Antigua’s Transformation: PM Says Country Becoming Economic Powerhouse
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has declared that Antigua and Barbuda is on track to become one of the Caribbean’s leading economies, crediting a decade of Labour Party governance for driving growth, investment, and social advancement.
Speaking at a political rally on Friday night, Mr Browne said his administration’s policies had produced “one of the most vibrant economies in the Caribbean,” second only to Guyana in terms of growth performance.
“We said to you in 2014 that we would transform Antigua and Barbuda into an economic powerhouse—and that is precisely what we’re doing,” he told the crowd. “Today, we have one of the highest per capita incomes in the Caribbean.”
The Prime Minister cited major investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and housing as examples of his government’s commitment to long-term national development.
Among the highlights:
- The expansion of the UWI Five Islands Campus, aimed at ensuring every household in the country will have a university graduate within the next five to seven years.
- Improvements in healthcare, including kidney transplants, hip replacements, and plans for a new cardiac unit and the reopening of a better-equipped cancer centre.
- Housing development and major road upgrades, with $100 million in new funding expected to accelerate community roadworks.
Mr Browne also pointed to the near fivefold increase in water production—from 2.5 million gallons per day under the previous administration to an expected 11.5 million gallons per day—describing it as a major milestone in addressing one of the country’s most pressing challenges.
He highlighted economic support programmes such as low-interest loans, duty-free concessions, and tax breaks as measures that have improved individual and collective wealth.
“We are one of the most benevolent administrations this country has ever seen,” he said. “We want to make sure that our people can build wealth and compete globally.”
The Prime Minister cited the acquisition of the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) using private capital—without spending a cent from the public treasury—as an example of creative financial management.
“That company has yielded over $150 million in taxes and dividends in the last 10 years,” he said. “You tell me which other country has pulled off something like that.”
Framing the ABLP as the party best equipped to navigate complex global economic conditions, Mr Browne warned that a change in leadership would risk reversing recent gains.
“We cannot allow the opposition to destroy what we have built,” he said. “This country is running good. We must keep the momentum going.”
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With all this economic gain WHO GETTING IT? Food gawn up, taxes 17% gone up, 40% license fee gone up, social security gone up. We still getting 1 uniform, backpay still unpaid for years, getting steady water supply is still an issue, we still have the worst roads ever. Oh Lord! my Lord! Who is benefitting from this ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE the elected few? Curtainly not poor people.
I had to drive 20 minutes to get a tetinus shot from a clinic because Hospital no longer gives tetinus shots. Boii we really advancing
Powerhouse or poor house?
Me to. I am becoming a power house.
I have not paid my rent in months.
I owe a colleague some money and I have not been able to repay him..
I have a little business and I am unable to give my employee a pay increase.
I cannot maintain my car.
I am on my way to becoming a power house.
Gaston is speaking about himself and not the country.
Have we forgotten what the guest in the big issues told us?
Antigua is very rich however the wealth is in the hands of a handful.
That handful includes the prime minister.
So when he says we are poised to become a powerhouse he is in a competition with fellow caribbean leaders to see who is the wealthiest.
He is not taking of the country’s economical state.
The opportunities to repatriate funds from Antiguans living abroad is being missed. There lays a path to increase bank depositors and investments–but the process just to even open a bank account is cumbersome and antiquated. Who is paying air and hotel to just to appear in person and prove that you are who you say? That makes no sense. Allow prospective account owners to verify their identity by going to an existing global consulate/embassy. Empower consulate/embassy staff to perform this administrative function in a way that Antiguan banks can reply upon. With all that’s going on in the United States, these folks needs to make sure they have assets at the ready in case they’re sent back with proper cause.
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