Government to make lots at Willoughby Bay and other places available for local investment in tourism (photo by Google)
The government of Antigua and Barbuda is rolling out a series of policy initiatives, aimed at boosting the local participation in the tourism and entertainment sector.
Speaking at Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Director General for Communications Maurice Merchant outlined the decisions taken, which includes the introduction of a licensing regime for real estate agents and property managers.
Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maurice Merchant (screenshot of state media)
The measure is designed to support professionalism within the rapidly expanding real estate sector.
Cabinet also agreed to provide incentives for local leisure and entertainment businesses to enhance their competitiveness and stimulate investment by waiving duties and taxes on capital equipment for tour and water sports operators.
Cabinet allocated substantial land parcels exclusively for local purchase and development of Airbnb-style investment properties including 50 acres at Willoughby Bay for a new local development project, 15 acres at Royalton 50 lots at Shell Beach and condominium units at Heritage Hotel in St. John’s will be made available for purchase by local individuals and entrepreneurs following ongoing renovations.
“The Cabinet, in particular the Prime Minister, believes that there needs to be more local involvement in this sector of the nation’s economy,” Merchant explained. “Antigua and Barbuda needs additional hotel accommodations, and these projects were made particularly for local Antiguans and Barbudans to take up.”
In a related move, Cabinet decided to centralize and strengthen oversight of work permit approvals to ensure jobs created by economic expansion prioritize qualified national workers.
Going forward, the Minister responsible will be assisted directly by Cabinet in reviewing and approving work permits. The previous system involved the Ministry of Labour making determinations independently.
Under the new arrangement, the Cabinet will have provide greater input into positions that local workers can fill, addressing concerns that available jobs are being filled by foreign workers when qualified nationals are available.
Good move. I hope the land not already assigned even before they go on the market