Gov’t provide $500,000 in grant assistance to small manufacturers Paul says


Minister for Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development, Roselyn Paul

Minister for Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development, Roselyn Paul has announced that over the last couple of years government has given grant assistance to small manufacturers amounting to $500,000.

Speaking at the Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA) 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Garraway Hotel conference room on Monday, she said also included in that amount was $100,000 to Essential Oils to re-establish distilleries.

“Data shows that the ministry over the last couple of years has given grant assistance to small manufacturers in the amount of $500,000, and with greater acceleration post Tropical Storm Erika and we will all understand why,” she said.

She pointed out that a number of small manufacturers were affected by the storm, “and this year we continue to bring increase in focus and support to this subsector.”

Furthermore, she stated that the government continues to provide grants and that their last disbursement went to 23 agro-processors and manufacturers.

“We provide support in terms of garment manufacturing, agro-processing and many of the clients are involved in virgin coconut oil production, cassava, herbal teas and so on,” Paul revealed.

She said through the rural-based enterprise programme the government works with communities and clients for incubation/clustering of businesses.

She pointed out that the government of Dominica never lose sight of the current contribution and the potential of MSME’s [Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises ] to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment creation.

She mentioned further that national statistics accounts from 2010 to 2014 showed annual increases in the manufacturing sectors contribution to the GDP.

According to her, the sector contributed approximately $31.5-million in 2010 to the GDP, with an increase of $42.4-million in 2014.”

“Unfortunately we all know what happened to Dominica resulting in a retraction in this strength, but we are looking out and hope that there will be increase again in manufacturing,” she said in reference to Erika.

Paul also said through the policies and programmes the government has been ensuring that it enables manufacturing and agro-processing.

“We are the Ministry of Commerce we remain committed to supporting you, we have a very good partnership and it’s growing, and as I said we stand ready and committed to continue to ensure that there is growth in manufacturing, that there is growth in agro-processing,” she noted.

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23 Comments

  1. straight shooter
    March 30, 2017

    and they always getting these money loving beaches without sea to announce those things

  2. More money, more gifts, more perks
    None for the boys at Public Works
    More money to throw, yet nothing to show
    Why is the Country still moving so slow?

    Money for Programs that continue to flop
    Money for even the boys on the block?
    Money for Ladies with babies still young
    Money for ALL who keep singing our song!

    Higher level, Leadership is Everything…Forward we go
    You think our red clinic is only for show?
    Look at our NEP…our future looks bright…
    Labour is doing EVERYTHING right!

    You mean right by simply giving money away?
    Or right for the people you’re refusing to pay?
    Right for Coffee Plant, Abattoir and Hotels that fail?
    Or right for doing wrong and NOT GOING TO JAIL?

    Oh please, Dr. Frog, you must understand
    Jail are not for those who have power in hand!
    Jail is for those who criticize and oppose
    And dare to speak about the secret Diplomats that I chose

    People should not focus on the things that I do
    Focus on the MONEY that I give when I’m…

  3. The Corrupt Steward of Lk. 16
    March 29, 2017

    The way this government going about giving money reminds me of a parable in the bible pastor BJ use to preach about. The parable is known as the Unjust Steward, found in Luke 16:1-8. The steward wasted and corruptly abused his masters money and when he got word that he was in trouble and had to give an account for the his master’s money, he quickly went about calling friends of his master who owed the master and asked them to change the amount owed to something less so the books could reflect a picture that is way different from the truth. That’s exactly what Skerrit doing today as if to suggest that he is in trouble and he knows he will have to give account for his corrupt money. So he goes to every village council and give money; he uses Roselyn’s office as though it is the National bank to hide money in the name of small business, and builds walls and other projects that never existed or mentioned to the parliament. I wonder if listened to BJ’s sermon I heard

  4. Man enough
    March 29, 2017

    This minister and other members of the party on power have this very very bad habit of making small money look big. What is 500,000 Ec dollars? What can they manufacture? If you are to divide that amongst small businesses in Dominca, that’s chicken feed.
    This government is very oppressive to the point that only labour supporters get grant, loan, CBI money n money to do all kinds of nonsense under the disguise of small business.
    This is the only country, where a prime minister goes all over just dishing out dollars so. This is the only country where the government is holding townhall meetings for cash. It’s like a massive casino.. They treat poor Domincans with absolutely no respect. But they like it sooooooo…

  5. March 29, 2017

    Any form of assistance is welcome!

  6. There’s a certain Sukuyah that sits in her home in Canada not knowing the plight of Dominicans at home whom are impoverished, victimized, maligned and harassed for not accepting corruption and bad fiscal management in their Government. Yet, this Sukuyah uses her hypocritical righteousness (always using the name of God and Christ) to give full support to a Government that has been caught red-handed secretly handing out diplomatic appointments to crooks and criminals. She, the Sukuyah, fully endorses and supports the BIN BOBOL, FERTILIZER BOBOL, IPO SET UP of Linton, FIREBOMBING OF GON EMANUEL’S HOME and the ASSISTING OF AN INTERNATIONAL FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE!!! Yet, she calls everyone who oppose these wrongdoings “wicked”, “unlawful”, and “trouble makers”. Don’t you think there is a special place in hell for hypocrites like this Sukuyah in Canada???? May God have mercy on her soul!!!!

  7. Accidental
    March 29, 2017

    These politicians always fail to mention the massive financial contribution being made to Dominica’s agriculture sector by ordinary European Union taxpayers via the BAM programme. Around EC$1million was made available to the DMA and its agro producers in terms of training, expert advice and manufacturing equipment. Perhaps they fail to mention it because they want to take the credit ? Oh, how cynical, surely not !

  8. Shaka Zulu
    March 29, 2017

    Roselyn let me give you a little advice. It is all good and well for you to come hear and shout how much government has put in to small business. The key word here is business. Did the government pour money into dying businesses, promising businesses, or friends businesses? Any government granting assistance to any business should first make sure that these businesses will be profitable and will add employment. If that is the case then they should go to national bank get loans for business development. Did you not read national bank lost 4 million overall bit 10 million in foreign investment. Banks in DA make money on student loans. How are you tracking the overall impact of these investment. Instead of highlighting just how much was granted add how much impact that these investment had on jobs, increase manufacturing, productivity, increase wages​ etc. The gov. has to hold any business responsible for the way they invest those funds. Boast on results and figures.

  9. Massacre
    March 29, 2017

    I will want to see when Civil Servant will receive part of this money flowing practice that is going on in Da. They are the ones that is keep this unhealthy economy afloat , but DLP seem to have not respect for them.
    I will be looking for many of them to come and support the march to liberate Dominica, because while some of you all eating fig and dasheen , Skerrit and his bunch eating in the best hotels overseas. You all have your loans to pay and the little handouts Skerro giving will not make the grade. Wise-up my people.

  10. Hope
    March 29, 2017

    Don’t worry my people budget is soon everybody will get to know where this money is coming from and how much is grant or loan. Way papa billions in debt. The next Government will have headache be it DLP, UWP or Freedom. Look out my people, Lord have mercy. I wonder whether the Ministers know where this money is coming from Alas mama.

  11. ttesa n
    March 29, 2017

    Roll your dice Scare-it; There’s more where that came from. You better give it all up; mini-star of finance. :twisted: :twisted:

  12. PETER
    March 29, 2017

    So all that noney spending and nothing for the teachers. .the police. ..the public works cannot get there money… But what is wrong with Dominicans? Police teachers…. everybody stand the hell up and demand an increase … what the hell is that now…. u people have to stand up in the streets… demand clearly what u want.. police u people have to take measures to get your increase… you people have a family .. u all have a life .. u all deserve better than that!!

  13. Jonathan Y St Jean
    March 29, 2017

    One question, since I see Skerritt is acting like Dominica is awash in money, giving it away every day for all sorts of causes, however the question is are these sums of money part of the budget as presented by the government,and if not where is the authority to just Willy nilly dish out money like that.

  14. Din-din
    March 29, 2017

    Hey Roselyn is this CBI $$$$ as well? Inquiring minds want to know- And just between us – Can you tell me of elections are next month or in June? don’t WORRY I wont tell anyone my dear. Trust me -you dont have to dish out any $$$ to me like you seem to be doing lately.

  15. televangelists are false prophets
    March 29, 2017

    What the government needs to do is to allocate an area specifically for manufacturing and agro processing with all the necessary equipment and meeting all the necessary standards making it easier for increased production and access to overseas markets. In America Europe Canada etc there are standards for products being imported, and if we cannot even test our own products to get nutritional facts and other information about the products so that consumers can safely use without fear then we are shooting our own selves in the foot. The small cottage manufacturers we have ere cannot afford to set up state of the art facilities especially if they have little to no collateral or security. I am saddened to hear that ONLY EC$500,000 has been afforded to the sector OVER THE YEARS. Manufacturing is a very capital intensive sector where you need machinery and equipment and especially spare parts. EC$500,000 cannot do much for one serious manufacturer but plug a hole, what do you think its impact

  16. Roger Burnett
    March 29, 2017

    Support for small manufacturers that incur loss through damaged to plant and equipment is all very well. But putting that aside; history has proven that small manufacturers best develop under their own steam and by the strength of their product.

  17. Is Jail for criminals or good citizens?
    March 29, 2017

    It is a fact that Ms. Paul is actually going to laborites and instructing them and in some case doing the paper work for them, I talking about people that are not involved in doing anything for personal or national development and she is telling them who to give the paper to, and tells them,” It must come back to me for final approval and I will automatically qualify you”. How could this be right? How could the God we talk about bless that? How could such dishing of monies help our country? Where is the accountability? Who follows up six months to one year later to visit the progress of the small business? I am sorry but my government is behaving like drug lords that are in trouble with the law and in order to get community support the go out giving money to all Tom, Dick and Harry. What I am seeing taking place is nonsense and NEVER have I seen Roselyn Paul so busy

  18. %
    March 29, 2017

    I am all for helping micro businesses,but i am totally against the frittering of money being undertaken by the DLP regime under the guise of helping small businesses.It is not structured,and must be stopped..It is like Skerrit knows something that we do not know!

  19. patriot
    March 29, 2017

    money distributing everywhere

  20. will
    March 29, 2017

    yall finding money for all sorts of interesting things but no salary increase for public servants. waw. just waw.

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