Celia Samuel Elected President of Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce for 2026–2027 Term

The Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce has a new leadership team at the helm, with businesswoman Celia Samuel of Go To Enterprises elected as President for the 2026–2027 term — taking charge of the nation's leading private sector organisation at a pivotal moment for the business community.

The New Board

Samuel will be supported by Dr. Errol Samuel of Microcom Ltd. as First Vice President, Tamara Lowe-James of Tropical Shipping as Second Vice President, and Jackie Ferracho-Williams of Flower World Ltd. as Treasurer.

The Board of Directors also includes Ragi Burton of Caribbean Union Bank, Yasmin Ephraim of Pegasus Technologies Inc., Wayne Hull of Liberty Business/FLOW, and Priscilla Leonce of CIBC — a team that draws expertise from banking, telecommunications, logistics, technology, and retail.

A Chamber at a Critical Juncture

Founded in 1939, the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce is the country's oldest and most prominent private sector organisation, representing businesses across a broad range of industries and serving as the primary voice of the commercial community in its engagement with government, regional bodies, and international partners.

The newly elected Board inherits that mandate at a moment of considerable economic complexity. The business community is navigating rising operational costs — including the newly expanded windfall profits tax, a 45 percent increase in APUA's fuel variation charge since March, and a pending water rate increase — alongside labour market reforms, new work permit advertising requirements, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Citizenship by Investment Programme's Schengen access standing.

The Chamber is expected to advocate vigorously for policies that promote economic growth, improve the investment climate, and ensure that the voices of businesses — large and small — are heard as the new parliamentary term gets underway and the government advances its legislative agenda.

The newly elected Board will now take on the responsibility of representing members' interests, strengthening collaboration between businesses and government, and helping shape the direction of Antigua and Barbuda's economy in the year ahead.