Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said revitalising St John’s is critical if Antigua and Barbuda is to fully capitalise on rapid tourism-driven economic growth.
Speaking to property owners at a redevelopment consultation in the capital on Wednesday, Mr Browne said the country’s economy had expanded from about US$3.6bn to US$6bn over the past decade, with projections of US$7bn within the next two years.
He said per capita income now stands at roughly US$22,000, largely fuelled by strong growth in cruise and stay-over tourism. Antigua and Barbuda is expected to welcome around one million cruise passengers this year, almost double the number recorded a decade ago.
With the central business district located close to the cruise piers, the prime minister said improving St John’s was essential for both visitors and residents.
Mr Browne added that cruise arrivals could reach two million annually within five years as port infrastructure continues to expand, including the recently completed fifth berth and related upland development.
He said redevelopment would create opportunities for higher rents, increased foot traffic and new business ventures, including short-term accommodation, urging property owners to see reinvestment as a long-term benefit.
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There is no person that I know in Antigua that is making half of $22,000usd per year in Antigua and Barbuda. I know quite a few people.
Do Gatson Browne knows that the US$22k he is spitting out is way bellow the poverty level here in the US and many other countries?
And with that same $22k, goods are 2 1/2 times the cost of that in the US.
So those numbers are nothing to brag about GB. You should be ashamed to even spit out those numbers trying to gloat about what people in Antigua are making.
That’s nothing to live on, when gas prices and basic food/goods are inflated to astronomical prices, 2 to 3 times more expensive than those in the US.
So stop using the US dollar to reference your quotes GB, because they are way bellow the poverty level here in many states, and even the poorest states.
Is this what you really want the diaspora to come home to? Below poverty wages that couldn’t even buy a decent car on that budget!😂.
So Just stop it, because you sound like an idiot with those numbers.
You couldn’t even pay a car note, rent or mortgage on those numbers here in the states, much less in Antigua that has cost of basic goods, (gas, fruits, food etc) inflated 2 1/2 times that of a decent living wage, much less to splurge a little at the end of the mouth.
Not condoning wrong doing, but no wonder scamming and fraud is a big problem in the Carribean.
Don’t y’all see what the kids are going to? Many say you should work, but for what type of money?
Work just to suffer physically and emotionally in a place like Antigua? Yeah right.
I talk about this at length, because the burden of the people must be lifted in these islands.
Too long the cycle of poverty have been rampant in the lives of families in the Caribbean, too long.
The only thing in Antigua that is a little cheaper, is liquor, so go figure. Drunks everywhere.
Food for thoughts..
This man needs to shut up.
Finance minister my back-foot. He has no clue what he’s doing. He’s way out of his league.
YES!!!! I know we can make it happen it’s about time..Respect Hon PM GB
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