Andorra: Doing business and staying in touch

Doing Business in Andorra

Suits are recommended at all times. Prior appointments are necessary and meetings tend to be formal. Punctuality is important. Lunch is usually after 1330 and can extend through the afternoon. Although English is quite widely spoken, a knowledge of Spanish/Catalan or French is very useful.

Office Hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1700. Some offices open Mon-Fri 0800-1500 (summer only).

Economy

Andorra's status as a low tax and duty-free zone has led to the development of a major trade in consumer goods. This trade, along with tourism and, more recently, financial services, are now the major components of the Andorran economy.

There is a small but thriving agricultural sector farming potatoes, tobacco and livestock. There is also a small mining industry exploiting deposits of lead, iron and alum. The country's hydroelectric power plant supplies about a quarter of domestic needs; Andorra is dependent on imports of electricity and other fuels from France and Spain.

Both inflation and growth are around 3%.

GDP

US$3.66 billion (2007).

Main exports

Tobacco, furniture and leather goods.

Main imports

Electricity, fuels, food and consumer goods.

Main trading partners

France and Spain.

Keeping in Touch in Andorra

Mobile Phone

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile companies. Coverage is good.

Internet

Internet cafes are available throughout Andorra.

Media

The Andorran media scene has been shaped by the country's proximity to France and Spain. Andorrans have access to broadcasts from both countries, and for many years Andorra was home to Sud Radio: a powerful radio station broadcasting to southwest France. The constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press. Andorra has two daily newspapers: the Diari d'Andorra and El Periodic. Nacional d'Andorra operates Radio Andorra and music station Andorra Musica; Radio Valira, Andorra 7 and Andorra 1 are commercial stations; TVA is a public service operated by Radio i Televisio d'Andorra.

Post

Internal mail services are free; international mail takes about one week within Europe.

0900-1300 and 1500-1700 in Andorra la Vella, otherwise variable.