Above: Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne departed the country this weekend for an investment trip to Italy.

Browne, who was joined by Tourism Minister Asot Michael, will pitch investors on “sustainable projects in Antigua and Barbuda,” according to a government statement.

Browne will be meeting with investors in “solar and wind energy, offshore and onshore natural gas explorations and high-end hotel development,” the government said.

“I am vigorously engaging potential investors who will play significant roles in boosting private sector development and economic growth,” Browne said.

The trip is Browne’s first foreign trip since he visited Brazil for the World Cup at the end of July.

Courting foreign investment has been a major stated push for Browne since his party won the country’s June elections, with several new tourism-related investments announced since that time, led by a major Chinese tourism project.

The government did not disclose Browne’s itinerary.