McKenzie laments lack of proper production facilities for manufacturers

McKenzie said there is a need for proper production facilities

President of the Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA) Savarin McKenzie has expressed his concerns over the current working conditions suitable for effective production within the manufacturing sector.

He spoke at a handing over ceremony at the National Development Foundation of Dominica Conference Room on Wednesday, where 15 Agro-processors were presented with new equipment.

McKenzie showed gratitude towards the Invest Dominica Authority (IDA) and the National Authorizing Officer (NAO) for the European Development Fund for presenting new equipment to the Manufacturers Association, however he said the current production facility is “one of the areas that we are very much concerned with.”

“Yes we have equipment, yes we are producing but we are also interested in having the right facility for production, with all the sanity requirements in place so that we can move towards getting the products that are manufactured in Dominica up to standard,” he said.

McKenzie also said that demands in the French countries, particularly Guadeloupe and Martinique, are high for Dominican products and that Cuba has an “emerging market for our products.”

He challenged manufacturers to take a stand and put in the work to produce quality products.

“The onus is on us the manufacturers to step up and try to produce the quality products that are necessary for the market,” he said.

Big G Pepper Sauce, Allorzee’s Business Ventures, Paks Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Nature Island Productions were beneficiaries of the equipment.

The presentation of the equipment was made under the European Union’s Banana Accompanying Measure (BAM).

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7 Comments

  1. Me
    December 30, 2016

    Severin, what is stopping you from building your own facility?

  2. C.C
    December 30, 2016

    Awesome, big up to Big G and the other manufacturers. Keep pushing forward. Its really important that organisations, our leaders/heads etc continue to recognise, encourage and support young persons making positive contributions in society. It is initiatives such as these that motivates people to keep pushing on….
    HATS OFF to the donors/sponsors.

  3. AP George
    December 29, 2016

    Any idea what will happen to all the equipment at the DCP plant? Is it just sitting idle there?

    • Roger Burnett
      December 30, 2016

      I understand from D.C.P. that they are not disposing of any of their equipment/assets.

      Yes, it is just sitting there idle when it could be put to good use for the benefit of Dominica.

      • Titiwi
        January 3, 2017

        Roger, i understand your sentiments but this must be purely a business decision. It is their equipment after all and probably has been amortised long ago. they are free to do with it what they want, dispose of it for scrap or even dump in the sea. the last thing they would want to do to sell it off cheaply, or donate it to someone to compete with them. If that sounds harsh it the reality.

  4. Why the lamentation about lack of proper facilities?

    Who’s fault is that, who is supposed to provide the production work space if not the owner of the company?

    The world over most companies start small, sometimes in a room in ones house, or a garage. As, business progress, and more work space is needed one usually move into a larger space, either by renting, or building their production facilities.

    Government is not obligated to provide work space for any private company, if that’s what the cry is about; provide your space if you have a viable business by bowing money from a bank and provide your own facilities, by construction of a building!

    • Original Mahaut Man
      December 31, 2016

      Well said sir,Dominicans wants the Government to provide everything even their dwelling homes.

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