Prime Minister Gaston Browne has guaranteed that every person living in the country who wants employment will be able to find a job based on the number of developments underway in the country.
As he listed the projects that are now in progress, Browne, who was addressing an Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) rally in City East on Tuesday night, said he had confidence in his bold prediction.
Among the projects identified was the landside development on Lower Newgate Street where Global Ports Limited will invest $100 million in shops, restaurants, entertainment outlets and other amenities that cater to cruise passengers.
The prime minister anticipates that this project will generate “hundreds of jobs” and provide opportunities for nationals to own businesses in the development.
According to PM Browne, however, most job creation will take place in the hotel sector of the tourism industry.
The prime minister also pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda has welcomed more tourists during his administration than any other in the nation’s history.
He further disclosed that two hotel properties located in Dickenson Bay are now carrying out major expansions.
Halcyon Cove, which has been acquired by the Sunwing Group, is now engaging in major renovations to the property that will see the addition of 350 new rooms to the property.
The expansion of Halcyon Cove is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2023 winter tourist season, creating hundreds of new jobs.
Next door, Sandals Grande Antigua is also expanding its property with the addition of new rooms. Sandals projects that approximately 300 jobs will be created upon completion of the project.
In Barbuda, 60 condominiums are expected to be completed this year. This will add to the luxury homes located on the PLH property.
“These are just a few of the developments taking place in the country, with several more coming on stream shortly. This means that by later this year, every single able-bodied adult in this country who wants a job…can get a job,” he stated.
Prime Minister Browne projected that the country’s employment rate will be near capacity by the end of this year.
