60M Earmarked – By Deslyn A Joseph
60M Earmarked Potential Oecs
A high-level diplomatic meeting between Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados has signaled a major shift toward deeper regional integration, with proposals for a new regional airline and a sustainability-linked accreditation system for the tourism sector topping the agenda.
What began as a courtesy call between Prime Minister Gaston Browne and the Barbadian High Commissioner David Comissiong has evolved into a strategic dialogue focused on tangible cooperation. Central to these discussions is the urgent need for enhanced regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Browne revealed that plans are being explored for the formation of “OECS Air,” a carrier that could potentially see the transition of LIAT into a dedicated sub-regional airline.
“Approximately US$60 million in unclaimed deposit receipts has already been identified to support this aviation initiative. Establishing robust air links between the OECS and Barbados is essential for making regional travel more efficient and strengthening economic ties across the archipelago,” he stated
The dialogue also turned toward the future of the Caribbean’s primary economic engine: tourism. The Barbadian High Commissioner proposed the implementation of a sustainability accreditation system designed to evaluate and reward hotels, restaurants, and tourism facilities.
“Under this model, businesses would be judged on specific indicators of sustainability, including their commitment to local ownership, the use of indigenous food, and the promotion of local culture,” he explained.
While Browne expressed support for the sustainability framework, he stressed that “true empowerment” must be rooted in local ownership. He highlighted Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing efforts to expand domestic participation in the economy, notably in the housing sector and the growing local ownership of Airbnb-style properties as a model for economic justice.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to the cause of reparations. Acknowledging the deep historical links between the two nations and their shared experience with the legacy of slavery, both leaders agreed that Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados are uniquely positioned to collaborate more closely on seeking justice and historical redress.
