St Eustatius: Doing business and staying in touch
Doing Business in St Eustatius
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1330-1630.
Economy
St Eustatius earns a modest income from agriculture and from a major petroleum transshipment programme, but it is tourism that dominates the economy. The island is also a net beneficiary from the central treasury of the Netherlands Antilles. There have been some efforts to develop the fishing industry but for the time being, government employment (in administration for the Netherlands Antilles group) is the most important source of regular employment.
The Antilles group as a whole has Overseas Territory status at the EU and observer status at the Caribbean trading bloc CARICOM.
GDP
US$3.3 billion (2005).
Main exports
Petroleum products.
Main imports
Machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil (for refining and re-export), chemicals and food.
Main trading partners
Venezuela, Guatemala, Singapore and USA.
Keeping in Touch in St Eustatius
Telephone
Calls made through the operator are more expensive and include a 15% tax.
Mobile Phone
Not compatible with GSM handsets but some US handsets can be used. Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies.
Internet
Public access is available in the library.
Post
Airmail to Europe takes four to six days, surface mail four to six weeks.
Post Office hoursMon-Fri 0730-1600.
