Permanent Resident Scheme
	International Business Companies
	Exempt Insurance Companies
	Offshore Banks
	International Trust Companies
	Exemption from exchange controls
	Tax exemption from all forms of taxation on profits or gains
	Tax exemption from withholding taxes on dividends, interest, management fees and royalties paid
	Confidentiality of information
	Minimum requirements for corporate reports.

Antigua is an excellent location for your international business. The country offers a pleasant tropical atmosphere and adequate infrastructure in which to conduct business. Features include the following:

	excellent infrastructure, including state-of-the-art telecommunications operated by Cable & Wireless
	modern international transportation facilities with daily direct flights to major international business centres in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom
	a highly literate English speaking population
	political and economic stability
	excellent professional community
	reasonable priced office facilities
	world standard accommodation facilities
	up-to-date corporate legal framework and competent judicial system
	choice of the major international Chartered Accounting firms
	excellent air and telecommunications with North America and Europe
	convenient time zones with North America and Europe.

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

The State of Antigua and Barbuda is located in the Eastern Caribbean and is part of the group of islands that constitute the Leewards Islands. Antigua measures 108 square miles (280 sq. km) and Barbuda measures 62 square miles (160 sq. km). Along with these two islands which make up the State of Antigua and Barbuda is the islet of Redonda 0.6 square miles (1.6 sq. km) which is uninhabited. There are approximately 60,000 people on Antigua and 1,500 on Barbuda. Antigua is situated 17⁰ N and 61⁰ W, with Barbuda 25 miles to the north. Redonda is situated west of Antigua.

The climate of Antigua and Barbuda can be described as being mildly tropical with temperatures ranging between 24⁰ and 30⁰ (76⁰ F and 86⁰). The trade winds which blow constantly across Antigua help to keep the humidity low, thus maintaining a pleasant climate year round.

HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT

Antigua was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, who gave the island the name of Antigua, after the church of Santa Maria La Antigua in Seville, Spain. The British were the first Europeans to establish a settlement in 1632 and, except for a brief period when the settlement was occupied by the French, Antigua remained a British colony until 1967.

Antigua and Barbuda gained its independence on November 1, 1981. As an independent nation, Antigua became the 157th member of the United Nations. It is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Caribbean Common Market (CCM), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank.

The system of Government which exists in Antigua, is one of democracy based upon the British Parliamentary system. The Government consists of a Cabinet of Ministers which is headed by the Prime Minister.

LANGUAGE

The Language of Antigua and Barbuda is English.

CURRENCY

The Currency in use is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which is linked to the United States dollar at the official exchange rate of US $1.00 = EC $2.70.

TOURISM

Although only 108 square miles, Antigua has the largest tourist sector in the Leeward and Windward Islands. Since the decline of the sugar industry in the 1960's, tourism has been the main contributor to the economy, accounting for sixty percent (60%) of the GDP. There has been a significant increase in both the number of hotels present on the island and the number of passenger arrivals. Frequent cruise ship arrivals at the St. John's Harbour and the Deep Water Harbour also play a major part in boosting the tourism industry. The opening of the Heritage Quay duty-free shopping complex provides tourists with the opportunity to shop at duty-free prices.

Antigua is a major yachting centre and every year hosts one of the world's major yachting competitions. The Antigua Sailing Week Competition, which is held at the end of April each year, attracts hundreds of yachts and is a major source of revenue for the tourism industry.

AGRICULTURE

There has been a substantial decrease in agriculture's contribution to the country's GDP, falling from 40% to 12% over the last three decades.

However, the Ministry of Agriculture has been implementing policies to try to encourage farmers to increase their output in an effort to decrease the amount of imports of agricultural products.

MANUFACTURING

In addition to local tax and duty concessions, manufacturers have access to the US, European, Canadian and Caribbean markets through the Lome Convention, Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), Caricom and other agreements.

The industrial park, located in the Coolidge Area, produces a range of products such as paints, furniture, garments and galvanized sheets mainly for exportation.


For more information on Antigua, please refer to our Antigua links page

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