Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Caribbean Development Bank President Daniel Best Discuss Financing Innovation and Deepening Development Partnership

Prime Minister the Right Honourable Gaston Browne on Thursday held bilateral discussions with the President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), focusing on strengthening the longstanding partnership between Antigua and Barbuda and the regional financial institution and identifying new opportunities to finance the country’s development priorities.

The meeting followed the successful hosting of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which Prime Minister Browne described as a resounding success. He highlighted the substantial financial commitments secured through several of the summit’s side events, including US$1.2 billion pledged at the Global Eye Health Summit and more than US$200 million through the Commonwealth Nature Initiative.

The Prime Minister also underscored the renewed commitment among Commonwealth leaders to strengthen cooperation and increase intra-Commonwealth trade to approximately US$2 trillion by 2030. He said the Caribbean Development Bank would have an important role in helping the region take advantage of the expanded trade and economic opportunities expected to emerge from this commitment.

Prime Minister Browne expressed appreciation for the Bank’s continued support to Antigua and Barbuda, particularly its US$56 million facility for the expansion of the country’s school infrastructure. He noted that this investment complements the Government’s wider commitment to human development, including the expansion of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, for which the Government secured a concessional US$80 million loan from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Prime Minister indicated that work on the campus expansion is expected to commence in January 2027.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the Bank’s assistance in resolving matters relating to LIAT and its flexibility in accommodating the implementation of infrastructure works in Barbuda through the engagement of local contractors. He noted that such arrangements help retain a greater proportion of project financing within the local economy and create opportunities for domestic businesses and workers.