Lovell makes a pitch for reputable regional and international investment in A&B’s economy during summit held in Barbados
Harold Lovell, Political Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), was a featured speaker at the Upturn Funds Caribbean Investment Summit held in Barbados on the weekend.
Hosted by Leadership Axehead Consulting, the investment-solutions event featured government, private sector, investment and global leaders who presented customized solutions to address the socio-economic development needs of the Caribbean.
Since job creation through strategic investment is high on its Economic Revival agenda, the UPP is pursuing reputable partners and credible investment opportunities, Lovell says.
So far, the Political Leader has spent three days engaging with investors and policymakers who represent over US$5 billion in investment potential for economic development throughout the Caribbean.
Lovell presented the Party’s investment prospectus in a number of key areas, including wellness tourism; agriculture and agri-business; manufacturing; affordable housing; renewable energy solutions; and aviation.
The Party, he says, is already doing proper due diligence to identify investors with a proven track record, since Antigua and Barbuda is in urgent need of industry diversification. Achieving this would propel the private sector and provide viable alternatives to public-sector employment, he notes.
“The UPP is developing a solid plan for economic revival to create a vibrant, dynamic and prosperous nation that will put citizens and residents back to work,” Lovell says.
As part of its strategy, the UPP will re-position the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA) to facilitate greater foreign-direct investment and to bring equity to the investment playing field.
Accordingly, that agency will dispense concessions, waivers and tax holidays based on developers’ level of investment.
Conference attendees included leaders and investors from the United States of America, Canada, Central America, the Caribbean, Brazil, Europe and the Middle East.
Presenters included high-level government officials, including two members of the US Congress: Yvette Diane Clarke and Dr. Mark Green; Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, MP Sandra Husbands; and Prime Minister of Aruba Evelyn Wever-Croes.