Antigua and Barbuda 2006

Antigua and Barbuda 2006

In 2006, Antigua and Barbuda was a small Caribbean nation located in the West Indies. The country had experienced some economic growth in the early 2000s, with foreign investment increasing and new businesses being established across the islands. Education had also improved dramatically, with more schools being built and a higher literacy rate than previous years. According to constructmaterials, infrastructure had been developed throughout Antigua and Barbuda, with new roads, bridges and other public works projects being constructed. Despite these improvements however, there were still significant challenges facing Antiguans and Barbudans in 2006 including high levels of unemployment and poverty as well as ongoing security threats from organized crime groups. Additionally, much of the countryside remained underdeveloped or inaccessible due to poor infrastructure and lack of resources. Nevertheless, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda were hopeful that their country could continue to make progress towards a better future for its citizens.

Yearbook 2006

Antigua and Barbuda. The protracted trade dispute between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States over the availability of foreign Internet gaming companies to the US domestic market continued during the year. Antigua and Barbuda have become increasingly dependent on foreign currency from Internet casinos based in the country as a result of reduced tourism income. In February, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda accused the United States of not following the decision of the World Trade Organization in April 2005 on the issue. According to CountryAAH, major public holidays in Antigua and Barbuda include Independence Day (November 1) and New Year (January 1). The WTO then determined that some of the US federal laws discriminate against foreign-based Internet gaming companies. Following the protests of Antigua and Barbuda in July, the WTO issued an investigation into whether or not the United States is following the WTO’s decision. Violation of WTO decisions may involve financial penalties, e.g. penalties on the country’s exports.

Antigua and Barbuda Map with Surrounding Countries

Antigua and Barbuda Overview

Antigua and Barbuda is an island nation in the Caribbean. It is dotted with three different islands; Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. About 97% of the state’s population lives on the island of Antigua. The island of Redonda is not inhabited at all due to the rocky soil.

Antigua and Barbuda have a hurricane season from June to November. The most recent devastating hurricane visited the island of Barbuda in 2017. The main industry of the island state is tourism, which overshadowed the cultivation of sugar, which was previously the main industry.

Area: 440 km²

Population: 98,179 (estimate 7/2020)

Capital: Saint John’s

Language: English (official language)

Main products: Tourism

Form of government: Parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy

History

Within the Caribbean islands belonging to the Commonwealth, the State of Antigua and Barbuda continued to be characterized by a peculiar political situation, due to the hegemonic role of the Antigua Labor Party (ALP), dominated by V. Bird, which obtained the majority in the general elections of March 1989. In the 1990s some members of the government found themselves involved in corruption and arms trafficking: numerous public demonstrations were organized and the opposition forces gathered in the United Progressive Party (UPP) to try to force Bird to resign. Nonetheless, the government remained in office until the end of its mandate and the ALP managed to retain the majority even in the 1994 elections., as a result of which L. Bird, son of V. Bird, was appointed Prime Minister.

In September 1995 Antigua and Barbuda were devastated by Hurricane Luis which severely damaged 75 % of the houses, leaving about half of the population homeless.

Financial scandals and various episodes of corruption also weakened, like the previous ones, the government chaired by L. Bird, whose action in the following years was aimed above all at trying to improve the image of the country, considered one of the major hubs for traffic international drug and money laundering activities.

The State of Antigua and Barbuda, with the end of the bipolarity, followed a policy of non-alignment, while maintaining the traditional ties with the United States. Former member of CARICOM and OECS (Organization of East Caribbean States), he joined the ACS (Association of Caribbean States), established in February 1994, which brings together the countries of CARICOM and Central America in order to limit the impact changes in international trade in the small open economies of the Caribbean basin.