Irving Janga Deputy Executive Director/ Registry Affairs Director

In this edition, Curaçao Business magazine would like to introduce you to Irving Janga, the man behind the curtain who has many roles at the Chamber and who is integral to maintaining an accurate, up-to-date registry for the business community.

TEXT HEATHER DE PAULO

A native to Curaçao, after completing his primary education, he went to Hogeschool West-Brabant in Holland and completed his Bachelor of Economics (H.E.A.O.) Later, he earned an MBA from the University of the Netherlands Antilles and became certified as an Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. In February 1988, he returned to Curaçao and worked as an audit assistant for the General Audit Chamber of the Netherlands Antilles for four years. In 1992, he was hired at the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce as the Deputy Registry Affairs Director and has since been promoted to Registry Affairs Director and Deputy Executive Director, working a total of 23 years with the Chamber.

Curaçao Business Magazine (CBM): What do you do with the Chamber?
Irving Janga (IJ): In 2013, when I became the Deputy Executive Director, I maintained my position as the Registry Affairs Director and I also still assist the Executive Director, John Jacobs. Primarily, I maintain the registry. All businesses and other legal entities must be registered with the Commercial Register held by Chamber. Since the primary function of an Excerpt from the Commercial Register is to promote legal security, my staff and I do our utmost to keep the registry updated, although the final responsibility for keeping the registered information up-to-date is with the officials of the businesses and the legal entities based on the law.

Another activity is the advising of Government based on the ordinance of the establishment of business. All businesses on the island not pertaining to a natural person born in Curaçao of Dutch nationality need to have a business license and/or a director’s license to act as a director of a business. According to the ordinance, the Chamber must give advice on requests for a business licenses. The advice is given through an online system administered by the Ministry of Economic Development.

As of August 2010, it was decreed by the Minister of Justice that the Chamber is responsible to check potential names of legal entities and to advise whether or not a name can be used. The potential name is checked against the registry to ensure that the same name doesn’t already exist or is close enough that it may cause confusion.

CBM: What attracted you to the job? What do you find most rewarding?
IJ: After 23 years at the Chamber, it’s still challenging every day. You have to be on the ball and know what’s new regarding regulations. Different people from all walks of life come in with all kinds of issues and you have to assist them in finding solutions; in fact it’s an advisory service to (potential) entrepreneurs. Of course, sometimes there are differences of opinion with respect to registry issues that even end in court. It’s a very dynamic environment and I’m still learning every day. The Chamber still gives me the opportunity to improve myself every day.

CBM: What do you wish the public knew, but isn’t common knowledge, about the Chamber?
IJ: I think most business owners see the Chamber as the institution where they have to go to pay a yearly fee or get excerpts or declaration from registrations in the Commercial Register. There should be more awareness regarding the role of a public registry for legal entities. As it is the case in objectively identifying a person, be it through a passport, a “cedula” or otherwise, there is a basic need for businessmen to objectively identify their legal entity and themselves, as well as the need to identify any counter party in the same manner. We also have a department that gives you information and works hard to help people with their business needs. Although we are known for handling potential newcomers and our entrepreneurial courses are well known, I wish people would take more advantage of these services.

CBM: Where would you like to see Curacao business in the next 5-10 years?
IJ: We are working hard to optimize our system because we are living in an era where everything is going online and I think businesses need to be prepared to make the switch. It’s happening in the world, and if it’s happening in the world, we have to be ready, the Chamber included. Everything will be automated and in the Cloud in the next couple of years. Businesses should start getting away from paper have a clear vision of how you will adapt to the new changes and grasp the opportunities that are coming. Too many people remain in their comfort zone and therefore will experience difficulties in making the change, even if it’s crucial to the future of the business.

We are working hard to optimize our system because we are living in an era where everything is going online and I think businesses need to be prepared to make the switch.

CBM: What is your favorite book?
IJ: I read many books, but I constantly refer to the “Handbook of Corporate Governance.” I like this book because it reminds me that we have to adhere to the system of checks and balances. I also love the book, “As the Future Catches You,” by Juan Enriquez.

CBM: What do you do when you aren’t working?
IJ: When I’m not working, I like reading. I’m also still a member of a Cultural music group and when I really have time, I will go and play with them.