Dominica launches National Export Strategy

Trade minister Collin McIntyre at Monday's launch

Dominica on Monday launched its National Export Strategy (NES) that trade officials say is intended to boost exports by 50 percent by 2017.

They have indicated that they want to effectively implement the strategy, along with the Dominica Coalition of Services Industries  (DCSI) which was also launched.

The two are being funded by Britain under its Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund (CARTFund) to the tune of EC$3 million over a two year period.

The project is being  implemented through the Caribbean Development Bank.

According to trade officials here, the NES “is a plan of action aimed at achieving the transformation of Dominica’s export sector”.

“We look forward to hearing of booming exports as a result of these two projects,” Head of DFID in the Caribbean, Harry Hagan told Monday’s launch. (DFID is the UK’s Department for International Development).

Trade Minister Colin McIntyre says he expects the National Export Strategy and the DCSI  to serve as  platforms to launch “a new beginning in terms of restructuring our services industry and our export strategy”.

The strategy is expected to focus on six priority sectors: Energy and natural resources, agri-business, tourism, cultural industries, professional services and agriculture.

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13 Comments

  1. Francisco Telemaque
    March 6, 2012

    “Trade Minister Colin McIntyre says he expects the National Export Strategy and the DCSI to serve as platforms to launch “a new beginning in terms of restructuring our services industry and our export strategy”.

    When we speak in terms of our service industry, are not speaking about Hotels, and tourism?

    If I am correct, what does tourism, restaurants, and hotel accommodation has to do with the exporting of commodities, and products manufactured in Dominica?

    Since Colin was not specific perhaps someone should ask him in what areas are we going to double our manufacturing capacity?

    In order to double or increase our exports by 50% we have to be in a position to increase our manufacturing capabilities; so the question here is what are we manufacturing in Dominica, that we can double production that will increase our exports by this 50% he is talking about.

    Fifty percent of what Colin?

    If you hope to increase the sale of agricultural products to the neighboring islands to the North; Guadeloupe to St. Kitts, you had better have power over the wind, because by the time the hurricane comes along, sixty percent of your banana and plantain plantations will be blown down, so it is time that some of you so called ministers of government stop blowing foul air, and hot steam into the sky’s polluting the nations atmosphere with your nonsense.

    Can’t you people think before you start talking!

    When we are speaking in terms of percentage, it has to be in reference to something; you have not stated 50% of anything therefore 0% + 0% = 0% you see!

    If you are selling dirt, and water, add anything else you wish, in order to arrive at a total percentage, the production of each product has to be increased, thus when you combine the total, then you can calculate and arrive at a ratio, then you can think in terms of percentage.

    Maybe you have not taken statistics in school or collage, if you have not ask someone to explain to you how percentage works.

    Hhahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

    The rest of the world exists in an age of industrialization, and high technology, it takes some Aircrafts less than five hours to fly from the United States to Europe, while some of us in Dominica are talking about using Ferry Boat to bring tourist to Dominica, as if we exist in the thirteenth century.

    Have we no ambition to seek better!

    Where is our industrial base, what plans do you Mr. Minister have to industrialize the country, if not all of it, some parts of the country

    All the nations of the world which at anytime based their nations economy on agriculture has all failed, and did not make any progress until they industrialized; take a page out of the former Soviet blocks, China, and Cuba!

    That may help you.

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  2. Realist
    March 6, 2012

    To much time is spent launching these elabourate theoretical ventures. What we really want to hear is practical ventures whereby we can actually see products being exported instead of just pipe dreaming exercises.

    One should not celebrate the plan, but the execution of the plan.

  3. gold
    March 5, 2012

    we in 2012, 50

    we in 2012, 50% increase in exports by 2017 gives us 5 years to acheive that target. Are we talking of an average of 10% increase in exports over the next 5 years. I myself I looking and see.

  4. Gigg-la
    March 5, 2012

    spell out the strategy for us so much info yet u haven’t told us what the plan is

  5. International Airpor
    March 5, 2012

    Dominica needs an International Airport for cargo Boeing 777, Boeing 747 to carry our exports to Europe and USA, Canada! Our air access issue not only affects our tourism but our ability to export goods, services abroad!

  6. Hmm
    March 5, 2012

    So where are these two projects located and how can they be contacted?

    • Anonymous
      March 5, 2012

      The secretariat of the National Export strategy is located at Dexia. The secretariat of the DCSI is on the 4th floor of the financial centre in the same office as the OECS EDU. Hope this helps.

  7. 1979 eTErNAL
    March 5, 2012

    I give my blessings and hope that this will be a fruitful endeavor, for too long our main export has been Dominicans.

  8. Anonymous
    March 5, 2012

    By 2017? We need something done now!

  9. Gee
    March 5, 2012

    ******We must first find a market*****

    First we must meet with our manufacturers,suppliers & producers.

    Then find qualified markets for the little goods we have to export. Did we size up our competetion already? We should!! Do we know what our marketing strategy & niche will be? What about packaging, shipping and logistics issues? Has this already been addressed?

    So we want to boost export by 50% by 2017? Well we have 5 years to get going.

    -Best wishes

    • dominican
      March 5, 2012

      we need a market for fish in the french countries instead of allowing the french fishermen to expolit our seas.

  10. #OnMyMeDz
    March 5, 2012

    so long den…get the ideas of the public as well..Dominica as an island could become the main source of provision and production of goods derived from raw materials to other countries.
    Oh and one more thing…STOP IMPORT FLETCHIN WATER…MAN…GOOD LOOKS WE HAVE ALL THOSE RIVERS FOR….!!!!!

  11. simple mind
    March 5, 2012

    The last thing the minister mentioned is agriculture,he just could’nt avoid it.

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