Antigua and Barbuda has given a ringing endorsement to the Belt and Road
Initiative, the key foreign policy platform being promoted by President Xi Jinping
of the People’s Republic of China.
The endorsement is contained in remarks made by Health and Environment
Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph at the 3 rd Belt and Road Forum for International
Cooperation now taking place in China.
According to Sir Molwyn, the BRI seeks to usher in a major transformation in the
world, as it would place development at the feet of all nations. He said since it was
first launched, it has gone through changes that will benefit all nations equally.
“The BRI has evolved and it has given hope to all nations that prosperity will not
be located in only certain geographical areas on our planet; prosperity will become
the common experience of all people irrespective of their geography or all nations
irrespective of their size,” he remarked.
The health and environment minister reaffirmed that Antigua and Barbuda
welcomes the bold initiatives as highlighted by President Xi at the opening of the
conference. “We welcome these initiatives as they are people centered, initiatives
that will embrace the partnership and solidarity among nations or among the family
of nations, the building of platforms that would result in the modernization of all
nations, the transfer of technologies, the sharing of experience, and the sharing of
wealth. This was the message that was delivered by the president,” Sir Molwyn
noted.
The senior minister outlined that Caribbean states have been working on models of
development that fit their particular circumstances. He expressed the view that
trade among regional states would be strengthened by the plans detailed by
President Xi.
Speaking more specifically about Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Molwyn explained that
one of the major roadblocks to development has been the unavailability of capital
for investment. However, he sees the BRI as a ready source of capital to jumpstart
that development.
“The BRI has brought funding and financial arrangements that allow for greater
opportunities for our people. For example, the financial resources that have flowed
from China have allowed for the building out of infrastructure to include the new
airport terminal and the recent upgrade of the St. John’s Harbour,” he declared.
He added that the BRI has evolved in another important way; that is the ‘greening’
of the initiative. This, he explained is important, as it seeks to ensure that
conditions on the planet that guarantee health and safety of humanity are preserved
for generations to come.
Antigua and Barbuda signed the BRI agreement in 2018, becoming the first OECS
country, and the second country in the Caribbean (behind Trinidad and Tobago) to
join the initiative. More than 155 countries have since signed up to be part of the
BRI.
