Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that businesses in Antigua & Barbuda will face fines if they fail to submit trade data, as the government moves to strengthen economic reporting.
Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne said, “It means, therefore, that we will have to use legislation with penalties and to ensure that those penalties are enforced, even if they fail to submit the necessary data.”
He criticized the lack of reporting from some entities, stating that the Department of Statistics has been unable to capture accurate economic data due to non-compliance.
“There’s no reporting taking place, and part of the reason too is because the data capture is weak,” he said.
To improve data collection, Browne revealed that the government is bringing in an expert.
“We have also approached a very capable Antiguan who worked at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in the statistical division, and I’m hoping that she will at least agree to take on some form of consultancy to help us to build capacity,” he said.
He also called on officials to take a more proactive approach.
“Even though people are not sending the information voluntarily, pick up the phone and call them. You can’t just sit behind a desk and say you’re not getting any information,” he stated.
Browne acknowledged that some businesses refuse to provide data, making it difficult to assess economic growth.
“The data that we’re getting from our statistical unit is not in keeping with the level of growth and development that is taking place within the country,” he said.
The government plans to introduce legislation to ensure compliance and improve economic reporting in Antigua & Barbuda.
