Antigua and Barbuda's economy is projected to grow by five percent this year, driven by a booming construction sector, increased housing development, stronger consumer spending and rising imports. According to Antigua News Room, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant announced the projection Thursday during the question-and-answer segment of the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing.
Merchant was responding to questions about the steady rise in customs revenue when he outlined the government's second-quarter fiscal performance. He stressed that the country's improving economic trajectory extends well beyond stronger tax enforcement and compliance.
"You hit the nail on the head. It's enforcement, compliance, and of course individuals are importing more into Antigua and Barbuda," Merchant said.
He noted that Antigua and Barbuda remains heavily dependent on imported goods, with increased economic activity driving higher demand from both businesses and consumers. Supermarkets, retailers and other businesses are bringing in larger volumes of goods to meet that growing demand.
"As a matter of fact, we are projected to grow the economy by some 5 percent again this year," Merchant said, pointing to sustained activity in construction and housing, higher disposable incomes and stronger consumer spending as the key drivers.
"Construction, housing, people spending more, people having more disposable income — all of that lends to a great economy," he said.
The stronger economic climate has also translated into improved government revenues. Merchant disclosed that Customs, Inland Revenue and other government agencies are generating surpluses, giving the administration greater financial flexibility to address national priorities.
"Government has more disposable income," Merchant said. He cited Cabinet's decision to immediately allocate EC$2.5 million for the purchase of a new CT scanner for the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre as a direct result of those surpluses.
"That's why government was able to immediately say that the EC$2.5 million needed for that CT scanner at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre should become available right away, and it's because of surpluses that the government has at its disposal at this time to meet the needs of the people of Antigua and Barbuda," Merchant said.
Customs revenue figures presented at the briefing underscore the scale of the growth. Collections rose from EC$392 million in 2022 to EC$402 million in 2023, then surged to EC$502 million in 2024 and a record EC$573 million in 2025. In the first six months of 2026, the Customs and Excise Division collected EC$276.85 million, up from EC$255.37 million during the same period last year.
Merchant said the sustained revenue growth reflects a resilient economy and has strengthened the government's capacity to invest in healthcare, infrastructure and other public services while maintaining prudent fiscal management.
