There are also other
legal bodies on Bonaire, e.g. the Private Limited Liability Company
(B.V.), Partnership Firm (V.O.F.), Limited Partnership (Commanditaire
vennootschap), Foundation (stichting).
In principal, any business
on Bonaire must have a business license. Only businesses, which
are one man businesses owned by people born in the Netherlands
Antilles, do not need a business license. Here you will find information
about the business license, the management license, the zoning
plan and other permits and licenses you will need to start and
to operate your company.
Sole Proprietors
A Sole Proprietor is
a business where there is no distinction between the business
assets and the personal assets. As owner you will be personally
liable for all obligations of the business.
The Business License
for a Sole Proprietor:
All sole proprietors who are not owned by people born in the Netherlands
Antilles need a business license to operate a business on Bonaire.
This means that Arubans born after 1986 also need a business license.
Request Procedure:
A business license for a one man business can be requested by
sending a letter to the Executive Council of the Island of Bonaire.
The letter must mention:
1. The name of the
business
2. The name of the owner
3. The nature and objectives of the business
4. The investment capital
5. The location of the business
The letter needs to
contain two stamps of NAf. 5,- The fee for processing of the licenses
is NAf 250,-. Stamps and the fee for processing the license can
be paid and bought at the Collector’s office (Ontvangerskantoor).
Attach a copy of the receipt and the stamps to the letter. The
fee for processing the license can also be deposited on the bank
account of the Eilandsontvanger van het Eilandgebied Bonaire at
the number 301.002.003 of the Maduro & Curiels Bank Bonaire.
Limited
Liability Companies
A limited liability
company is a corporate body with shareholders, governed by corporate
law and its articles of association.
The Incorporation
of Limited Liability Companies:
The incorporation of limited liability companies is done by the
execution of a notarial act. The establisher and/or incorporator
do not have to be a citizen of the Netherlands Antilles but one
of the directors has to be registered on Bonaire. A limited liability
company can have more than one director and needs a business license.
The business License
for Limited Liability Companies and Partnerships:
A business license for limited liability companies and partnerships
can be requested by sending a letter to the Executive Council
of the Island of Bonaire. The letter must mention:
1. The name of the
business
2. The name of the owner
3. The nature and objectives of the business
4. The investment capital
5. The place of establishment
The letter needs to
contain two stamps of NAf. 5,- The fee for processing of the licenses
is NAf. 250,-. Stamps and the fee for processing the license can
be paid and bought at the Collector’s office (Ontvangerskantoor).
Attach a copy of the receipt and the stamps to the letter. The
fee for processing the license can also be deposited on the bank
account of the Eilandsontvanger van het Eilandgebied Bonaire at
the number 301.002.003 of the Maduro & Curiels Bank Bonaire.
Notary:
Entrepreneurs that
are going to incorporate their company can also let the notary’s
office handle the request procedure for the business and management
license including the payment of fees. Incorporation of a business
can be done at any notary’s office in the Netherlands Antilles.
But the notarial act has to state that the establishment will
be done on Bonaire.
Branches:
Partnerships or limited
liability companies, which are already incorporated on the Netherlands
Antilles and want to open a branch, do not have to incorporate
the branch. They only have to request a business license. All
limited liability companies and partnerships e.g. N.V., B.V.,
Ca., SPA., Ltd, SRL, Inc., incorporated in foreign countries must
first incorporate the business on the Netherlands Antilles and
then request a business license on Bonaire.
Granting Procedure
for a Business License:
At the granting of
the business license the Executive Council of the Island of Bonaire
is authorized to connect conditions concerning the nature and
the place of the business as also concerning the creditworthiness
of the applicant and the financing of the business. A business
license can be refused in the interest of the public order, peace
and general interest of Bonaire.
The changing of
Data of a Business license:
When changes occur
in a business e.g. the name or location of a business changes
etc. you must request the Executive Council of the Island of Bonaire
to make changes in your license. Changes can be requested by sending
a letter to the Executive Council of the Island of Bonaire. The
letter must contain two stamps of NAf. 5,-. Attach the stamp to
the letter. You must also pay NAf. 50,- dues. Attach a copy of
the receipt to the letter. Payments can be done at the Collector’s
office.
The Zoning Plan:
To know where you may
establish your company on Bonaire you will have to contact DROB.
They have a Zoning plan stating the location where companies may
establish.
Management License:
All individuals born
outside the Netherlands Antilles need a management license in
order to start and to operate a business on Bonaire. The Management
license can be requested by letter addressed to the Executive
Council of the Island of Bonaire. A Management License is not
necessary for an E.Z. (one man business). The letter must mention:
1. The name of the
business
2. The name, place and date of birth of the applicant
3. The nationality of the applicant
4. The nature and objective of the business
The letter needs to
contain two stamps of NAf. 5,- The fee for processing the license
is NAf 100,-. Stamps and the fee for processing the license can
be paid and bought at the Collector’s office (Ontvangerskantoor).
Attach a copy of the receipt and the stamps to the letter. The
fee for processing the license can also be deposited on the bank
account of the Eilandsontvanger van het Eilandgebied Bonaire at
the number 301.002.003 of the Maduro & Curiels Bank Bonaire.
Other Licenses
and Permits
Businesses that are
going to sell drinks or food and/or rent accommodation also need
to request for a beverage and horeca license. Those that do not
have a Dutch Nationality must also have a residence and work permit.
For more information about these licenses and permits, brochures
are available at DEZA.
Registration
of Businesses
After the business
and management licenses have been granted, businesses must be
registered at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A fee is asked
for inscription.
Office
Consulting Hours
Every Thursday between
09:00 and 11:00 am DEZA has office consulting hours. In the consulting
hours all questions can be asked about the business, management,
beverage and horeca licenses. The employees of DEZA can also help
you with your request letter.
