National Export Strategy

The Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) of the government of Curaçao has developed a National Export Strategy (NES) in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC). The NES aims to diversify exports, increase foreign exchange earnings, and drive economic growth in the country. This five-year plan focuses on facilitating exports through “e-government for business” to help Curaçao develop into a more resilient and sustainable economy, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NES vision is to transform Curaçao’s economy into one driven by entrepreneurship, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, quality, and innovation, positioning the island as a hub for successful business ventures.

The NES strategy was developed in collaboration with the government and the export community, using analytical solid diagnostics and practitioners’ expertise. It identifies the key priorities and actions required to improve the country’s trade performance and provides a comprehensive roadmap for faster export growth. The strategy acknowledges that changes must be made to increase trade’s contribution to the country’s economic development.

The NES plan aims to boost the island’s economy by improving and establishing new value chains, especially in service exports. The plan gives priority to specific sectors identified through comprehensive stakeholder consultations. These sectors include the blue bioeconomy, creative industries, education services, financial services, information technology (IT) services, medical and wellness tourism, and port and maritime services.

The NES addresses cross-cutting constraints to promote competitiveness and enhance overall trade support services. Individual strategies have been designed in areas that affect all exporters, including skills and entrepreneurship, trade facilitation, trade information, and trade and investment promotion.

Curaçao has great potential in the blue bioeconomy sector. It can explore new chemical compounds, genes, and natural products to discover biotechnological applications and open new business opportunities. The island is surrounded by a fringing reef, giving access to marine genetic resources and coastal biodiversity. For more information, please click here.

The creative industries encompass various subsectors, including film, music, digital design, new media, and software. This sector has the potential to generate economic value, foster innovation, and contribute to the well-being of those involved in it. By leveraging people’s creative energy and resources, the creative industries can catalyze social, technological, and economic change.  For more information, please click here.

Exporting educational services in Curaçao is a great opportunity for growth. It can help generate foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and increase tax revenues. A thriving education services sector can also support the production of skills and innovation in various industries, leading to significant economic and social benefits. Curaçao has made notable progress in the industry by leveraging its natural and legal environment, culture, and language diversity to attract international students and academic institutions. For more information, please click here.

Curaçao’s financial services industry is a crucial part of its economy, and it is known for delivering quality services and creating well-paying jobs. The industry has unique growth opportunities with its advantageous location, diverse society, and developed infrastructure. To take advantage of these prospects, efficient regulations that comply with international market standards are necessary. The industry has also attracted international students and educational institutions by leveraging its natural and legal environment, cultural diversity, and linguistic variety. For more information, please click here.

Curaçao has a well-developed ICT infrastructure in the Caribbean, making it an ideal location for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers. The country is home to several prestigious ICT facilities, including an E-Commerce Park, internet exchange (AMS-IX Caribbean), and a Tier IV certified data center (Blue NAP Americas). These facilities host some of the world’s largest companies, making Curaçao a preferred location for IT services in the region. For more information, please click here.

Curaçao’s port and maritime sector play a critical role in regional commerce due to its strategic location, stable political conditions, and naturally sheltered harbor. To enhance its competitiveness against other ports, Curaçao should prioritize strengthening its maritime support services. For more information, please click here.

Curaçao’s medical and wellness tourism (MWT) sector has excellent growth potential, but development efforts have been inconsistent. A clear strategic direction and detailed operational plans are necessary to unlock its full potential and contribution to the economy and people of Curaçao. For more information, please click here.

Entrepreneurship creates new businesses, essential for small and medium-sized enterprises and a country’s economic growth. Research shows that high entrepreneurship levels boost long-term economic growth, productivity, and job creation. Effective entrepreneurship education policies and programs should focus on developing competencies that stimulate entrepreneurial thinking, including identifying opportunities, business modeling, and sustainable growth strategies. For more information, please click here.

Trade facilitation simplifies export and import procedures, making a country more competitive. Efficient customs procedures with predictable and transparent rules reduce uncertainty and costs, enable businesses to trade internationally, and participate in global value chains. A favorable trade facilitation environment is essential for the performance of Curaçao’s priority sectors. For more information, please click here.

Trade information refers to sharing essential information among all stakeholders involved in a trade. It plays a crucial role in enhancing a country’s competitiveness. Curaçao has been working towards improving trade facilitation and efficiency through digitalization and e-government initiatives. This strategy is aligned to make the best use of institutional resources and target export development in the country. For more information, please click here.

Trade and investment promotion is a collection of economic policies, interventions, and initiatives to increase exports in specific markets, attract investments into strategic sectors, and establish the Curaçao brand. This strategy involves efficient coordination and leadership among critical institutions to enhance investment and trade promotion efforts. For more information, please click here.