The 26th Session of the UN Tourism General Assembly, currently underway in Riyadh, has provided a platform for Antigua and Barbuda to enhance its global tourism and investment partnerships. The Hon. H. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment, has spearheaded a series of high-level bilateral and business meetings during the event. A key highlight was the meeting with a senior delegation from the Saudi EXIM Bank, led by Dr. Naif Alshammari, Deputy CEO, Jahera Almri, Partnerships Manager, and Naif O. Alajroush, Director General of International Relations. The discussions centered on economic cooperation, development financing, and potential investment opportunities. The Antigua and Barbuda delegation, including Mr. Vernon Jeffers, Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, and Mr. St. Clair Soleyn, Director of Policy and Planning, showcased the nation’s robust economic growth and strategic positioning for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). With one of the highest GDPs in the region, second only to Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda is poised to attract significant foreign investment. The Saudi EXIM Bank expressed strong interest in expanding its presence in the Caribbean and extended an official invitation for Antigua and Barbuda to participate in an investment conference in Panama in early 2026. Earlier in the week, Minister Fernandez and his delegation met with Her Royal Highness Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al Saud, Deputy Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, to explore collaboration in yachting, sailing, marina industries, and coral reef restoration initiatives. Minister Fernandez presented Her Royal Highness with a handcrafted model sailing vessel, symbolizing Antigua and Barbuda’s maritime heritage and its growing reputation as a premier yachting destination. The delegation continues to engage in bilateral discussions at the Assembly, which has brought together over 160 countries under the theme ‘AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future.’
Antigua and Barbuda Explores Investment Opportunities with Saudi EXIM Bank During UN Tourism General Assembly
