241 New Business Licenses Issued in the Fourth Quarter of 2025
ORANJESTAD – In the fourth quarter of 2025, Aruba continued to demonstrate a high level of economic activity and confidence in entrepreneurship.
This is reflected in the most recent report under the Business Establishment Ordinance (Vestigingsverordening Bedrijven – VVB), prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry (DEACI).
The data confirm that interest in establishing businesses and investing in Aruba remained strong toward the end of the year, despite various international economic challenges.
During the period from October through December 2025, a total of 1,311 applications for business establishment licenses and other business-related amendments were received. Of these, 724 applications were processed and the corresponding licenses were granted, while 508 applications remain under review. A total of 79 applications could not be processed due to missing documentation and/or payments, in accordance with established procedures.
In the same period, 1,225 establishment licenses (ministerial decrees) were signed, covering both new and previously submitted applications. Of these, 241 licenses were directly related to the establishment of new businesses, underscoring that entrepreneurial activity remained active and resilient through the end of 2025.
Most new businesses were registered as VBA (Limited Liability Company) entities, followed by sole proprietorships, branches, and N.V.s. This distribution reflects a clear trend toward business structures focused on growth and professionalization. The most represented sectors among newly established businesses were hospitality, construction and technical installation, trade (including e-commerce), holding companies, and personal services such as hair salons and beauty salons.
Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and the Primary Sector, Mr. Geoffrey Wever, emphasized that the new business establishment policy, introduced in October 2022, has structurally contributed to accelerating the licensing process. This has been achieved through the elimination of several requirements, the full digitalization of the process, and a clear focus on stimulating economic activity, including investments in the downtown areas of Oranjestad and San Nicolas.
The objective of this policy is to issue licenses within two weeks, and the results for 2025 show steady progress toward achieving that goal.