Honourable Asot Michael
Minister of Tourism, Economic Development & Energy
Government of Antigua and Barbuda
YIDA INTERNATIONAL GROUND-BREAKING CERMEMONY
Barnacle Point
Thursday 30th April 2015
Good morning everyone. A special good morning to:
His Excellency Governor General Dr. Sir Rodney Williams
Honourable Prime Minister Gaston Browne
Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Baldwin Spencer
Honourable Members of Cabinet
Honourable Members of the Senate, President of the Senate
Honourable Members of Parliament, Speaker of the House
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Members of the YIDA Group
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
"What is the hurry?" This question was asked of Prime Minister Gaston Browne mere hours following his swearing-in ceremony at Government House on the morning of June 13, 2014. What is the hurry? It was a question asked because a Memorandum of Understanding was negotiated within hours of ascending to the exalted post of Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
More investments, more jobs and lower taxes had been the mantra of the Antigua and Barbuda labour Party throughout the election campaign in the months prior, and the leaders of the Party meant every word of it. We knew that months would pass between signing a Memorandum of Understanding and having a backhoe dig the first foundation. We had no time to spend dilly-dallying. Time is of the essence.
It was China's great philosopher, Confucius that said, "In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of".
It is with Confucius' great wisdom in mind - - and our great pride in our country's advancing policies to develop through broad partnerships a wealthy, creative and progressive nation - - that I address you as part of this Groundbreaking Ceremony for Yida International Investment Group's Antigua Special Economic Zone.
I am confident that The Antigua Special Economic Zone will become an engine for economic growth and will strengthen linkages in our local service economy. This is development at the national level, and the country and the Zone shall work together to ensure that benefits reach every local business, every family and every child in Antigua and Barbuda because our government adheres to Confucius' philosophy so, "this is a country well governed".
I want to congratulate the YIDA Group and the Prime Minister for moving swiftly as you set about to create thousands of new jobs and to develop a part of Antigua that has remained outside of the economic boundaries of our fair land. Lawsuits intended to jettison development and to slow the pace of progress shall not deter this Labour Party administration. Let the dogs bark, VC Bird Snr. used to say, but the ABLP wagon keeps moving on.
