Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended his government’s economic management, telling Parliament on Thursday that Antigua and Barbuda’s progress is rooted in improving people’s lives rather than producing “favourable statistics”.
Speaking ahead of the 2026 Budget presentation, Browne warned that national gains should not be taken for granted. He said his administration inherited one of the most difficult economic periods in modern history when it took office in 2014, marked by fiscal and banking failures, a 25% economic contraction and debt levels exceeding 100% of GDP.
Browne said the turnaround was deliberate, citing average real growth of 6% between 2021 and 2025 and a projected primary surplus of $254.9m. The debt-to-GDP ratio has fallen to 61.4%, close to the regional benchmark.
He highlighted the abolition of personal income tax in 2016, which he said boosted consumption and business activity despite predictions that it would weaken government revenues.
The Prime Minister pointed to strong performance in construction and tourism as evidence of investor confidence. Construction output rose from $273.5m in 2013 to $900m in 2024, while cruise arrivals are expected to reach one million passengers in 2025.
Browne also credited improvements in water production, housing, healthcare, education and port infrastructure, along with job creation averaging more than 1,100 posts a year. Unemployment is estimated at 5.5%.
He said these gains reflect Antigua and Barbuda’s evolution into what he described as an emerging economic powerhouse, driven by confidence and disciplined management.
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DEEEEEFLECTION #17
And who is really surprised that Browne is again talking up the Antiguan economy, when in reality disposable income is a pipe dream; wages are at an all time low (especially as inflation is eating away on current earnings); the price gouging on our shopping needs to be halted forthwith; and more focus is needed by this government on the Private Sector.
Remember folks, use your eyes, look in your food cupboards and tap/check your pockets for any disposable cash.
Browne is doing this because he doesn’t want an independent investigation into the vehicle acquisitions procurement scandal.
DEEEEEFLECTION #18 soon reach. Guaranteed!
And as soon as the money comes into the peoples Treasury, it simply disappeared to the tune of millions. $15mil here,80mil there.
No one is refruting the claim that money was made GB, we are asking for transparency as to where it went. As boldly as you mentioned your financial numbers, go after those who have stolen the peoples money with that same boldness, including yourself.
Integrity in government is what the people are looking for, so open up the books and let’s know where all that money went, because Antigua should have been 15-25 years ahead of where it is today.
Go to little Bahamas, and even though they have some crooks out there as well, you can see where the money went, and even though cost of living is high over there, the people have a chance to get ahead.
Many Bahamian’s have businesses in their own island, where in Antigua you can hardly find the locals have anything for themselves.
We should model our development after the Bahamas and Barbados, who has a similar economy, but here we are way behind those two.
So yeah, we need transparency.