Antiguan and Barbuda Prime Minister applauds Air Peace’s trail-blazing initiatives, woos Nigerian investors
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Honourable Gaston Alfonso Browne, has commended Air Peace for its pioneering efforts, particularly the recent launch of direct flights to London.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister has extended an invitation to Nigeria’s business community to explore investment opportunities in his dual-island Caribbean nation.
Browne expressed his sentiments during a high-profile Business Forum/Dinner held on Friday, May 3, 2024, at the Delborough Hotel, VI, Lagos.
The event attracted prominent figures from various sectors including industry leaders, Air Peace Management, former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, retired Nigerian footballer Segun Odegbami, aviation experts, and representatives of the Lagos State Government.
Extolling Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, for his visionary business strategies, Browne congratulated the airline on its recent London service.
He eagerly anticipated Air Peace’s initiation of scheduled direct flights to Antigua and Barbuda, foreseeing its positive impact on socio-economic development and bilateral relations.
Browne highlighted the collaboration between his government and Air Peace in establishing LIAT 2020 Airline in Antigua and Barbuda, slated to commence operations in the Caribbean region imminently.
He expressed gratitude to Onyema for his bold investment in the Caribbean nation.
In his address, Onyema urged the governments of Nigeria and Antigua and Barbuda to explore mutually beneficial development opportunities.
He encouraged fellow investors to emulate his investment in Antigua and Barbuda, citing his satisfaction with the LIAT 2020 Airline venture.
“We are going long-haul with the government of Antigua and Barbuda, and in the coming weeks or months, the LIAT birds will hit the Caribbean skies. I have invested there. I cannot mislead you” he affirmed.
Browne elucidated the plethora of business prospects available in his country, inviting the Nigerian business community to consider investment opportunities.
He assured that Antigua and Barbuda offers a secure and incentivized business environment, emphasising the Investor Immigration Programme designed to confer citizenship to foreign investors.
Enumerating sectors such as energy, education, pharmaceuticals, banking, real estate, tourism, fintech, agriculture, manufacturing, and blockchain as areas ripe for investment, Browne underscored the country’s commendable development indices and low inflation rate.
He emphasised his country’s primary goal of fortifying relations with Nigeria and the broader African continent.
“I believe Africa has a significant amount of resources, and literally every African country can become a developed country. I am of the view that African countries can do even better than the Republic of China.
“Our aspiration for Nigeria is to see Nigeria become a developed country within the next decade or two. And we want to make sure that we are an early mover in the Caribbean to establish close linkages with Nigeria to increase trade and investment. The Caribbean and Africa must unite and work together to bring prosperity to our people,” Browne articulated.
