Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the Antigua and Barbuda economy is expected to end the current fiscal year with an expansion of 4.8 per cent in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
‘Antigua and Barbuda’s economy is expected to grow 4.8 per cent by the end of 2025 and five per cent next year,’ Browne said on his weekly radio programme, adding that the country’s GDP has surpassed the two billion US dollar mark. Browne, who has promised to provide more details on the country’s economic performance, described as ‘remarkable’ the full set of performance indicators, saying that his administration’s record is clear evidence that ‘we have delivered for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.’
He told radio listeners that ‘per capita income has surpassed EC$60,000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents),’ placing Antigua and Barbuda ‘ahead of many other Caribbean nations.’
He highlighted gains across several sectors, including education, agriculture and tourism, adding that the government is ‘exploring opportunities to export educational services through the expansion of the University of the West Indies Five Islands campus,’ while also moving ahead with an eco-park at Christian Valley and an agro-industrial park to ‘expand food production to improve food sovereignty and security.’
Browne said that Antigua and Barbuda will continue to ‘diversify the tourism product, including sports tourism and conference tourism,’ as part of its wider economic strategy.