Antigua and Barbuda’s economic strategy continues to lean heavily on its Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), with Prime Minister Gaston Browne projecting $120 million in revenue from the initiative for the 2026 fiscal year. The announcement came during Thursday’s parliamentary session where Browne detailed the non-tax revenue streams underpinning the national budget.
The CIP stands as a cornerstone of the nation’s fiscal architecture, consistently delivering substantial funding for critical national initiatives. According to the Prime Minister’s address, these funds directly support capital development projects, debt reduction strategies, and essential social programs that benefit the citizenry.
This projected CIP revenue constitutes a significant portion of the overall $427.7 million in anticipated non-tax revenues for the upcoming fiscal period. The program’s financial inflows are strategically allocated to infrastructure modernization, climate resilience enhancements, and the government’s comprehensive housing agenda. Furthermore, these funds contribute to strengthening national reserves and ensuring broader fiscal stability.
Browne emphasized the program’s instrumental role in maintaining budget surpluses and reducing the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio. While presenting the broader $1.49 billion budget framework, the Prime Minister identified the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) as the top revenue source at $506.9 million, followed by import duties, corporate taxes, and travel-related levies.
No immediate policy changes to the CIP were announced during the budget presentation. However, Browne highlighted the program’s consistent performance as a generator of foreign direct investment and government income. He noted that maintaining rigorous oversight and enhancing the program’s competitiveness remain government priorities, especially as international due-diligence standards continue to evolve.
Additional specifics regarding the revenue framework are anticipated to emerge during the detailed budget debate scheduled for next week.