Prime Minister Gaston Browne speaks at 2026 ABLP Manifesto Launch
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has mounted a strong defence of the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), revealing that it has generated more than EC$1.4 billion in non-tax revenue for Antigua and Barbuda over the past decade.
Speaking at the launch of the ABLP’s 2026 manifesto at the American University of Antigua on Monday, Browne dismissed calls for the programme to be scrapped, warning that such a move would create a major hole in government finances.
“Since its establishment, the programme has generated more than $1.4 billion in non-tax revenues for the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Let me repeat—$1.4 billion in 11 years,” Browne declared.
He emphasized that the funds have played a critical role in financing key national priorities, including pensions, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and public safety.
“It is real, measurable income. It has helped to finance pensions, healthcare, education, scholarships, public safety, water, roads and housing,” he said.
The Prime Minister also linked the programme directly to the government’s ability to maintain its no personal income tax policy.
“It has done so while helping to spare our people the burden of personal income tax and other heavier taxation. That is the reality,” Browne added.
He challenged critics of the CIP to present clear alternatives.
“Those who call for the programme to be abolished have a duty to tell the country what they will do instead. Tell us where this compensatory revenue will come from,” he said.
Browne warned that eliminating the programme without a replacement would force difficult choices.
“What taxes would they impose? What services would they cut? What development would they postpone?” he asked.
He also pointed to employment tied to the programme, noting that thousands of jobs—both direct and indirect—depend on CIP-related investments and projects.
“Are you saying that all of the workers involved in CIP-supported projects should be sent home?” he questioned.
Making his administration’s position clear, Browne said there will be no rollback under his leadership.
“The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party administration will not be reckless in dismantling a programme that has supported the people of this country and strengthened the national economy. It will not happen under my leadership,” he stated.
Instead, he pledged to strengthen and regulate the programme.
“We will continue to defend it, we will continue to strengthen it, and we will continue to regulate it properly in the national interest,” Browne said.
The CIP remains one of the most significant pillars of the country’s economic model, particularly in funding large-scale infrastructure projects without increasing taxation.
so why All Saints road nah done do yet
Yall sickening set of Antiguans just make me want to sin. The work just start, you expect it to finish already? If they don’t take their time now you’ll be the same one to say, they rush the work and all kind of shii. Just shut up and let the road progress.
The numbers speak for themselves. $1.4 billion in non-tax revenue is not something small for a country like Antigua and Barbuda. If this is what is helping to fund pensions, healthcare, and infrastructure without income tax, then it’s understandable why the government is defending it so strongly.
We know the pressure out there is rough but we know you are tough
Listen to me well. Our PM is solid abd will defend this country even id it means he is hated by the world. Where CIP is concerned…we need it. We dont have oil likenother countries thats all we have
It’s a good program we just need to tighten on it
Great work Hon. Gaston Browne. Good
Gaston Browne should be ashamed to say that the CIP generates over $1.4 billions to country revenue. Where has that money gone? We, the people, are still looking to see where those billions have gone toward the country’s development, beyond some going toward the housing project and government salaries and wages. Looks at the conditions of St John’s streets and gutter drains. Some areas in the city still don’t get running water during daytime operations. The roads’ infrastructure throughout the country is deplorable, the water supply, the deplorable healthcare services…and the list goes on and on.
Gaston, you can only fool your supporters whose palms you continuously grease—they don’t care about the country at all.
We love our PM in the morning and in the PM.
They want us to end our CIP when it is the bread basket. Tell them go to hell thats why we will vote LABOUR because you speak the truth and nevr bow to the so called super powers of the world
When the UPP introduced and implemented the CIP, most people opposed it, including the ABLP, and they voted the UPP out of office. Now that the ABLP is managing the program, it is a good program.