Prime Minister evades direct answer to question on YIDA development, but says country will not benefit from its failure

From all reports, Chinese developer Yida Zhang has not been able to
convince other investors to buy into his vision for the Special
Economic Zone on Guiana Island.

YIDA International Antigua Ltd. owns thousands of acres of land,
with a significant portion located in the largest marine conservation
area.

The Gaston Browne Administration had endorsed, wholesale, YIDA’s
$740 million investment project, and had boasted that the country
would enjoy an investment of EC$200 million annually over a 10-
year period.
 
In May 2015, ground was broken for the project. The initial work
included the clearing of trees and bushes and what some say was
the removal of the mangroves. And while some roadways were later

built, not much has taken place in the economic zone – which should
have seen factories, casinos, and hotels being constructed.

At present, overgrown shrubbery and a compromised environment
are all that stand; but the hundreds of jobs and millions in the
economy have never materialized.
 
During the sitting of the Lower House on Monday, September 18, MP
Jamale Pringle questioned Prime Minister Browne about the project.
 
Browne could not say much on the development; but he cited media
reports that referred to YIDA experiencing some issues that he
hopes will be resolved in a short time.
 
In defense, Browne claims that the Chinese investor, so far, has
invested over US$200 million in the economy by acquiring the land
and building out his own infrastructure.
 
Further, according to Browne, the country does not benefit if YIDA
fails to attract further business.

 Browne was asked about the Western Imperial Special Economic
Zone (WISEZ), as well, but made no mention of plans for this
development.
 
The Administration had entered into an agreement with an Indian
businessman for the WISEZ project, which was gazetted on
September 23, 2021.

However, less than a year after the deal to develop the Five Islands-
Jennings area – over 500 acres –was signed, the investor packed up
and left, and all the materials, including boulders, were removed.