Antigua and Barbuda Luring Brazilian Universities

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is increasing its efforts to encourage overseas universities to open campuses in the country.

During a recent bilateral meeting, Prime Minister the Honorable Winston Baldwin Spencer and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio da Silva, pledged to explore the possibility of opening a Brazilian tertiary level institution in Antigua and Barbuda.

The prime minister told his Brazilian counterpart that the Antiguan "would provide a package of incentives to establish an off-shore campus of a Brazilian university and/or a Brazilian technical college in Antigua and Barbuda."

Prime Minister Spencer believes that the presence of overseas institutions of higher learning would benefit the local economy. He added "When overseas universities open campuses here, it means more employment for construction workers. It also means that these students will rent apartments and they will also buy groceries. More importantly additional educational opportunities will also open up for young Antiguans."

The prime minister pointed to the University Of Health Sciences Of Antigua and Barbuda (UHSA) and the American University of Antigua (AUA), two overseas universities which have contributed to the development of Antigua and Barbuda.

This overture by Prime Minister Spencer is in keeping with the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority's strategic emphasis on the promotion of foreign direct investment in knowledge-based industries.