Antigua and Barbuda’s government is considering extending the January 30 deadline for investment proposals in the Shell Beach development project following unexpectedly strong public interest. Prime Minister Gaston Browne revealed during his weekly appearance on Pointe FM’s ‘Browne and Browne’ program that both the government and the National Asset Management Company (NAMCO) are evaluating the possibility of prolonging the submission period.
Browne emphasized that the substantial response from potential investors has prompted authorities to reconsider the original timeline. ‘Given the level of interest, we may have to extend it,’ the Prime Minister stated, referring to the current cutoff date for project proposals.
The National Asset Management Company, which oversees the evaluation process, is currently assessing both formal submissions and general public response to determine whether an extension would facilitate broader participation. Browne highlighted that the primary objective remains ensuring inclusive investment opportunities, particularly for ordinary citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.
The Shell Beach initiative represents a strategic effort to expand local involvement in tourism-related investments through innovative accommodation models similar to Airbnb platforms. The project offers both beachfront and inland lots complemented by government concessions to stimulate domestic investment in the tourism sector.
Any final decision regarding deadline adjustments will be formally communicated through NAMCO, which maintains responsibility for managing the entire proposal evaluation process. The potential extension demonstrates the government’s commitment to balancing administrative timelines with public accessibility, particularly when encountering substantial citizen engagement.