Author: Editor

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has secured a fourth consecutive mandate following the general election held on 30th April. His Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) delivered a decisive victory, winning 15 of the 17 seats in Parliament and strengthening its majority. The opposition is left with a significantly reduced presence in Parliament, reinforcing Browne’s position as one of the country’s longest-serving prime ministers in recent history. The outcome signals continuity in leadership and a clear mandate as the country continues to focus on economic growth, investment and long-term development.

What spurred your initial interest and passion for the citizenship by investment industry? Listening to different languages and learning about new ethnicities and cultures through books, media and travel has always been a passion of mine. My father migrated from Grenada to join the Royal Police Force of Antigua & Barbuda in the 60s, and most of my extended family migrated from Antigua to elsewhere for greater opportunities, but I always knew that I would stay in Antigua. During my time in the banking, communications and tourism sectors, I met many international visitors originating from the major continents, and after…

Toni Halliday and Alan Moulder are among the newest citizens of Antigua & Barbuda. Toni is best known as the singer and songwriter of Curve, a pioneering ‘90s alternative band, while Alan is a Grammy-award-winning mixer and producer whose work has shaped the sound of some of the world’s most influential artists. Having found themselves captivated by Antigua’s warmth, beauty, and easy pace of life, they have decided to put down roots and become citizens of the twin-island nation. What first brought you to Antigua, and what were your first impressions of the island? (Alan) We had been living in…

Born and raised in the fishing village of Urlings, Antigua, Qasim “Q” Henry grew up with the sea as his playground and storytelling as second nature. His career began in hospitality, entertaining guests with fire-eating shows and island charm, before he co-founded the Inside Out Tour Company with business partner Camilla Iaia. What started as a way to capture promotional videos for their tours gradually turned into a deeper creative pursuit. Photography became a new way for Qasim to tell stories – framing Antigua’s landscapes, textures and colours through a lens sharpened by local insight and a love for the…

by Julie Harvey Esty, Founding Director of Antigua & Barbuda Ocean Trust (ABOT) Did you know that just because a sunscreen label says “reef safe”, there’s a very good chance that it actually is not? Here in Antigua & Barbuda, we are fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful coral reefs that provide shelter and food for many marine species, offer protection during storms and support our local economy. However, these beautiful underwater ecosystems are facing grave threats, including climate change, pollution, and, increasingly, the toxic chemicals found in everyday products like sunscreen. In recent years, the term ‘reef-safe’ sunscreen has…

Vast and still, the salt ponds of Barbuda shimmer in the sunlight: quiet and gleaming, set against a backdrop of mangroves and coastal scrub. But these serene, shallow waters once played an important role in the island’s economy, long before tourism and luxury developments emerged on this beautiful isle. Salt, after all, has always mattered more than most give it credit for. So much so that the word “salary” comes from the Latin salarium, a payment made in salt. Wars have been fought over it, empires built on it, and in Barbuda, entire communities shaped by it. There is something…

You might be dreaming of a white Christmas – and in Antigua & Barbuda, that dream can come true. But instead of snow, you’ll find powdery white sand. And instead of building a snowman, you’ll be building sandcastles on one of the islands’ breathtaking beaches. Many people escape Christmas at home for a variety of reasons, seeking the beauty, sunshine, and serenity of the Caribbean while leaving behind family politics, holiday stress, and the relentless commercialism of the season. If that sounds like your kind of Christmas, Antigua offers the perfect escape. Imagine spending Christmas Day sunbathing on a stunning…

Back in March 2024, the five heads of the countries operating CIPs in the OECS signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to integrate aspects of the programmes. Can you tell us more about what was agreed on and the main goals? The ultimate goal of the MOA is the standardisation and strengthening of the administration of the programmes. Six main areas were focused on, which are:1. Increasing the minimum investment threshold to US$200,000.2. Formalising information sharing and the implementation of common transparency standards.3. Establishing a regional regulatory body for the programmes.4. Implementing common security screening and background checks framework.5. Implementing…

Brian Dobbin, founder of Citizens International, also established Elmsbridge Property International alongside his wife, Kaline. Together, they have built a multi-award-winning luxury home development company, offering bespoke residences, property management and rental solutions, creating homes from concept to completion. Their two flagship developments in Antigua, The Beach Housesand The Gardens, provide buyers with the opportunity to own a luxury retreat in this island paradise, along with the option to apply for citizenship to Antigua & Barbuda. The Citizen spoke to Brian to learn more about these exceptional developments. Could you tell us a bit about the founding of Elmsbridge? What…

The Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit’s (CIU) new Chairman of the Board is Jeff Hadeed, a versatile entrepreneur born in Trinidad & Tobago but who grew up in Antigua & Barbuda. After studying in the US, Jeff managed a family business in St Maarten before studying fashion design in Italy. He returned to Antigua & Barbuda to manage the family’s garment manufacturing company and became the owner of the Big Banana Holding Co, a well-known bar and restaurant group. Over his career, Jeff has opened multiple restaurants, including The Beach, The Larder and MAIA at South Point. He…