PM admits that YIDA contributed to funding 2014 election campaign

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Yida agreement was signed in 2014

Prime Minister Gaston Browne ended years of speculation when he admitted over the weekend that the Chinese Investment Group, YIDA International help fund its 2014 election campaign.

Listen to Browne here as he explains how the contribution came about:

YIDA is behind the YIDA Special Economic Zone.

The group promised to invest US$ 2 billion in ten years but have so far invested US$ 200M in seven years.

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22 COMMENTS

  1. So what did you do with the 200 million USD…?

    No election cost a million so what did ALP do with 200 million dollars when MOST of ANTIGUANS LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE…..

    FURTHER EXPLANATION IS NEEDED…

    • The article never said $200M went to the campaign, it went to the Yida investment…probably to buy the land, to build the few buildings over there and pave roads etc….not defending the ABLP or Gaston but you all need to read

      • And you sir also ain’t reading, they said yida invested 200 million, so I would ask the same as well, where is the 200 million that was invested over the 7 years period?

    • GASTON BROWNE, YOU REALLY TAKE ANTIGUANS FOR FOOLS. HOW HAS YIDA BENEFITTED ANTIGUA OR ANTIGUANS. YOU NEED TO BE SCRIPTED BECAUSE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND STORY JUMP OUT. YOU SHOULD BE IN JAIL FOR CORRUPTION FOR PROMISING THEM LANDS IF YOU WIN. IT IS CALLED BRIBERY, QUID QUO PRO, A CRIMINAL ACT BECAUSE WHEN YOU WON THE ELECTION YOU FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE PROMISE. I CANNOT BELIEVE ANYBODY VOTE FOR YOU. YOUR STUPID MOUTH WILL GET YOU IN TROUBLE FOOL.

      PEOPLE IF YOU GIVE GASTON ANY MORE TIME IN OFFICE, HE WILL START SELLING PEOPLE TO THE CHINESE AND TURN BACK TIME TO SLAVERY. PUT AN END TO IT FAST.

  2. He thinks what he saying there is good. Talking bout they didn’t understand the concept of a SEZ, give me a break. Anybody in their right mind could see it was a giveaway that would’ve devasted the country… How you gonna sign a document to give away such massive tax break, free regin of customs and allow people to patrol our waters for over 100 years.. Dunce

    • Barbuda is united. There is no red/blue/vaccinated/unvaccinated when it comes to their land. This could very well have been them. They must be laughing at us now.

    • He also said that before they were finish talking, he butted in and told them what they could get from him. Our PM is the smartest man in the universe, so he doesn’t think he should keep quiet and listen to anybody. Our country is headed by a clown and this clown doesn’t see the need to negotiate any benefits for his people. We need a real GOVERNMENT.

  3. To accept campaign contributions from a foreign entity?

    The PM is thoroughly corrupt.

    Just ask yourselves how did a poor guy from Grays Farm suddenly become a multimillionaire AFTER entering politics.

  4. Mr PM after 7 years, we still do not understand how this Special Economic Zone works. How has Antigua and Barbuda benefitted? We understand the contributions made to your campaign, but we don’t understand how ordinary people benefit.

    • Economic zones were designed to assist poor communities, not the rich They are 100% dedicated to delivering responsible, affordable opportunities to help low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged people and communities join the economic mainstream. By financing community businesses—including small businesses, microenterprises, nonprofit. Antigua’s concept of foreign investments is extremely stupid and is the wrong focus for the people. Antigua need to divest away from foreign investment and stop wasting money on pretending we are marketing and advertising for foreign investment and use that money to promote local ventures with regular people, boost the Social Security system, education and healthcare. Foreign investment if legitimate will come. It’s an old ALP trick/modus and all the oppositions used it but it’s DESPETIVE!

  5. “The group promised to invest US$ 2 billion in ten years but have so far invested US$ 200M in seven years.”
    QUESTIONS: Who received that US$200m? Because if it was the country that received it, there must be some record of it in our public financial accounting.
    Was the US$200m used to finance ALP’s election? If so, isn’t that illegal and somebody should be in jail right now?
    Why does this good gentleman feel comfortable in disclosing this to us at this time? Is it because he feels sure that not one damn thing will be done about it? Is it like he is daring us the citizens to do something about it? Is this dictator in his right mind? Or are we such dumb, dotish, Gaston-whipped sorry a–es that he is unfazed by his action?
    Is he setting the scene for another US$200m for the upcoming election, this time from Western Imperial?
    Will we again act like drinkers of Jim Jones kool aid?

  6. This was so obvious. Hours after winning the election Yida was in his office signing the agreement. Nobody does that unless they financed you. And thus the reason he can’t read them the riot for not living up to agreement.

  7. Yes. Ok. So you start to confess. Is this a strategy for us to sympathize with you when time come? Enquiring minds would like to know.

  8. Lovell and them did not understand the concept because they were not prepared to give away Antigua and they knew these people had no money. You on the other hand, stretched out you hand for their money and in exchange they got everything they wanted. Once they pay you, end of two way discussion.
    You are lucky you are not in a real country with an independent judiciary.

  9. What is the relationship between YIDA and the Chineese Embassy? Word on the street is that they do NOT endorse Yida, and that Yida is an embarassment. Don’t blame the Chinese, please.

  10. So we take money for foreigners for our election campaign? If it’s not illegal it should. This is beyond disappointing. They say nobody benefited for the new deal but Everyone knows better. This is good reason to change but to who. Antigua is financially and morally bankrupt

Comments are closed.