The government has expanded its duty waiver programme, raising the ceiling to $100,000 in tax-free building materials for homeowners and builders. The move is designed to reduce construction costs and improve housing conditions across Antigua and Barbuda.
According to Antigua News Room, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant announced the measure broadens the scope of the Construct Antigua and Barbuda Initiative (CABI), which previously focused primarily on new home construction.
"Under this expanded measure, the government will offer a waiver on all duties and taxes on building materials… up to a total value of $100,000," Merchant said during Thursday's post-Cabinet briefing.
The programme will now also cover home renovations, giving property owners duty-free access to materials such as cement and blocks — a significant widening of the initiative's original mandate.
"This extension of the duty waiver programme will further reduce the cost of building and renovation materials for homeowners and builders," Merchant said.
Officials say the policy is aimed at easing financial pressure on households while accelerating repairs and upgrades to the country's housing stock. The expansion comes amid a broader government push to improve living conditions, particularly for low- and middle-income families, and to support increased construction activity across the island.
The CABI programme forms part of a wider housing strategy under the administration of Prime Minister Gaston Browne to make homeownership more accessible and affordable, officials said.
