Request for a Cooperative society by Aruban law

NOTE:

The business licensing guidelines pursuant to the Establishment Ordinance are amended effective October 1, 2022.

However, the requests under the “Business Establishment Ordinance” received before October 1, 2022, will be evaluated according to the old guidelines.

For more information, you may consult the following brochure (in Dutch):

Brochure beleidsrichtlijnen vestiging bedrijven ingaande 1 oktober 2022 

According to the Business Licensing Ordinance it is prohibited to establish and to operate a business, to take over or to continue a business, without a license of the Minister of Economic Affairs. A business is defined as any organization involved in the trade of goods and/or services. An Aruban born Dutch national or a person nationalized as Dutch citizen in Aruba and who is 18 years or older, does not require a business license to act as chairman of a cooperative society according to this ordinance and the Business Licensing guidelines.

Where to request? / More information at

The division Establishment of business - helpdesk, office no. 15. Tel. 521-2400 ext. 250 of the Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry.

How to request? / What must I do?

The application must contain the data of the Cooperative society, chairman and members of the board, as well as of the business to be established (business activities, address etc.). Request can be submitted at the Helpdesk of the Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry.

What to take with me?

The application form with an Awg. 4,00 stamp and the required documents (if applicable) mentioned in the guidelines.

What are the requirements?

When submitting an application one must take into account aforementioned regulation and the applicable guidelines.

  • Granting of a license according to the Business Licensing Ordinance does not imply automatic approval of other required licenses.
  • According to the Regional development ordinance all business types are required to have an adequate place of business.
  • The activities per location should as much as possible be related to one another.

What are the costs involved?

The fee for this license application is Awg. 400,00 for each cooperative society and each chairman subject to a license.
According to the regulation of fees DEACI the fees due have to be paid for processing. By or on behalf of the director of the DEACI a statement will be issued regarding the amount of the fee.