The government has announced plans to acquire a cargo aircraft that it plans to use to transport cargo, mainly from the South America to Antigua and Barbuda and the wider OECS.
Cabinet spokesman, Maurice Merchant said the matter was discussed on Wednesday with the Cabinet acknowledging that cargo transportation within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) remains a vital yet underdeveloped pillar of regional integration and economic advancement. “The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has made a strategic policy decision to acquire a cargo aircraft. This initiative is intended to enhance the transshipment of goods between South America and OECS member states, positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a key logistics hub in the region,” Merchant noted.
He added that while regional efforts have been made to improve cargo transport within the region, the Cabinet recognizes that substantial investment and greater coordination are necessary to build a resilient and efficient system capable of withstanding global supply chain disruptions and climate-related challenges.
A government statement said the introduction of a dedicated cargo plane in Antigua and Barbuda is expected to significantly strengthen trade links, improve the movement of essential goods, and contribute meaningfully to food security across the OECS and beyond.
Meanwhile, as Antigua and Barbuda remains at the forefront of the regional port sector, Darwin Telemaque has been re-elected unopposed as chairman of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean, PMAC.
He was re-elected at the Association’s Annual General Meeting now underway in Curacao. Telemaque will be in the role for another three-year term.
His re-election comes amidst global trade and geopolitical shifts. Telemaque has also been bullish on positioning the twin-island state as a major trans-shipment hub. The country boasts the most modern port in the sub-region, following a redevelopment project financed by funds from the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
