Antigua & Barbuda is a twin-island nation located in the Eastern Caribbean, situated 2,145km from Miami, USA. Antigua is the larger of the two islands, measuring 108 square miles, and is the main population and business centre. The sister island of Barbuda covers 62 square miles.

In 1967, Antigua & Barbuda became an associate state of the Commonwealth and declared independence from Britain in 1981. In that same year, Antigua and Barbuda became a member of the United Nations. Her Majesty the Queen remains the head of state, represented by a governor- general. The legal system is based on English Common Law and the Privy Council in London is the highest court of the land.

Over the years Antigua & Barbuda has emerged as an attractive interna­tional financial services centre with a strong regulatory and compliance environ­ment. In 2000, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) declared Antigua & Barbuda fully cooperative in the global fight against money launder­ing. The IMF carried out an evaluation of the jurisdiction’s international banking sector in February-March, 2004 which graded the jurisdiction compliant or largely compliant with Basel Core Principles, re­garded as the international standard in banking supervision.

The country has a democratic system of government and a long history of encour­aging free enterprise and foreign investment. It is one of the most prosperous nations in the English speaking Caribbean and has a population base of approximately 80,000.  Antigua’s international airport, the V.C. Bird International Airport, serves as a hub for the Eastern Caribbean, providing efficient links to other Caribbean countries.

Advantages of Antigua and Barbuda

§          Economic, social and political stability with self-rule since 1981

§          Exemption from income, capital gains, gift, estate and stamp taxes

§          No exchange controls

§          Strict statutory protection of confidentiality

§          Long-established and progressive international financial services sector

§          Modern, competitive financial-services laws

§          Well-established legal system based on English common law

§          Well-educated, English speaking workforce

§          Convenient time zone for North American, South American and
    European markets

§          Excellent communications facilities

§          Well-regulated financial services sector