Record Customs revenue indicative of economic growth, says PM Browne

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Prime Minister Gaston Browne has hailed Antigua and Barbuda’s economic performance, citing nearly $400 million in Customs revenue for the first 10 months of 2024 as a testament to the country’s growth and resilience.

Speaking on his weekly Browne and Browne show on Pointe FM, the Prime Minister emphasized that this milestone reflects the success of the government’s policies and the collective efforts of citizens.

“Net of inflation, we’ve seen a net increase of approximately $90 million,” Browne noted, adding that the country’s economic trajectory offers some of the brightest prospects in the Caribbean. He said that the growth stems not only from government initiatives but from the collective contributions of all Antiguans and Barbudans.

Browne pointed to several upcoming developments that underscore the country’s economic diversification.

Projects include the construction of three to four luxury resorts in Barbuda and Antigua, with the Rosewood project in Barbuda and the One&Only Hotel set to begin in the first quarter of 2025. Additionally, construction on a high-end Marriott property will commence next month.

The Prime Minister stressed that Antigua and Barbuda’s economy is becoming less dependent on tourism as investments in other sectors expand. Browne cited the country’s budding stem cell sector as a prime example.

Wealthy visitors seeking treatments contribute significantly to the economy through hotel stays, airport taxes, and tips to local service providers.

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8 COMMENTS

  1. Remember to witness with your OWN eyes and what’s IN your pocket. Gaston Browne’s talk is just that … TALK!!!

    WHERE’S MY GLASSES?

  2. FOUND MY GLASSES and is seeing plenty road works, plenty housing projects, plenty clinics, post offices and police stations being repaired, coast guard boats to keep our hsrbours safe, nore fire trucks.
    PUT MY HAND IN MY POCKETS and found more money bscause food prices is declining.
    PLEASE FIND YOUR GLASSES.

  3. No, no, no. It’s an indication that everything is imported. That’s why the cost of living is so high. Antiguan poor people are paying for the “record customs revenue”.

  4. Nice one @D’Onally, you have unofficially overtaken Dave Ray’s position as Brixtonian’s main ABLP adversary (Dave was losing the plot anyways, especially as he lives overseas).

    I look forward to two good opposing political viewpoints … 🤜🏽🤛🏽

  5. No, it’s an indication that we can’t afford to buy things locally, so we buy them overseas. But sadly, customs hit us hard when we do. We pay those fees not because we have it to spend, but because we really need the item and it’s still cheaper than buying it here.

    I traveled the other day and when I came in, I was horrified that customs was checking every single black person’s luggage! This is a sign of desperation. If people ticked on their forms that they have nothing to declare, unless you suspect they have otherwise, let them go and stop harassing them.

    Life here is haaaaard! Sadly, government hasn’t realized that if things are available and affordable locally, the economy will boom because we’ll buy more and we’ll have no reason to buy abroad…

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