By Aabigayle McIntosh

The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda is optimistic about the future of the 4th landed campus of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.

In a state media interview, Prime Minister Gaston Browne stated that the campus is poised to contribute major to the country’s economy in the coming years.

“I can see the campus contributing nearly 5% of our GDP. So, by the time the United Nations Development Index is reviewed within the next five years or so don’t be surprised if Antigua and Barbuda will be ranked in the 30s instead of the 50’s now.

Antigua & Barbuda climbed 17 places on the United Nations Human Development Index.

The twin-island state now stands at 54 among 193 countries, up from its previous ranking of 71.

PM Browne has also hailed this achievement as remarkable in light of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic which saw the country losing 18 percent of GDP.

He said the government has been growing the economy by an average of about eight percent per annum since the onset of the pandemic.

“I recall 25 years ago Antigua and Barbuda ranked about as low as 29 then we saw a slippage going right into the 70’s. so, to have a strong recovery to the extent the Antigua and Barbuda level of human development is now ranked at 54 second only to St Kitts and Nevis it is a very impressive achievement,” the PM said.