Dominica cabinet engages overseas based nationals on investment options
Roseau, Dominica — The annual cabinet meeting with overseas-based Dominicans held on Wednesday focused on the all important topic of “Investment and Entrepreneurship”.
The meeting, which was held in Roseau, allowed a wide cross section of visiting nationals to dialogue with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and members of his cabinet team.
Minister for trade, employment and Diaspora affairs, Dr John Collin McIntyre, welcomed the overseas based nationals to Wednesday’s forum.
“The entrepreneurship programme is specifically designed to assist those of you wishing to invest your time, energy and your capital here in your homeland. Many of you may have specific skills and abilities that you have developed over the years which can be put to good use here in Dominica”.
The forum afforded the returning nationals looking to invest in Dominica to explore areas of possible investment opportunities.
Liason officer, Diaspora Affairs, Loreen Bannis Roberts, in her welcome remarks spoke of the contributions of Dominicans living abroad toward the country’s development.
“We believe that you are extremely important and that is why we continue to engage you on how best you can contribute towards the advancement of Dominica. This government firmly believes in the power of the Diaspora and we want to harness in every possible way your skills, talents, enterprise and resources especially as it relates to investment in the Dominican economy,” she said.
Dominica’s minister for agriculture and forestry, Matthew Walter, spoke of the importance of the agriculture sector to the Dominican economy.
He noted the contributions of friendly governments towards the promotion and development of a robust and sustainable agriculture sector in Dominica.
“The government of Venezuela has provided in excess of $13 million to ensure that we expand the coffee sub sector in this country. They have given us free of charge a coffee plant, and presently construction is ongoing in One Mile Portsmouth,” he said.
Prime Minister Skerrit applauded Dominicans residing abroad who continue to invest in Dominica’s development.
“I want to recognize those of you who have invested in Dominica. You may not reside here but you have investments here. I also want to recognize those of you who have returned and invested in Dominica, those of you who have homes in Dominica and those of you who have bank accounts here in this country,” he said.
“I also want to recognize those of you who make it a duty to not only come to Dominica once a year but at every given opportunity, because by you coming and you bringing your friends and relatives you are making a direct contribution to our foreign exchange earning capacity and the creation of jobs and the circulation of money in the economy,” the Dominica leader pointed out.
The Invest Dominica Authority and the Ministry of Trade in collaboration with the AID Bank is expected to launch an initiative soon to assist those with specific business investment in Dominica.