Antigua & Barbuda celebrate 32 years of Independence

Antigua & Barbuda is celebrating its 32nd anniversary of political independence from Britain on Friday with the traditional military parade, the presentation of national awards to deserving nationals and a general reflection on the achievements over the past three decades.

The twin-island’s Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer in a radio and television broadcast said the anniversary should also provide an opportunity for Antigua & Barbuda to reflect on the role it has been playing in deepening the regional integration movement with the result being that the island possesses a demographic unlike any other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state.

“Over the years, our liberal immigration and labor market policies have given Antigua & Barbuda a population profile which is a kaleidoscope of citizens from many foreign lands including our CARICOM member states.

“Antigua & Barbuda has always been at the forefront of regional integration and we cherish the contributions made by our brothers and sisters from CARICOM and around the world, who have made Antigua and Barbuda their home.”

Since 2004, a total of 4, 519 persons have became citizens of Antigua & Barbuda.

The country is in the process of amending the Millennium Naturalization Act to facilitate the children of those who became citizens under the same Act, to acquire citizenship by descent. -(CMC)