Business
729 articles
Property Owners Urged to Register as CHOGM 2026 Accommodation Bookings Accelerate
With CHOGM 2026 bookings already underway for dozens of Commonwealth nations, officials are urging Antigua and Barbuda property owners to register their accommodations immediately. Only properties inspected and approved by the Ministry of Tourism's Quality Assurance Unit will be listed on the official delegate booking portal.
ECAB Warns Customers: Visa and Mastercard Cards No Longer Accepted in Cuba
ECAB has advised customers that Visa and Mastercard cards can no longer be used in Cuba following a U.S. Executive Order issued on May 1, 2026, which led to the suspension of credit card processing operations in the country. Customers travelling to Cuba are urged to arrange alternative payment methods.
Tropical Storm Arthur Causes Up to $6 Billion in Damage, AccuWeather Estimates
Tropical Storm Arthur has caused an estimated $4 to $6 billion in total damage and economic loss after dumping more than 20 inches of rain across the Gulf Coast, according to preliminary figures from AccuWeather. At least two fatalities and hundreds of flooded homes have been reported, with damage assessments still ongoing.
Opinion: Does Extending Antigua's Windfall Tax Truly Serve the Public Interest?
A governance professional has responded to a recent Antigua News Room opinion piece by challenging the framing of a proposal to extend and expand the Windfall Tax, arguing that critical questions about spending, accountability, and measurable outcomes must be answered before any expansion is considered.
Dominica Launches Caribbean's First Digital Platform for Sickle Cell Patients
Dominica has launched SickleConnect, the Caribbean's first dedicated digital health platform for sickle cell patients, offering AI-powered clinical reporting, medication tracking, and emergency alerts. The free platform was developed by the Sickle Cell Cares Foundation and went live on World Sickle Cell Day.
Antigua and Barbuda Launches Seed Bank and Sweet Potato Projects to Boost Food Security
Antigua and Barbuda is advancing two major agricultural initiatives — a Mobile Seed Bank Project and a regional Sweet Potato Production Programme — aimed at bolstering food security, disaster preparedness and climate resilience. The projects, developed in partnership with IICA and CARDI, were presented to Cabinet by the Minister for Agriculture.
Antigua and Barbuda Eyes July Launch for Mobile Number Portability
The Antiguan government is targeting July for the launch of mobile number portability, which will allow customers to switch between Flow, Digicel and APUA Inet while keeping their existing phone numbers. The move, years in the making, is expected to boost consumer choice and intensify competition in the local telecommunications sector.
Women's Labour Force Participation Across CARICOM Ranges from 45% to 71%
New 2025 data shows female labour force participation across CARICOM nations ranges from 44.9% in Suriname to 70.7% in The Bahamas, highlighting stark regional disparities. The Bahamas leads the bloc with both the highest rate of women's participation and one of the smallest gender gaps in the region.
Antigua Targets 200,000 Black Pineapple Plants in Industry Revival Push
The government has unveiled plans to propagate at least 200,000 Antigua Black Pineapple plants at the Cades Bay Agricultural Station, with a fresh shipment of 15,000 tissue-cultured plants expected to arrive within days. The initiative is part of a broader Ministry of Agriculture programme to revive the iconic fruit's production and restore its traditional size and yield.
Sandals Foundation Pumps EC$38,000 Into Antigua Youth Entrepreneurship Programme
The Sandals Foundation has invested EC$38,000 in the Department of Youth Affairs' Entrepreneurship Edge Programme, now in its second year, equipping young Antiguan and Barbudan entrepreneurs with business skills through a six-week curriculum delivered by industry professionals.
Cancer Centre Antigua Nears Completion, Promising World-Class Treatment at Home
The Cancer Centre Antigua is entering its final stages of completion, with advanced radiotherapy equipment already purchased and key clinical staff identified. The facility is expected to begin offering world-class cancer treatment services locally by early Fall.
Gov't to Channel EC$5M from Sandals Tax Settlement into Fort James Renaissance Park
The Antiguan government will direct EC$5 million from a EC$6.5 million tax settlement with Sandals Resorts toward the long-anticipated Renaissance Park development at Fort James. Plans for the site include a marina, amphitheater, boutique hotel, and commercial retail spaces, with preliminary assessments already underway.
Cabinet Eyes Windfall Tax Expansion to Fund Education Push
The Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet is exploring an expansion of the country's Windfall Tax to cover all businesses earning annual profits of EC$1 million or more, with revenue earmarked to fund growing investment in tertiary education. The proposal remains under discussion, with legal, economic and social implications still to be assessed.
Govt Settles EC$6.5M Sandals Tax Dispute; EC$5M to Fund Fort James Renaissance Park
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has reached a EC$6.5 million tax settlement with Sandals Resorts International, with EC$5 million designated to kick-start the long-anticipated Renaissance Park development at Fort James.
Antigua and Barbuda Stakeholders Invited to Help Shape CARICOM Quality Policy
The Ministry of Trade and Investment has invited Antiguan and Barbudan stakeholders to participate in consultations on proposed revisions to the CARICOM Regional Quality Policy, with sessions scheduled for June 18 and 19. The exercise is being hosted by CROSQ under a UNIDO ACP project.
US Average Gas Price Dips Below $4 for First Time Since March
The US national average gas price has fallen to $3.999 per gallon, dipping below $4 for the first time since March 30, as reported by Antigua News Room. However, experts warn that a return to pre-war prices of $3 per gallon remains unlikely anytime soon.
Opinion: Antigua and Barbuda Charts Course Toward Economic Diversification
Antigua and Barbuda is actively pursuing economic diversification across multiple sectors — including sports tourism, agriculture, digital technology, and renewable energy — to reduce the nation's historic dependence on tourism. The strategy aims to build a more resilient economy capable of withstanding external shocks.
ABIA Warns Public About Investment Scam Using Authority's Name and Logo
The Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority has issued an urgent warning after scammers were found impersonating the agency on Facebook to solicit funds from the public. ABIA has confirmed it does not offer investment opportunities or request payments through any social media platform.
Antiguan Fintech ClicCash Takes Centre Stage at London Tech Week 2026
Antiguan fintech company ClicCash represented Antigua and Barbuda at London Tech Week 2026, with founder Brandon Derrick presenting to officials at the Government of Québec's UK delegation, joining a roundtable at the Canadian High Commission, and meeting the Governor-General at a Commonwealth charity gala.
SLBMC Awards Scholarships to Five Staff Members for Professional Development
The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre has awarded short-course scholarships to five employees across nursing, finance, and human resources disciplines as part of its 2026 Summer staff development programme. The initiative, administered through the hospital's Learning and Development Unit, aims to advance professional growth and service excellence.