Netherlands Antilles Phone Card
Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean
May 1997 Foreword Since colonial times, the Caribbean has been a favorite place for American visitors. In the past 50 years, tourism to the area has increased greatly, and today millions of U.S. citizens visit the islands every year. The majority of these visitors have a safe trip. To help you have a similar experience, the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs has prepared these tips for you. Consular Affairs provides services to Americans ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Regional TransportationLast Updated: 9/7/2004 6:47 AM The Netherlands telecommunications system is good but can lead to some frustrations for American users. Establishing initial phone service may take as long as three weeks. All phone lines are routed through the embassy phone system. Bimonthly bills are submitted to each employee reflecting their respective usage amount. Long distance calls may be placed directly or booked through a long distance operator. Most direct hires, depending on position, are given a cell phone for official use, and receive a monthly bill for any personal calls. Additional cell phones for family members must be purchased from the local market. The Netherlands has a high number of mobile operators, prepaid and subscription, and go ... [Read More]
Foreign Entry Requirements
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES - Islands include Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten. Passport or proof of U.S. citizenship (i.e., certified birth certificate or voter registration card with photo ID) required. Visa not required for stay of up to 14 days, extendible to 90 days after arrival. Tourists may be asked to show onward/return ticket or proof of sufficient funds for stay. Departure tax $10 when leaving Bonaire, $20 in Curacao, $4 in Statia, $10 in St. Maarten. For further information, consult the Royal Netherlands Embassy (202/244-5300), or nearest Consulate General: CA (310/2681598), FL (305/789-6646), IL (312/856-0110), NY (212/246-1429) or TX (713/622-8000). Internet: www.netherlands-embassy.org ... [Read More]
M) Money Laundering and Financial Crimes
As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles participates in the Financial Action Task Force. It is a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force. In 1999, the Netherlands extended application of the 1988 UN Drug Convention to the Netherlands Antilles. The Netherlands’s Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the United States applies to the Netherlands Antilles, though it is not applicable to requests for assistance relating to fiscal offenses addressed to the Netherlands Antilles. ... [Read More]
Money Laundering and Financial Crimes
(1) Patterns of Global Terrorism—1999, United States Department of State Publication 10687, April 2000.A wide-ranging joint FBI and Department of Treasury investigation into interstate cigarette smuggling, involving a suspected Hizballah terrorist cell operating in Charlotte, North Carolina, led to the July 21, 2000 arrest by U.S. authorities of 18 individuals. Ten days later a federal grand jury in North Carolina indicted these individuals, including seven suspected Hizballah supporters, for immigration fraud and related bribery and conspiracies; conspiring to smuggle contraband cigarettes; and conspiring to launder money. Many of the defendants continue to be detained prior to trial, while the investigation continues. At least seven of the defendants are suspected members of, or sympathetic to Hizballah, a foreign terrorist organization designated as such under U.S. law in 1997 and again in 1 ... [Read More]
Country Reports: N-Z
Namibia Namibia is not a regional financial center. In addition to its Central Bank, Namibia has four commercial banks. Of particular concern in Namibia is the smuggling of precious minerals and gems, the proceeds of which Namibian authorities think may be laundered through Namibian financial institutions. In November of 2004, Namibia criminalized money laundering with passage of the Prevention of Organized Crime Bill. The new law requires both bank and non-bank financial institutions to report suspicious transactions to the Central Bank and provide relevant documents and other information to government authorities for use in criminal investigations. Non-bank financial institutions, such as private pension funds, the stock exchange, and investment companies, were previously ... [Read More]
Country Reports: N-Z
The Netherlands Antilles is a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles participates in the Financial Action Task Force. In 1999, the Netherlands extended application of the 1988 UN Drug Convention to the Netherlands Antilles. The Kingdom of the Netherlands became a party to the UN International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism in 2002. In accordance with Netherlands Antilles law, which stipulates that all the legislation must be in place prior to ratification, the GONA is preparing legislation that will enable the Netherlands Antilles to ratify the Convention. The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the Netherlands and the United States also applies to the Netherlands Antilles. An agreement was signed in April 2002 between the Netherlands and the United States, which is also applicable to the Netherlands Antilles, for the exchange of information with respe ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Most officers do not use formal calling cards but have business cards printed locally or in the U.S. Most official entertaining takes place at representational lunches or evening receptions. Business cards and personal invitations can be purchased very inexpensively through the Embassy commissary. ... Local and long-distance telephone, telegraph, fax, and telex services are available at reasonable cost within the Czech Republic. Rather than a flat monthly rate for local calls, as is typical in the United States, local phone charges are by the minute. Evenings, weekends, and state holidays have reduced rates. Service outside the country, and particularly outside Europe, is much more expensive. A local service called X-Call, for which you to enter a 5-digit number before the number you are dialing, offers substantially less expensive rates to the U.S. and other countries when dialing evenings, nights, weekends, and Czech holidays. USA Direct or similar American credit card services can substantially reduce the cost of personal calls to the United States. Call-back services, which are another option for moderate long-distance calls, can also be used. InternetLast Updated: & ... [Read More]
1996 Country Commercial Guides
U.S. Department of StateSingapore Country Commercial GuideOffice of the Coordinator for Business Affairs SINGAPORE COUNTRY COMMERCIAL GUIDE 1996This Country Commercial Guide (CCG) presents a comprehensive look at Singapore's commercial environment through economic, political and market analysis.The CCGs were established by recommendation of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC), a multi-agency task force, to consolidate various reporting documents prepared for the U.S. business community. Country Commercial Guides are prepared annually at U.S. Embassies through the combined efforts of several U.S. government agencies.TABLE OF CONTENTSChapter I Executive SummaryChapter II Economic Trends and Outlook--Country Overview--Economic Summary--High Growth, Low Inflation--Growth Sectors--Trade Continues to Expand--Singapore's "External Wing": Investing Abroad--Balance of Payments Surplus--The 1995 Budget--Prospects for 1995: Growth Moderating But Still ... [Read More]
Country Reports: A-F
Afghanistan While Afghanistan is not a regional financial or banking center, its informal financial and credit system is extremely robust in scope and scale. Afghanistan is a major drug transit and drug producing country. Afghanistan recently passed anti-money laundering and terrorist financing legislation, and many efforts are being made to strengthen police and customs forces. However, there remain few resources and little expertise to combat financial crimes, or to produce meaningful financial intelligence. The most fundamental obstacles continue to be legal, cultural and historical factors that many times conflict with more Western-style proposed reforms to the financial sector generally. In early 2004, the Central Bank of Afghanistan, Da Afghanistan Bank ( ... [Read More]
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