Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended the long-running YIDA development project, describing investor Yida Zhang’s commitment to Antigua and Barbuda as “astonishing” and revealing plans for a further US$100 million investment over the next year.
Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne said Zhang has already invested between US$200 million and US$300 million in infrastructure and development across the approximately 1,600-acre project site.
“When a single person can invest in a development … the commitment that Yida has shown, I think it’s astonishing,” Browne said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that the project has yet to generate significant revenues but suggested that Zhang may have been more successful had he phased the development rather than attempting to build out large sections simultaneously.
Browne also disclosed that Zhang is preparing to open a high-end waterfront fusion restaurant within the development in about four months. According to the Prime Minister, the restaurant will feature Japanese, Argentine and Chinese cuisine, imported wines and specialty meats prepared using an Argentine-style grill.
The Prime Minister said Zhang recently informed him that a separate investment venture is generating substantial profits and that he intends to channel US$100 million of those earnings into the Antigua project during the next 12 months.
Browne recalled that Zhang considered abandoning the project several years ago amid challenges and criticism but said he encouraged the investor to remain committed.
“If there was one person who was going to continue backing him. It was me,” Browne said, adding that he urged Zhang not to quit despite setbacks.
The Prime Minister noted that Zhang gave up his Chinese citizenship about a decade ago and now holds Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship. He said the investor has developed a strong connection to the country and continues to view Antigua and Barbuda as his home.
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Gaston Browne,for your sake and we the people.Do not let YIDA bamboozle you again. He did it once is more than enough.Reminder,he was supposed to spend US$200,000,000 per year for 5 years.What has become of that planned promise? Do not let a Bullshiter,bullshit,a Bullshiter.Enough of YIDA and his Bull-Shit.
Wait! We were told that the government will be collecting 200 million dollars a year for 10 years from the initial investment. That ever materialize? You really think all amtiguans are stupid .
AN ADDITIONAL $100M!!! What investments have been done in the first place????? NOTHING!!! Also, it is just so, with hand shake, people invest $100mil?!? Give me a break!!! This is all hog wash!! I remember growing up in that area, being able to walk to narrows and fish, pick seaside grapes, play cricket in the swamps and now its all fenced around, with a Chinese colored arch and NO economic activity, what so ever!!!! I always said Guana island is a perfect island for development, but these people have proven that they are not capable. A total waste of time!!!!!!!!!
@ Bugsy and @ Straight talk.
All those fools believe Gaston and who thought Antigua and Barbuda were going to get $200 million.
Yada is a ripoff off and Antiguans are allowing it. Did anyone of the UPP candidates raise any questions about Yida during the elections.
Fools they all are.
And the Swindlers and crooks keeps taking y’all to the bank..Same play book over and over again..
Y’all ain’t learning Antiguan’s?
The more people and these big money people come to Antigua, it’s more mouths to feed, so that means, cost of living is going to continue to sky rocket.
Let me warn you people again..Antigua does not have anything to give, but 365 beaches..from the last is check, sand cannot eat.
Be warned again.
Get rid of these scamp’s
They build boobie alley”housing project” down in the belly of the beast(point/villa) I can only imagine how the law abiding tenants will become prey from all the sharks swiming around in that area
@ Islanman26.
That’s all we have, the beaches and Gaston is vertically giving it away.
Gaston is under big-time pressure by PLH and NOBU to convert Barbuda lands from leasehold to fee simple.
Buyers are saying they don’t want to spend $7 million for a property, and they don’t own the land under their property.
Your mothers, fathers, aunts, and uncles picnicked on Long Island.
Today it’s called Jumby Bay and no Antiguan can go on that island without permission.
You know this more than most, that we are rapidly loosing our right to circulate freely in areas that are public.
Unfortunately we have no historians who documents our political history.
Future generations will be given a false narrative similar to the narrative of all the knighthoods to those who are making it possible for this to happen.
I wonder what our Spanish speaking Antiguans think of this wash, rinse and repeat cycle of ABLP’S YIDA?
Maybe they might say:
¿Qué es YIDA? ¿Nos beneficiará? 🤔
@Brixtonian,
Why did the people of various Spanish backgrounds changed their classification from Spanish to Latino to Hispanic.
This was racially motivated on the part of the whites Spanish people who continually attempted to separate and distinguish themselves from the indigenous and darker skinned people.
I suggest you to be more specific; even though you are intentionally being jocular.
Remember Spanish is now our second language.
Just keep in mind, some Laborite is going to be making a killing in $$$$s from this “Spanish is the second language” move.
When the Dominican declared he is the leader of the Spanish community in Antigua, many others who has Spanish as their native language objected to being lumped in with the Dominicans
The most vocal were the Cubans people who recognized that the Dominicans making this move were low life hustlers.
PM the heavy duty, duty free equipment that were left on YIDS probably, I was told were taken up without permission, without a red cent paid to the owner and is being rented. Let’s say who is now hiring out YIDS’ Orange Buldozer.
We kept talking and focusing on the Chinese, but I guarantee the biggest corruptions in this island is being carried out by the other side. We have some big names in this country that’s involved in crazy shit, and police and government are fully aware, plus in this world where guns and drugs flows freely, with police pretending they’re doing something by picking up a little man on the street, behind all this sits a white skin foreigner. All these unsolved murder HITS that went down over the years, true justice will never come. The Nigel customs case is a joke and a mockery, for true justice will never come, and customs in any country is where the largest corruption lies. A mix couple was found in their Golden Grove home murdered years ago, that’s still out there and will never be solve, cause some of these cases are just too big and are over the head of authorities. Every country in this world owes China and are presently doing business with China, just recently you had the Top man from US, Russia, UK, visiting and making deals in China. The Chinese are involved in the development of every Caribbean island and country in Africa, so am amazed every time I heard of these criticisms.
Do you all believe this nonsense about YIDA duping GB? You will believe anything. Check closely and see who is really the big noise in this YIDA talk.
The poor little Chinese man looks scared. In fact, he looks like he’s AI. Sure this is a real picture?
Oh boy. Antigua is in deep doo-doo.
THERE IS A BOOK ENTITLED,MY LIFE IN THE MAFIA.IT WAS WRITTEN BY VINCENT THERESA.THERE IS A CHAPTER IN THAT BOOK PERTAINS TO ANTIGUA.IT SPOKE OF THE CROOKED AND CORRUPTIVE GOVERNMENT AT THAT TIME.I WONDERED,WHO WAS IN CHARGED AT THAT TIME. READ IT FOR YOURSELVES AND SEE IF IT IS NOT THE ANTIGUA OF TODAY.
@BSC YOUNG BOYS OF BERN
Rather than becoming a false economic power house we are on the way to being a crime Capital if the Caribbean.
Fat Vennie turned state witness and end up in the witness protection program.
We don’t need such a thing as witness protection. in Antigua. The legal and judicial process will handle it.
Murderers and those who ordered the murders walk free in Antigua and Barbuda. Yes! walk free.
The accused murderer of Asot Micheal will go back to the streets just like the murderers of Nigel Christian.
It was testified who ordered the hit on Micheal Christian in the trial.
What ethnicity is he? And What was the result the result. NADA!
When Fat Vennie testified; 30 mob figures went to jail as a result.
In Antigua and Barbuda tgey are paraded as the False Economic Powerhouse Gang.
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