ADVANTAGES OF OFFSHORE INCORPORATION IN ANTIGUA Geography, Location and Climate Antigua forms part of the English speaking twin island state of Antigua & Barbuda which gained independence from Britain in 1981. It is the larger of the two islands with a size of 108 square miles and a population of about 65,000. It is located in the north eastern Caribbean and has the highest per capita income in that region. Antigua enjoys a very agreeable temperature throughout the year of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit with low humidity and gentle breezes. The capital is the city of St. John's, and it is the center of the island's trade and commerce. Accessibility As tourism is the main industry, Antigua is easily accessible from Europe, North & South America and other Caribbean islands and is serviced by several major airlines. Several of the world's largest cruise ships also dock in St. John's each week. Communications Antigua offers a highly advanced communications infrastructure to rival that of any of the world's leading nations. Overseas telephone services (including international direct dialing), facsimile, internet, telex and cable services are all available. Government Antigua and Barbuda benefits from a stable political environment and democratic system of government modeled off the British parliamentary system, and the offshore sector is highly supported by all political persuasions. There is an International Business Corporations Department which supervises and initiates the formation of IBCs. It is further aided by the International Financial Sector Authority which advises and makes recommendations on the sector. Antigua and Barbuda also has a Free Trade and Processing Zone which provides certain advantages for offshore companies and makes this jurisdiction an attractive one in which to incorporate such businesses. For more information on the Zone refer to their website at www.atgftpzone.com. Investment Incentives Additionally, Antigua and Barbuda offers excellent tax free incentives to investors. An IBC is exempt from all taxes for a period of 50 years from the date of its incorporation. Financial privacy and security are assured. This is further enhanced by severe confidentiality laws which make it a criminal offence to disclose the business affairs of an IBC.