St Helena Development Agency (SHDA) web site - welcome
The UK Overseas Territory of St Helena is located in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1700 miles North West of Cape Town, South Africa, and 1200 miles west of Walvis Bay, Namibia. Its nearest land mass is the island of Ascension 700 miles to the North West. The time equates to Greenwich Mean Time.
The sub-tropical island has a land mass of approximately 47 square miles, currently has a population of 3,900 with strong cultural and historic roots and around 300, primarily micro, businesses which employ approximately 45% of the labour force.
Until recently the island's economy has been limited by its remote location and only access being by the Royal Mail Ship St Helena which calls an average 25 times a year. However, this is expected to change with air access promising to open up new market opportunities from 2012/13.
The St Helena Development Agency is the lead body responsible for promoting and enabling private sector development on the island. Our key role is to:
- attract inward investment
- help local business develop
- support start ups
- encourage youth entrepreneurship
We offer a one stop source of advice and information for investors, local firms, entrepreneurs and individuals who want to do business on St Helena.
Whether you are looking for a place to develop a niche market business opportunity, invest in a new or growing business or set up a not for profit organisation we hope you enjoy exploring our website.
St Helena is a safe, warm, attractive, friendly and SOON TO BE CONNECTED place to do business. A unique opportunity!