Pastor Braithwaite of the Church of God of Prophecy opened the Wednesday, July 1st Cabinet meeting with a devotional message drawn from Luke 8:5–8, the Parable of the Sower. He reminded Ministers that, just as a sower scatters seed upon different types of ground, the decisions of leaders are seeds that ultimately determine the harvest experienced by a nation.
Pastor Braithwaite urged Cabinet members to be faithful stewards of their responsibilities, sowing seeds of integrity, compassion, justice, and service for the lasting benefit of the people of Antigua and Barbuda. He emphasized that the true measure of leadership lies in the positive transformation of constituents' lives, and called on Ministers to ensure that every policy creates opportunities for citizens to flourish. He closed with prayer, seeking divine wisdom, discernment, and guidance for the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and invoking God's protection over each Minister and their families.
The Ministry of Finance presented the Government's Second Quarter Fiscal Performance Report, outlining continued fiscal strength, sustained growth in customs revenue, prudent expenditure management, and the Government's decision to hold retail fuel prices steady.
The Antigua and Barbuda Customs and Excise Division has maintained a strong upward trajectory in revenue collections. Annual customs revenue rose from EC$392 million in 2022 to EC$402 million in 2023, a five percent increase. Collections climbed to EC$502 million in 2024, a 25 percent jump, and reached EC$573 million in 2025, a further 14 percent gain.
For the first six months of 2026, Customs collected EC$276.85 million, surpassing the EC$255.37 million recorded in the same period last year. June alone contributed EC$35.97 million to the year-to-date total.
Cabinet commended the Comptroller and staff of the Customs and Excise Division for their commitment to strengthening revenue administration and improving compliance. Members noted that the sustained gains have bolstered the Government's ability to meet its financial obligations while maintaining fiscal discipline and supporting national development priorities.
On the expenditure side, the Government processed 38 discretionary payments totalling EC$158.8 million during the second quarter, excluding recurring payroll costs. The largest single disbursement was EC$44.2 million channelled through the Capital Infrastructure Development Fund to finance major public works and capital projects. Other significant payments included EC$16.37 million to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre for healthcare services, EC$12.76 million to the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority as a statutory subvention, and EC$6.35 million toward Eastern Caribbean Central Bank loan obligations.
Cabinet also received a significant update on the Government's external debt portfolio. Outstanding loan obligations financed by the People's Republic of China have been reduced from more than US$300 million to approximately US$120 million. The original portfolio covered financing for the V.C. Bird International Airport, the Fifth Cruise Berth and Port Redevelopment Project, the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, and the Wadadli Power Plant. Original loan amounts totalled approximately US$80 million for the airport, US$100 million for the seaport, US$20 million for the medical centre, and US$55 million for the power plant.
Notably, the loan associated with the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre has been fully repaid, marking another milestone in the Government's debt reduction programme. Cabinet attributed the overall decline in Chinese-funded obligations to prudent fiscal management, sustained economic growth, improved revenue performance, and timely debt servicing. Members observed that the reduction enhances Antigua and Barbuda's fiscal resilience and creates greater space for investment in national development priorities.
Cabinet was also updated on the outcome of Antigua and Barbuda's participation in an International Monetary Fund and Eastern Caribbean Currency Union fuel price study conducted in March 2026, in which Antigua and Barbuda served as one of two pilot countries. The study examined regional fuel pricing mechanisms against the backdrop of rising global fuel costs, higher importation and operational expenses, and ongoing discussions on price transparency.
Following careful consideration of the study's findings, Cabinet agreed that retail fuel prices will remain unchanged. Gasoline stays at EC$14.50 per gallon and diesel at EC$14.25 per gallon — among the lowest in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. Cabinet noted that consumers in several neighbouring jurisdictions pay significantly higher prices for both fuels.
Members described the decision as a deliberate policy choice to shield households, businesses, and productive sectors from additional financial pressure arising from global energy market volatility. While international fuel costs and importation expenses have increased, the Government has chosen to absorb those pressures rather than pass them on to consumers.
Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to sound fiscal management, responsible stewardship of public finances, and policies that promote economic stability while protecting the welfare of the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Continued revenue growth, paired with disciplined expenditure management, will finance critical investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, public safety, and other essential services.
