The Antigua and Barbuda Free Trade and Processing Zone was established by an Act of Parliament in 1994, and based on the legal foundation enacted twelve years earlier, which set guidelines for the establishment of International Business Corporations in Antigua and Barbuda. The Free Zone is administered by a Commission, empowered by the Free Trade and Processing Zone Act No. 12 of 1994, to function as a private enterprise.
The Free Trade and Processing Zone is part of an initiative undertaken by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to diversify the economy of the State. The organization is mandated to attract investment in the areas deemed to be of priority by the Government for the economic development of Antigua and Barbuda.
The Antigua & Barbuda International Institute of Technology (ABIIT), a subsidiary of the Free Trade and Processing Zone, offers specialized training in Information Technology.
ABIIT which is a modern state-of-the-art IT College, was recently declared a Centre of Excellence in Information Technology in the Caribbean.
Located in the northeastern section of the island adjacent to the coastline, the Zone sits on approximately 100 acres of prime real estate and is in close proximity to V.C Bird International Airport (5 minutes drive) and St. John's, the capital city and commercial center of Antigua, where the international seaport, St. John's Deepwater Harbour is located 20 minutes drive away.
The Free Trade and Processing Zone is outfitted with the infrastructure for all major utilities. Excellent electricity and telecommunications systems are in place. The area is not only connected to the national water system provided by the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), but also has a 500,000 imperial gallon (2270 cu/m) water storage facility on the compound.
