242 New Business Permits Granted in the First Half of 2026

The most recent figures from the Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry (DEZHI) demonstrate that entrepreneurial initiative continues to grow across various sectors of our economy.

In the second quarter of 2026, a total of 104 new business permits were granted. Of these, 69 were for a VBA (limited liability company), 18 for sole proprietorships, 16 for branch offices, and 1 for an NV (public limited company). The most represented activities include real estate, construction and technical installation, rental companies, car rental, cafes and restaurants, grocery retail, clothing and accessories, and e-commerce. The data shows that business activity continues to diversify across different sectors of Aruba's economy.

Between April and June 2026, DEZHI logged a total of 753 notifications in the system regarding business permits and modifications. This total includes 245 internal administrative actions, meaning non-client requests. During the same quarter, a total of 562 ministerial decrees were signed, including requests received during the quarter as well as those previously pending.

Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Primary Sector, Geoffrey Wever, noted that the figures should be viewed within the context of an economy that continues to create space for private initiative.

"Commerce is an essential engine of our economy. Every new business represents an individual taking initiative, investing, and creating economic activity. The government's role is to establish the right conditions, eliminate unnecessary hurdles, and make the business establishment process clearer, more accessible, and more efficient. That is the course we will continue to pursue," stated Minister Wever.

A key aspect of economic policy is the revitalization of downtown Oranjestad and San Nicolas. Of the 242 new businesses registered between January and June 2026, 12 established themselves within the downtown areas defined under ROPV: six in downtown Oranjestad and six in downtown San Nicolas. These businesses encompass activities such as equipment rental, real estate, hospitality, administrative offices, and other professional services. This indicates that the fiscal incentive measures introduced on January 1, 2026, are beginning to bear fruit. Through this fiscal policy, the government is making a serious effort to create a clear and transparent investment climate for historical centers. By uniting the public and private sectors, it encourages the revitalization of downtown Oranjestad and San Nicolas, enabling these buildings to be repurposed for housing, restaurants, cafes, offices, and retail stores.

The policy aligns with the government program and follows the recommendations of the Commission Economic Recovery 2023 (Economische Herstelcommissie 2023), a committee established and led by the Ministry of Economic Affairs to develop fiscal incentive measures. At the time, this committee comprised the Chamber of Commerce (KVK), ATIA, AHATA, Freezone, DEZHI, accountants, attorneys, and various legal experts.

Geographic distribution shows that business activity is occurring across all of Aruba. Noord/Tanki Leendert recorded the highest number with 78 new locations, followed by Oranjestad East with 50, Oranjestad West with 42, Paradera and Santa Cruz with 25 each, Savaneta with 13, San Nicolas South with 6, and San Nicolas North with 3.

Since October 2022, under the authority of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Primary Sector, the government has implemented a new establishment policy to simplify requirements, digitize processes, and reduce administrative hurdles for business operations. This policy direction remains essential for creating an environment where entrepreneurs can operate with greater clarity, while allowing the government to facilitate economic activity in a controlled and structured manner.

Following a record year in 2025 with 880 new business permits, the government continues to focus on consolidating the necessary conditions for economic development, diversification, and opportunity creation for the business sector. The priority lies not only in processing permits, but also in fostering a business climate that builds confidence, attracts investment, and strengthens Aruba's productive foundation.

Minister Wever expressed gratitude to the DEZHI team for their ongoing dedication to implementing the Business Establishment Act (Vestigingsverordening Bedrijven) and for their professional, transparent, and efficient handling of applications. The government will continue to evaluate and refine the permit application procedure, while economic policy remains focused on driving increased economic activity, greater investment, and a more diversified, resilient economy.

Minister di Finansa, Asunto Economico y Sector Primario, Geoffrey Wever, ta indica cu mester  mira e cifranan den contexto di un economia cu ta sigui crea espacio pa iniciativa priva.

“Comercio ta un motor esencial di nos economia. Cada negoshi nobo ta representa un persona cu ta tuma iniciativa, inverti y crea actividad economico. Tarea di Gobierno ta pa crea e condicionnan corecto, kita barrera innecesario y haci e proceso pa establece un negoshi mas claro, accesibel y eficiente. Esey ta e direccion cu nos ta sigui mantene,” segun Minister Wever.

Un aspecto importante den e maneho economico ta revitalisacion di centro di Oranjestad y San Nicolas. Di e 242 negoshinan nobo registra entre januari y juni 2026, 12 a establece dentro di e areanan di centro defini conform ROPV: seis den centro di Oranjestad y seis den centro di San Nicolas. E negoshinan aki ta inclui actividadnan manera houdstermaatschappij, real estate, establecimento di cuminda, oficina administrativo y otro servicio empresarial. Esaki ta demostra tambe cu e incentivanan fiscal cu a introduci 1 di januari 2026 a cuminsa duna su frutonan. Cu e introduccion di e maneho fiscal aki, Gobierno ta haciendo un intento serio oa crea un clima di inversion cla y transparente pa e centronan historico. Door di uni gobierno y sector priva, ta stimula revitalisaciondi e centro di Oranjestad y San Nicolas y cu por uza e edificionan pa vivienda, restaurant, café, oficina y retail. 

E maneho ta di acuerdo cu e Programa di Gobierno y ta sigui e recomendacionnan di e “Commission Economic Recovery 2023”, un comision cu Ministerio di Asunto Economico a institui y lidera pa bin cu incentivanan fiscal consistiendo e tempo ey di KVK, ATIA, AHATA, Freezone, DEZHI, diferente abogado, diferente fiscalista y diferente accountants.

E distribucion geografico ta mustra cu actividad empresarial ta tuma luga den henter Aruba. Noord/Tanki Leendert a registra e cantidad mas halto cu 78 establecimiento nobo, sigui pa Oranjestad Oost cu 50, Oranjestad West cu 42, Paradera y Santa Cruz cu 25 cada uno, Savaneta cu 13, San Nicolas Zuid cu 6 y San Nicolas Noord cu 3.

Desde october 2022, bou di responsabilidad di Ministerio di Finansa, Asunto Economico y Sector Primario, Gobierno a introduci un vestigingsbeleid nobo cu ta enfoca riba simplificacion di rekisitonan, digitalisacion di e proceso y reduccion di barera administrativo pa haci negoshi. E linea di maneho aki ta sigui ta importante pa crea un clima unda empresario por move cu mas claridad y unda Gobierno ta facilita actividad economico na un manera controla y structural.