COMMENTARY: Dominica loses hundreds of millions of dollars annually

Cdr. Bud Slabbaert

In an earlier commentary, I gave an overview of a missed opportunity: Dominica failing to sell water. It is an opportunity to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to the country’s budget. Money that the country needs. Yet, Dominica’s fluid gold is still unexploited.

If you want to catch up with that commentary, you will still find it here: COMMENTARY Dominica’s fluid gold still unexploited It is in essence about a contract to collect 3 billion gallons of fresh water annually, market it and ship it in bulk. Let’s make a simple calculation and look at what it would mean in dollars and cents. You’ll be amazed.

3 billion gallon = 3,000,000,000 x 3,78 = 11,340,000,000 liters. If the government of Dominica would only get 1 single cent per liter of that bulk water, it would receive 113,400,000 $ or to say it simple 113 million dollars. Exaggerated? Too much? Ok then take half of it which is still 55 million.

As a comparison, and having no other revenue source to calculate with, do you know how many CBI passports need to be sold to come to that amount?  113,000,000 : 100,000 = 1,130.  Let’s go one step further, the contract was for 10 years. So, pure theoretically the country misses out on 1,130 million dollars over that period or it would have to sell 11,300 passports as an alternative.

You want a new international airport but don’t have the money? If it costs 300 million dollars it could be fully paid for in 2 ½ years with the water money.

I ended my essay by stating that a blame game might start. And one could indeed wonder whether not enough effort was put into realizing this. Or, not the right strategy was chosen. Or, not the right people were handling it. Or, the wrong partner was chosen. Or, maybe the bulk water approach was wrong all together and one should have looked into the possibility of bottling the water in Dominica and then distribute it.

In the past, I was invited to a reception by the Ambassador of Fiji in Brussels, Belgium. He showed me a sample of tea from his country and asked me if it was something that could be marketed well. I pointed out to him that if it was sold in bulk, it is a commodity. People in Fiji would get very little for it when it gets on the commodity market. Dealer and mediators and brokers would make the real money and profits. However, if people in Fiji would handmake little bags or baskets for the tea and add a little card hanging from a string telling a little bit about cultivating the tea and the country of origin, then all of a sudden it becomes “boutique tea”; something very special that is sold at a higher price. Not only the local tea plantation would benefit, but also the people who hand-make the little bags or baskets. Thus, it would create an additional “home-industry”.

If Dominica sells water in bulk, it is a commodity and it is nothing else than just H2O in huge tanks. If Dominica water comes in bottles, then the whole story changes and marketing gurus could add value and increase the price that Dominicans could charge. Non-traditional methods of marketing and having a very distinct positioning may lead to high end pricing.

Marketing gurus will create a brand so strong that even on Dominica you would not want to drink anything else anymore because they will convince you that their bottled water tastes so much better than anything else. They will position it as ‘Dominican Wellness Water’, ‘Dominican Energy Water’, ‘Dominican Nature Lifestyle Water’, ‘Dominican Exotic Water’. They will tell you that Dominican natural untouched water has a rejuvenating taste, or that it has a smooth, silky mouthfeel. Smart marketers can turn regular water consumers into water connoisseurs.

“Mineral water from a volcanic island with 365 rivers and waterfalls that flows over ages old volcanic rocks in an untouched natural environment’”, sounds great, or ‘Natural wellness water that dissolved minerals and trace elements from the volcanic rocks and has healing effects’, may sound even better.

Germany has over 500 mineral springs and about 40 curative springs. Germany also has tab water of the highest quality and standards. Yet, Germans prefer to drink bottled spring water because of the minerals that it contains. Many years ago, when I studied Economy in Germany, I needed to make some money on the side. I became a part time sales representative and started to sell mineral water. I went to bars, cafes and restaurants, and was able to get some orders although these establishments already had a mineral water brand. The brand that I represented was Apollinaris, internationally well known as the ‘Queen of Table Waters’. The brand, the quality and the reputation were the trick for success.

Don’t think that I’m trying to set up a business venture in Dominica. I’m only providing you with food for thought. If you have an interest in selling bottled Dominican water, just go to the Google search engine, insert the key words: ‘mineral water marketing water’. The result will be multiple business plan formats and templates that you can use freely, studies to give you guidance and inspiration, etc.

To conclude my case, let it be carved in your mind that water from Dominica is a solution and not an alternative and that if you are passionate about a leading an active and healthy lifestyle, drink better and live better with water from Dominica!

 

Cdr. Bud Slabbaert is a regular contributor to an extensive number of media outlets in the Caribbean from the Bahamas to Curacao to Barbados and various islands in between. Mr. Slabbaert’s background is accentuated by business development, strategic communication, and journalism

Opinions expressed in this commentary are not necessarily those of Dominica News Online or its advertisers.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

39 Comments

  1. October 15, 2018

    I agree with Bud. If we don’t put someone who has common sense to look out for the future of Dominica . The island is just falling apart. The young people who inherit land from their parents 95% of them refused to cultivate the land an plant back things like Banana,Oranges,Grapefruits, Yams, etc. Because our government is pocketing the money that should be helping young to be farmers. An Quit selling the water in bulls Mr.Priminister. By bottling the water you can create a lot of Jobs for Dominicans . An make billions of dollars to developed Dominica. Wake up my people ,we all have to work together. An build Dominica . God has bless us. Selling Passport isn’t going to get Dominica on it’s feet . Marketing produce around the world . Much Love my sisters and Brothers .

  2. Jheri Curl
    October 9, 2018

    Why are my comments being withheld?

    ADMIN: Really?

  3. Tyre hit de road
    October 8, 2018

    :lol: Exactly.. I and many Dominicans across the world have been saying that we need to develop a water plant. Now it will happen because a White man is suggesting that. If i Was Part of the government or had the resources I would develop a plant to bottle an sell and reserve tons of water not to feed Dominica but the rest of the caribbean and other parts of the world. After Hurricane Maria that is the first thing that the People of Dominica Should have done . It was a shame so have to send Water to Dominica to our people With us bosting of our 365 rivers plus the new ones. Dominica has this Massive GOLDEN treasure …Yes But The government of Dominicans HAVE A MASSIVE MOUTH AND NOO DARM VISION FOR THE COUNTRY and people …Do you know that nowhere else in The Caribbean can compete with Dominica for this Treasured Commodity???? … SO yes MR white man tell them tell them but it needs to be a Project that The people of Dominica invest in …Not Foreigners. We thought about first,

  4. The Wizib
    October 8, 2018

    You mean people really think that this plan is new and hasn’t been explored? Or don’t they know of all the issues to go with it that’s why it hasn’t happened yet? We humans soon we hear something we haven’t heard or understand, get all excited and act as if every new thing we hear is new, there is nothing new under the sun people.

  5. ATKINSON
    October 8, 2018

    Well can someone clean up the water first :-P it rained almost all day yesterday and early this moring in Atkinson and the pipe water is brown, can we clean it before we sell it, Making my coffee with bottled water :mrgreen:

  6. Karl Orndem
    October 8, 2018

    granted we have an abundance of water, however, there is much more involved. we need the facilities to supply the water, whether it is bulk or bottled. We need the facilities to treat the water. LEts say it is bulk water export (huge tankers that fill up tanks of water), we need a port facility that can accommodate such an activity. That is just on our end. We need to understand that if you fill a bottle with water today, it will not be the same quality when it arrives at its destination next week. Supplying and especially transporting water is a very very intricate process. yes the opportunity is there, and yes we have failed in executing this dream, but it is definitely NOT as easy as it sounds. handling water is an intricate science, one we have not paid much attention to apart from DOWASCO supplying to residents and businesses.

  7. Zandoli
    October 8, 2018

    Unfortunately our geniuses only know how to raise money by begging and selling passports.

    • Anon
      October 9, 2018

      But what’s your alternative what would your guys do to raise money if you all dislike passport sales,, they’d sell Dowasco like they did the power company, and without requiring them to fix nor reinvest in the hydro plant handed to them on a platter that they have mismanaged? Tell us please.

  8. anonymous2
    October 8, 2018

    Can you remember about 2 yrs +. ago, someone else was going into the water bottling business and we haven’t heard anything about him or the business ever since?

  9. SP
    October 8, 2018

    Privatization of the rivers, no more free access and inhabitants to pay unaffordable price for each drop. Bulk shipment does not make anything become a commodity! Commodities are resources which are limited and priced according to the market demand and offer. Why Dominican would want to rely on market for such a priceless resource which is freely accessible to all since always? Why would Dominican turn a Nature island into a marketed piece of rock?

  10. Jeffrey Charles
    October 8, 2018

    Perhaps a National Development Plan is what Dominica require; a plan that would address all the different sectors of Dominica’s economy including water.

    • RandyX
      October 9, 2018

      This is correct. At present the national development plan consists of selling passports and receiving donations. Anything beyond that is not within the capabilities of the Skerrit regime. If PM stays in power Dominica will go to the dogs.

  11. Batakwaib
    October 7, 2018

    Honestly, I love his idea it would be a great new source of income and revenue especially to our Dominica economy.
    I hope one day someone or the Gov of Dca will take up the initiative.

  12. Cyril Volney
    October 7, 2018

    Totally agree. Regrettably we import bottled water today.

  13. Dominican
    October 7, 2018

    What is this man’s interest in Dominica. He seem to have a platform on DNO to bash this country. Whit is he paid by. Does he pay DNO to publish these articles.

    ADMIN: We do not host paid commentaries nor is this commentary bashing anyone or any group in particular. In fact, it is promoting an idea. We promote the sharing of ideas on this forum and encourage the conversation that results from this sharing.

    • waypapa
      October 8, 2018

      So Dominican you call an article about how to make money bashing? What color KOOLAID you drank? Don’t say is Skerrit that give it to you nah you made your own mix. I pity you. You should go lash out at your govt for not seeing the good ideas others can see. don’t pass your shame on DNO.

    • October 8, 2018

      Well said ADMIN. Without DNO there would be no platform for thought provoking ideas and discussion.

      • Nrt
        October 9, 2018

        Roger, you are so right. Whenever I pick up a local newspaper I find discrepancies that I’d like to point out but alas it’s not interactive, I sink right back to my shell. Thanks to online media where we can vent, good, bad or average. :-D

    • viewsexpressed
      October 8, 2018

      Thanks DNO for responding to this nonsense written by this so called “Dominican”. Any opportunity to bash someone who is critical on the failure and corruption going on in Dominica’s questionable government by this failed Labour government, these so called people raise their antenna high and comment rubbish without thinking, being analytical and to contributing to ways to stop our poverty island from this corrupt Labour regime. This person knows not the difference between “Bashing” and being a “Critic”. Its a sad state of affairs in our Domininca.

    • Anon
      October 8, 2018

      I am like you I liked resess more than I liked classes, but I felt obliged to go back to class and try to learn something. Ketch my drift? I suspect you don’t like reading but trust me, had you read the commentary you’d ketch the mans drift and surprise yourself how intelligent a comment you’d make.

    • Tyre hit de road
      October 8, 2018

      Hmmmm.. We Dominicans are saying the same thing every DAY but Dominicans Do not Value what our own people have to offer and say … He is a white man they will listen to him over all of us. The local people see the need and and have vision no one listens to them not even our leaders ..Let them now listen to De White man LOL

  14. A_DAMassive
    October 7, 2018

    Amen to that! All it takes is for someone with the ability to build capacity, which would add value, to utilize the natural resources in Dominica, and bingo! Consequently, I believe, the fortune of the people and the country would change quite quickly. The capacity is in the country, but the will is lacking because there seems to exist no clear leadership understanding about developing the country.

  15. john paul
    October 7, 2018

    thank You Sir for your contribution now let us see if you advice will be taken or if the politicians will play football or footsie with it

    • Peeping Tom
      October 8, 2018

      It is an idea for a business venture, John Paul; more suited for the private sector. Why don’t YOU take it up? Why do you sit back and wait for a politician to “play football or footsie with it?” DO you really think that a Government must “set up a factory” in every sector? What is the purpose of the private sector, John Paul?

      If at every turn you see partisan politics, you, John Paul, will never begin to see the real challenges to our development and the opportunities therein.

      Remove those blue glasses, John Paul!

  16. October 7, 2018

    I thought the problem wasn’t shipping the water overseas but rather having the storage there to place it. Does the writer knows about that and if he does what is his suggestion when the water gets to another island how it gets stored? I would imagine the people on the other shores would be responsible once the water reaches them and if there are no infrastructure in place what happens then. Would like some more understanding on this part.

    • waypapa
      October 8, 2018

      Wizib if there is no infrastructure in place BUILD IT! Look for solutions instead of making a problem out of every thing

      • The Wizib
        October 8, 2018

        Wasn’t complaining, only stating what was said and asking questions to be more informed. From what I understand is Dominica has no problem drawing the water onto a boat but pumping the water on shore into a tank. Boats takes water here all the time for use on the boat. How do you get it out and store it, is the question. The other islands would have to be prepared for that. Don’t you think?

  17. Kash
    October 7, 2018

    well said ! always say that same thing we have water as a gift to help build this country

  18. Ibo France
    October 7, 2018

    Much food for thought. I personally feel that this is a very viable idea and should be pursued. Selling water in bulk along with bottled water, Dominica could certainly make a windfall and give life to its lifeless economy. Dominica should also pursue agriculture vigorously as it has some of the most fertile soil in the world. The sad truth though is the present leadership is neither visionary nor intuitive. So such an idea will fall on barren grounds never to germinate. Great idea Mr. Slabbaert.

  19. hello
    October 7, 2018

    i love your commentary…….you should join politics and make that change
    you have the mind set and the ability to find suitable alternatives

  20. Larry Grell
    October 7, 2018

    Thanks,Bud. Great piece. Food for thought indeed. We will do it.

  21. viewsexpressed
    October 7, 2018

    Sir, please don’t waste your time on Skerrit, he is neither visionary nor understands the concept of socio-economic development. He is a fast food operator, not sure how to season his food for preparation, let alone cook it. Skerrit is a failed Politician and Prime Minister and he has reduced our Dominica to poverty at the highest levels as we compete with Haiti as a failed state.
    I welcome your advice and passion for Dominica, but you see Skerrit is long gone far away from developing Dominica. He and his corrupt labour government has killed agriculture, all of it. We are not producing and exporting like before. Previously, under decent Prime Ministers, for example, Dame Eugenia Charles, Hon Edison James and E.O. Leblanc they worked. 18 ministers has crippled our development and exports of our agricultural produce. Immature Skerrit should not be a government minister let alone office of Prime Minister. The worse Odd Minister we have had in Dominica and in the Caribbean after Haiti.

    • KaliNeg
      April 28, 2019

      :?: Unfortunately,there’s no one who’s qualified as a politician among these rogues posing as government. None of them are creative, inventive or have any sense of governance. Take for example the writer of the article above, see how insightful he is. Like him or not, Bernard Wiltshire is one of our most insightful man on island. The idea,creation and negotiation of the funds for the implementation of the Waitukubuli National Trail is his,but the rogue regime kicked him out after the money was in the government treasury. This is why it’s important for us to examine who we intend to vote for as candidates,instead of just being partisan,emotional and voting for those we like rather than those who can get things done. So far, what we have passing for government on island,are a bunch of vagabonds and rogues who are no different from an addicted gambler and criminal drug lords looking for money by any means!!!

  22. October 7, 2018

    An excellent commentary…a good example of how creative thinking that can lead to creative solutions.

    Following the same line of thought: if we got our act together, a vigorously marketed Dominica “wellness” brand could be applied to our agricultural produce and tourism.

    Rather than attracting dubious Citizens by Investment we should be awarding Citizens with Creative Solutions.

  23. %
    October 7, 2018

    Good food for thought . Unfortunately many in this DLP government will not even read the article.They hardly read…Dominica has the potential to be a very prosperous nation,outside of the selling of passports,but the country has bad leadership.A set of MISLEADERS who do not understand anything,no matter how you present it to them….Maybe it’s the only country where the importance of small businesses are so hugely underrated,as a spur to economic growth.
    Good Article!!!!!!!!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    Lazy Skerrit Must Go be

  24. Viewsexpressed
    October 7, 2018

    Sir, ,our so called government is politically illiterate, immature childish ftom Craptain to minisquial ministers blind to the hopelessness of their government led by sm incompetent gziked boyish questionable Inept PM. The incoming new UWP government will address all these matters of state with a focussed on positive inclusive development programme.
    Our current government and Prime (Odd) minister are hopeless..immature and had killed our island’s potentially
    We want them out.

    • Me One
      October 8, 2018

      Good luck % and views expressed, that is what we are deeply in need of in Dominica. What a remarkable gigantic piece of advice for the leader of the Opposition, he will be a functional Entrepreneur. Hip hippie hooray jump on that train %, because you will be a contributing member of society.

  25. Daddy E
    October 7, 2018

    That seems a very practical idea and it bothers me that after forty years of Independence no government or private sector grouping is capable of implementing this concept. I wonder why?

  26. Daddy E
    October 7, 2018

    That seems a very practical idea and it bothers me that after forty years of Independence no government or private sector grouping is capable of implementing this concept. I wonder why?

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available