标签： Antigua and Barbuda

Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced a significant advancement in national food security infrastructure this Saturday, revealing that two state-of-the-art abattoirs are slated to become operational within the next 12 to 18 months. The declaration was made during his appearance on Pointe FM’s ‘Browne and Browne’ programme, marking a pivotal step in the government’s strategy to bolster domestic agricultural capabilities.

Critical equipment for the new processing facilities has already been dispatched, and funding for the necessary civil engineering projects has been formally approved. This development is a core component of a comprehensive agricultural expansion initiative designed to modernize the nation’s entire food supply chain. The programme encompasses a multi-faceted approach, including the procurement of heavy-duty farming machinery, enhancements to water storage systems, and the implementation of climate-resilient practices such as night farming to mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures.

Prime Minister Browne emphasized that this strategic investment is directly tied to empowering local farmers and scaling up domestic livestock production. The modern abattoirs are engineered to safely and efficiently process increased agricultural output, thereby creating a more resilient and self-sufficient market. By upgrading this critical infrastructure, the government aims to dramatically curtail the nation’s dependency on imported food products, which is a persistent vulnerability.

Furthermore, the initiative is projected to elevate national food safety protocols and stimulate economic growth within the agricultural sector. The Prime Minister directly linked the project to the broader, urgent goal of combating food insecurity, positioning these facilities as foundational infrastructure for a more secure and sustainable food future for Antigua and Barbuda.

Antigua and Barbuda’s government is advancing plans to replicate its successful locally-owned Airbnb investment model at Willoughby Bay, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced during his weekly radio appearance on Pointe FM’s ‘Browne and Browne’ programme. This expansion initiative follows the complete sell-out of investment lots at the pioneering Pensioners Beach development.

The Prime Minister revealed that overwhelming domestic interest has exhausted all available parcels at Pensioners Beach, demonstrating robust demand among Antiguans and Barbudans seeking entry into the short-term rental market. ‘The Pensioners Beach lots are fully sold out,’ Browne stated, characterizing the response as evidence of widespread public enthusiasm for tourism investment opportunities.

This innovative approach represents a strategic shift in tourism development policy, prioritizing citizen participation through land development initiatives and targeted concessions. The model deliberately facilitates broader economic inclusion by enabling ordinary citizens to own income-generating tourism assets, rather than concentrating investment opportunities among large external operators.

Browne emphasized that expanding local ownership in tourism constitutes a fundamental component of the government’s economic empowerment agenda. The Willoughby Bay project will mirror Pensioners Beach’s framework, utilizing similar mechanisms to encourage community-level investment in hospitality infrastructure.

The Prime Minister directly linked this initiative to the burgeoning significance of Airbnb accommodations within the broader tourism sector, noting that platform-based rentals offer relatively accessible entry points for local investors seeking to benefit from the nation’s tourism economy.

Effective February 1, 2026, The West Indies Oil Company Ltd. (WIOC) will implement increased refundable deposits for new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, attributing the adjustment to inflationary pressures affecting supplier costs. The company clarified that this change exclusively impacts new cylinder acquisitions while maintaining current refill pricing structures.

In an official communication, WIOC detailed how escalating manufacturing, procurement, and international shipping expenses have necessitated this financial adjustment. The revised deposit framework maintains the 20-pound cylinder deposit at $100 with a $32 refill charge, keeping the total new cylinder cost at $142. However, 25-pound composite cylinder deposits will rise from $125 to $150, coupled with a $40 refill fee, creating a new total of $190. The most significant change affects 100-pound cylinders, where deposits increase from $250 to $275 alongside a $155 refill cost, resulting in a $430 total investment.

Crucially, WIOC emphasized that existing customers remain unaffected unless they purchase additional cylinders. The company’s Friars Hill Road facility and authorized distributors will implement these changes uniformly. WIOC expressed appreciation for public understanding while reaffirming its dedication to delivering safe, reliable, and economically viable LPG services throughout the region.