Subsequently, an oil refinery, opened in the mid-1920s and once among the largest in the world, was the most important commercial operation on the island until its closure in 1985. In the meantime, a sizeable tourism sector grew up. More recently, it has been joined by offshore service industries including finance and data processing. Aruba's free-port status, ship bunkering and repair facilities are the island's other main sources of revenue. It has until 2005 to tighten its regime or face sanctions.
Light industry is limited to the production of some tobacco products, drinks and consumer goods.
Agriculture is confined to small-scale activity because of poor soil quality. Aruba is classed as an Associate Overseas Territory of the European Union. The most important trading partners are the Netherlands, the USA, Colombia and Venezuela. Terms and Conditions apply.