标签： Antigua and Barbuda

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has formally adopted a comprehensive agricultural development strategy targeting a 15% reduction in specific food imports through enhanced domestic production capabilities. This initiative aligns with the broader CARICOM “25 by 2025 plus five” framework, a regional pact designed to bolster food security across Caribbean nations.

Following a Cabinet endorsement, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture received approval to implement a multi-phase import substitution program. The strategy will concentrate initially on key sectors: livestock rearing and the cultivation of staple root crops and vegetables.

Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications within the Prime Minister’s Office, articulated the administration’s stance during a post-Cabinet media briefing. He confirmed the 15% target was established as a feasible initial benchmark to advance critical national objectives. These include fortifying food security buffers, enhancing the economic resilience of local farming communities, and stimulating job creation in rural districts.

A central economic argument presented to Cabinet highlighted the substantial financial savings achievable through increased domestic output. Projections indicate that local production could replace approximately 1,200 heads of imported livestock annually, representing an estimated $1.7 million conservation in foreign expenditure.

The detailed plan identifies several priority commodities for immediate import substitution. The list encompasses onions, tomatoes, sweet peppers, cassava, sweet potatoes, alongside sheep and swine production. A dedicated focus on scaling output in these categories is expected to significantly curtail dependency on foreign suppliers.

Merchant emphasized the administration’s serious view of food security as a paramount national concern. Consequently, the Gaston Browne cabinet has issued directives for the expedited execution of the outlined agricultural measures. This policy forms an integral component of a long-term vision to minimize vulnerability to external supply chain disruptions and ensure the enduring sustainability of the nation’s agricultural sector.

In a decisive move to combat cost-of-living pressures, the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet has authorized the recruitment of nine additional enforcement officers. This strategic staffing increase aims to bolster the monitoring and implementation of recent tax and duty reductions on essential food items, ensuring that the intended economic benefits effectively reach consumers. The decision follows reports from the Prices and Consumer Affairs Division, which highlighted significant difficulties in enforcing compliance across supermarkets and retail establishments. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed that these new inspectors will be actively deployed to assess whether retailers are transparently transferring reduced costs to the public. Furthermore, Cabinet has mandated an expansion of the enforcement scope, directing officials to identify additional consumer goods for potential price control measures. The government will now dictate pricing on these selected items to provide broader population support. A structured reporting mechanism has also been established, requiring the Division to present bi-weekly updates on enforcement progress directly to Cabinet. This initiative is part of a comprehensive governmental effort to enhance consumer protection frameworks, with forthcoming amendments to existing price control legislation anticipated to strengthen regulatory authority.

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has initiated urgent legal reforms to bolster price control enforcement mechanisms following widespread non-compliance from retailers. This decisive action comes after inspectors from the Prices and Consumer Affairs Division encountered significant resistance during routine compliance checks, including refusal to provide mandatory invoices and instances of verbal harassment.

According to Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet members received comprehensive briefings on monitoring efforts following recent fiscal measures that reduced taxes and duties on essential food items. While major supermarket chains demonstrated partial cooperation, numerous retailers and suppliers outright violated legal requirements by withholding pricing documentation and even expelling inspectors from their premises.

The government identified the Prices Control Act of 1957 as fundamentally inadequate for modern enforcement needs, describing its procedures as ‘cumbersome and slow’ in achieving timely compliance. In response, the Ministry of Legal Affairs has been directed to expedite legislative amendments that will enhance enforcement capabilities and implement stricter penalties for violations.

Cabinet officials emphasized their commitment to ensuring that tax relief measures actually benefit consumers through transparent price reductions. The nation continues to experience imported inflation from major trading partners, making these market interventions particularly critical for household economic stability.

To strengthen oversight capabilities, Cabinet approved the recruitment of nine additional staff members for the Prices and Consumer Affairs Division, significantly expanding inspection coverage across retail establishments. The division will now provide bi-weekly compliance reports directly to Cabinet, establishing unprecedented accountability measures.

Furthermore, officials have been instructed to identify additional consumer goods that may require price control protections as part of broader market fairness initiatives. The government has indicated that additional enforcement measures will be announced in coming weeks as legislative revisions progress through the parliamentary process.

In a significant development for international electoral cooperation, the Electoral Commission of Antigua and Barbuda (ABEC) has received an official invitation to participate in Costa Rica’s forthcoming electoral observation mission. The mission, operating under the established Tikai Protocol framework, is scheduled to take place from January 29th to February 2nd, 2026.

The ABEC delegation will be represented by Commissioner Mr. Clovis St. Romaine and Ms. Kisher Esprit, Assistant to the Human Resource and Training Officer. Their selection underscores ABEC’s growing reputation in the field of electoral management.

The Tikai Protocol serves as a comprehensive cooperative framework that standardizes electoral observation practices among participating nations. This agreement emphasizes core democratic principles including transparency, impartiality, professional conduct, and respect for national sovereignty throughout electoral processes. Through this mechanism, electoral management bodies engage in mutual knowledge exchange, technical collaboration, and professional development initiatives that strengthen democratic governance across jurisdictions.

His Excellency Ambassador Arthur G.B Thomas, Chairman of ABEC, emphasized the critical importance of such missions, stating: ‘International observation missions represent vital instruments for strengthening electoral integrity worldwide. This engagement allows ABEC to simultaneously enhance our professional capabilities while contributing to regional and international efforts that uphold free, fair, and credible elections.’

The Commission regards participation in such international missions as invaluable opportunities for institutional learning and improvement. This initiative reaffirms ABEC’s commitment to advancing democratic principles both within its domestic operations and through its contributions to the global democratic community.