The head of a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that recently visited Antigua and Barbuda has recommended that the authorities continue their efforts to improve the main engines of economic growth in the region.

Emine Boz, Assistant to the Director at the Research Department of the IMF, stated that it is important to focus on increasing flight connectivity and cruise ship homeporting.

Boz also suggested that operationalizing LIAT would help to improve intra-regional flight connectivity further, complementing the recent expansion of other airline companies’ presence in Antigua and Barbuda.

Last month, Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed plans for a new regional airline, LIAT 2020, which will not take on the liabilities of LIAT (1974).

Browne said that his government had struggled with LIAT (1974) Limited for the past three years, and had been unable to attract regional investors, resulting in a partnership with Air Peace, a private Nigerian airline.