The 26th Session of the UN Tourism General Assembly continues in Riyadh, with Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, H. Charles Fernandez busily engaged in a series of high-level bilateral and business meetings aimed at strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s investment and tourism partnerships.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, Minister Fernandez and the Antigua and Barbuda delegation met with a senior delegation from the Saudi EXIM Bank to explore potential areas of collaboration and investment. The meeting, which focused on economic cooperation and development financing, was led on the Saudi side by Dr. Naif Alshammari, Deputy CEO, Jahera Almri, Partnerships Manager, and Naif O. Alajroush, Director General of International Relations.
The Antigua and Barbuda delegation included Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Vernon Jeffers and Director of Policy and Planning in the Ministry of Tourism St. Clair Soleyn. Together, they presented an economic overview of Antigua and Barbuda and highlighted the country’s strong growth trajectory.
It was noted that Antigua and Barbuda currently maintains one of the highest GDPs in the region, second only to Guyana, and is strategically positioned to foster Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and attract significant foreign investment. Discussions also explored collaboration in tourism, aviation, and financial services, as well as opportunities for capacity building and development.
The Saudi EXIM Bank delegation expressed a keen interest in expanding its footprint within the Caribbean, noting the potential for engagement with local banking institutions and strategic partnerships across key sectors. The delegation also extended an official invitation for Antigua and Barbuda to participate in an upcoming investment conference hosted by the Saudi EXIM Bank in Panama in early 2026.
Earlier in the week, Minister Fernandez and members of his delegation were hosted at a luncheon with Her Royal Highness Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al Saud, Deputy Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Discussions focused on deepening cooperation in the yachting, sailing, and marina industries; sectors in which Antigua and Barbuda continues to demonstrate strong growth and international appeal, as well as exploring potential collaboration on coral reef restoration initiatives, an area of mutual environmental and tourism interest.
During the luncheon, Minister Fernandez presented Her Royal Highness with a handcrafted model sailing vessel bearing the national flag of Antigua and Barbuda, symbolizing the nation’s maritime heritage and growing global reputation as a premier yachting destination. Her Royal Highness expressed her appreciation for the gesture and conveyed her strong interest in visiting Antigua and Barbuda to further explore opportunities within the marine tourism sector.
The Antigua and Barbuda delegation is expected to continue engaging in bilateral and investment discussions throughout the remainder of the UN Tourism General Assembly, which has convened over 160 countries under the theme “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future.”
