Chinese Government provides $6 million grant for Customs and Border Security Improvement Project

Project narrative

In November 2018, the Chinese Government and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda signed a $6 million grant agreement for a Customs and Border Security Improvement Project. The project was initially conceived in July 2016. The purpose of the project was to acquire and install surveillance equipment — including a mobile container or vehicle inspection system, an X-ray inspection system, a radioactive material monitoring system, an X-ray CT inspection system, 20 sets of hand-held metal detectors, and 3 sets of portable trace explosives / drug detectors — at St. John’s Port and V. C. Bird International Airport. The ultimate objective of the project was to improve the efficiency of customs' detection of imported goods, and strengthen the capability of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda government to combat smuggling and drug trafficking. The equipment was officially handed over to the local authorities on December 6, 2019. Sun Ang, the Chinese ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, signed the handover certificates with Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.