Antigua immigration focus on the national overview of Antigua:
Geography and Area
Antigua and Barbuda is located in the northern part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea and consists of the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, and Redonda. The total area is 441.6 square kilometers, with Antigua covering 280 square kilometers, Barbuda 160 square kilometers, and the uninhabited island of Redonda 1.6 square kilometers. The capital is St. John's, and the time zone is UTC-4, which is exactly 12 hours behind Beijing time.
Population
90,000 (2012), the vast majority of whom are of African descent. English is the official and common language. Most residents are Christian. The climate is tropical, with an average annual temperature of 27°C. May to October is the hottest season, with temperatures reaching 33°C. The average annual precipitation is about 1020 mm. The people of Antigua and Barbuda are simple and honest, the climate is pleasant, and there are no hurricanes or earthquakes, making it the safest island nation in the Caribbean.
Economy
Currently, the national income of Antigua and Barbuda is mainly derived from tourism, construction, offshore finance, manufacturing, and agriculture. Agriculture is primarily for self-sufficiency. There are also a few industries, mainly producing export products. Antigua and Barbuda attaches importance to the development of tourism, processing industries, and agriculture, actively attracting foreign investment, and encouraging the construction of public facilities and the establishment of joint ventures.
2012 Main Economic Indicators:
GDP: 1.174 billion USD
Growth rate: 1.5%.
GDP per capita: 13,401 USD
Currency name: Eastern Caribbean Dollar
Exchange rate: 1 USD = 2.7 Eastern Caribbean Dollars
① Manufacturing
Since the 1980s, light industries such as manufacturing, assembly, and processing have developed rapidly. Main products include refrigerator and fan assembly, as well as brewing, clothing, household appliances, and pottery. In 1995, the output value of the manufacturing and construction industries accounted for 1.9% and 9.9% of the GDP, respectively. The sugar industry was once the main export product of Antigua and Barbuda, but it is now mainly used to meet domestic demand. In the early 1970s, the government formulated a series of industrial development plans and established the first factory zone, beginning to support the manufacturing industry. Since the 1980s, export-oriented processing and assembly industries have developed rapidly. Due to inadequate economic infrastructure and limited markets, the manufacturing industry has increasingly shrunk. In 1994, Antigua and Barbuda established a free trade zone. Due to preferential policies, many companies were attracted to register, but few actually built factories on-site.
② Agriculture
Including poultry, forestry, and fisheries. 10% of the labor force is engaged in agricultural labor, and food cannot be self-sufficient. In recent years, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has encouraged the development of agriculture to reduce dependence on imported food. Major agricultural products include Sea Island cotton, corn, vegetables, and fruits. Other agricultural activities include cattle, pig, goat, and sheep farming.
③ Transportation
There are 384 kilometers of main roads and 780 kilometers of auxiliary roads in the country, with no railways. The capital, St. John's, is a natural deep-water port with modern facilities that can accommodate 10,000-ton ocean-going passenger and cargo ships. V.C. Bird International Airport is located 9 kilometers northeast of the capital, St. John's, and has routes to North America, Europe, and other English-speaking countries in the Caribbean. There are regular daily flights between the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Barbuda has a modern deep-water port that can accommodate various types of ships and is equipped with container transport systems and mechanized conveyor devices.
④ Finance
In the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the government revenue of Antigua and Barbuda was 670 million Eastern Caribbean Dollars, and fiscal expenditure was 1.05 billion Eastern Caribbean Dollars.
⑤ Foreign Trade
Due to the underdeveloped industry, almost all goods from small hardware to various electronic products and automobiles are imported, and foreign trade has historically had a large deficit. Major imports include machinery and equipment, transport vehicles, raw materials for production (including semi-finished products), fuels and lubricants, building materials, agricultural products, automobiles, food, and daily necessities. Exports include small amounts of rum, Sea Island cotton, clothing, cotton lint, and processed foods. The main trading partners are the United States and Caribbean countries. In 2012, the export value of Antigua and Barbuda was 37.9 million USD, and the import value was 400 million USD.
⑥ Tourism
Antigua and Barbuda has unique geographical conditions, with 365 high-quality beaches, a pleasant climate, beautiful scenery, and a rich tropical style. Successive governments of Antigua and Barbuda have adopted policies to prioritize the development of tourism. Tourism revenue now accounts for 60% of the GDP and 80% of foreign exchange earnings, with 10,000 people employed in the industry. Tourists mainly come from the United States, Europe, Canada, and other Caribbean countries. Antigua is famous for its beaches, international sailing competitions, and carnival. Barbuda is relatively underdeveloped, but its various wild animals also attract a large number of tourists every year.
People's Livelihood
The country provides free medical care and pensions, which can guarantee basic medical care and hygiene. In 2012, the average life expectancy in Antigua and Barbuda was 75.7 years, and the annual population growth rate was 1.276%. The communications industry is developing rapidly, and communication trunk lines have all been converted to fiber optics. In 2011, there were 35,500 telephones and 176,000 mobile phones.
Military
There is a defense force of 170 people, including 125 in the army and 45 in the coast guard. Military spending accounts for 0.5% of the GDP.
Foreign Relations
On June 1, 2013, during his visit to Latin American countries, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in economy, trade, humanities, and other fields. In terms of foreign relations, the government of Antigua and Barbuda actively pursues pragmatic diplomacy and develops friendly and cooperative relations with all countries on the basis of sovereign equality. It actively participates in the regional integration process, supports the establishment of the Caribbean Community Single Market and Economy, and regards strengthening relations with Caribbean countries as the core of its foreign policy. It attaches importance to developing relations with traditional friendly countries such as the UK and the US, and strives to develop relations with Asian countries such as China and Japan.
Regarding relations with the United States, Antigua and Barbuda has close economic and trade relations with the US, and US aid and tourists are an important source of foreign exchange income for Antigua and Barbuda. In June 2008, the National Emergency Operations Center of Antigua and Barbuda, built with US aid, was inaugurated. In November, Prime Minister Spencer sent a congratulatory letter to US President-elect Obama and named the highest peak in Antigua and Barbuda "Obama Peak." In February 2011, a delegation from the US National Guard visited Antigua and Barbuda.
Regarding relations with Caribbean countries, Antigua and Barbuda is a member of several regional organizations in the Caribbean and maintains close relations with other members of the Caribbean Community, especially the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. It advocates for Caribbean integration and broader regional cooperation, and strengthens regional consultation and dialogue. In June 2010, Antigua and Barbuda, together with other members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, established the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union.