St.Maarten, St.Martin has been both politically and economically stable. It is the only island in the Antilles group apart from Curaçao which has achieved success in developing an ‘offshore’ financial services industry and offers highly inter- national banking, communication and professional services that are geared at promoting the island as an international business center.

The territory is not only a safe and pleasant place to do business, but also to establish roots and raise a family. The total population has grown from 13,156 in 1980 to nearly 39,000 in year 2000. It is estimated that the population of St. Maarten consists of 77 different nationalities. The native languages are English and Dutch.