Business
794 articles
Rotaract District 7030 Conference Returns to Antigua After Two Decades
The Rotaract Club of Antigua hosted the 2026 Rotaract District 7030 Conference, bringing together nearly 200 young leaders from 15 Caribbean territories for the first time in over 20 years. The four-day event, themed "Linked in Wadadli," featured leadership development sessions, community service initiatives, and cultural celebrations.
PM Browne Calls on ECCB to Deploy Reserves for Regional Development Push
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank to deploy five to eight percent of its foreign reserves to finance regional development, including renewable energy projects, as part of the ECCB's "Big Push" initiative to double the size of the Eastern Caribbean economy. According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the proposal at the 113th ECCB Monetary Council meeting in Dominica on Thursday.
Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Academy Kicks Off with Regional Prize for Top Student
Fourteen secondary school students have begun the 2026 Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Academy, a six-week culinary training programme. This year's top student will earn a trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands to participate in a regional junior chef programme.
Cost Pro Supermarket Shuts Down Permanently, All Staff Made Redundant
Cost Pro Supermarket has permanently closed its Woods Mall location, terminating all employees due to redundancy effective July 9. Staff are to receive final payment statements, including any severance owed under Antiguan labour law, by July 17.
Cost Pro Supermarket Shuts Down Permanently, Dozens of Workers Left in Limbo
Cost Pro Supermarket abruptly shut its doors permanently on Thursday evening, sending dozens of employees home with a termination letter and no firm commitment on wages or severance. Union representatives are now meeting with staff, and Labour Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin has been informed.
PM Browne Pushes Bold Plan to Double Eastern Caribbean Economies in Seven Years
Prime Minister Gaston Browne addressed the ECCB Monetary Council Meeting in Dominica on July 9th, championing a regional "Big Push" strategy to double the size of Eastern Caribbean economies within seven years. Key proposals include innovative financing mechanisms, a regional airline, renewable energy investment and the use of dormant bank balances for development funding.
PM Browne Calls for Economic Transformation at Final ECCB Monetary Council Address
Prime Minister Gaston Browne concluded his tenure as Chairman of the ECCB Monetary Council with a call for bold regional economic transformation, highlighting 3.3 percent ECCU growth in 2025 and urging Member States to build greater prosperity on five decades of monetary stability.
Nine Antiguan Bakers Nominated for 2026 Caribbean Baking Awards in Sint Maarten
Nine Antiguan and Barbudan bakers and pastry professionals have been nominated for the 2026 Caribbean Baking Awards, to be held during a three-day festival weekend in Sint Maarten. The annual event celebrates baking excellence, youth development, and culinary tourism across the Caribbean.
EU Gives Caribbean CBI Nations Until 2028 to End Investor Citizenship Schemes or Lose Schengen Access
The European Union has warned Antigua and Barbuda and four other Eastern Caribbean nations to phase out their Citizenship by Investment programmes by June 2028 or face the loss of visa-free access to the Schengen Area. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has rejected the demand, arguing the programmes are vital to the region's economic survival.
Operational Excellence, Not Just Customer Service, Is the Key to Business Success
Business commentator Garfield Joseph argues, as reported by Antigua News Room, that most customer service failures in Antigua and Barbuda are in fact operational failures — and that investing in process improvement, technology, and consistent systems is essential for businesses and the nation to compete and grow.
ECCB Governor to Address Monetary Council on Currency Union's Path to Resilience
ECCB Governor Timothy N.J. Antoine will present a report on regional monetary and financial conditions at the 113th Monetary Council Meeting in Dominica on July 9, with discussions also set to cover the transformative Big Push Agenda and two flagship payment system initiatives.
Agricultural Specialist Urges Banks to Finance Farmers Directly
Agricultural specialist Owolabi Elabanjo is urging local banks to offer low-interest loans to farmers, warning that growers currently fund months of production costs out of pocket before seeing any return. Speaking at a workshop at the American University of Antigua, he also highlighted gaps in seed selection as a key barrier to consistent local food production.
OECS Extends Blue Economy Grant Deadline to July 24 for MSMEs in Three Countries
The OECS Commission has extended the Window 2 application deadline for the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme to July 24, 2026, giving Blue Economy value chain groups in Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines more time to access grant funding. Women-led enterprises are especially encouraged to apply.
Antigua Opens First Tissue Culture Lab, Boosting Food Security and Local Agriculture
Antigua and Barbuda has inaugurated its first tissue culture laboratory, a milestone investment that will allow the country to produce disease-free planting material locally and reduce reliance on overseas facilities. The Ministry of Agriculture says the facility is a cornerstone of the nation's food security strategy.
Ministry Opens Registration for 2026 Agricultural Water and Irrigation Training
The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy has opened registration for a month-long training course on agricultural water and irrigation technologies, set to take place in St. John's from November 19 to December 16, 2026.
UWI and Caribbean Telecommunications Union Sign MoU to Drive Regional Digital Growth
The University of the West Indies and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise strategic cooperation on digital policy, capacity development, and regional digital transformation. The partnership moves the two institutions from informal collaboration to a structured framework, with joint initiatives already scheduled for mid-2026.
PM Browne Meets Romanian Ambassador to Explore Trade, Education and Investment Ties
Prime Minister Gaston Browne met with Romanian Ambassador Theodora Magdalena Mircea on the sidelines of the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in St. Lucia to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, education and investment. Among the proposals was a Romanian business mission to Antigua and Barbuda, as well as academic and professional training opportunities for Antiguans and Barbudans in Romania.
PiAngo Fest Cancelled for 2026 as Ministry Cites Resource Constraints and Mango Crop Uncertainty
The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy has announced that PiAngo Fest will not be held in 2026, citing resource constraints and uncertainty surrounding this year's national mango harvest. Officials say the decision, though difficult, is aimed at safeguarding the long-term future of one of Antigua and Barbuda's most popular agricultural celebrations.
APUA Adjusts Hours and Access During Operation Stronghold Security Exercise
APUA has announced temporary service changes and adjusted operating hours this week as the national Operation Stronghold security exercise limits access to parts of St John's ahead of CHOGM. Customers are encouraged to use online payment options and alternative service locations during the disruptions.
APUA Adjusts Business Centre Hours During Operation Stronghold Security Exercise
APUA has announced temporary changes to service hours and access at its Independence Avenue Business Centre this week as Operation Stronghold, a multi-agency security exercise tied to Antigua and Barbuda's CHOGM preparations, restricts movement in parts of St. John's. Customers are encouraged to use digital payment platforms or visit the APUA Mobile Bus at Cassada Gardens during the period.