Antigua and Barbuda to derive economic benefits from Nigerians’ visit

Antigua and Barbuda stands to derive many benefits from the visit here of a group
of business, political and social leaders from Nigeria who arrived in the country on
Saturday for an important visit.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne is reporting that already there have been
discussions between the government and members of the delegation who arrived
aboard the Air Peace inaugural flight to the country.
“I told Allen (Onyema) that he is a Garveyite, in that, he has been able to achieve
what (Marcus) Garvey envisioned but which did not materialize, the direct
connection between the African continent and the Caribbean. Through his efforts,
we have seen businessmen fly across the Atlantic as free people, who have already
been having talks with the government. These are individuals who have discussed
with us various areas of collaboration and cooperation,” he disclosed.
Among those holding talks with the government are individuals involved in oil and
gas, construction and land development, and manufacturing. He added that several
businessmen and women were invited to the social held on Monday night to make
contact with the local business community and to create a ‘partnership’ with the
local community.
The prime minister said there was particular interest in a proposal from one
member of the group. “One of the individuals with whom we met is about to
establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprise here in Antigua and Barbuda;
to include pharmaceuticals for diabetes, hypertension, and other ailments. Now, as
you know, the Caribbean region has one of the highest prevalence of NCDs, and
having such a factory here could be of significant importance not only for Antigua
and Barbuda but for people in the OECS and the wider CARICOM region,” he
declared.
Discussions with the potential Nigerian investors are ongoing.