionals.
Some of the chosen topics in the past were:

• Business Plan;
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation;
• Social Media;
• Small Business Tax;
• Marketing;
• Accounting & Financing;
• Sales & Customer Service;
• How to insure your company and your employees properly;
• Money Management;
• How to survive in a difficult economy;
• Mindset etc.

Business Advantages

Starting a business has many advantages, you as an owner can decide as follows:

• Where the business will be established;
• The size of the business;
• How many employers are needed and there working hours.

Guidance & Services

Here are some guidance & services that Idea offers:

• Guidance and Information at the office of Idea (at the beginning and during the process of opening a business);
• The Course of “Empresario Prepara”. This course is organized by Idea and is held once a year at the institute of “Enseñansa Pa Empleo (EPE)”;
• Organizing workshops for our clients and entrepreneurs who are interested in starting a new business or has an existing business;
• Monitoring;
• Projects for the community in collaboration with stakeholders (Chamber of Commerce Business Plaza, CEDEHM, Bureau Traimerdia, Qredits, Small Business Week, Santa Rosa, Tax Department etc.)

Projects

We also work together with other institutions, businesses, foundations, banks, schools, afterschool programme etc. on project- based activities.

Ways we help

You can make an appointment or just walk in our office and our representatives will give you all information and guidance needed.

Contact information

Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry
L.G. Smith Boulevard no. 160
Oranjestad, Aruba

Tel.: (297) 521-2400
Fax: (297) 583 4494
Website: www.idea.aw
Find us on Facebook: Idea-Aruba

Exprodesk facilitates SMEs and potential exporters with the necessary export information and assistance to successfully export.

The majority of companies in Aruba consists of SMEs. Their success and growth translates into economic growth and prosperity. Therefore, it is important to invest in a support system that guides companies in their effort to grow and expand their product or services in the region and the global market in general.

What we do

We go beyond providing our clients with information and guidance. We offer a series of presentations, workshops, webinars and training to ensure that our clients get the maximum benefit and skills necessary to successfully export their services and products.
We provide trade and market information not only to potential, new or existing exporters, but also to other local stakeholders such as the government, researchers or academia regarding:

• Market facts and trends: market size, distribution channels, trade statistics and prices;
• Foreign trade regulations: customs procedures, certification requirements and rules of origin;
• Market access: trade agreements, tariffs and technical barriers to trade;
• Business opportunities: alerts, trade benefits, business news and developments;
• Trade contacts: company directories, freight forwarders and trade fairs.

Furthermore, we conduct studies and research on international markets in order to better meet the needs of our customers and align these to the strategic objectives of their organizations.

Information

Nowadays, accurate information is more than simply useful or important for an SME to operate and to compete at the international level, it is vital. Therefore, we create and provide both digital and non-digital documents with single or combined types of information such as a printed or online guide of foreign importers, a guide or brochure on how to do business in a given country, a newsletter, a report, an announcement of a business opportunity, a market study, a list of upcoming trade fairs for a particular sector, a trade article, a list of potential buyers or a market news report.

Workshops and training

Our workshops and training courses provide theoretical and practical knowledge. Entrepreneurs receive tools and an array of skills necessary to successfully internationalize. Some of our workshops and training are:

• Intellectual Property Rights;
• Royalties;
• Taxation;
• Export Business Plan;
• Custom Procedures and Requirements.

Presentations and Lectures

We organize various lectures and presentations with the aim of building capacity of exporters or potential exporters. These lectures and presentations include among others:

• Online Payment;
• Micro Financing;
• Internet Marketing & Social Media;
• International Marketing;
• International Transport and Logistics.

Guidance

Exprodesk assists export ready companies throughout the export process by providing market intelligence, export planning and implementation, trade advice as well as regulatory compliance consultancy.

Projects

We conduct various projects to stimulate export activities that will contribute to a sustainable and innovative economy. The projects will also contribute to the competitiveness and diversification of the Aruban economy. The projects entail:

• The Creative Industry Project
• The Aruban Service Sector Project

Ways we help

You can make an appointment to obtain information and guidance from our representatives. All of our events, presentations, workshops, webinars and training are FREE of charge. You can register or apply online on our website or contact us at info@exprodesk.com.

International Sanctions

The UN Security Council, the European Union and other international organizations use sanctions to maintain or restore peace and security, to promote the international legal order or to combat terrorism. The UN Sanctions are transposed into EU sanctions. Sanctions in the form of a European regulation have direct effect in all EU member states. International sanctions can be implemented in Aruba through the National Ordinance of 21 October 2013 (AB 2013 no. 77) amendment in the Sanctions Regulation 2006 (AB 2007 no. 24): extension of the possibility of applying sanction decisions and improving the designation of supervisors.

It is important for Aruban businesses when importing and exporting to carefully consider if they are not doing business with one of the sanctioned countries or importing/exporting a sanctioned good. Therefore, in order to promote transparency, the EU Sanctions Map is provided by this means to all businesses in order to verify a country or thematic restriction. The EU Sanctions Map provides both the sanctions adopted by the UN as well as those by the EU.

Please, click on the EU Sanctions Map to see the restrictions:

Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry
L.G. Smith Boulevard 160
Sun Plaza Building 2nd Floor
Oranjestad, Aruba

+297 5212400
info@exprodesk.com
www.exprodesk.com