{"id":261323,"date":"2025-12-14T09:00:40","date_gmt":"2025-12-14T13:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=261323"},"modified":"2025-12-14T17:02:52","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T21:02:52","slug":"video-pm-rebuts-bowens-debt-claims-calls-analysis-outdated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/video-pm-rebuts-bowens-debt-claims-calls-analysis-outdated\/","title":{"rendered":"VIDEO: PM Rebuts Bowen\u2019s Debt Claims, Calls Analysis Outdated"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PM Rebuts Bowen\u2019s Debt Claims, Calls Analysis Outdated<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prime Minister Gaston Browne<\/a> has pushed back against criticism<\/a> from Opposition MP Sherfield Bowen<\/a> over government debt and borrowing<\/a>, saying Bowen\u2019s analysis is based on outdated accounting principles and misrepresents the country\u2019s fiscal position.<\/p>

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Speaking on the Browne and Browne<\/em> show on Pointe FM, Browne rejected claims<\/a> that recent borrowing points<\/a> to a growing deficit, arguing that Bowen was incorrectly treating debt repayment as an expense.<\/p>

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The prime minister said such an approach reflects obsolete accounting knowledge and fails to distinguish between spending, interest payments and debt amortisation<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Browne explained that the government has been recording primary surpluses, meaning revenues exceed expenses before interest payments are taken into account. <\/p>

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After servicing interest costs, he said the country has still posted an overall surplus, which is then used to reduce outstanding debt .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the prime minister, Bowen\u2019s argument wrongly lumps debt amortisation together with current expenditure, creating the impression of a deficit where none exists. <\/p>

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He said amortisation relates to reducing the existing debt stock and should not be treated as a recurring expense in budget calculations .<\/p>

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Browne also addressed concerns about plans to borrow more than EC$1 billion, saying the strategy is primarily aimed at refinancing high-interest debt rather than funding new spending. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the government is seeking lower-cost financing from international institutions, including the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) and the OPEC Fund, to reduce overall interest payments .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By replacing expensive loans with cheaper financing, Browne said the government expects to lower annual interest costs and strengthen the country\u2019s long-term fiscal position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He accused the opposition of either misunderstanding or deliberately mischaracterising the borrowing strategy to alarm the public .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prime minister said the administration remains focused on maintaining fiscal discipline while managing debt in a way that supports economic stability and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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