GEOStrategy

Willemstad, Curaçao, November 15, 2007 - Over 90 persons attended a business seminar on investment opportunities in Curaçao Monday at the World Trade Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The group was welcomed by soothing local tunes played by Ike Jessurun and Blue Curaçao was served as a welcome toast at the event. Commissioner of Economic Affairs and Tourism, Eugene Rhuggenaath highlighted specific opportunities for investment at the luncheon entitled, “Curaçao-the Time is Now.” The event also highlighted the Delta Air Lines direct flight from Atlanta to Curaçao that will commence on December 22, 2007. Investors flew in from as far away as Washington D.C. and New Jersey to meet with Commissioner Rhuggenaath. Besides the business opportunities the luncheon attendees were also informed by the commissioner on the array of tourist activities that exist for people who just want to experience an out of the ordinary destination.

Commissioner Rhuggenaath’s remarks were well received by the audience which appeared engaged from the beginning of the program through the questions and answers at the end. He described the improved climate for investment, explained government efforts to cut through red tape for investors and highlighted key developments and opportunities on the island. Several attendees expressed an interest in visiting Curaçao following the seminar.

The event was sponsored by the Curaçao Tourist Board, Delta Air Lines, and the Marubeni-Aqualectra economic development partnership. Mark Towery, economic development consultant to Marubeni and Aqualectra, hosted the event and shared his observations on Curaçao’s development over the past 5 years. Delta Air Lines spokesperson, Christine Floistad, General Manager of International Network Planning for Delta offered some background on the Delta Air Lines flight and raffled two round trip tickets from Atlanta to Curaçao. Chandra Smouse and Andre Rojer represented the Curaçao Tourist Board and Xavier Prens represented the Consul for Netherlands Antillean Affairs in Miami.

In addition to this business seminar, the Curaçao Tourist Board and Delta Air Lines organized a series of programs with travel professionals to promote the new upcoming Delta Air Lines service. Flight 653 will depart Atlanta on Saturdays at 9:55 am and arrive in Curaçao at 3:10 pm. The return flight will depart Curaçao at 4:10 pm and arrive in Atlanta at 7:50 pm. Delta Air Lines will use its Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the route with a capacity for 150 passengers.

The organization of this event was part of the overall Marubeni-Aqualectra partnership for economic development which promotes Curaçao to potential investors, organizes media and promotion events, and works closely with the public sector as a facilitator and catalyst for economic development.

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Media contact:
Johnny Salazar, Stradius B.V. ; telephone: 737-478 / 669-0802 / johnny@stradius.com
Brenda Benjamin, Dir. of Marketing, Curaçao Tourist Board; telephone: 434-8219
Office of Commissioner Eugene Rhuggenaath; 463-3228 / 463-3229



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