Prime Minister Gaston Browne has identified reducing the cost of living as one of Antigua and Barbuda's top priorities heading into the 51st CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Saint Lucia this week.
According to Antigua.news, Browne outlined his government's position during his weekend radio programme, stating that Antigua and Barbuda will push for an extension of the suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) on selected goods. The country will also advocate for broader regional measures aimed at lowering food prices and expanding trade with Latin America.
Browne said he wants CARICOM to move beyond the current annual arrangement and widen the list of goods eligible for duty relief. "We have to continue looking for ways to reduce the cost of living for our people," he said.
The Prime Minister also indicated that Antigua and Barbuda is actively exploring opportunities to source more affordable goods from countries including the Dominican Republic and Colombia. He argued that greater competition and more diversified supply chains would deliver tangible benefits to consumers across the region.
Browne pointed to Antigua and Barbuda's expanding port infrastructure as a competitive advantage, positioning the country as a potential regional distribution hub for goods entering the Eastern Caribbean market.
The Prime Minister further stressed the need to boost local food production in order to reduce the country's dependence on imports. He encouraged citizens to adopt healthier eating habits by choosing locally grown and produced foods.
Browne said issues of regional food security, trade diversification and inflation are expected to feature prominently on the agenda at the upcoming CARICOM summit.
