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Caribbean Times was on hand yesterday to witness another monumental and far-reaching episode that is intended to bring bountiful gains for the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda. This was the YIDA International ground-breaking ceremony of the Guiana Island project at Barnacle Point. The Honourable Asot Michael, Minister of Tourism, Investments, Economic Development and Energy in the Government of Antigua and Barbuda gave a speech high- lighting the event. The Minister’s remarks are provided below: More investments, more jobs and low- er taxes had been the mantra of the Antigua and Barbuda labour Party throughout the election campaign in the months prior, and the leaders of the Party meant every word of it. We knew that months would pass between signing a Memorandum of Understanding and having a backhoe dig the first foundation. We had no time to spend dilly-dallying. Time is of the essence. It was China’s great philosopher, Con- fucius that said, “In a country well gov- erned, poverty is something to be ashamed of”. It is with Confucius’ great wisdom in mind and our great pride in our country’s advancing policies to develop through broad partnerships a wealthy, creative and progressive nation that I address you as part of this Groundbreaking Ceremony for Yida International Investment Group’s Antigua Special Economic Zone. I am confident that The Antigua Special Economic Zone will become an engine for economic growth and will strengthen link- ages in our local service economy. This is development at the national level, and the country and the Zone shall work together to ensure that benefits reach every local business, every family and every child in Antigua and Barbuda because our government adheres to Confucius’ philosophy so, “this is a country well governed”. The plans revealed by the YIDA Group to turn an under-utilized piece of valuable real estate into a venue for generating thousands of jobs, does not involve harm to the eco-environment. I congratulate the YIDA Group for taking into account the high regard which this administration displays for both the environment and job-creation. The Guiana Island project will enlarge the number of hotel rooms, but it will be much more than a hotel. Making Antigua a hub for the YIDA Group’s strategy of growing its investments in the Americas, will mean more office space, more cargo and traffic, more jobs for our youth, and more economic activity following years of economic decline. The Antigua Special Economic Zone is designed to provide fiscal incentives to facilitate the business operations of investors within designated areas. It will foster Antigua and Barbuda’s national economic development and lead to prosperity and improvement of people’s living standards, inside and outside of the Zone. Simplicity, speed and smooth trans- actions are important aspects that many investors consider in making business decisions. It is for these reasons that we have established this Zone. Through the Cabinet and Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, the 2015 Antigua Special Economic Act shall be legislated and passed. It will provide for drastic simplification of procedures, approvals, clearance and documentation of investment related matters. The Antigua Special Economic Zone will be a model for efficiency and success and will be managed by a highly competent team that is committed to facilitating investment activity on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda. A team of individuals has been selected to administer policy incentives and resolved issues by replacing “red tape bureaucracy” with “red carpet treatment”. We have set forth several growth and policy objectives for the Yida International In- vestment Group’s Antigua Special Economic Zone as fol- lows: Increased trade and export up to USD 40 million per year; Growth of investment up to USD 300 million per year; Longterm job creation up to 1,320 jobs per year; Local businesses revenue generation up to USD 450 million per year; National income diversification up to USD 660 million per year. Al l this will lead to the creation of an Economic Tiger that will be the powerhouse of the region and transform the destiny of our country. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is encouraged by the USD$ 70 million paid so far by Yida International to bring the project to this stage. It demonstrates your commitment that this is not just a ground- breaking ceremony, but also the actual commencement of construction in May 2015. The first phase of development will include a high-end ocean-front and beach-front villa community with construction of the first internationally branded resort all starting before the end of this year 2015… The entire development includes Antigua’s Guiana Island and surrounding areas with 2 five-star hotels, 1,300 residential units, a casino and conference centre , a 27-hole signature golf course, a marina along with a commercial/retail/sports facility. A quick conclusion of the construction and the grand opening in the near future will see the addition of thousands of high quality rooms to augment our tourism plant. It is with this in mind that we look forward with anticipation to the project’s completion, which will take tourism in Antigua and Barbuda to the next level. I can’t think of an environment that is as blessed as ours, with beautiful beaches and guaranteed sunshine that would provide a more suitable business friendly environment and platform for global investors to conduct business and manage their wealth, than the Antigua Special Economic Zone, with the signature development that will now commence. Our promise to our beloved nation of Antigua and Barbuda is that we will govern in such a way that will positively transform the lives of our people and safeguard their future for generations to come. So on behalf of our Government and our God-blessed nation of Antigua and Barbuda, we officially offer our sincere appreciation to Yida International Investment Group for their investment into the Antigua Special Economic Zone. We wish the Group unparalleled success with its investment projects in Antigua and Barbuda! May the historic spirit of our Antigua and Barbuda forebears go with you. Thank you, YIDA. May the God of our forebears bless you. May prosperity and joy mark the continuous path upon which we have embarked, today. Safe travel. Thank you. Government is giving an enthusiastic welcome to the sod-turning exercises that marked the start of work on the US $2 billion dollars in- vestment project by the YIDA International Group.In monumental ceremonies, both on mainland Antigua and on Guiana Island, representatives of YIDA International Investment Group, senior government officials, and distinguished persons participated in the exercises. In monumental ceremonies, both on mainland Antigua and on Guiana Island, representatives of YIDA International Investment Group, senior government officials, and distinguished persons participated in the exercises. The primary site for the ceremony was at Barnacle Point. There the government and the YIDA Group officials addressed the audience. The project will be the first of its kind in Antigua, involving high-end tourism facilities. There will be the establishment of the Antigua Special Economic Zone. Governor General, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams welcomed the major transformational investment into the country by the YIDA Group, seeing the income and inputs as significant boosts for the country’s economy. Prime Minister. Hon Gaston Browne, aptly described the investment to be transformational, stating that it will help to realize the Government’s dream of making Antigua and Barbuda become an economic powerhouse. But it was the voices raised in opposition to the project over their environmental concerns, that the Prime Minister gave rational and pragmatic explanation. PM Browne said he will not allow minority groups or fundamentalists to dictate for the majority of the people. He explained that he is all for listening to the concerns of groups in the society, but in the end, the decision rests with his government. The Prime Minister called on those opposing the project based on ‘misguided’ or even real environmental concerns, to be balanced in their approach. He said that both the government and the developers will seek to implement the project sensibly and responsibly. Antigua and Barbuda’s Tourism , Economic Development, Investment and Energy Minister the Hon. Asot A. Michael is this weekend wrapping up a series of meetings with tourism stakeholders in North America.
Minister Michael has been meeting with cruise and airline partners in the USA and Canada discussing areas of the Antigua and Barbuda tourism product that require improved attention and the marketing of the destination. Minister Michael, who is accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin James, Chairman of the St. John’s Development Corporation Rohan Hector, Brian Dornellas of OBM, Cruise Association President Nathan Dundas and Port Manager Mr. Darwin Telemack is holding meetings with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Travel Trade and Press Executives in Toronto, WestJet Executives, and Air Canada Vacations. Minister Michael will also meet with Tourism Minister of Canada the Hon. Michael Coteau and hold a town hall meeting with members of the Antigua and Barbuda community in Toronto. “These meetings are of vital importance to the improvement of our tourism product and as key stakeholders, it is my belief that they have a part to play in how we improve the number one income generator of our economy. Antigua and Barbuda has enjoyed a mutually rewarding relationship with the Florida Cruise Association and my aim is to enhance it both in the near and long term,” Minister Michael pointed out. “West Jet has grown tremendously since it commenced flights between Antigua and Canada and the time is ideal for us to highlight what we are doing to make our destination more desirable for Canadians. I also believe that our over forty (40) year relationship with Air Canada can be improved by upgrading the number and quality attractions on both islands in order to enhance the visitor experience,” the country’s Tourism Minister pointed out. Following meetings with the Tourism Minister of Canada, the Hon. Michael Coteau and members of the Antigua and Barbuda community on Friday evening, Minister Michael will return to Antigua on Saturday. Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy, the Honourable Asot Michael, has committed to working expeditiously to improve the St. John’s Habour facilities and to work with the cruise lines on a long-term relationship.
Minister Michael made the pledge last week in meetings with executives of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Carnival Cruise Lines - the region’s leading cruise lines. The Minister noted that this will ensure that cruise passengers have an improved visitor experience and the larger vessels, which will be delivered in the near future can be accommodated at the island’s port. Minister Michael also used the opportunity to share the government’s development plans to put Cruise Tourism back as a critical component of the destination’s tourism product. He stated that this begins with the upgrade of Port St. Johns to modernize the facilities in keeping with a long-term infrastructural development. In the early 2000’s the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) Administration was at the forefront of developing the cruise industry for the twin island state as the first destination in the Eastern Caribbean to have four berths dedicated exclusively for cruise ships. Immediate plans for the upcoming season including work by the St. Johns Development Corporation to enhance the visitor experience with a new ground transportation dispatching facility were shared with the cruise lines. The long-term initiatives to dredge the harbour along with plans for a new landside development were also well received by the cruise lines. In addition, Minister Michael spoke of the Government’s plans to make English Harbour a duty free port, which will further drive economic activity with an improved shopping experience for cruise ship visitors. The Minister pledged his support for joint investment opportunities between the cruise lines and the Government which will return the destination to its once leading position as a marquis cruise port on their itineraries. “The overall development of Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise industry will be against the backdrop of ensuring that there is sustainability in the destination’s strategies and day to day management and marketing. This coupled with the economic boom that will be realized by the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), will improve our future prospects and our ability to compete effectively in the cruise industry” Minister Michael concluded. The Honourable Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health and Environment, who brought his wealth of experience as a former Minister of Tourism also participated in the meetings. Other members of the Antigua and Barbuda delegation were Mr. Colin James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Mr. Nathan Dundas, Chairman, Antigua and Barbuda Cruise Association, and Mr. Rohan Hector, Chairman of the St. Johns Development Corporation. ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – 25th August, 2014…… “The Antiguan Government of Antigua and Barbuda has created the bold target of building no less than 500 new homes in 500 days. It is projects like these that need the support of those who have enjoyed the islands hospitality,” according to long-term local resident Calvin Ayre who has again pledged to help the country he now calls home. Ayre will add US $2,000,000 to help make this brilliant project a reality.
Canadian-born Ayre commented: “I love Antigua as so many that visit year in, year out do as well and, therefore, think its only right to continue to give something back by way of saying ‘thank you’ to the wonderful people of this beautiful island.” The project is designed to increase home ownership and will be aimed at public sector organizations in an attempt to help satisfy the housing shortage among their members. The new ABLP administration wants to empower local builders with specific incentives to make it easier for them to develop housing projects. |
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