Antigua and Barbuda’s domestic manufacturing sector reached a notable new milestone this week with the official launch of Cuddle Soft, the Caribbean nation’s first locally produced three-ply toilet paper. Trade Minister E.P. Chet Greene delivered a public statement celebrating entrepreneur Ariel Edwards for this pioneering venture, highlighting the far-reaching implications for the country’s economic development trajectory.
In his congratulatory address, Minister Greene framed the launch of Cuddle Soft as a landmark achievement for homegrown entrepreneurship, domestic innovation, and broad-based expansion of the national economy. He emphasized that the decision to invest in local production sends a strong signal of confidence in Antigua and Barbuda’s workforce, its pool of skilled local talent, and the underlying resilience of the country’s economy.
Beyond celebrating the launch, Greene extended his best wishes to Edwards for the brand’s long-term growth and used the occasion to encourage other local and international investors to channel capital into domestic manufacturing. He argued that expanded domestic production is a core driver of sustainable economic growth, job creation, and national economic self-reliance for Antigua and Barbuda, positioning the private sector as a key partner in building the nation’s long-term prosperity.