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Antigua and Barbuda

Quick Facts

Population:	68,722
Land area:	443 square Km
Capital:	St. John
Language(s):	English
Local Currency:	East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Exchange:	US1.00 = XCD 2.70
UNDP Human Development Rank:	59 of 177
Life Expectancy:	73.9 years
Adult Literacy rate:	85.8
Official Government website:	http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v2/

Government

Governor General - James B. CARLISLE
Prime Minister - Baldwin SPENCER
Dep. Prime Minister - Wilmoth DANIEL
Min. of Agriculture Lands, Marine Resources, & Agro-Industries - Charlesworth SAMUEL
Min. of Barbuda Affairs - Baldwin SPENCER
Min. of Defense - Baldwin SPENCER
Min. of Education - Bertrand JOSEPH
Min. of Finance & the Economy - Eroll CORT
Min. of Foreign Affairs & International Trade - Baldwin SPENCER
Min. of Health, Sports, & Youth Affairs - John Herbert MAGINLEY
Min. of Housing, Culture, & Social Transformation - Hilson BAPTISTE
Min. of Information & Broadcasting - Baldwin SPENCER
Min. of Justice - Colin DERRICK
Min. of Labor, Public Admin., & Empowerment - Jacqui QUINN-LEANDRO
Min. of Legal Affairs - Justin SIMON
Min. of National Security - Baldwin SPENCER
Min. of Tourism & Civil Aviation - Harold LOVELL
Min. of Works, Transportation, & the Environment - Wilmoth DANIEL
Min. Without Portfolio - Aziz FARES
Attorney General - Justin SIMON
Ambassador to the US - Lionel HURST
Permanent Representative to the UN, New York - John W. ASHE

Public Holidays: New Year's Day (01 January), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day (First Monday in May), Whit Monday (First Monday in June), CARICOM Day (First Monday in July), Summer Carnival (Monday and Tuesday of first week of August), Independence Day (01 November), Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December). Holidays that fall on a Sunday are observed the following Monday.

Economic Development

Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2007-2008

The survey provides an overview of the economic performance of countries of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) for the year 2007 and their outlook for 2008. The last chapter presents country briefs with the main macroeconomic developments in 2007 and the outlook for 2008

Economic Outlook

In the last few years the nation of Antigua & Barbuda has enjoyed economic growth. The main drivers of the economy in 2006 were the tourism and construction sectors. Public and private development associated with the 2007 Cricket World Cup (CWC) boosted construction work on the islands. Public work included the construction of the Sir Vivian Richards’ stadium, housing developments as well as infrastructural developments in Barbuda. Privately, hotels and other tourist accommodations were upgraded in anticipation of high visitor volumes for the 2007 CWC.

With the boost in the construction industry sparking economic growth, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank reported a 2.1% inflation rate for the nation in 2006. Measures were taken by the government to keep this rate low. To avoid the inflationary pressure caused by an increase in oil prices, the government removed consumption tax on gas and diesel forfeiting over $18M in revenue. The government also removed the customs service tax on basic food items. Personal Income tax was reintroduced as well.

In an effort to pull the economy out from years of fiscal deficits the Antiguan government entered the Regional Government Securities Market (RGSM). The government issued treasury bills and bonds as well as RGSM’s first US dollar denominated security and raised over $150M. Proceeds were used to partly pay off high interest domestic debt. Resources gained from the issuance of these securities were also utilized for other programmes, like the Voluntary Separation and Early Retirement programme (VSEP) which served to alleviate the problem of a large civil service. In spite of the government’s efforts, the deficit prolongs since government revenue was lost through the reduction of consumption and customs service tax and government expenditure increased with the implementation of VSEP and capital expenditure on the CWC developments. The trade deficit is also projected to widen with the increase in import payment and rising oil prices. The IMF warns that the planned increase in wage and investment spending that was reported in the 2007 budget will impede the movement towards financial sustainability.
IMF Article IV consultation with Antigua and Barbuda
2007 Budget Address for Antigua
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

Impact of Tax Policy - Revenue Performance

Ministry of Finance and the Economy. 27 September 2007

The presentation outlines objectives of Fiscal Reform, Tax Policy Initiatives and Revenue Profiles for Antigua and Barbuda.

Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority

An Address of The Executive Director to the National Economic Symposium JULY 16, 2008: "Facilitating Investment in Antigua and Barbuda"

Social Development

Transportation

Major road development is expected in Antigua and Barbuda in 2007. Plans to increase spending on repair and maintenance of the roads on both islands are in progress. The government also plans to construct a transportation hub which will house a shopping plaza, car park, vehicle inspection station and a bus terminal. To ensure a reliable and affordable transportation system on the islands, the duty on vehicular parts for any driver who operates a taxi, bus or tour vehicle were reduced by 50%. Regarding regional transport, LIAT airlines, continues to be the leading provider of travel from Antigua and Barbuda to the rest of the Caribbean and the country continues to invest in the airlines.
2007 Budget Address for Antigua

Crime

Antigua and Barbuda is classified as having a low to moderate crime rate. However, the current wave of crime seems to be on the rise. The murder rate for the year 2006 was 12, but at the end of June 2007, the rate was reported as 10. The government claims that the increase in crime can be attributed to the increase in deportees from the United States. CARICOM delegates met with the US Department of Homeland Security to discuss this issue. They suggested that criminal records of all deportees be provided to the countries. In efforts to curb crime, 48 new police constables will be recruited to the Royal Police Force in 2007 and an assessment of the police force is being conducted to make recommendations on its operations.
CARIBBEAN NET NEWS
Antigua sun

2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Western Hemisphere)

All men and women desire and deserve to live in dignity and liberty. As President Bush said: "The advance of freedom is the great story of our time." Promoting human rights and democracy is a worldwide phenomenon and there is a growing global discussion of democracy and the universal values protected by democratic governance.

By defending and advancing human rights and democratic principles, we keep faith with our country’s most cherished values and lay the foundation for lasting peace. Fulfilling the promise of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and building vibrant democracies worldwide will take generations, but it is work of the utmost urgency that cannot be delayed.
Source:US Dept. of State

Education

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is dedicated to providing access to education for all. In recent years, this commitment has been met through joint efforts with the Cuban government. Since 1998, the Cuban government has awarded 300 scholarships to Antiguan nationals. In 2006, they pledged 76 scholarships. The country’s alliance with China was also beneficial since China pledged 25 scholarships for young Antigua and Barbuda nationals. New programmes are expected in the Ministry of Education as government increased spending in education. This ministry is charged with recruiting new teachers and upgrading the facilities at primary and secondary schools. Students also benefited from the introduction of the school uniform grant and the school feeding programme that the country’s new government implemented between 2004 and 2006. The government is also committed to the advancement of technical and vocational education. The construction of a new public library is also underway.
2007 Budget Address for Antigua

Environment

Antigua and Barbuda are inhabited by many animals that are indigenous to the country or region. After many years of development, tourism and the introduction of invasive species to the island, some of these species have become endangered. Conservation work on the islands is quite extensive and is conducted by local organizations like the Antiguan Forestry Unit, the Environmental Awareness Group as well as international groups like Fauna and Flora International and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. These groups work on increasing the population of endangered species as well as educating the public about the conservation efforts and their roles. Two of the most popular conservation efforts are the Jumby Bay Hawksbill Project and the Antiguan Racer Conservation Project
Source:Hawksbill Project

Health

The government, with the financial backing of the Chinese government, has continued work on the Mount St John Medical Center. Work was also done to upgrade the Holberton Hospital. These projects aim to provide affordable health care for all citizens. The construction of new clinics and restoration of existing ones continues in 2007. An alliance with the Cuban government has also been beneficial to the Antiguan public in the health sector. Thirty three Cuban doctors are currently employed at the Antiguan hospital and many Antiguan students are studying medicine in Cuba on scholarships. The government of Oman has also made contributions to help improve the health care systems in the country. In April 2007 the Oman government offered funds to purchase vehicles for transporting disabled citizens in the country. The vehicles are scheduled to arrive in September 2007.
CARIBBEAN NET NEWS
CARIBBEAN NET NEWS

Legislation

The Electronic Transactions Bill. 2006

Statistics

Tourism Statistical Review. Quarterly Report

April - June 2007

This report provides a quantitative analysis of visitors to the island for the second quarter April to June 2007. The data was collected from the immigration cards of arriving passengers and processed by the Planning and Research Department within the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Culture
and the Environment.

Tourist Arrivals By Country Of Residence

March 2008

Statistical Databases

Selected statistics indicators for ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
UN Statistics Division for ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Caribbean Social Statistics Database
Caribbean Trade Statistical Database

ICT Profile - Antigua and Barbuda

POLICY STATEMENTS

Antigua and Barbuda. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Draft Policy

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is cognizant of the importance of ICT. The convergence and integration of communication networks and services, and the explosive growth of the Internet and Electronic Commerce, can no longer be ignored. Accordingly the Government has developed after extensive consultations the following ICT policy, which is a blue print for the economic transformation of Antigua and Barbuda to a knowledge-based society. In its implementation, this policy will provide the requisite legal and regulatory framework as well as financial and social incentives, which will ensure that the people of Antigua and Barbuda are active participants in the Global Village and reap the full rewards of globalization.

The Government’s intention is to promote a set of policies designed to upgrade the intellectual capital of its people. The “People First” philosophy is to ensure that every citizen and resident has affordable access to ICT services in order to communicate and better themselves educationally and economically.

STRATEGIC PLAN

Antigua and Barbuda E-Government/National ICT Plans:

2009 ICT Action Plan (Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications), launched at ICTFEST 2008, Wednesday, August 27, 2008.

"Information Technology Revolution is Putting People First"

In general, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda (GOAB), fully supports the use of ICT in every area of government, and as a means of national development. Its overall goals are to become a SMART government, wired into today's technology.

To achieve these goals, the government will develop a comprehensive e-government platform to provide the population with easier access to government information and services, and to generally increase the efficiency of interactions between government and its citizens.

Specifically, the GOAB will:

Computerize all government departments to ensure that technology infrastructure remains at the leading edge and can deliver reliable government services at the lowest cost.
Provide computer training to public sector employees by providing scholarships to attend ABIIT.
Computerize police records to enable rapid profile scans, motor vehicle identification, and fingerprinting matching and to improve police crime fighting and efficiency.
Utilize computerized technology to provide secure, efficient and cost effective record keeping and retrieval.
Make available on the Internet government forms, e.g. passport applications, income tax, customs.
Make available on the Internet copies of published government reports, laws and documents.
Publish all Requests for Tender Proposals on the Internet.
Introduce the registration of companies and businesses, and the payment of utility bills via the Internet.

The Government Information Technology Center is responsible for the implementation of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda's ICT policy, and it currently being guided by a national Information Technology Strategic Plan.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA ICT FEST 2005: ICT Solutions for Antigua and Barbuda's Development.

Opportunities for Investment in ICTs in Antigua and Barbuda
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is promoting a set of policies that will upgrade the Intellectual Capital of the Nation. Antigua and Barbuda is now rising to First World Standards with the building of the Knowledge Society and an Intelligent Nation. Antigua and Barbuda has become a Regional Centre of Information Technology Excellence”

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda maintains a policy which declares that a primary objective is to ‘Build an Information-Enabled, Globally-Connected, and Knowledge-Based Society.’ This aim can be met specifically through the use of technological tools. The Government understands that the task of creating a sound ICT infrastructure cannot be done alone, and that this undertaking should be attempted through Government-Private Sector participation and investment. In this respect, the Government, through the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, is taking a two-way approach to the task by strengthening ICT education and training initiatives, as well as by providing incentives for the expansion of the ICT Products and Services Industry.

LEADING INSTITUTIONS

Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Technology
Information Technology Centre
Government Data Centre

e-GOVERNMENT

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has an interesting and attractive web presence, apparently supported at the highest level, prominently featuring an invitation from the Prime Minister to provide feedback on government's performance: "I welcome and invite you to contact me with your views as we build a prosperous and dynamic Antigua and Barbuda in the sunshine."

Government Websites:

Official Website for the Government of Antigua Unit

Department of Tourism

ENABLING LEGISLATIONS

NEWS

PUBLICATIONS/DOCUMENTS

Government of Antigua & Barbuda. INTERNET / INTRANET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
The Internet is a worldwide communication network linking together thousands of computer networks and many millions of users through public and private telecommunication lines.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda (“GOAB”) provides access to the vast information resources and facilities of the Internet to help public sector workers and others do their jobs more efficiently and effectively. Such facilities include researching particular products, electronically communicating with colleagues and business associates and accessing central government data.

The facilities to provide that access represent a considerable commitment of government resources in respect of telecommunications, networking, security, software and support as well as significant costs. They also represent a significant risk if they are not used correctly.

This policy document is intended to define in a clear and straightforward manner what those risks are and the conditions under which the Internet and Intranet services might be used.

ICT INDICATORS collected by Statistical Offices

More Information

Antigua-Barbuda government to lobby CARICOM for ICT funding
Monday May 14, 2007
ST JOHN'S, Antigua: A Regional ICT Steering Committee is being inaugurated this week at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana, and Antigua and Barbuda will use the forum to lobby the Secretariat for support for Antigua and Barbuda's digital agenda

Key Documents

Up one level

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AGRI-FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES INDUSTRY IN CARICOM
Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean
Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2007-2008
An Appropriate regional Goverance Framework for Promoting Growth and Balanced Development in the Caribbean in the Twenty-First Century.
2005 Budget Address- Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda Budget Presentation 2007
A Time to Choose: Caribbean Development in the 21st Century
ECCB. Financial Statistics Yearbook. 2005
Antigua and Barbuda Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)Draft Policy
Internet / Intranet acceptable use policy
Assessment of the Telecommunication Services Sector in CARICOM: Convergence Issues at the Regional and International Level
The Electronic Transactions Bill, 2006
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (MOVEMENT OF FACTORS) ACT, 2006
CARIBBEAN CONNECT: A HIGH LEVEL SYMPOSIUM ON THE CARICOM SINGLE MARKET 28 - 30 June, 2006, Sherbourne Conference Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, BarbadosND ECONOMY.
Trade Integration in the Americas
Overview of CARICOM's Trade with Canada
Background to Negotiations on CARICOM Canada Trading Arrangements
Hemispheric Trade and Tariff Database

Bibliography