Aruba has experienced economic difficulties but has launched programs to improve infrastructure and diversify its economy. The government implemented structural reforms through national consensus to make its two main pillars, tourism and oil, more sustainable. It aims to transform Aruba into a green, entrepreneurial knowledge economy through its "Green Gateway" vision for 2011-2013. Aruba has strong U.S. and Dutch ties that position it for increased commerce, investment, and political cooperation in the Americas.

1. ARUBA
Two steps ahead

2. Aruba is experiencing some of the best moments in its history.
Located 15 miles off the Venezuelan coast, Aruba was discovered and claimed by
Spain in1499.
Today, the country’s two main economic pillars are tourism and
oil; the 2008-2009 global economic crisis hit the island hard.
The government launched two major programs, called Bo Aruba (Your Aruba) and Bo
Bario (Your Neighborhood), to rejuvenate and improve the country’s capital
Oranjestad and its second-largest city San Nicolas – whose development is
undeniably linked to the oil refinery – as well as 21 other neighborhoods on the
island.

3. “We have made tough policy decisions that ensured everyone – government,
employers, unions, and employees – shared in the sacrifice by making structural
reforms in social security, health care and pension systems. We reached these
decisions through a process of national consensus known as ‘social dialogue’
which is based on a Dutch political process that we borrowed and adapted to
Aruba,” says Mr. Eman, Prime Minister of Aruba.
Aruba is undergoing a process, of deep structural reforms that are already positively
changing not just the face but the heart and soul of the country.
The small island is increasingly becoming an example of good governance,
environmental consciousness, cultural diversity and peaceful coexistence, as well
as economic diversification and international cooperation.

4. The new government has adopted a holistic approach, termed ‘Green Gateway’, to
transform Aruba into a knowledge-based entrepreneurial and environmentally
sustainable economy.
The buzzwords today in Aruba are green, entrepreneurism,
knowledge, sustainability, diversification and quality, all of which can be found
throughout the country’s economic vision called ‘Green Gateway: a knowledge-
driven, entrepreneurial economy’.
A three-year strategy (2011- 2013), the idea of Green Gateway symbolizes an
innovative and competitive economy of free trade and enterprise, fair
commerce, and corporate social responsibility, all in the context of Aruba’s uniquely
distinct cultural, geopolitical and environmental assets.

5. Strong U.S. links, longstanding Dutch connections and a geostrategic location combine
to position Aruba as a robust gateway between the U.S., the EU and Latin America
for commerce, political dialogue and investment.

6. An island of opportunities: This small tropical country is experiencing strong economic
stability and attracting foreign investors.

7. Read de Country Report here
The modern infrastructure and development on the tropical Caribbean island of Aruba
could not have been put in place without the constant support and financing from the
local banking sector.
The Aruban banks work closely with the government, the local population and
international investors which led to huge growth in the late 1980s;
sustained, steady growth in the 1990s and now again, coming off
of the worldwide economic recession, contributed to a growth
in GDP of 8.9% in 2011.
“Aruba’s economy is sustained by SMEs,” explains Frendsel Giel, Managing Director of
AIB. “Some entrepreneurs have great ideas, but not the funds to support the
project so a guaranteed fund will be established by the private sector and financial
institutions to assist those entrepreneurs to realize their plans.”
Read the Country Report here