Back Then and Now

Colonized by English settlers from St. Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by the United Kingdom until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency along with St. Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency - the Caribbean British Dependent Territory.

The Mokoro Report of April 1993 identified the financial services sector as a principal adjunct to Anguilla's tourist-based economy. Adopting that Report, the Anguillian and British governments embarked upon a thorough review and rewriting of the island's financial services legislation. The jurisdiction's extensive and continually updated financial services legislation is the result and was favourably commented on in the KPMG report of 2000 on Regulation in the Caribbean Overseas Territories and Bermuda.

In the world financial services sector Anguilla has carefully established itself as a modern, democratic, stable and well regulated jurisdiction. In order to further encourage inward investment, bolster infrastructure and attract qualified personnel, the government is offering inducements including multi-year work permits and permanent residency.