AGP Executive Report

Medicinal Cannabis Oversight: Health Minister Michael Joseph toured the Antigua and Barbuda Medicinal Cannabis Authority and licensed facilities, praising traceability and regulatory controls as the government pushes safe, transparent industry growth. Housing & Construction: Cabinet approved rent-to-own housing expansions, including Booby Alley support structures and new Bolans and Barbuda developments (about US$20m, with China backing), aiming to widen home ownership for lower-income families. Tourism Infrastructure: St. Kitts broke ground on a new Port Zante cruise terminal to enable cruise home-porting by Nov 2027, boosting visitor spend and local jobs—an important regional signal for Antigua’s own tourism economy. Port & Marine Industry: Antigua Slipway launched phase two of its Marine Railway Redevelopment, with construction set to start late July and upgrades to handle vessels up to 250 tons, strengthening English Harbour’s maritime services. Education for Industry: ABCAS held its inaugural graduation for the first unified class, while Five Islands school and UWI campus expansion projects continue with procurement interest from firms. Public Safety Enforcement: Cabinet announced a crackdown on illegal ski masks, with police instructed to confiscate them in public outside work-related use. Regional Relief Logistics: Antigua and other CARICOM states are mobilizing aid for earthquake-hit Venezuela, with logistics and shipping moving toward La Guaira. Agriculture Skills: The Agriculture Summer Internship Programme gave students hands-on training at Greencastle Agricultural Station across nursery, field operations, and crop management. Business & Governance: World Bank classified Antigua and Barbuda as a high-income economy, based on 2024 GNI per capita.

Education & Community Honours: Irene B. Lady Williams was posthumously honoured by the Irene B. Williams Secondary School for decades of service to education and nation-building. Tertiary Skills Boost: ABCAS held its inaugural graduation, celebrating 200+ students as the new public college unifies programmes from former institutions, including agriculture short-course participants. Public Safety Crackdown: Cabinet warned police will actively remove illegal ski masks in public, allowing them only for legitimate work-related use. Housing & Home Ownership: Government expanded affordable housing with rent-to-own options for Bolans and Barbuda and support structures for Booby Alley, with China-backed funding noted for the projects. Tourism & Culture: ABTA opened applications for Antigua and Barbuda Art Week (Nov 11–18) and highlighted a junior chef win at Island Eats Toronto. Industry Infrastructure: Antigua Slipway launched phase two of the Marine Railway redevelopment in English Harbour, targeting construction in late July and expanded vessel servicing capacity. Energy Planning: Antigua is exploring a geothermal electricity link from Nevis via an undersea line, though costs and approvals are still unclear. Regional Business & Jobs: Cricket West Indies engaged Teneo to review reorganisation and cost optimisation for long-term sustainability. Stats & Policy: CARICOM’s statistics push continues in Barbados ahead of the 2030 census round, with gaps and next steps on the agenda.

Climate Finance Reform: Regional leaders pushed for changes to the global climate funding system at the Caribbean Development Bank’s annual meeting in Nassau, saying Small Island Developing States can’t access enough money fast enough to handle worsening impacts. OECS Tourism Skills: OECS officials in Saint Lucia trained member states on community-based tourism policy and action planning, aiming to keep tourism benefits inside local communities. Arts & Culture for Tourism: ABTA opened applications for Antigua and Barbuda Art Week 2026 (Nov 11–18), inviting artists and creative partners, including textile and digital art. Energy & Infrastructure: Antigua is exploring a subsea geothermal power link with St. Kitts and Nevis to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels, while Antigua Slipway advanced its marine railway redevelopment with a second-phase construction deal. Construction & Governance Watch: A senator questioned road resurfacing practices, alleging possible “money-making” through repeated repairs, and the Senate approved compulsory land acquisition for a National Performing Arts Centre access route. Digital & Finance: UNI warned fintech firms are entering Caribbean banking without matching the regulation and tax burden of traditional banks. Maritime/Trade: The World Bank appointed Achim Fock as Division Director for the Caribbean, and Antigua’s CHOGM preparations included a Commonwealth Leaders Lunch in London. Local Business: Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem got a boost with ABHTA recognising Elite Island Resorts chefs with American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef designations.

Energy & Infrastructure: Antigua is exploring a subsea geothermal electricity link with St Kitts and Nevis to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels, while work also continues on flood forecasting upgrades shifting from rainfall prediction to impact-based warnings. Housing & Construction: China will fund 100 additional homes under Antigua and Barbuda’s second phase housing programme, and Antigua Slipway has launched phase two of its Marine Railway redevelopment, targeting construction to start late July. Tourism & Business: The Caribbean Corporate Games were officially launched, aiming to draw 1,500 visitors in 2027 and boost sports tourism spillovers for local vendors and operators. Environment & Development: An EIA cleared the way for a Pearns Point luxury villa, but only with strict safeguards for erosion, storm surge, flooding and coastal geology. Policy & Law: The Senate advanced compulsory land acquisition for the National Performing Arts Centre, and opposition concerns were raised over tighter limits on digital search powers in the Electronic Crimes Bill. Finance & Tech: ECCB unveiled a plan to double the ECCU economy within a decade, while UNI warned fintech firms are entering Caribbean banking without matching traditional regulation and tax burdens. Regional & Governance: Sir Ronald Sanders assumed chairmanship of the OAS CIDI, and CARICOM leadership changes continue as Saint Lucia takes over the chair.

Sports Tourism Push: Antigua’s Caribbean Corporate Games officially launched, aiming to draw 1,500 visitors for the inaugural 2027 event and feeding the wider “tourism economy” plan, with registration open for 16+ teams and proceeds supporting the Bright Horizons Foundation. Maritime & Construction: Antigua Slipway launched Phase 2 of the Marine Railway redevelopment in English Harbour, with Meridian Construction set to begin work in late July and the upgraded yard targeting vessels up to 250 tons. Energy & Infrastructure: PM Browne says Antigua is exploring an undersea geothermal power link with St. Kitts and Nevis, while a separate push is underway to modernise flood forecasting by shifting from rainfall prediction to forecasting flood impacts. Tourism Investment: Government is moving toward a public-private partnership model for the Yepton Beach hotel so Antiguans and Barbudans can hold equity, and it plans to cut Rat Island to reclaim land for St. John’s Port expansion. Renewables Ownership: Browne also outlined plans to acquire a major solar plant within 24 months and open it to public investment. Finance & Jobs: ECCB unveiled “The Big Push” strategy to double the ECCU economy over 10 years, and UNI warned that fintech expansion in the region is undercutting workers through uneven regulation and taxes. Local Industry & Skills: UWI warned about a fraudulent website, while the UWI Five Islands Campus expansion is set to move into bidding for an $80m Saudi-funded upgrade. Food & Hospitality: Elite Island Resorts chefs earned American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef designations, and a local brewery is expected to start operations in early 2027. Law & Governance: Opposition Senator Malaka Parker urged tighter limits on digital production orders under the Electronic Crimes Bill, and the Senate approved compulsory land acquisition for the National Performing Arts Centre. Community & Health: HAPPI is building a new home for a family of 30, and a “Ride for a Cause” protest renewed calls to reopen the cancer centre.

Tourism & Youth Leadership: Janica Adams says her tourism cadet background and debating skills helped her win the Junior Minister of Tourism role, with a focus on impromptu thinking and crafting a “perfect tourism experience.” Energy & Infrastructure: PM Gaston Browne says Antigua is exploring an undersea electricity cable to St Kitts and Nevis to tap geothermal base-load power, while also moving toward a major solar plant acquisition and wider public investment in renewables. Ports & Logistics: Government plans to cut down Rat Island to reclaim land for a St John’s Port expansion, aiming to ease container storage limits and strengthen Antigua as a regional transshipment hub. Digital Governance & Law: Opposition Senator Malaka Parker pushes for tighter limits on electronic production orders in the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, arguing for clearer data and location specificity. Housing & Social Services: HAPPI shows before-and-after progress on a new eight-bedroom home for a family of nearly 30, replacing an aging wooden structure. Business & Industry: Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce elects Celia Samuel as president for 2026–2027, with a board focused on innovation and advocacy. Community & Health: A “Ride for a Cause” protest demands the immediate reopening of the local cancer treatment centre, calling for a clear roadmap and reopening date. Manufacturing Push: Browne says a new local brewery should start operations in early 2027, alongside broader efforts to grow local production.

Energy & Infrastructure: PM Browne says Antigua is in talks with St. Kitts and Nevis on an undersea electricity cable to help import geothermal baseload power, while Cabinet has engaged a coastal engineering firm for the Fort James Renaissance Park and the government plans to cut down Rat Island to reclaim land for a major St. John’s Port expansion. Tourism & Local Ownership: Browne says the Yepton Beach hotel will move to a public-private partnership model so Antiguans and Barbudans can own a stake, and the Jolly Beach plan will preserve about 200 rooms while setting aside ~20 acres for a new luxury hotel. Manufacturing & Jobs: A local brewery is expected to start operations in early 2027, and the government is moving ahead with an $80m UWI Five Islands Campus expansion with bidding closing end of July. Food & Agriculture: Antigua secured a US$9m grant to build dams and transform agricultural water supply, and OECS is exploring cheaper food imports from the Dominican Republic by adjusting tariffs. Digital Skills & Governance: OECS marked 172 digital skills scholarship recipients, and Antigua is developing new flood forecasting procedures focused on impacts, not just rainfall. Labour & Business Climate: ABWU has been certified for Hammock Cove workers, while UNI warns fintech firms are entering Caribbean banking without matching traditional regulation and tax burdens. Community & Culture: Protesters staged a “Ride for a Cause” demanding the reopening of the cancer centre, and Antigua Carnival’s countdown is on with 11 days of events starting July 25. Regional & Global Watch: CARICOM is preparing an earthquake aid package for Venezuela, and the UWI warns the public about a fraudulent website using its branding. Mobility & Citizenship: A new Global Passport Index report highlights Antigua and Barbuda’s strong outperformance in citizenship-by-investment rankings, even as EU objections to CBI programmes persist.

CHOGM 2026 Push: Antigua and Barbuda hosted a Commonwealth Leaders Lunch in London with CWEIC and SMI as CHOGM preparations ramp up for Nov. 1–4 in St John’s. Energy & Infrastructure: PM Browne says Antigua is discussing an undersea power cable with St Kitts and Nevis to access geothermal baseload electricity; the government also plans to cut down Rat Island to reclaim land for a major St John’s Port expansion, aiming to boost container storage and transshipment capacity. Flood Readiness: Antigua is developing new flood forecasting and warning procedures, shifting from predicting rainfall to predicting impacts, with a UFFIS system in the works. Tourism Ownership & Growth: Browne outlines a public-private partnership model for Yepton Beach so Antiguans and Barbudans can own a stake; he also says a local brewery should start operations in early 2027. Digital Skills: OECS and UWI Global Campus recognized 172 scholarship recipients completing year-long digital training. Local Industry & Jobs: Hammock Cove workers have elected ABWU as bargaining agent, with a July 1 wage increase and improved public holiday pay terms. Food Security Idea: A local group pitches “blue gold” sargassum processing into fertilizers and compost to support agriculture. Governance & Oversight: An opposition senator questions roadworks quality, alleging repeated resurfacing may be a money-making scheme.

Flood Forecasting Upgrade: Antigua and Barbuda is developing first-of-its-kind flood forecasting Standard Operating Procedures, shifting from predicting rain to predicting impacts, with a push toward an Urban Flash Flood Information System to help keep roads passable and communities connected. Cyber Safety: The UWI warns of a fraudulent website using its branding and collecting personal data, urging people to verify only through official channels. Cancer Centre Pressure: A community “Ride for a Cause” renewed calls for the immediate reopening of the local cancer treatment facility, demanding a clear roadmap and date. Roadworks Integrity: Opposition senator Jonathan Wehner questions whether repeated resurfacing is a corruption scheme, citing weak foundations and oversight concerns. Port & Logistics Expansion: Government plans to cut down Rat Island to reclaim land for a major St. John’s Port expansion to boost container storage and transshipment capacity. Energy Moves: Antigua is exploring an undersea power link with St. Kitts and Nevis for geothermal baseload supply, while also planning to acquire a large solar plant and open renewables investment to citizens. Tourism Ownership Push: PM Browne says Yepton Beach and Jolly Beach plans are being reshaped to preserve jobs and increase local equity through public-private models. Local Industry: A new brewery is expected to start operations in early 2027, and ABHTA continues training hospitality workers in kitchen management. Labour & Fair Play: UNI warns fintech firms may be entering Caribbean banking without matching traditional tax/regulatory burdens, while ABWU certification at Hammock Cove points to wage and benefits gains.

Jolly Beach Redevelopment: Government drops full sale plan and will keep about 200 rooms while carving out roughly 20 acres for a private investor to build a major new hotel, with brands like Hilton and Club Med showing interest. Renewables Push: Cabinet-backed plan to acquire a large solar plant within 24 months and open the door for Antiguans and Barbudans to invest directly in renewable energy ownership. Energy Costs & LNG: Browne says the state owes nearly EC$10m to WIOC for fuel-tax foregone subsidies, and says an LNG dispute is settled so shipments could start within a month. Food & Water Security: Antigua secures about US$9m for dams and water catchment works to boost irrigation and reduce reliance on costly desalination. Local Industry & Jobs: A new local brewery is expected to begin operations in early 2027, and Hammock Cove workers have gained ABWU union representation with a July 1, 2026 wage increase. Tourism Sector Moves: ABFC urges year-round rotation of local music, and Antigua selects Janica Adams as Junior Minister of Tourism after a youth tourism congress.

Food Costs: OECS leaders, led by PM Gaston Browne, are exploring cheaper food imports by increasing sourcing from the Dominican Republic and suspending tariffs on selected goods to cut household costs. Renewables & Ownership: Browne says Antigua and Barbuda will acquire a major solar plant within 24 months and open the door for citizens and overseas nationals to invest directly in the energy transition. LNG Update: The government says an LNG dispute with a U.S. firm has been resolved, clearing the way for shipments to begin within about a month. Private Sector Leadership: Celia Samuel has been elected president of the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce for 2026–2027, with a new board focused on advocacy and innovation. Tourism Workforce & Training: ABWU has been certified as the bargaining agent for Hammock Cove workers, while ABHTA completed kitchen leadership training and the Education Ministry announced a July 6–Aug. 11 STEM InFuSED camp. Agriculture Water Security: Cabinet approved a roughly US$9m grant to build dams and water catchment infrastructure to boost irrigation and food production. Energy/Infrastructure Planning: Cabinet engaged a consultancy for coastal assessment and preliminary engineering for Fort James Renaissance Park, aimed at safer, climate-resilient redevelopment. Labour Relations: UNI Americas’ Trevor Johnson urged wider collective bargaining across the region as a practical route to stable, productive workplaces. Tourism Calendar: Antigua Carnival 2026 is one month away, running July 25–Aug. 4 under the “Feel the Rhythm” theme.

Chamber Leadership: Celia Samuel of Go To Enterprises has been elected president of the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce for 2026–2027, with Dr. Errol Samuel as first vice president and Tamara Lowe-James as second vice president, as the chamber pledges to back businesses of all sizes through innovation, partnerships and advocacy. Carnival Countdown: Antigua Carnival 2026 is one month away, running July 25 to Aug. 4 under the “Feel the Rhythm” theme, with 11 days packed with soca, mas, steelpan and major events across St. John’s. Tourism Jobs & Training: Hammock Cove Resort & Spa workers have secured ABWU union representation, including a $0.50 hourly wage increase from July 1, 2026, while ABHTA completed kitchen management training to strengthen hospitality leadership and operations. Tourism Investment: Cabinet approved a public-private partnership to develop a new hotel at Yepton’s (about 15 acres), with government investment up to EC$40 million and local private participation, aiming to keep more tourism earnings in-country. Agriculture Water Boost: Antigua and Barbuda secured an approx. US$9 million grant to build dams and water catchment infrastructure to expand irrigation and improve food security amid drought. Coastal Project Move: Government has engaged a coastal engineering firm for the Fort James Renaissance Park, starting with coastal assessment and preliminary engineering design. STEM Pipeline: The Education Ministry announced its STEM InFuSED summer camp (July 6–Aug. 11) and the ECCB will also run a free 2026 STEM Camp starting July 6 for ages 14–18. Sports Development: Cricket West Indies is moving ahead with procurement for an Antigua High Performance Centre and plans a full-time cricket academy where academics and elite training go together.

Tourism Labour: Hammock Cove Resort & Spa workers have elected the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) as their bargaining agent, with the resort agreeing to adopt the Elite Island Resorts collective agreement, including a $0.50 hourly wage increase from 1 July 2026 and formal public holiday pay entitlements. Tourism Development: Cabinet has engaged a coastal engineering firm for the Fort James Renaissance Park, including shoreline stability and erosion work, as the project moves toward a broader tourism and community redevelopment. Agriculture & Water Security: Antigua and Barbuda secured a US$9 million grant to build dams and water catchment ponds to boost irrigation and reduce reliance on costly desalinated water. Hospitality Skills: ABHTA completed Kitchen Management Essentials training and announced a new Supervisory Management Development Course for later in 2026. Youth & STEM: The Education Ministry announced the return of STEM InFuSED Camp (ages 8–17) running 6 July–11 Aug 2026, while the ECCB prepares a free 4-week STEM Camp starting 6 July for ECCU youth. Regional Policy: OECS leaders agreed to form an advisory team to guide negotiations with the US on accepting a limited number of non-criminal third-country nationals and refugees. Cricket Infrastructure: Cricket West Indies says procurement for an Antigua High Performance Centre will begin soon, including an indoor centre, broadcast facility and hotel, plus a full-time academy.

Fort James Renaissance Park: Cabinet has engaged a coastal engineering firm to run a coastal assessment and preliminary designs for the Fort James Renaissance Park, aiming to turn the beach area into a world-class public space that supports tourism, recreation and entrepreneurship. Tourism Workforce & Youth Pipeline: ABHTA completed Kitchen Management Essentials training for hospitality professionals, while the Education Ministry launched STEM InFuSED Camp (ages 8–17) and the Tourism Youth Congress crowned Janica Adams as the new Junior Minister of Tourism. Agriculture Water Boost: Antigua and Barbuda secured a US$9m CDB/FAO grant to build dams and water catchment infrastructure to expand irrigation and reduce drought pressure on food production. Hotel Investment Model: Cabinet approved a public-private partnership for a new Yepton’s hotel on ~15 acres, with up to EC$40m from government-linked entities and local private investment, including potential CIP support. Labour & Tech: A regional labour leader urged wider collective bargaining as a practical way to stabilize workplaces, and warned that outdated laws across the Caribbean leave workers exposed as technology moves faster than regulation. Telecom Resilience: Regulators said a Flow outage in Dominica and St Lucia was linked to a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua, and urged backup communication plans. OECS Trade & Migration Talks: OECS leaders in Antigua pushed trade talks to lower import costs and agreed to form an advisory team for US negotiations on accepting limited non-criminal deportees.

Tourism Investment: Cabinet has approved a public-private partnership to develop a new Yepton’s hotel on about 15 acres, with up to EC$40 million from government-linked entities and local investors, aiming to boost Antiguan and Barbudan ownership and keep more tourism earnings in-country. Agriculture & Water Security: Antigua and Barbuda secured an ~US$9 million CDB/FAO grant for dams, catchment ponds and water conservation to expand irrigation and reduce reliance on costly desalination. Coastal Engineering: Government has engaged a coastal engineering firm for the Fort James Renaissance Park project, including shoreline stability and erosion studies to guide storm- and sea-level-rise resilient beach and public-space upgrades. Digital Skills for Youth: ECCB will host a free 2026 STEM Camp (July 6–Aug 11) for ages 14–18 across ECCU member states, with a focus on AI, design thinking and collaboration. Hospitality Workforce: ABHTA completed Kitchen Management Essentials training (June 17–18) and announced a Supervisory Management Development course for Sept–Oct 2026. Labour & Work Rules: UNI’s Trevor Johnson says collective bargaining is the practical route to clearer terms and more stable workplaces, while another regional labour warning flags outdated laws struggling to keep up with technology. Sports Development: Cricket West Indies begins procurement for an Antigua High Performance Centre, including a full-time academy, indoor facilities, broadcast infrastructure and a hotel. Disaster Preparedness: ABMS and WMO will run a June 25–26 workshop to develop flood forecasting and warning SOPs under the Early Warning Systems for Floods project. Road Safety: Cyclist Tahje Browne was hospitalised after a hit-and-run on the Sir Sydney Walling highway; officials urged road safety.

Tourism Investment: Cabinet has approved a public-private partnership to develop a new Yepton’s beachfront hotel on about 15 acres, with up to EC$40 million from government-linked entities and local private investors, and possible extra financing via Citizenship by Investment. Agriculture & Water Security: Antigua and Barbuda secured an approximately US$9 million grant to build dams, catchment ponds and other water-saving infrastructure to boost irrigation and reduce reliance on costly desalinated water. Coastal Engineering: Government has engaged a coastal engineering consultancy for Fort James Renaissance Park, with phased work to study erosion and shoreline stability and recommend restoration that protects access, recreation and safety. Labour & Workplace Policy: A regional labour leader says collective bargaining is the most practical way to create stable, productive workplaces, warning that short-term or uncertain contracts leave workers and employers in limbo. STEM for Youth: ECCB will launch a free 2026 STEM Camp (July 6–Aug 11) for ages 14–18 across ECCU member territories, tied to digital transformation goals. Regional Connectivity: Telecom regulators say a Flow outage in Dominica and St Lucia was linked to a fibre fault between Guadeloupe and Antigua, and they’re pushing backup communication plans. Sports & Training: Cricket West Indies is moving ahead with procurement for an Antigua High Performance Centre and a full-time cricket academy model. Road Safety: Cyclist Tahje Browne was hospitalised after a hit-and-run; separate commentary calls for urgent traffic policing and road repairs. Food Supply Threat: Local beekeepers warn Antigua’s bee population is under pressure from land clearing, pesticide misuse and hive management issues. OECS Trade Talks: OECS leaders discussed coordinating negotiations with the US on third-nation deportees and exploring deeper trade links with Panama and the Dominican Republic to lower import costs.