THE HISTORY: It has been established that the first migration to Anguilla was made by Amerindian tribes around 1300 BC, who were originally from South America who at that point of time named the island ‘Malliouhana’. Scholars support two separate views with regards to early European colonization; either that the first European colonization came about by Columbus back in 1493, or that it was a result of the arrival of French mid 1564s to early 1565s.

 

Anguilla gained its name from the word ‘eel’ deriving out of the island’s eel-like shape. Evidence support that the English colonization was a result of settlers arriving from Saint Kitts during the early 1650s, during which the island was administered by Britain up until the 19th century, whereas the island was subsequently made into a single British dependency, and finally in 1969, Anguilla was declared as being a distinct British dependency and until today it is referred to as a British overseas territory. 

 

THE CLIMATE AND TOURISM: Anguilla is located at the northern side of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying at the east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands holding a direct north position from Saint Martin. Anguilla is rich in powdery white sand, pristine blue waters and hospitable welcoming behavior of local Anguillans.

 

Anguilla’s governmental structure is also based on Aristotle’s separation of powers principle and this can be viewed by the Anguilla’s Constitutional Order (dated 01/04/1982 and amended in 1990) which sets separate bodies for Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.  The English monarch is solely responsible to appoint a Governor to represent the throne, based on the island’s identity as a British overseas territory and thereupon elections are conducted every five years, for the selection of a Chief Minister and three additional members representing and providing health and human services, infrastructure and economic development.

 

 

TAXATION: Businesswise, even though Anguilla was left with limited natural resources, it managed to have its local economy flourished in a considerable short time period, which is mostly owed to the island experiencing high-end tourism and fully developed and reliable offshore banking. The currency used in Anguilla is East Caribbean Dollar, and local government expects the current ongoing economy boost to carry on for subsequent decades.

 

DOING BUSINESS IN ANGUILLA: Many indicate that Anguilla has a steady economic, social and political system, whilst also its investors enjoy the privilege of not having to suffer any tax that relates to income, corporation, capital gain, estate, asset, gift or inheritance. In Anguilla there is no exchange control and its local legislation is based on English common law. Having extensive and developed communication system, Anguilla also offers direct access to Europe and the Americas whilst also providing a well-regulated financial services industry.  Interested parties would be happy to know that Anguilla was the word’s first and only fully computerized Companies Registry facility (A.C.O.R.N.), rendering possible cross border incorporation and maintenance of corporate entities, by any authorized agent.

 

 

 

The main features of an Anguilla Company are:

 

• Shares can be issued with or without par value

• Shares may be issued in any legal currency or in more than one legal currency

• Shares may be paid up in cash or through the transfer of other assets or for other consideration

• The standard share capital is US$ 50,000 or an equivalent in another recognizable currency

• The minimum paid in and issued capital may be one share

• Bearer shares are permitted

• Only one director required - can be an individual or corporate

• Only one shareholder required - can be an individual or corporate

• A director can be a shareholder and vice versa

• No requirement for Anguilla residency for shareholder(s) and director(s)

• A secretary is required - can be an individual or corporate

 

Anguilla is a pure tax haven and has no direct taxation in the form of income tax, capital gains tax, gift tax or inheritance tax.

It is, without doubt, one of the most favorite jurisdictions of many business professionals across the globe.