PM Browne Says 2026 Will Test Economic Permanence After “Year of Bounty”
— Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda must now focus on converting recent economic gains into lasting stability, describing 2026 as a critical test of permanence following what he called a “year of bounty” in 2025.
In his New Year’s Address to the nation, Browne said the country enters the new year from a position of strength, but warned that success must be sustained through discipline, productivity and national ownership of the development process.
Despite global pressures, including rising costs driven by international trade tensions, Browne said the past year delivered strong economic outcomes. He added, however, that the challenge ahead lies in ensuring those gains endure.
“The year before us offers something even greater—the opportunity to turn success into permanence, if we continue forward together,” Browne said.
The prime minister urged Antiguans and Barbudans to take greater ownership of the economy as the country advances what he described as a stakeholder society, where national progress is driven by local participation alongside foreign investment.
He called on citizens to invest their skills, creativity and resources in entrepreneurship and productive activity, saying the commanding heights of the economy must increasingly rest on the strength and initiative of the country’s own people.
Browne reaffirmed his long-term vision of transforming Antigua and Barbuda into an economic powerhouse, arguing that ambition, resilience and strategic planning remain central to that goal.
He said national development requires more than policy direction, calling instead for a culture of excellence and productivity across all sectors of society.
“Excellence is never an accident; it is the result of intention and effort,” Browne said, urging citizens to embrace discipline, innovation and strong work ethics as the foundation of sustainable growth.
The prime minister said Antigua and Barbuda’s future competitiveness depends on a workforce and business community committed to continuous improvement, adding that shared responsibility and national pride remain essential to securing long-term prosperity.
He urged the country to move into 2026 with purpose and resolve, saying economic strength will be measured not only by growth, but by the ability to preserve and build upon it over time.
