Prime Minister Gaston Browne has assured citizens that the upcoming budget will not introduce any new taxes, focusing instead on bolstering entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, and public services.
This announcement follows the Throne Speech delivered by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, which highlighted Antigua and Barbuda’s achievements and future goals.
Browne revealed plans to allocate significant resources to address pressing infrastructure issues, including road repairs and water supply improvements. “We’ve entered into private contracts to install additional reverse osmosis plants,” he said, aiming to meet full national water demand by August 2025.
The Prime Minister praised the nation’s strong economic performance, noting four consecutive years of robust growth post-COVID. He highlighted a reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio from 104% in 2014 to 62%, with expectations of falling below 60% in the next fiscal year. “We’ve had a great year, and we want to share the good news with the population,” Browne remarked.
Browne outlined a range of initiatives to improve public services, including the acquisition of new fire engines, garbage trucks, and resources for solid waste management. Beautification projects, involving tree planting and property repairs, will enhance the country’s main arteries. Additionally, prisoners will participate in highway cleaning and rehabilitation efforts to foster community improvements.
Barbuda continues to emerge as a luxury tourism destination, with significant per-capita investments and the recent opening of its international airport. Expansion plans are in motion to accommodate large commercial carriers by 2025. “The investments in Barbuda have been enormous,” Browne said, highlighting its growing prominence in the global tourism market.
The Prime Minister urged Antiguans and Barbudans to seize investment opportunities, particularly in the tourism sector. He noted that local savings in financial institutions had grown by $250 million in one year but warned against relying on low-yield savings. “Putting your money in the bank cannot provide you with sustainable wealth,” Browne advised, calling for greater participation in national development projects.
Browne emphasized that the upcoming budget presentation would celebrate the country’s achievements while outlining plans for further progress. He reiterated his government’s commitment to fostering economic growth, sustainable development, and improving the quality of life for all citizens.
With no new taxes and a focus on expanding capital investments, the budget is expected to detail measures to build on the momentum of recent successes. The presentation is scheduled for next Friday.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Those with a SMIDGEN of intelligence, will recognise that this is just a play on words when Gaston Browne pronounces:
“[Read my lips] No NEW ‘taxes’…”
Reading between the lines of his deceptive and ambiguous words, likely means that the OLD and CURRENT taxes will continue to rise, rise, rise.
Machiavellian old goat 🐐
@ BRIXTONIAN.. When will you stop your STUPIDITY ? You are sounding more IGNORANT daily. You are the lone wolf UPP.
Trying to save enough to invest as suggested but it’s not going well. There is not much, if anything, left to save. Very gloomy cycle of work and near despair.
Ok @ KOCH, if ah so, then please respond in kind … I bet you can’t?
Try and break the mould that the majority of ABLP acolytes and Gastonites are perceived as unintelligent and ignorant GUTTERSNIPES.
You can do it KOCH … I think 🤔
Many have failed!
I guess citizens don’t care much about investment,but as a non national started a little business, want to make noise,
Please follow the advice of your Prime Minister, and do some investment is your own country, because this country is a tourists destination,and tourists love to see attractive things on display….
This unfettered rhetoric by the acclaimed PM: is the highlight of pure regurgitation; and fitting for the appeasement of the entrenched ABLP dotards, marred in the mindsets befitting of clinging puppets waiting for alms for the poor; from the puppeteer enthroned as PM: and his sycophants of leeches clinging to the ignoble stage of infamy, and blindly encouraging apartheid enclaves catering to the status class of which he the
PM, and they aspire to emulated and be included-by the fleeasing of the people’s
partrimony design as creative self enrichment. This bamboozlement scheme is catered for deprivation that is destabilizing the people aspirations, and growth of the country forward pivotal projections trajectory; to negatively impact on their indigenous ancestral inheritance of the land and it’s development. How innocently nieve and introverted can a leader be- who does not envision or, refuse to envision the fact that those who control the economy: control the destiny of the country; as with the prevalent mantra of zone them in, and zone us out with buffer zones designed to keep the locals in perpetual servitude with alms from the tourism table. Sir. Mr.PM: What we seek and desire is technology transfer and Innovation that allows for global integration and mutual respect
of the sovereign state of the people of Antigua 🇦🇬 Barbuda: and not be treated as dotards second class people in our own country. A fooda ‘e fah eh?
More election promises because by-elections are close. Fool me once I’m naive. Fool me twice using the same tactics I’m an idiot. Keep fooling using the same game plan over and over then I deserve to be stepped on like a door mat.
You are on the right part my beloved Prime Minister and ,with God’s help, our twin island nation will be the mecca of the entire Caribbean. Our people will live way above the poverty level fostered by gainful employment and entrepreneurship along with the best healthcare and infrastructure. So Sir, Keep on fighting the good fight for our beloved Antigua and Barbuda.
I believe you Mr PM. There will be ko Newsmax in the budget. The new tax will come in the very first sitting after the budget. Oh no. There will not be a siting after the budget. After the budget it will be snap elections. So look out for sweeties in the budget. Antiguans band your waist. The budget will be on an uneven.platform. it will not be able to balance. No scale in Antigua will be able to do that.
There would be no new taxes.However,that longest lists of taxes would be continued.No taxes would be removed and or cut.SO what you are uttering is pure bull dung.A Narcissist seeking attention.
Been waiting on these good news ; great news coming from great fleets of accomplishments.
Honorable Prime Minister G.Browne ; doing these Islands well and this common wealth community proud. Honestly.