PM Says One Nation Concert Generated Millions in Economic Activity
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the recently held One Nation concert generated significant economic activity, estimating that spending linked to the event amounted to about EC$5 million across the economy.
Speaking on his Browne and Browne radio programme, Browne said the scale of domestic spending surrounding the concert — including entertainment, food, transportation and related services — underscores the broader economic value of large national events .
He said that based on standard tax intake, the government likely collected roughly EC$1 million in indirect taxes from that level of spending, even before accounting for ticket sales and other direct revenues.
Browne argued that when these returns are weighed against the cost of staging the concert, the net expense to the state is relatively modest. He estimated that after factoring in ticket revenue and economic gains, the net cost could fall between EC$1 million and EC$1.5 million, even if total spending reached as high as EC$2 million .
The prime minister said such investments are justified not only by immediate financial returns but also by their wider promotional and social benefits. He described the One Nation concert as both an entertainment product and a vehicle for national unity, noting that the long-term cost of social division would far exceed the expense of hosting events that bring people together.
Browne added that beyond domestic spending, the concert has the potential to grow into a major regional attraction capable of drawing visitors and generating additional economic activity in future years, positioning it as a viable cultural export rather than a one-off event.
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