Why Antigua and Barbuda?
Over the years Antigua and Barbuda has developed as an offshore financial centre especially in the areas of international shipping and interactive gaming and wagering. There are several factors which make Antigua and Barbuda an attractive choice for offshore clients:
- tax exempt status for entities incorporated/registered in Antigua and Barbuda and engaged in international trade or business
- sound legislation which are updated to comply with international standards and best practices
- convenient location and time zone located in the Caribbean between north and south America and in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone
- international airport on Antigua with direct flights to major cities in North America and London, England and convenient links to other major cities worldwide
- good sea links – the major seaport in the capital can accommodate container cargo ships and several cruise ships can dock at the cruise ship pier
- modern telecommunication services including broadband Internet services
- high literacy rate and cadre of well trained technicians and professionals
- well developed banking system with several international, regional and indigenous banks
- political and economic stability
- long established legal system based on the English common law
- exchange rate of local currency (EC$) fixed to US$ at US$1.00 = EC$2.70
- official language is English
The state of Antigua and Barbuda consists of the two main islands of Antigua (108 sq miles) and Barbuda (62 sq miles) along with several smaller islands such as Redonda, Long Island, Maiden Island, Guiana Island etc. The islands are located in the north-eastern Caribbean chain of islands some 270 miles southeast of Puerto Rico.
Antigua and Barbuda, a former British colony, gained its independence from Britain on 1st November 1981 and this day is celebrated as a national public holiday every year. It is a member of two regional organizations: the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
These islands have some of the most spectacular beaches to be found anywhere. Antigua boasts that it has 365 beaches, one for each day of the year! Barbuda is flat with miles of beaches, some with a pinkish coloured sand. Tourism is therefore the major contributor to the economy of the islands.
To learn more please visit the Antigua and Barbuda official government web site.
