Dominica has ranked eighth in the Caribbean for economic freedom, according to a report released by the US-based Heritage Foundation in partnership with The Wall Street Journal.
The 2012 Index of Economic Freedom, which looks at a series of factors, including the rule of law, limited government, regulatory efficiency and open markets, ranked Dominica at number eight in the Caribbean and 80 the world.
The report said, “Dominica’s economic freedom score is 61.6, making its economy the 80th freest in the 2012 Index. Its overall score is 1.7 points lower than last year, with deteriorated ratings in seven of the 10 economic freedoms, including freedom from corruption, property rights, and investment freedom. Dominica is ranked 16th out of 29 countries in the South and Central America/Caribbean region, and its overall score is above the world average.”
The report continues, “Dominica’s record on institutional reforms has been uneven, and more vibrant economic growth is constrained by lingering structural weaknesses that continue to undercut some of the four pillars of economic freedom. The rule of law is not strongly supported by the judicial system, particularly because of growing corruption. Inefficient and high public spending has resulted in a considerable fiscal burden imposed on the population.
A series of pro-business reforms, including simplification of the business start-up process and reduction of the corporate tax rate, have led to increased regulatory efficiency. However, the pace of reform has slowed in recent years, and policies to open markets further have not been advanced.”
The report said St. Lucia has the most economic freedom in the Caribbean followed by Barbados and the Bahamas. On a global scale Hong Kong was ranked number one.
trust me people at the end many of us DOMINICIANS may have to go back home to our country do you see how the world is going in a peril…….many of us voice our opinoin and our 2cents but what are doing to make DA more suufficient,and to put DA on the MAP…many of us have not been back home for a very long time,,,including myself so what can we do to make changes…..
we can write the PM a letter..i will start first…what you think…… 
I thought we would rank better than Trini n Jamaica but apparently not!
At least Dominica is not last, but we need to fire the PM.
All those so called patriots out like vulchers a few days ago an aticle was out on dominica and how eco the island is for naturalist not one comment from some of u, this misleading report out whoo papa u all out.These people was in bed withh malaysia so they treaded light on what they said about them but i welcome this criticism will either make u or break u as some might not see it we came a long way we will be better in time to come when its good come on too not only when its bad.Vulchers stop circling above the government house looking for dead meat.
Possie, if your mutulation of the English language is a representation of our educational standards one could be forgiven for being your apostle Peter and deny they recognize you as a fellow Dominican.
What image do you think this portrays about us to the outside world?
I AM A DOMINICAN THAT TRAVELS AND I AM SAYING NOTHING IS GOING ON INDOMINICA.I HAVE MET WITH A FEW OF OUR MINISTERS OVERSEAS WHERE WE SAT DOWN EAT DRINK ENJOY THE SETTING AND DEVELOPEMENT OF THOSE COUNTRIES YET THEY COME BACK TO DOMINICA WITH NO IDEA OF HOW THEY CAN DEVELOPE DOMINICA IN A SIMILLIAR WAY.WHAT IS WRONG WITH DOMINICAN?. THE LAND THAT IF COLUMBUS RETURRNS WILL REMEMBER.
WHEN WILL WE EVER MAKE GOOD COMMENTS ABOUT OUR COUNTRY WE ALL SAY WE FROM DA. BORN HERE
GO OVER SEAS WHERE PEOPLE CALL US ALL KIND OF NAMES ASK US ALL KIND OF QUESTIONS YET WE
TALK SO BAD ABOUT OUR LEADERS WHY DONT SOME
OF US PUT OUR SELF IN THEIR SHOES FOR ONE DAY
SEE HOW WE FEEL WAS P.J HE WAS A CRUCK WAS
MAMO.SHE WAS WICKED WAS EDISON WAS SOT AND
SO ON WE MUST CHANGE OUR MENTALITY SUPPORT OUR LEADERS AND WHEN COMES TO ELECTION TIME
VOTE YOUR CHOICE MORE PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT
NOTHING WHEN SOMTHING IS BEING DONE IT IS STILL A BEAUTIFUL PLACE THAT ALL OF US CAN
ONE DAY MOVE BACK TO AND SAY HOME AGAIN BLESS U ALL
Good comment about our country will come when we have good and honest leaders who love Dominica, and will not tarnish its name by having links with men/women of ill repute, when these leaders will respect the rule of law,when these leaders will be free from corrupt activities, when these leaders will put country first instead of pocket first,when these leaders will agree to have functioning institutions, when these leaders will resuscitate agriculture, manufacturing,eradicate the begging and mendicant society we are experiencing now, when these leaders will respect our constitution, when these leaders will be examples to the youths,etc, etc, etc, etc, When these things happen, BY THEMSELVES, THEY WILL SPEAK LOUDLY THAT DOMINICA IS NOT A FAILED STATE as it is now.
Without this article i always knew that Dominica is extremely CORRUPT.. The WORST IN THE CARIBBEAN and maybe the poorest island also!
and worst of all the MAJORITY of Dominicans
SOOOUUUTIIIWEEEHHHH!!!!!!
so don’t blame the leaders, the hypocrete population need to go on trial too!!!!!!!!!!
I ALSO AGREE WITH THAT.!
Do not call me stupid when u cant spell HYPOCRITE.LOL
st lucia has to have more economic freedom than dominica,because our past governments when they were given the opportunity to allow invest’s to invest here they were rejected,so they went to places like st lucia, like the still much talked about beer factory,in light of corruption dominica is placed on par with south america,that’s laughable,the republican party in america want the burden of taxation placed squarely on the shoulders of middle and poor people,and give the wealthy rich people tax breaks,tell this people look at corruption in their backyards firstly,the rule of law is not strongly supported by the judicial system,the opposition party can attest to that,because they won two cases,their was no corruption,the government won one case,all of a sudden there seem to be corruption,in light of the rule law, when we had a law in effect, given law enforcement officers the right to shoot on sight,any onsightly looking human being,sporting a dreadlock or even wearing a tam,where was this US based report,US money is presently sponsoring tribal backed warriors,slaughtering another tribe in the sudan,tell that US based report to go analyze that,in terms of property rights,i guess they must be referring to outsiders,does not investors have rights to their properties and their investments,as far as i see the few who have made dominica their home are living without any complaints,the bottom line is all this reports are coming from one source,the US,i think we in the carribean need to start make our reports about the US,what are they our dictators.
well mind the “CORRUPT” US hear you wi boy!!!! if they PULL Ross University and Clear harbor…
bayfront will not have space for all who will have to come and sing in the choir for a little ham and torky!
all i am saying is canawe ka de choudei bodai noir.
Boy, you need to hire a crane to lift that chip off your shoulder so you can start contributing to Dominica’s economy yourself.
LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL who dont know how to use a firearm go and learn NOWWWWW…..I doe bang water to be DOMINICAN, but I am tested and certified in the channel late night…..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH I sorry for all the SAINTS…..to defeat the Devil U must know his ways!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND I QUOTE!!!!
“more vibrant economic growth is constrained by lingering structural weaknesses that continue to undercut some of the four pillars of economic freedom. The rule of law is not strongly supported by the judicial system, particularly because of growing corruption. Inefficient and high public spending has resulted in a considerable fiscal burden imposed on” WHOMMMMM?????????????
“THE POPULATION”!!!!!!!!!.
WOWWWWW IF IS ME THAT HAD SAY, I WOIULD BE A UWPite……
well thank you!!!!!!!! GOD NOT WORKING IN CID!
AS ALWAYS POST IF YOU SEE FIT DDDDDDNNNNOOOOOOOOOO
I FULLY AGREE WITH YOU THOSE DUMB DUMB NEVER EVEN DID ANY RESEARCH TO FIND OUT WHAT THE REST OF THE REPORT SAY. AND OF COURSE D.B.S BEING THE PROPAGANDA STATION OF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NEVER GIVE ALL THE FULL DETAILS OF THE REPORT. THIS GOES TO SHOW HOW GULLIBLE SOME PEOPLE ARE. JUST BECAUSE THEY HEARD THAT DOMINICA WAS RANKED 8TH THEY JUST FIGURED EVERYTHING IS NICE AND DANDY BON DIEU WHEN WILL WE LEARN TO READ AND UNDERSTAND FOR OURSELVES?
I don’t know what they talking about because we do not have economic freedom in Dominica. I guess they meant to say “Economic hardship.”
On the other hand, how can the information be accurate when there is so much curruption going on in Dominica? For example, in the week leading to Christmas 2011, the PM distributed $500,000.00 (half a million EC. dollars cash in his constituency. This does not include Turkey and Ham that was distributed later. The strange thing about this is, just his red supporters got money though it was given in the name of Housing Project. Does the government or treasury know about it? Why just his constituency? Was it reported to the cabinet? Or, was it his own cash? If yes, then where did he get it and by what means?
So we need to get answers before we can honestly accept eighth place for economic freedom
I friend, this is not a good report…..You need to read the entire report…..Click below to read it in it’s entirety, and you will get a much better idea of how dire the situation is really are…
Things were never as good as they were portraying them to be…..I don’t believe that you could get money from the World Bank….You got a meager 3.5 mil. from the IMF, with lots of strict stipulations….It’s just not looking very good right now man..
Could you imagine ,all the floods, landslides and destructions, and all the IMF allowed was just 3.5 ?…
That is an insult….I am quite sure, they wanted much more…. but…..When you have people in authority that only look out for themselves and their interests…. This is what happens……
You need to wake up, before it is too late… But the sad fact of the matter is , in my opinion it is already too late.
You on a roll boss. I wanna see them answer the questions!!! Please answer the question!!!
i can answer that,reon you seem to forget that the whole world is challenged by economic hardship,you should thankful that at least we are being helped with 3.5 mill,so get with the flow brother,life is not as you all are day dreaming it is,some people write like the sky were they exist, is of a different color,or they are on meds,take your meds,take your meds so you can stop write crap,we need reality,not show stoppers.
hhhmmm i think the owner of d.n.o has to tremble when that internet hub (forgot the actual name) come to d.a… cause i think skerro will try and squeeze internet media… the eyes of the masses are getting to clean….
for those who are talking about conspiracy… really!! what conspiracy would there be… is it only dominica that have dealing with chavez?? st lucia has and jamaica also… enough of the crap and wipe your eyes properly… the signs are clear…. the gov’t is corrupt in it’s dealings.. yet dummynicans celebrate the attack on our constitution… but real Dominicans know what’s up and we will keep talking and fighting… LET SKERRIT KNOW… WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED… i went from calling him p.m to mr skerrit… them days i have no feeling of calling mister …. mr…. simply SKERRIT…. and skerrit has no integrity…. SKERRIT is an unhonorable leader… SKERRIT has to go… SKERRIT is the worse leader in dominica history… this guy making patrick john look like a saint… it is high time labourites open there eyes… Labourites are no different than members of pastor joseph church in possie… you all not supporting a party… no way… cult movement you all making there… praising and praying TO a man in SKERRIT… blindly believing flesh and blood like you can do no wrong….
In Dominica, freedom is on the endangered species list.
I don’t know how this thing works, but I find Haiti rank real high papa..Antigua, St. Martin, Aruba, Cayman and the likes not even on the list?? These economist can come up with stuff eh. Guess that’s education at work.
st martin, aruba, etc etc trust me those place better off economically wise than most caribbean…. cmon cayman isle is like bahamas’ sister in tourism… is that a question how good there economy is? smh…. and would you expect antigua to do worse than haiti… let’s be real and forget others yard…. let’s deal with our backyard… zordi has been piling up since lastmonth
More Propaganda to divide the people
It is always interesting, and may even be useful, to see how Dominica compares with other countries globally and regionally. But with any ranking, it’s also important to understand the persons or entities behind the ranking, their possible biases and agendas. I wish that DNO, in addition to reproducing or summarizing reports, would also provide this kind of background information. In this case, it would be helpful for DNO to inform its readers that the Heritage Foundation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heritage_Foundation)is an ultra conservative “think tank” that aggressively pushes (1) a “small government” agenda of reducing the size of government to the point where it barely exists, and (2) lowering taxes (with the direct effect of inhibiting the ability of government to do much of anything), especially on the wealthy. The Wall Street Journal (owned by Rupert Murdoch of Fox News infamy) is the leading business newspaper in the US but also has a radically conservative editorial board. So while I do not like to see Dominica in the lower half of any economic ranking, one may wish to consider that a low ranking in the eyes of the Heritage Foundation and the WSJ is not necessarily a bad thing.
Avocat, like you I am not exactly an admirer of Rupert Murdoch but using your same reasoning how do you explain the relative high ranking of St. Lucia, a country that is hardly endowed with more natural assets than we have? Rather than look for conspiracies and possible plots by people “who may not like us” it would be better to honestly examine ourselves and adopt a routine of continuous improvement, regardless of our ranking. That is far more positive than looking for outside scapegoats to explain our mediocre performance (perceived or not).
This is a most shameful form of rationalization I have seen. Let’s blame the messenger!
@ Cerebrus and Indie: I am definitely not rationalizing the negative report from the HF and WSJ. As a Dominican, I am dismayed by the widespread allegations and clear evidence of corruption in our present government. Indeed, objective Dominicans do not need such a report to persuade them that our government is very corrupt. At the same time, I am not comfortable relying on a report from HF. Maybe I’ve seen too many right-wing Republicans in the US making unwarranted attacks on President Obama, armed by bogus data and arguments from the HF and WSJ.
We going down slowly, we down with the poorer countries of the hemispheres.What to celebrate?
you and your family alone that going down slow.you wont take me with you.As long as i live al my needs shall be met.AMEN
I wonder if a former IMF employee turned ‘patriot’ had anything to do with the Washington-based group who put out this hogwash. (just thinking aloud)
one of these days..when them fellas backs against the wall, you would have ran out of people to blame for their madness. but carry on
What exactly is ‘ECONOMIC FREEDOM’ anyway????
My, my, the things some people come up with!!!
“The rule of law is not strongly supported by the judicial system, particularly because of growing corruption. Inefficient and high public spending resulted in considerable burden imposed on the population”. I wonder how the Skerrit regime is going to spin such facts. They continue to deceive most of the population with lies and deception, and when the patriots sound off, they quickly attack left, right and center. By all means, they are unable to hide the truth, and now the world knows that this small island nation is rapidly changing into a full fledged dictatorship. After all these allegations of corruption, their supporters see no wrong done by these dishonorable politicians. My question is: What is it going to take to convince the DLP followers that they are mislead by those who will continue to enrich themselves at the country’s expense? Any country that does not have an independent judicial system, which I consider one of the most important pillars of democracy, such is considered a failed State.
SKERRO DON’T EVEN HAVE TO SPIN IT ALL HE HAS TO DO IS LEAVE IT FOR THE CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF IMBECILS WHO SUPPORT HIM TO DEFEND IT.WHY DO YOU ALL THINK THAT THE PRIME MINISTER TELLS SO MANY LIES? IT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE BELIEVERS OF THESE LIES. THOUGH MATTER HOW CHEAP DRUGS ARE SOLD IF THERE WERE NO USERS THERE WOULD BE NO DRUG PUSHERS
We are among Haiti, Suriname and Guyana. Look at the difference for Barbados, St Vincent and others.
Go celebrate that in Roseau!
Where is antigua, grenada, st kitts and montserrat.
Could someone please explain this to me, I’m 14yrs old and would very much like to understand what all this means…thanks
Young Teenager,
In a nutshell, the article clearly says that your government does not play by the rule of law, it is corrupt. Eventually will burden you, ur brothers/sisters and the children of tomorrow with the care-less lending & spending that they have taken on their own. It means a very bleak future for you and future generations.
Lougawou, go do your thing in the night eh. Hey young man please don’t take adice from someone who names himself after one a ‘develish’ folklore character.
lougaoo Mem I think you the one who is corruting that childs mine.
Stop being bamboozled by my beloved name. You know that there’s a distinct difference in an explanation and an advice. Lougaoo Mem will continue to educate whenever via this medium, while he roams the neck of your woods at nights (lol). My home is in the Grand Bay woods, and welcomes all contructive criticism at all times. God Bless!
So this report is saying that all the development that is talked about is a big joke. From the stats here simple tells us that da is going backwards. But I guess this is not true, they don’t like us and there is some conspiracy to make as feel that we are not on track.
what do mean they dont like us?, who they? please go educate yourself.
the first 7 have international airport,port and marina faciliies.DA Jah will always bless you despite all the political roro.an nou twavaiy.Jeff JO has a song which says we do not have social welfare like the french caribbean and is work we are working.twavay nou ka twavay.DOMNIK KI DOU
This is very interesting
Blaming de manager of Dominica.
Not Surprise was expecting it to be the last in fact…as we on the verge of another Gaddifi emerging in Dominica…
the worst is yet to come!! facts!!
There is not much freedom in Dominica, pretty soon we won’t even be able to blog
cuz the PM will shut down DNO just like Chavez has done.
Thank God 4 our Prime Minister, We’re not as corrupt as many has proclaimed
But we are among the worst.Gawd ,I can’t wait to hear the spin on this one
It may be all true and stands to serve as an eye opener for those at the helm as there’s lots of room for improvement if they care and are paying attention.
But, then again, it’s from the Heritage Foundation – a conservative think-tank, so it may just be all about relations with Chavez too eh.
IS THIS A PLUS OR WHAT? LOOK WHICH COUNTRIES BELOW DOMINICA!
Ranked behind Jamaica and even Belize!? Yet we are being told by those in charge of our country how well we are doing! Are all these “outsiders” wrong and the Govt. info. is the only one to be trusted? Wonder how this one is going to be spun.
when Dominica is close to the Dominica Republic on this scale, this is a report we should hide and not tout as good news
What caught my mind was the part which highlighted the growing corruption and wasteful government spending…… Y are we always bottom in the caribbean??????
Because of all the negativity being put out there by the likes of you. I do believe believe that this is all part of the opposition plan but we the true patriotic Dominicans are not fooled.
and why there are know major foreign investors here expect ROsS for more than 15 years now? this is a misleading report.
I am pretty sure that the majority of your readers as last time are not going to undersstand the article and will see the article as a positive rather that for what it really means. Corruption Dominica’s one of Dominica;s biggest problems right now
That article should be headed, Dominica ranks the LOWEST among Caribbean Islands. Haiti, DR, Suriname and Guyana are considered Latin America.
I knew that already. Many of us knew these things already.
One of the quotes “The rule of law is not strongly supported by the judicial system,particularly because of GROWING CORRUPTION”. The country has dropped in seven out of ten economic freedoms..
This corrupt government wants to tell us “SHUT UP”, but we know the country is painted, tainted and totally shrouded in corruption. We also knoew long ago that all institutions are destroyed.
THOSE OF US WHO LOVE DOMINICA MUST TALK EVEN LOUDER! WE SEEM TO BE A TOTALLY FAILED STATE ALREADY.
alas…the next level…we among Haiti, Guyana and Suriname.
Go celebrate that in Lagoon.
Bunch of Idiots.
Always wondered about that “next level”. Where exactly is it, what is it and how does one get there…assuming, of course, that is where you really want to go! Right now it is not even a concept, just words and as evasive as trying to capture a fart in a jar.
**We are at the Bottom of the caribbean**
It has been getting worse for some time now BUT we are too excited in petty politics to realize that!!
wow Dominica lower than Jamaica. At least we not last,
Let those who have ears hear. Let those who have eyes see. Let those who are PATRIOTS stand for patriotism.Let those who can read understand. Let those who love Dominica Dissent. Let those who like a country with functioning institutions continue to ask for them.
PATRIOTS who love Dominica know that the country is being destroyed from within by POOR leadership.THAT IS WHY WE MUST TALK AND NO THREATS SHOULD STOP US!
BLAME IT ON LENNOX TO!
This government has killed every functioning institution on island, has killed agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and you just name it…Now the tactic is that you must shut up, or else we will let dogs loose upon you.