Gov’t pledges support for diaspora investments

Members of the diaspora community at the function
Members of the diaspora community at the function

Minister for Trade, Industry and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Colin Mc Intyre has told those in attendance at a Diaspora Forum on Wednesday that government will support all investment efforts of the diaspora community.

“For those of you here today contemplating investment in this country, this government will support all efforts by Dominicans resident overseas who wish to return to invest in this country,” he said, while delivering remarks at the State House Conference Centre. “Government is currently supporting two local hotel investments through low interest loans, in the amount of EC$ 1.57-million and both are owned by returning Dominicans.”

He informed that to date close to 1,600 individuals have benefited from $ 10-million worth of small businesses grants and soft loans and are positioned in 33 small business sectors including manufacturing, export services, arts and craft and ICT services.

Meantime Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, said that members of the diaspora are important in the country’s development.

“We have always maintained that a Dominican wherever you are, is a Dominican,” Skerrit said. “And we in this government has always sought to embrace you as Dominicans. There are some in this country who believe that you have no part to play in our nation’s development, that you have no authority to express yourself but there are most of you who have greater investments in Dominica than those of us who have been residing in the country. You have bank accounts, you have built huge homes with no loans from the bank, you brought in money into this country and you have uplifted many a community in this country. So who are these people to say that you have no part to play in Dominica’s development?”

Liaison Officer for Diaspora Affairs, Loreen Bannis Roberts said the forum’s intention is to allow the diaspora to interact with the government and to receive a reports of what has taken place in the country.

“Every year the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica looks forward to this opportunity where we can cordially interact with returning Dominicans and Visitors to discuss issues pertinent towards the advancement of Dominica,” she stated. “It is also an opportunity for the government to report to you on the many projects and programs it has undertaken and will continue to undertake in the very near future all in an effort in taking Dominica to the next level.”

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21 Comments

  1. Dominican
    October 31, 2014

    Once again Roosevelt Skerrit insulted us when he repeated again that before we return home we should leave our money in Dominica. He may think that is a joke but to me that is very offensive because the message is that it is our money that is important to him and after that we can go back to our adopted countries. Not only that, he refuses to take and answer questions from the floor. If you want my vote mr. Skerrit you must consult and be prepared to enter into an intelligent discussion with me.
    I’m not going back to a one side meeting like that and I can buy my own lunch at Fort Young across the road thank you!

  2. dafriend
    October 30, 2014

    Bulls..t! Last year I came back to live in Dominica and with the intention of investing in a small tourism venture. Could I talk to anybody in government… no, I could not, all of them busy.
    Spoken to the AID Bank about a small bridging loan for 3 month, up until today I am waiting for an answer. So, that’s the reality and anything else, as per usual, just words and lies from an incompetent government!!!

  3. October 30, 2014

    How is This Possible? Especially when this may be hidden in what the gov’t said and may be liken as finding a needle in a shed filled with hay!
    Why is not the way made for the Citizens living in other Countries, To Facilitate These Citizens Having Good Business Here In The Nature Isle? Why Will the dlp gov’t not show so The Citizens Can See The Help to Them Is Available just like they talk? Hearing only deceives. Citizens are You satisfied and settled with this or for this?
    All We Are Hearing And Seeing the dlp gov’t is saying is do it yourself! “You all have money, doh sit on eat , spend it, All You Too free!” “All You can build big houses and have big bank accounts without loans!” “Time for You To Experience bondage again, All You making money before me!” Come On People OF YAHWEH LORD Our FATHER IN HEAVEN. YAHWEH Gives Wisdom To The Wise.
    A People Who Does Good Business Is Doing GOD’S, Our FATHER’S BUSINESS.
    For Same Is Done Offering Much Needed Services Of Value In Exchange In And Of Service OF LOVE. LOVE FOR GOD AND Love For Neighbor As You Love Yourself.
    Thanks To All You Citizens , Offering Such Services Here In The Nature Isle And In The Countries or Islands Where You Live.For How You Live And What You Do Affects Many , where You Are or Where You Are From. This Happens In The Way You Do It Good Or evil. People OF YAHWEH LET Us Live In Full The Life THE LORD HAVE Given Us To Live From This Day Forward.
    Let Us Share LOVE , Those who are not doing Will See And Learn By Example And Come , See And Follow Tasting And Seeing THE GOODNESS OF Our FATHER IN HEAVEN Provided For Us Living On The Earth.

  4. grell
    October 30, 2014

    only if your a laboursupporter if not you will be turned down,be straighy you all are a manipulative government.

  5. Morocco
    October 30, 2014

    Interaction .? Since the guy ask you about the Villas you come run your mouth and fly away like a crow. How can you call this interaction when you are the one talking and the audience cannot ask questions or even comment.

  6. JoJo
    October 30, 2014

    I listened, honestly I listened to the whole show but to me that was just all a political party broadcast, rehashing old stuff especially by Skerrit who sounds plebeian when he is off script. No questions answered from the floor? Cowardice again or simply supreme arrogance?

  7. Anonymous
    October 30, 2014

    Not one penny I’m putting in this place again. Why should I if I can get better and faster return, and borrow money much cheaper in England or America? I don’t trust this lot. Comes March they will take my little deposit in the bank and change it to bitcoins.

  8. October 30, 2014

    I swear whenever the great Supreme Leader speaks it is like music to my ear! The Head Honcho, The Big Cahuuna, Dominica’s Boss of all Bosses, The Don, The King, Dr.Roosevelt Skerrit, has never been one to mince words! I love His tell it like it is approach and can compare him only to Jesus Christ in his honesty!
    So, yes, we love our Dominican Brothers and Sisters residing abroad and sending the barrels and BIG BUCKS! Keep that “mulla” flowing guys and the Divine Labor Party will put it to good use. Thanks a million!

  9. 2bfree
    October 29, 2014

    In the words of our prime minister: “We have always maintained that a Dominican wherever you are, is a Dominican,” Skerrit said. “And we in this government has always sought to embrace you as Dominicans. There are some in this country who believe that you have no part to play in our nation’s development, that you have no authority to express yourself but there are most of you who have greater investments in Dominica than those of us who have been residing in the country. You have bank accounts, you have built huge homes with no loans from the bank, you brought in money into this country and you have uplifted many a community in this country. So who are these people to say that you have no part to play in Dominica’s development?”

    Oohh I love this! thank you Mr. Prime Minister, now will this translate into the diaspora being able to vote? A Dominican is a Dominican is a Dominican, except at election time when it seems that the diaspora is not educated enough or Dominican enough to cast their votes. Mr. Skerrit, your above statement says it all. Once again, if the diaspora is so important then why can’t the diaspora vote?

    • Negre Bod LaMer
      October 30, 2014

      Of a Truth Dat!!

    • ATC
      October 30, 2014

      On one side of McIntyre and Skerrit mouth they say people in the diaspora are Dominican and they have a right to do this and to do that but when it suits them; because it is the same set of fellars who criticized the diaspora saying that they want to run Dominica by remote control all you remember that?; it is the same set of guys who lambase certain personalities in the despora telling them they love to stay in the comfort of their homes in North America and to tell Dominicans how to think, how to dress and how to vote – they even went as far as saying some of them cannot even come back home to see their family even when they dead and burying they cannot come back home – but ha !today election around the corner the diaspora is like gold for them, all of a sudden the diaspora is totally accepted. Well Dominicans even home and abroad they trying to foul everytime.

  10. October 29, 2014

    people let us see what happen today the government meet with diaspora family and no question was asked in poblic; that is a joke. this is a question how many dominica workers worked on the road? how many work on the state palace? how many work on the state collage? this pm need to go he speak with one side of his mouth and the other side he tells alot of lies thats the truth and we all know it.

  11. bull crap
    October 29, 2014

    Dr. Colin Mc Intyre spoke about what has been done so far in regards to investment..Loreen Bannis Roberts spoke about what the goal of the forum was and what they hope to archive.. but Mr. kerrit came to campaign talking about ” we in the government and other Some in this country.. does this guy have any idea when to live politics alone and put country first…

    • ATC
      October 30, 2014

      when Monsoiur Thomas was speaking he maybe fall asleep so he didn’t hear what the political priest had to say.;

  12. too late
    October 29, 2014

    were they allowed to ask questions?

    • Negre Bod LaMer
      October 30, 2014

      NO!
      Yes, I really missed those Questions, like:
      Why was a cow on the beach?
      Why is there no hot water in the lav at the airport for me to wash my hands?
      Why couldn’t I take a direct flight from London to D/ca?
      Why didn’t I make the Netball side in 1962?
      Why didn’t I get the piece of land in Point Mitchel that I applied for?
      PLEASE!!

  13. Dawn
    October 29, 2014

    Liaison Officer for Diaspora Affairs, Loreen Bannis Roberts said the forum’s intention is to allow the diaspora to interact with the government and to receive a reports of what has taken place in the country’.
    Loreen what are you doing on St. Thomas, VI? Coordinating voting excursions for the upcoming elections? You have the best job in the land Loreen, Madam Liaison Officer for Diaspora Affairs.

  14. 4u2C
    October 29, 2014

    DLP, tell the folks of your ministers wealth since taking power. Tell them how the rural areas are suffering since you all have destroyed agriculture. Or tell the folks how DLP have created massive employment from Capachin to ScottHead. Why would diaspora invest any further in DA when the court system works against the people, you all say VAT is the backbone of the economy, GON Emanuel crime was defended by your entire cabinet and u want folks to come and invest in such environment? DLP , please leave and you all will see an influx of investment. DLP have no idea of development after 15yrs. Nothing to show , nothing to boast of. After 15years the country has regress in every form. Prove Dominicans wrong, show us otherwise…..Get the HELL out of office PLEASE!!!!

  15. rainbow
    October 29, 2014

    The good thing is that Dominicans in the diaspora are not stupid. They have all the stats you all are not giving. Why doesn’t the govt talk about the accumulation of wealth and the sale of our passports to international criminals? CHANGE IS A MUST

  16. I amwhatiam
    October 29, 2014

    ‘Quote most of you have greater investments than those of us who live in Dominica” you should tell them all what you have accumulated since in office, please do not put yourself in the same situation as the rest of the suffering people of Dominica.

  17. IG
    October 29, 2014

    To the Government: Please work diligently for Dominica and Dominicans. Make proper plans to encourage a well oiled engine of growth for this nation cause in my view, you have not been entirely focused on the major economy growing priorities.

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