Retirement benefits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

20. Retirement benefits

Staff pension plans are offered to all employees in Florida, Cayman Islands and Bahamas. The plans are administered by third party pension plan providers and are defined contribution plans. The Company matches the contribution of the first 5% of each participating employee’s salary up to $104,400 for the Cayman Islands, there is no salary limit for the Bahamas and up to 6% of each participating employee salary for Florida employees. The total amount recognized as an expense under the plan during the year ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 was $376,086, $328,084, and $325,576, respectively.