Antigua Facing Bankruptcy
Businesses in Antigua are facing bankruptcy after the long pandemic wait to resuscitate their business, minus any help from from the Government in the form of ‘stimulus’ or off-setting of Government payments re utilities and fees.
What is worse is that the Government is also facing bankruptcy after an election in January, which seems to have depleted the entire treasury, thereby causing the dominoes in the economy to fall, and keep falling still almost two years after the pandemic.
The poor-proud attitude of the Antiguan business person and the general public has held the mask of contentment in place, while struggling to maintain staff, and pay salaries and bills to keep their businesses alive.
But people are struggling and many are desperate, especially the young men, unemployed and angry at their circumstances, who have resorted to violence, robberies and occasional rape. ]
Teenagers are loose and dangerous, fighting in the streets after school, and creating havoc on the street corners, and hungry, and a hungry man is an angry man!
Running business in a bankrupt economy, with an unsympathetic government is like pushing the proverbial stone up the hill, slipping down to the bottom, and starting up again.
The life in the depressed areas of Graysfarm and Point is getting quite brutal, and the violence and gunplay is clearly out of hand especially among the youth, with unbecoming behavior towards their elders whom they are robbing, and now the police are just killing them.
Bankruptcy is the cause of the most of the troubles in our society, with the Government failing to pay their share of the debt, which creates a trickledown effect on all of the island’s workers in businesses which cannot collect from Government.
Meanwhile Government in its quest to find money, selling off our lands to non-Antiguans seeking to get what they can, while paying as little money as possible into the consolidated fund.
In the early days of this Government’s term in office, in an attempt to control disgruntled members of the public, the leadership addressed them, threatening to bankrupt their businesses which failed to give him support.
Clearly the threat has become real as small businesses have silently closed down and slinked off to convert property to cash, to pay off their banks and the government which failed to help in their dilemma.
Government recognition of all persons foreign, and their businesses, is still flourishing, whereas the local small business is either dead or dying, sending their few employees on the breadline, where even bread gone up in price. When times are hard, a hard-hearted government is worse than slavery times, because hunger is a very present woe especially for the children, and our youth.
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Antigua can survive if they prepare early for the famine
This is the effect when we nah own nothing or manufacturer anything here all our great government do is seek more hotels to be built and can’t keep the existing hotel rooms filled. Agriculture in Antigua is wishful thinking.
I am not surprised in the slightest that small, medium and large sized businesses are suffering now since the Covid-19 lockdown.
As I’ve mentioned a few times on ANR, I lost a large FIVE figure sum of money from my business, because I refused to be vaccinated; and barred from returning to the country – and my home – when our Prime Minister banned born and bred passport holding Antiguans.
Thankfully, my business is slowly recovering to pre-Covid-19 conditions. GOD IS GOOD 🙏🏽
And then Gaston had the gall to authorise the use of wearing bracelets to monitor movements of returning Antiguan business men, women and overseas students, who particularly suffered. Nasty!
So, if I as an individual lost a substantial amount of money. I can just imagine COLLECTIVELY how much it has now cost the country – and what the hell for?
Absolutely nothing!!!
But don’t worry folks, when Gaston Browne EVENTUALLY goes, Antigua will become an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean region.
HE 🥸 WORSE THAN WORSE …
@Brixtonian – here in the states, trump allowed fauci to shut america down, I lost several hundred thousand as well. You at least are able to criticize your leaders without being viciously attacked for doing so.
I’ve written a number of commentaries blasting trump for his horrible inhuman handling of the covid “pandemic” and I have been called every vulgar name known for doing so. Unlike america, Antigua is a civil country.
Hope your business continues to recover.
Many thanks for your positive comments @ Caustic.
However, we have our own “Trump-like” supporters, who follow Gaston Browne in a worshipful way as well.
Our Prime Minister misleads; he’s duplicitous; nefarious as well, and knows how to hoodwink many many people here in Antigua.
And the sad thing about it he has been getting away with it for the last two terms in office, with more devastating years to follow – at least you guys only had Trump for a much shorter Presidency.
Enjoy your day, and I also hope your business recovers and goes from strength to strength … 🤜🏽🤛🏽
If the UPP couldn’t build an economic power house when they had more competent candidates during their 10 years on government, how would they do it now with the fools the have?????.
*fools they have*
I could make many claims about a lot of things, but without facts and evidence, they don’t hold water. To the contrary, I could say Antiguan businesses are prospering after COVID. But where is my evidence to substantiate my claims. Should everyone take that and run with it because I print it? Fact is, businesses rise and fall with or without pandemics or hardship to any country. That’s the nature of business. They comes and goes if they weren’t firmly planted to begin with.
Forgive me @ Concern for repeating these mathematical political statistics, but I’ll do it just for you and any other ABLP acolytes who do not know how to add-up or do deductions:
If you add the 53 wayward – political – years, then minus the 13 years of the UPP administration under Baldwin Spencer, would leave Antigua & Barbuda with 40 years of Birdism and Browneism.
Thus leaving the ABLP enough time to have completed our island wide water system; 24 hour electricity; a much better road infrastructure; better housing; and let’s not forget our health system leaves a lot to be desired.
As you seem to be in denial about the ABLP’S NEGLIGENCE over those 40 years; however, critical thinkers like me will always remind you and pull you up about the current state of our economy and the real causes of it.
Stop hiding from the FACTS @ Concern and start being REALISTIC …
… Brixtonian BOSSING the ABLP acolytes (and Gastonites) on ANR threads each and everytime. Where’s my Cape?
This should have stated OPINION; not OBSERVATION. A whole host of claims made here,,, citing nothing,, to back up,those claims.
“When Trumpisms came to Antigua” are my thoughts on this article.
Since I were,,a child,,there was always a spike in breakings and robberies Carnival and Christmas time,,,schools always had rivalries that spilled into streets,,, so,, a la Gary Coleman in the sitcom,, Different Strokes “WHAT YOU TALKING ‘BOUT WILLIS ? “
Alfa Nero sale was supposed to help but that has backfired…..Antigua people dey ah all the fetes so they must be doing okish…Jus cool man Gaston ga figure out something….More things dey fa sell off..
Love this article but it ended too abruptly. Was waiting to hear the writer’s solutions or suggestions on how best Antigua can recover from all this dilemma.
This country will get worst and worst once Gaston is at the controls.
His minions can deny it all they want but it is there for all to see.
Vote Kelvin Simon St. Mary’s South people.
Lmaooo articles like this just shows how successful the economics of consumerism and capitalism has taken effect, allowing people to focus on buying buying buying overlooks the knowledge of mathematics. Government facing bankruptcy Lmaoo and type it up nicely use the correct words, let the so called educated ones say yes this is accurate, drop a few comments with some fancy words to sound professional and nobody argues. Instant dopamine!!
labor force doesn’t cost any government in the world any form of liability, the man paying the ppl still recollects in all and any forms from sales tax to inheritance tax, increasing taxes on rich only generates even more revenue for them cuz it’s everyone has to buy. No matter how high the price hike Governments use percentages to collect not margins and markup, so money must generate regardless but HEY!! if I was the government and I can tell people since them great great great grandparents treasury have no money and they believe and I can do whatever the hell I want with the money and make the most toxic environment ever to keep people confused and deluded then why the fuck not, why break what don’t need to fix. I can bawl things bad and we need more tax and they still believe no matter what, I still get more money, I still run the place mediocre and I still keep everything else private. And all they gonna do is bla bla bla bla bla. Lmaooo we are the only living thing on earth that pays to be alive, your dog lives better than you. Eat, shit, sleep. Anything outside that ur greedy and u have alllllll this money and potential and gdp growth and all this fancy talk and watch everyone like Yhup eat up every word. Lol yeah man Antigua going bankrupt
Cuz other countries with bigger debts are running so poor too Lmaoo.
I don’t wrong the government for anything they say or do cuz end of the day, a man with power rules better as a king amongst fools rather than an emperor over wise.
If I can fool a man $500 and tell them pink Himalayan salt makes u healthy…lmaooo why not
It’s not my fault they don’t know better
And that’s this article lmaoo
So not working make u go and rape ppl? That is what your saying? Wow 👏 only in Antigua 🇦🇬 dumb stuff like this gets published smh
“Going Banrupt.” You should take a look at YouTube and refresh your memory of the mass troupes participation, the revelry and excitement of our just concluded carnival. Antigua Nice!
The Government..that’s another Brer Nancy Story! They are bankrupt.
Antigua and Barbuda will thrive once again. The sun will set and rise on this beautiful island that God has blessed us with.
This current Laborpartynearga Cabinet is bankrupt of ideas, full of terpitude, no action plan to propel the nation out of its financial abyss(guess who is finance minister), supervised the fallout of what is about to come of the CIP portfolio……I can go on. Me tired!
Tired of washing me kin with bucket and sauce pan! Maria nah do dat! Rum Shop guest nar do dat. Wha mek because me cum from country. Me haffu do dat. Dem things no right. Me done!!!!!
Mr. Spencer come out of retirement and help the UPP put the Mongrel away. Far away. Just like R. Allen Stanford!
Gaston, Baba, Hadeed and all the rest big money man will have stimulate the economy.
This is an unsigned opinion piece that rambles on about a pandemic closure that was world wide. What does businesses facing bankruptcy have to do with the government’s treasury? All over the world, people had to be vaccinated or were unable to work or travel that had nothing to do with a particular government. It was the law during a world wide mandate. Another issue mentioned was that the past elections financially impacted the treasury. That could not be correct and need to be backed up by facts not rhetoric. There must be a law that bar elections from being government funded. So, how could an election drain the treasury?
These type of opinion pieces portray the country very negatively. These idiotic personal statements are not news or worthy to be presented as such. Stop crying down our country, and showing your “Garrot” personality to the world. No matter what party is in the majority its still our country, and we should all want to see its prosperity.
@ Adjunct Professor
Pandemic was worldwide but GASTON BOASTED that Antigua was an economic powerhouse BUT WHEN EVERY OTHER GOVERNMENT IN THE WORLD PAID A STIMULUS TO businesses and their people ANTIGUANS GOT NOT ONE RED CENT.
I am glad that you referred to ‘all over the world’, BUT ANTIGUA WAS THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT DID NOT PROVIDE AID TO ANYONE.
THIS Government is the worst ever – PEOPLE JUST PREPARE FOR TAX RISES, immediately after the BY-Election.
@Reply to Let this By-…Stop with the lies. Not all governments gave direct cash to their tax payers during covid. Here are a few examples of stimulus that GOAB did during covid
1. The ABLP led government pushed for and got banks to offer moratoriums on mortgages, land lords for rent, and insurance companies on payments.
2. There was a stated policy by APUA for over a year not only not to increase utility costs but also no disconnections. Take the time, check and see if such existed in USA or even BDS
3. There were added subsidies to farmers during the Covid crisis
4. Unlike other governments, GOAB continued to pay public servants even though its revenues were at the lowest. While in SLU there was talk of offering persons bonds instead of their full pay
5. A&B invested in facilities (Infectious disease center) to deal with covid. Hardly any of our OECS counterparts did same. in Saint Lucia persons complained about the dire state the main hospital there was in while A&B managed to make its own main hospital what’s now called by international agencies, the best in the OECS region
@ tenman
You and your minions obviously living in a vacuum in Antigua: Must be the Antigua Guatemala- this country running on a reef with the ABLP. We wanna get off!
Tenman why bother responding and commenting on an article written by an anonymous writer and without any supporting facts whatsoever.
I have no time for that at all.
Antigua can and should export goods so that they are no longer so heavily relied on tourism. God bless my country 🙏🏾
The numbers just don’t add up. Why would a bankrupt government grant over hundreds of million dollars in discretionary waivers in taxes. Sorry ANR the numbers just don’t add up.
Reads like Makeda. The usual calling the grape sour since you can’t get all. While she busy hoping for the sky to fall, the economic statistics keep showing her cry a lie. Will take the central banks governor’s word over hers
“Antigua and Barbuda is leading the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union in economic growth, as the post-pandemic recovery is driven by tourism and construction. The revelation comes from Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Governor Timothy Antoine, during an exclusive interview with ABS TV June 2023” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWw1NWPYMu8&t=2s
@ tenman
The issue is not who wrote it, but the truth- Antigua is on the precipice of a disaster. I am really happy you guys stole the election so people cannot blame UPP for the perilous state of the economy.
The only issue is that poor people will be the ones who will suffer for all the rip offs of this government with HIGH HIGH PRICES AND TAXES.
@Tenman: Why do you and Sidelines seems to hate Makeda? Because she is a Caribbean woman not from Antigua and doing well inna Antigua.
And still there’s no water coming through the pipes 24hrs a day ?
EXTREMELY MISLEADING ARTICLE
For the past 10 years an average of 8-9% growth.
Record breaking cruise ship season.
Canadian arrivals best ever
Uk arrivals best ever.
Barbuda next Jumby Bay
Water 24 7
Minimum wage $9.00 best in this hemisphere.
Bank savings best in this hemisphere
Debt to GDP best in this hemisphere
Know the facts Antigua is financially stable. Repeat it 9 times and you will see.
@ Melchesidec, where is your data regarding the average 8-9% growth over 10 years? I for one would like to see that!
And if true, why don’t Antiguans see the benefits?
Your points on record breaking cruise ship growth may be correct, however, when these passengers come onto our island, their spending is nowhere near, for example like the Antiguan diaspora from around the globe, who tend to use their money to help our economy.
Furthermore, as you well and know, the Canadians and the British tend to spend most of the time in their “all inclusive” hotels and rarely venture out into our local towns, parishes and villages; whereas the Antiguan diaspora do.
And water 24 7 (huh!!!), you ah mek joke!
And if Antigua is, as you say, “financially stable”, then I suggest to you that there’s something very very wrong with the distribution of wealth here, don’t you think Melchesidec?
Repeat this 9 times and you will also see for yourself … 😉
@Brixtonian
Hint water 24 7
Minimum wage $9,00 best in this hemisphere.
I knew you couldn’t come up with the stats … 😂
… remember, I have the best bulls#*t radar in Antigua … bar none!
Corrections; no growth during the last few years of the UPP, and the ALP hasn’t been in government 10 years yet. They took office in 2014, 2024 will make 10 years in office. So lets call it what it is. All else said is correct!!
I refer you to my ADROIT replies above, to you @ Concern.
Have a beautiful day … 😉
@ Brixtonian – so your point is that tourists frequenting Antigua inhabit only “all inclusive” resorts only? They don’t venture into real Antigua? Are they afraid to venture outside of the resort walls?
Antigua certainly isn’t Jamaica after all.
If that’s the case, do the resorts not purchase necessities for their operations locally at all?
I’m involved in this forum as my wife and I are seriously considering purchasing Antiguan passports and expatriating the u.s. This is a monumental decision and I seek every tidbit of information available.
Yes @ Caustic, whenever my family, friends and business associates come to Antigua, I encourage them to go where the locals frequent, eat like the locals, and spend their money to help out the locals.
Ok, there are many beautiful hotels on the island, but why do mainly the “all inclusive deals?”, these hotels do this so that autochthonous Antiguans with small businesses and eateries cannot make a decent living.
Sadly, the current government doesn’t see this!
The real beauty of Antigua & Barbuda is still in the main undiscovered (unlike islands like the popular destinations of Barbados 🇧🇧 Jamaica 🇯🇲 and Trinidad), but I would recommend Antigua to anyone.
Don’t necessarily listen to me, but do your own research and then weigh up the pros and cons for yourself.
Good luck! 👍🏾
Who wrote this ish?? Why did it even get published? Is it the owner of the newsroom? This is so childish and inaccurate. Coming off a carnival season where do many didn’t their monies. Many business are going up, getting up and already in great m gear. I know my small businesses are thriving now more than ever. This article is NASTY. Nastiness that!
Reading this article brings one thing to mind. This writer is a hater. Becareful what you pen. Potential investors are scouting for new environment that is safe and financially stable. So don’t make hard for when your party takes power. One important thing to note. If antiguans are hungry and unemployed, way all the money come from during carnival. All the expensive fetes were corked. Stop bringing your country down because it will be too late to recover from propaganda.
My God, do you really want to be like the US? Donald trump dumped over 4 trillion dollars into the US economy in covid “stimulus” as well as additional unemployment money then biden doubled down on the money dump. Know what the result is? MASSIVE inflation.
Inflation comes from too much money chases too few goods, the money dump in the US came at a time that people were locked down and the supply chain into the US was shut down. Now what happens? All at once the economy reopens and people flush with cash start buying, subsequently prices go through the roof, inflation was near 10 percent (and well over that if you include fuel and food prices), the dollar has lost 18.2 percent of it’s value since 2020.
So where is the u.s. now? People are out of money, consumer debt has risen to over 1 TRILLION dollars, now the masses are running out of cash and credit and prices are still astronomically high. People that have maxed out their credit cards just to survive are facing an average interest rate of 24.5 percent COMPOUND interest, a majority of these people will have to default on their debt.
America is dying. Antiguans need to thank Almighty God for real and strong leadership that didn’t cave to welfare. Antigua will survive and prosper, america will not.
@Brixtonian – many thanks for the info, looks like we’re just going to have to come visit!
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