Against a backdrop of persistent economic headwinds that have held back small island developing states across the Eastern Caribbean for decades, Prime Minister Browne has launched an ambitious, forward-thinking policy agenda dubbed the “Big Push” that aims to double the size of the sub-region’s collective economies over the coming decade.
Speaking at a regional economic summit hosted in Antigua and Barbuda, Browne, who also serves as chairman of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), framed the initiative as a transformative response to long-standing structural challenges, including heavy reliance on volatile tourism revenue, limited export diversification, chronic infrastructure gaps, and growing vulnerability to climate-related shocks. The agenda centers on five key pillars: targeted investment in renewable energy infrastructure to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels and reduce energy costs for businesses; expansion of the digital economy through improved broadband connectivity and support for tech entrepreneurship; deep integration of regional supply chains to cut cross-border trade costs; targeted investment in upskilling workforces for high-growth emerging sectors; and attracting sustainable foreign direct investment that prioritizes local job creation and community benefits.
“For far too long, our economies have operated far below their potential, held back by fragmented markets and a dependence on sectors that leave us exposed to global shocks beyond our control,” Browne told attendees. “The Big Push is not just a set of policy proposals—it is a collective commitment to reimagine what our sub-region can achieve. Doubling our economic size will not happen overnight, but with coordinated regional action and aligned investment, it is well within our reach over the next 10 years.”
Regional stakeholders have broadly welcomed the plan, with many noting that coordinated action is critical for small island economies that lack the scale to compete globally on their own. International financial institutions have also signaled preliminary interest in partnering with the OECS to fund key infrastructure projects outlined in the agenda, though some economists have warned that delivering on the bold target will require consistent policy implementation across member states and strong safeguards to ensure inclusive growth that benefits marginalized communities, rather than just a small segment of the population.
The initiative comes as Eastern Caribbean economies continue to recover from the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which collapsed tourism revenue and pushed thousands out of work between 2020 and 2022. Browne emphasized that the “Big Push” will prioritize building more resilient, diversified economies that are better able to withstand future global and climate shocks, rather than simply returning to pre-pandemic growth patterns.