Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Pointe FM (screenshot)
Prime Minister Gaston Browne is urging members of the Antigua and Barbuda diaspora to return home and play a role in the country’s development.
Speaking Saturday on the Browne and Browne show, he underscored the importance of harnessing the talents and expertise of nationals living abroad, suggesting that their return could significantly contribute to the economic and social development of Antigua and Barbuda – especially in light of the worldâs current sociopolitical climate.
âLast week I would have said – quoting my dear friend Mark Brantley in Nevis – that Antigua and Barbuda might end up with a brain gain rather than a brain drain,â said PM Browne. âThose who have skills, we would want to encourage some of them to come back home and to help us to build the country.â
Prime Minister Browne highlighted the contrast between the living conditions in Antigua & Barbuda and the challenges currently faced by some Antiguans and Barbudans living overseas. He emphasized the benefits of residing in Antigua and Barbuda from a tax standpoint, while also referencing expenses such as mortgage, childcare, and transportation costs to support his argument.
âThe United States, generally speaking, is far more expensive – especially when it comes to healthcare and so on – its far more expensive than living here,â explained the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also pointed to the reality that some nationals living in the diaspora are becoming burdens on the social services systems of other countries, as they are not making efforts to be productive members of society. He hinted that this has played a role in shaping the policies of the current U.S. administration.
âThis kind of behavior is just totally inappropriate. They are the ones that are making it difficult for others who are seeking opportunities in the United States who would like to reconnect with their family members and so on,â said Browne.
âI want to encourage our citizens, those who will continue to migrate to the United States – be it temporarily or if they resume the permanent visa system – that they become productive citizensâ.
He encouraged those who have become unproductive while overseas to return to the nation, which he asserts will not only serve their own interests but also contribute to the well-being of the Antiguan and Barbudan community as a whole.
âRather than to stay in the United States and to be unproductive, come home and build your country,â said the PM. âMany of them can do better here.”
“We don’t want them to struggle, we want them to come back home, we want them to do well. We want them to control the commanding heights of our country’s economy along with those that are living here.”
Real talk and provide reasonable pay for them and who are already here
I agree 100% the place have work. Constriction booming. Alot lf them.in foreign catching hell
We did that paid 10, 000. At the port for a vehicle because it wasn’t in my name over a year, skirritte Pasture hardly have water we had to buy pumps light bill is out off reach, my meter was bad $12,000.00 light bill they replaced the meter waited 3 months that they can average out the bills not up to this date, Spanish bars playing all night, close to churches, DCA stop a house from building almost in the gutter after the guys left house almost done, right by squabler mechanic shop, now at the top of the road right there a lady building a crait place to sell food no water rats ect, at the same Shirley road PWD dig out the road by squabbler never pass back me a go back America this is the tip off the iceberg. My friend brought me her container with furniture antigua returning home all kinda problem at the port make it easy to come back we love our country we want to help build it up
While the cost of living is high in America the pay is better than it is here. Especially when sending money back home your 1000 US transforms into 2700 EC
MR. PM the banks are ridiculous they wants this amount of ID a passport and one more ID should be enough I had to get my retirement letter from social security in America waiting on it, why weeks to open a new just type it in the computer while we are sitting there, then debit cards takes weeks, have to wait weeks for the code for online bank, lines long for ATM and inside standing outside in the heat for hours when you ask the security guard can I step in for a minute to cool off he standing taller no get back đ this is another mater need fixing a antigua me come from
Some people are in jobs in the US that pay well and wont be able to find a job that pays them that much
This is a timely and important conversation. Many in the diaspora left seeking opportunity, stability, and better living standards, but the global landscape has shifted. Antigua and Barbuda now offers real advantages: lower taxes, a better quality of life, and growing opportunities for skilled nationals to contribute meaningfully.
That said, returning home must also be matched with clear pathways for employment, investment, and skills integration, so returning nationals can truly thrive and add value. If done right, a âbrain gainâ could strengthen the country socially and economically, while reconnecting families and communities. Nation-building is a shared responsibility, whether at home or abroad.
Job availability, housing, and cost of living will influence decisions to return
I agree we should encourage skilled nationals to come home, but the system has to be ready for them.
As PM itâs easy for you to talk Mr sirâŠ.. Antigua canât afford to pay half of the talented citizens who decide to live overseas where the opportunity arises⊠you call all these things expensive but come on. Prices here in Antigua is damn near ridiculous and God knows the poor ainât payed enough to afford anything hereâŠ. These people donât want to come back home and living pay check to pay checkâŠ.. revamp your system before you ask the people to return home⊠donât just give Antigua a good look. Think about the long term suffering to endure here as wellâŠ
PM I dont have an issue with your gesture but what are we coming home to. The country is booming with construction but in the US food and appliances are cheap. We get more for our dollar. Its easier said than done.
Some of us are tied up so heavily in the US and Canada that coming home would be to start over and that might be hard.
There are many Antiguans who tries to return home by trying to build new homes on family property, etc., and in trying to get a basic construction loan or to build a relationship with an Antiguan bank or other financial institutions, etc. their application is denied. All make you go thru rigorous application process to provide tons of documents, to make sure you are not a money laundering or a bogus company or fictitious individual to then deny you. It is disheartening. What are the incentives for native Antiguans if those trying are being denied a basic construction loan to build on land that is owned outright? Might as well build elsewhere-go elsewhere!
Its easy for you to say PM