IMF EXPECTS A&B’S ECONOMIC EXPANSION TO CONTINUE AT ‘STABLE PACE’

An International Monetary Fund team expects Antigua and Barbuda’s “economic expansion to continue at a stable pace,” as it projects growth in real Gross Domestic Product of 2.8 per cent this year.

The assessment comes from an IMF staff mission which visited Antigua and Barbuda between January 19 and 30 for Article IV Consultations.

The mission says Antigua and Barbuda’s fiscal position strengthened in 2024 into 2025, reflecting both improved tax collections and one-off effects.

The IMF team estimates real GDP growth at 3 per cent for 2025, buttressed by what it says was a mix of rebounding construction activity but flat tourist arrivals.

It also says inflation, which had averaged 6.2 percent in 2024, moderated to an estimated 1.2 percent in 2025.

Regarding the financial sector, the IMF staff team says the overall system remains stable and liquid, but points to slowing credit growth.

It says bank lending to the private sector decelerated from 12.5 per cent in 2024 to just below 5 per cent in the year to November 2025.

The IMF team also says the public debt burden has eased substantially in recent years, but significant arrears and financing needs are ongoing challenges.