Canada-Aruba relations
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Bilateral relations
Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is responsible for the conduct of Aruba’s foreign affairs, including with Canada.
Tourism is the most important sector in the Aruban economy. In 2019, approximately 52,200 Canadians visited Aruba, making Canada the second largest tourist market (in terms of arrivals) for the island. Direct flights between Canada and Aruba operate year-round.
Education ties between the two countries continue to expand. The Aruban Ministry of Education has signed Memoranda of Understanding with 8 Canadian universities and colleges: Bishop’s University, Brescia University, Carleton University, Humber College, Niagara College, Centennial College of Canada, Seneca College, and Brescia University College.
Canada and Aruba maintain a Tax Information Exchange Agreement and Air Transport Agreement. The Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters is also applicable to Aruba.
Canada is represented in Aruba by the Embassy of Canada to the Kingdom of the Netherlands in The Hague. Aruba is represented in Canada by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ottawa and its Consulates-general in Toronto and Vancouver. Practical matters, such as consular assistance to Canadians in Aruba and Canada-Aruba trade and investment files, are covered by the Embassy of Canada in Bogota, Colombia. Canada’s Honorary Consul in Curaçao also represents Canadian consular interests in Aruba.
Trade relations
Merchandise trade between Canada and Aruba totalled $3.6 million in 2021, down 14% from 2020. Merchandise exports to Aruba amounted to $3.6 million and were largely driven by consumer goods which accounted for 42.2% of exports. Also in 2021, Canada imported $35,000 worth of merchandise from Aruba, mostly consumer goods and motor vehicles and parts. A limited number of Canadian companies have been active in the clean technology, agriculture and construction sectors in Aruba.
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Operations
Through Operation CARIBBE, Canada cooperates with Aruba in the multinational anti-drug campaign Operation Martillo, which targets illicit trafficking routes in the Caribbean. Canada Border Services Agency and the RCMP also maintain a working relationship with their Aruban counterparts. Through its Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program, Canada supports INTERPOL’s cybercrime capacity building efforts in the Caribbean, including Aruba.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Aruba work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Multilateral Organization Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN)
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
- The Pacific Alliance
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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