Prime Minister Browne Announces Indefinite Suspension of CET on Basic Goods to Further Ease Cost of Living
St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda…. Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne has announced that his administration will maintain the suspension of the Common External Tariff on selected basic goods indefinitely, reinforcing the Government’s continued commitment to reducing the cost of living and protecting households across Antigua and Barbuda.
The announcement was made during the Get to Know Your Candidates interview, where it was revealed that the Government intends to continue the suspension of the CET, a measure which represents approximately a 40 percent reduction on the price of certain basic goods.
Prime Minister Browne made it clear that his administration’s priority remains the welfare of the people, stating that the measure will continue “with or without the permission of CARICOM, our people’s interest comes first and foremost.”
The Government had previously approved a one-year suspension of the Common External Tariff on essential food items, following the decision of the 60th Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development. That measure allowed for a zero rate of duty on selected staples from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, as part of a regional response to rising prices and inflationary pressures across the Caribbean.
Prime Minister Browne’s announcement now confirms that Antigua and Barbuda will not allow this important relief measure to simply expire while families continue to face the impact of high global food prices.
The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party welcomes the announcement as another clear demonstration of the Browne administration’s people-first approach to governance.
“This is decisive leadership at work,” the ABLP stated. “At a time when families continue to manage rising prices, the Prime Minister has made it clear that his Government will continue to place the needs of the people above all else.”
The ABLP noted that the policy reflects the administration’s wider record of using practical, targeted measures to protect citizens, strengthen household purchasing power, and preserve economic stability.
The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party remains confident that this measure will bring continued relief to households and support the broader national effort to maintain stability, affordability, and progress.
ENDS
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DESPERATION HAS HIT THE ABLP.
WHAT A BRIBE, ALL THESE YEARS OF HIGH FOOD PRICES, EVEN DURING COVID WHEN EVERY GOVERNMENT IN THE WORLD GAVE THEIR PEOPLE RELIEF ( EXCEPT ANTIGUA), AND ANTIGUA RETAINED THESE HIGH PRICES STIFLING THE NATION, BUT NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN ON THE EVE OF AN ELECTION WHERE THEY CLAIM THEY WILL WIN ALL 17 SEATS THEY ARE GIVING AWAY THE NATION AS A BRIBE TO SECURE A VICTORY, BECAUSE THE POLLS NOW SHOW THEY WILL LOSE!!!!
This is a pathetic and desperate move by a useless PM. Why wasn’t this done 10 years ago?
THE CHARLATAN STRIKES AGAIN
Starring: Gaston Browne
Co Starring: Maria Browne
With: Daryl Matthew
Steadroy Cutie Benjsmin
Max Fernandez
Chet the coward Greene
and an assortment of Judases
too numerous to mention from
the bottom of UPP’s barrel
Showtime: 6:00 am – 6:00pm
Thursday, 30th April, be their and be early
The public bribery in FULL swing!
Fear and desperation! That’s not how a confident person behaves. What a thing! UPP has scared the living shit out of Gaston Browne with all the fat chat he has. I am trying to have a bet with a buddy of mine who for whatever reason still support Labour that if Labour lose Gaston will go crazy and he not taking the bet. KARMA IS A REAL BITCH AND THAT HE WILL FIND OUT THURSDAY NIGHT
Since last year June the govt was asked to give the citizens this relief on the prices of goods/services. Now at the 11th hour he wants people to feel that he is so compassionate. Big CHUPTZ🤔🤔🤔
‘Prime Minister Browne Announces Indefinite Suspension of CET on Basic Goods to Further Ease Cost of Living’
Indefinite until no more cet – wonderful.
A firm step on the good path.
Seriously sounds like desperate times …… go GASSY NOT SO CLASY . Pinocchio BROWN … only 2 and half years from the last manifesto and yet we have an another one for you to incomplete …
@Complex well said.GASTON BROWNE ABLP. Pay the CLICO/BAICO policyholders their money we would like to send our children and grandchildren to MIAMI to study and also eat TURKEY AND HAM every day instead of running behind a truck at Christmas for a turkey and ham like Palestinian refugees in GAZA. Show some RESPECT.
GASTON BROWNE ABLP. Pay the policyholders their money we would like to send our children and grandchildren to MIAMI to study and also eat TURKEY AND HAM every day instead of running behind a truck at Christmas for a turkey and ham like Palestinian refugees in GAZA. Show some RESPECT.
Reply
Long live Gaston Brown
@ Donna
The prerequisite of a CHARLATAN is to feign sincerity. Examine Gaston Browne’s behavior. I bet you when they invented that word and they knew him his face is what you would see when you go in the dictionary. Antiguans after all these years still cannot see this dude for who he really is. It’s an indictment on all of us
If he was really serious he would make it apply to everyday food items like cereals rice etc to really ease the burden on families. When last has he been to the supermarket and bought a box of cereal. It’s costs nearly 40.00.
In your desperation you not Gaston why don’t you suspend the enrichment of your family and ministers? Oops how stupid of me, because we have to do it on the 30th April by voting UPP.
I wonder if people realize indefinitely is an unspecified time. It could be for a week after election or a month or six months, who knows, with Gaston I give it less than 3 weeks. This man is a CHARLATAN it’s a person without sympathy or empathy. It is in the interest of all of us to send this man packing. SOONEST IS BEST
Look up the meaning of indefinitely please
Don’t be fooled, they had years to do this. He is only copying his pal Ralph who tried the same trick on Vincentians a few weeks before the election, removing VAT on basic items.
Then he never even bothered to follow up with the supermarkets to ensure they actually did it. We kicked Ralph and his red rats to the curb, you all should too !!
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