Economist and United Workers Party (UWP) Senator Dr. Thomson Fontaine has offered a number of suggestions which can assist in bringing relief to what he described as Dominica’s “comatose” economy.
The suggestions include cutting back on government spending by reducing the size of the cabinet, making use of the Public Works Corporation, the introduction of a Jobs Bill, creating more jobs within the agriculture and agro-processing sectors, the redirecting of lending at the AID Bank, among others.
“In order to bring some relief and at least rouse this comatose economy the United Workers Party freely offers the following policy prescription to government,” he said at a press conference on Thursday. “Cut back on government expenditure by reducing the size of cabinet and cutting out wasteful spending. In particular, normalize spending within public works by fully engaging the Public Works Corporation and where necessary allowing for free and unfettered bidding for public works projects.”
He suggested the transformation of the “unstainable” National Employment Program (NEP) into something that offers sustainable jobs within the agricultural and agro-processing sectors.
“Bring before Parliament a Jobs Bill (supported by revenues from the sale of passports and grants) that will focus heavily on investments in agriculture and agro-processing and tourism as well as tax and other incentives for the Private Sector, which will encourage its growth,” Fontaine stated.
He further suggested, “Redirect lending by the AID Bank towards the agriculture, tourism and agro-processing sectors, immediately begin negotiations with its creditors with a view to reducing the country’s debt burden, review the existing tax regime to bring some relief to wage earners who have witnessed a continual decline in their spending power as inflation continues unchecked without the corresponding nominal adjustments to the wage rates.”
He noted that the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) administration, since taking office in 2000, has shown a ‘shocking lack of clear policy guidelines’ and demonstrated an inherent inability to either understand the structure of Dominica economy or offer coherent policies to meet those challenges.
“Failure to take corrective measures will only result in higher joblessness, rampaging poverty, a rapid increase in theft and other crimes and an untenable social landscape that will ultimately negatively impact everyone living on this island,” he stated.
Fontaine noted that seven months after the passage of Tropical Storm Erika Dominica’s economy is struggling under the weight of incoherent policy decisions and, “general inaction of the Skerrit regime.”
He further noted that the UWP continues to express concern over falling export levels, including the demise of the agriculture sector and in particular banana production.
With regards to the tourism sector he raised concerns over, “the lack of access into Dominica with LIAT restricted to only two flights into the country per day; the dramatic fall in the number of cruise ship arrivals; hotels inability to fill the less than 1,000 rooms; and an overall drop in tourism expenditure.”
zor tout se mem ignorant sort avec dotice
Yes, yes Popam you are the smart one. At least come with some ideas to restart the economy because one thing we can all agree on is that we are in the shit.
Lack of creative ideas to restart Dominica’s economy has never been the issue. An unwillingness to formulate a long term national economic plan that’s inclusive, while incorporating some of the resources that are already in place, is our biggest stumbling block to date.
The current leadership team in Dominica has a very narrow focus that concerns itself with simply taking care of a small group of cronies who are closely aligned with the ruling class elites in Dominica. It is impossible to identify any decisions geared towards economic growth. By neglecting to repair farm access roads in Salisbury for a group of citizens who desire to work through farming, tells you all that you need to know about Dominica.
Furthermore, investors will not invest into a lawless area where no one is prosecuted for the commission of heinous crimes against their fellow man. Sadly to say, I do not see any hope for Dominica on the horizon anytime soon.
Very Good ideas, putting politics aside , Some Dominicans have become lazy too. As you can see Agriculture is our Main industry , and rightly so due to our terrain . Most people don’t want to accept the fact that there is money to be made in Argriculture. For one no one wants their children in this field. Government officials don’t look into expanding Argriculture. aid bank not really serving its purpose. It’s no longer the Argriculture bank. . So in the end the country is failing. No one want to plant. Everybody want to eat. Farmers complain no market. Money small. It’s time that they work together and teach the people that Argriculture is a science. Not one farmer in Dominica have a tractor , and the machinery to do proper Argriculture , when people have a little 5 acres cultivate they think they have the world. Man it’s time to farm on a large scale ,export ,large, process large ,look for bigger markets etc.
we can do coffee, cocoa , bananas , alloes ,herbal teas spices
no thanks! calling for reduced government in a developing society that depends almost entirely on its government is trying to put the power of the people in the hands of a very small group. Trying to turn a tropical country back into an agrarian society where its almost entirely dependent on farming is putting all eggs in one basket. Especially since we are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes that destroy crops. I would like to ask fontaine where is his farm and what is he planting unless he intends to do the talking and controlling while other are doing farming.
Oh, you unready one. We put all our eggs on tourism but numbers are down and passport money is spent at the whim of the P.M. on God knows what. I rather grow my vegetables so I I at least have something to eat ans surplus to trade. I don’t get any benefit from our government and I am too old for NEP and to proud to prostrate myself at the Finance Centre every wednesday. I must die one day anyway and prefer to do that with dignity and I don’t care who pay for my funeral because I will be dead anyway. Good luck Skerrit but my soul not belong to you.
These are all politicians, clearly he consulted with his party before declaring this, but seriously, Thompson and the likes of Crispin Gregoire are the calibre of people that can reform this economy. After all, they have assisted many third world countries in one capacity or another to transform or fix their economies. However, Skeritt and the gang will not listen to these qualified people. Too bad. Remember he preety much exiled Crispin to a UN job and ignored him for years rendering him ineffective. Now see what happened to Dominica’s economy almost as a direct result. I don’t particularly like Thompson’s party but our government need to sit at the table with him and Crispin to help plot a way forward for our economy. Point to ponder.
Thompson they cut off all senators,
Yep…..all good…….The current leadership is shocking in its inability to address the country’s issues.
I cannot believe the spiraling of Dominica into Haitian levels of poverty and deprivation.
‘The Country NOT nice boy’!!!
Well done Dr. Fontaine, well done. Certainly the wrong Finance Minister is running the country down.
He and his team are inept, corrupt, misguided and not focussed.
The UWP Team is credible, honest and focuss
@viewsexpressed, what baffles me is how d economist could not manage and economise his $10,000 US salarya month and all of a sudden he can manage a country’s. Wheel and come again economist.ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS
When Skeritt took office in 2000, the unemployment rate was at 23%. Now it’s at 26% third largest in the Caribbean. Incoherent policies describes these statistics.
And that is despite NEP.
Laba ka twavay pour detwi Dominique!
No, I would not necessarily blame the labour movement but the evil forces that hijacked the party for their own selfish purposes. True labourites should reclaim their party and banish their false prophets.
Only on paper. Talk is cheap.
Ok, actions speaks louder than words. Tell me where have Skeritt’s actions brought over the past 12 years? If Skeritt was smart he would learn a thing or two from this wise man
A wise man who has a doctorate, yet cannot find a job!
You certainly did not understand anything that the Dr said….So you should shut up!!!! Well said doctor,but this is a CANNOT DO GOVERNMENT….Their greatest accomplishment is STEALING ELECTIONS,complements overseas voters…TIME WILL TELL!!!
The man seemingly has the answer to Dominica’s economic woes but does not have a clue about how to deal with his personal finances. Thompson has too much gall. He must first put his personal house, his personal finances in order before he can be taken seriously about anything suggestions that hhe makes about national economic turn around. By the way he must point out as a classic example a country as small and challenged as Dominica where his economic wizardry was put to the test and resulted in a successful economic turn-around
If you were not a fantastic buffoon,you would have read what was said and you would have gleaned from it..Sorry to say that you sound very empty,and does not seem to care a darn about this tanking economy..You seem to be one of the DLP minions that don’t read, but rather spew filth!!Your ignorance about the poor state of Dominica is deafeningly loud!
Who it was that wrote a $14000 check knowing that the checking account had only $400?. Remember that person became minister of finance. Is it also true that a certain minister of finance in a certain government didn’t have bike nor a blazer and no experience in finance,accounting yet he be a me a certain minister of finance.
You Laborats are so quick to denigrate even when 10 fingers are pointing right back at them.
Ambrose George was minister of finance and we all know off Ambrose George – I will say no more.
The bit about lowering taxes and cutting government spending has worked in many small economies, such as Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Bermuda, Liechtenstein, the Caymans, and so forth.
I’m not so sure about focusing solely on agriculture, as I’ve long thought that with our tax exempt IBCs and decent Internet connectivity, Dominica could also be marketed to technology entrepreneurs as a preferred domicile for e-commerce startups, particularly if financial privacy regulations were bolstered rather than weakened.
I cannot believe people like you are so blind and cannot see legitimate sense from political nonsense, and you come here pretending that you are better able to out perform one who has demonstrated to the world what his qualified capabilities are worth.
while skerro is in the front line receiving all the attacks and rightly so, it is people like you for selfish and egoistic gains that continues to hold the country to ransom even while it is on its dying point.
We aught not to forget that it is not the first time that labour party has brought this country to its knees and it took the freedom party with the late Eugenia Charles to restore some credibility to it, here we are again we are even worse off this time than the first time.
There are many reasons to that comatose economy; If there is no gov’t growth the public growth cannot improve,the unemployment growth is higher than ever ;no or low income means less input into the economy,investors think twice while those who have invested ,invested to their own loss,money wasting ,a hotel was in construction the gov’t could continue the construction ,they did not ,instead they decided to build two others,when tourists come less into the country,there is no means of attraction built for tourists such as tennis courts, mini golf course ,swimming pools etc. tourists spread the news from mouth to mouth ,the tracks in the forests are dangerous so they are not inviting which makes access difficult ,,toilets should be built where tourists frequent,proper roads should be built for farmers in order to facilitate circulation back and forth from the field,the gov’t should not only invest in roseau bout all over the country,in order to help the population and the economy.
Boy, mista smart! Oh my finger! Bur Skerrit will find some to say as his excuse to not take Dr Fontaine seriously. These are serious suggestion to jock-start an economy led by recession-thinkers.
http://www.caribbean360.com/opinion/open-letter-mis-the-government-of-dominica-confirming-its-attempts-to-side-line-local-professionals.
These are simply common-sense suggestions from an experienced economist, suggestions that should clearly be heeded and put into practice in an ailing and rapidly declining economy. However, we have to be realistic and acknowledge that Doctor Roosevelt M. Skerrit as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Commonwealth of Dominica, based on his track record, has no interest in advice and/or suggestions from anyone outside his circle! The good Doctor Skerrit, has demonstrated time and time again that he would rather see Dominica go through a total financial collapse than to accept or acknowledge that some, if not most, of his policies are not on the right track. Our Prime Minister would rather use misinformation and propaganda to mislead the less-educated Citizenry into believing that the economy is on solid ground and growing. Worst yet, there are the educated DLP supporters who perpetuate these lies in an effort to remain in the good graces of their Supreme Leader! Sad!
Coming from a former IMF economist who by his background has credibility. We have a Punjabi doctor who took a few classes in psychology making fly by night economic decision so that people will love him. Incoherent is an under statement. Thomson you are exactly correct, but we have some real idiots in this place that either will never understand and don’t care to. It is becoming increasingly the case that only mass revolution will fix that place. Will be ugly but will get the job done.
Indeed Fountain the economy of Dominica is not comatose at this time; if anything it is in permanent coma, more dead than alive, nevertheless, if you emphasize agriculture that to me is simply giving false hope to those who conceive in their mind that agriculture is the alternative!
That is a very foolish notion, if agriculture was the alternative, Dominica would long be the richest nation in the Caribbean, after more than sixty years of dependency on that. Nobody should use agriculture as a ploy to gain political support when we all know that every nation which ever based its economy on agriculture has failed miserably, including the Russia, and the former communists block.
China was king of Rice, and all sorts of agriculture products, the nation did not make its exist from poverty until they industrialized their country. I could take you to Europe, where people lived like rats, sick with all kinds of diseases until the industrialization revolution began in England!
We…
We cannot avoid history; to emphasize agriculture in Dominica is to take the country backward, we cannot abandon it entirely, because we utilize most of it for our daily staples, but depending on agriculture for a source of income is nothing more than a waste of time!
Think in terms of industrialization, look around you none of the more progressive islands of the Caribbean are giants in agriculture business, but as usual in Dominica we stick to the old that produces no results!
I never took time off to really scrutinize your wisdom on all the comments you are posting on this medium but today i glanced at your posting and immediately saw the deficiency in your faculty. one cannot ignore that Dominica is of an agricultural nature and that we are able to sustain our self with what we grow and grow what we eat. Coupled with that we are supplying food to most of our island neighbours, the strength of our economy.
You will also notice that other than Agriculture, agro processing and tourism was mentioned plus prudent measures to cut down waste on government spending; read paragraph five on the Dr. statements
No one should put all their eggs in one basket while Agriculture and tourism alone may not bring a thriving economy, but with proper management of the countries economy Dominica and Dominicans would be happy to enjoy a stable economy if only the above mentioned measures were being heeded and applied.
“No one should put all their eggs in one basket while Agriculture and tourism alone may not bring a thriving economy, but with proper management of the countries economy Dominica and Dominicans would be happy to enjoy a stable economy if only the above mentioned measures were being heeded and applied.”
It would be useless and stupid for anyone to dignify your rubbish with a response: I only hope you are not questioning my faculties, because you appear to be an idiot; simply an ignorant person.
Read your comments in the quote above, that will give you an idea of how stupid you. Say anything you wish, I reiterate agriculture is a waste of time; to depend on for a source of income. This crap about Dominica agriculture products in other islands is simply crap!
All of the Windward island produce all Dominica produces, Guyana, Jamaica produces more of the same a small amount is produced in Trinidad, and Barbados. Right now you all are buying sweet potato’s from Antigua don’t…
All of the Windward island produce all Dominica produces, Guyana, Jamaica produces more of the same a small amount is produced in Trinidad, and Barbados. Right now you all are buying sweet potato’s from Antigua don’t you think you should shut your stupid ignorant mouth?
If for almost a hundred years every farmer on the north took their produce to Antigua for sale, it was not profitable; in recent years they turn to Marie Gallant, if Agriculture was going to make Dominicans rich there would be no poor people on the North of Dominica especially. Idiots like you talk agriculture because you that’s the hope for the more illiterate people in the country with no alternatives, that is a vote getter so when the ignorant people here your sweet sounding nothing words about agriculture, the run out and vote for people like you so that you can live off their blood!
Do not question my faculties, because I know I am much more smarter than you are!
You are an idiot; the fart people…
You are an idiot; the fart people like you knows a lot, nevertheless, you do not have a name, check all my references, China, and all former communists nations including Russia which economy was agriculture based, and prove to me in which era they made solid economic progress,: during their agricultural age or since they industrialized their country. Keep talking fart, but I have presented the truth, the facts, and that is the difference between me and fools like you!
Solid points. I have dream that one day Dominicans will work together in order lift the standard of living for all citizens in areas of this country.
Now that the right thinking Dr Fountain have put a solution to the Skerrit Government they should attack this as an emergency and call a cabinet meeting with as Skerrit himself once said All Hands on Deck, and let the opposition lead
the way by setting all plans in place. In other words take a back seat and let the opposition run things since their plans do
Not work. But , before all this Skerrit must drop the learned Council and the speaker. For the good of the State that is what he should do. NO SHAME IN THE GAME SKERRIT, JUST DO IT.
Now that Dr Fountaine have set in place a solution for the development of the Country to the Government he Skerrit should attack this as an emergency and call an emergency assembly meeting.
Skerrit at that meeting should at that meeting hand over the reigns of Government to the opposition so that they can implement the plans that they the opposition have for the country, since his plans do not work. By handing over the reigns he would be SAVING the country millions of dollars which would have been spent on running an election, which would be put into the development plans of the country.
This would be good for him and his cohorts,for the longer he resists the worse it gets for them. The Nation would give him amnesty and he can leave our Country to us to develop for the FUTURE of our children.
Stupid talk! I thought you were an intelligent person but you have disappointed me with that crap. I accept Thompson´s suggestions but they are only suggestions. A lot more análisis has to go into the process. Some people just like to read their own crap!
Thank you UWP and Dr Fontaine for those solid recommendations. I have been wondering myself if most Dominicans (including the gov’t) have fallen in a deep sleep while the economic situation in DA continues to deteriorate and the country continues to regress in so many respects while our sister islands continue to surpass us in the most important areas. DA is one big mess and with the hurricane season soon upon us I am afraid that if urgent action is not taken by the authorities, we may get to a state of no return. I am pleading with the authorities to trim the fat in the cabinet and get the priorities of the country right.
Let’s get rid of that obstacle Roosevelt Skerrit so we can put these plans into place.
This makes a lot of sense and it is a point where to start. It’s by no means comprehensive but it is much more than we had of the Skerrit regime in the last 16 years. And let’s not forget, the UWP can only make suggestions but they have not got the power to ‘push it through’. That unfortunately lies with the government. So let us see what they make out of it.
Did Skerrit or any one of his brilliant team listed to Dr. Longworth’s presentation the other night? They would see that they aren’t qualified to run our country.
I am not a UWP fan…especially of LL….however, these are solid and feasible ideas which should be implemented. Especially in the area of the Public Works Department…if people have work and can be paid in a timely manner this will stimulate the economy.
SOLID Point coming from people with brains,vision and love for country..Compare them with the frittering of money by the clowns on the other side.
Failure to take corrective measures will only result in higher joblessness, rampaging poverty, a rapid increase in theft and other crimes and an untenable social landscape that will ultimately negatively impact everyone living on this island,” he stated.
When will u people see skerrit does not care. He is hardly in the country. He is not feeling it. U all wasting your time.
Loathe him or Love him, Blue or Red,Labour, UWP or sitting on the fence,one cannot deny that these are pertinent points brought forward by Dr Fontaine.
I think he has made some solid points and anyone who has lived in our visited Doninica wool attest to the fact that Dominica needs to find solutions to the problems that it faves economically and socially.
Some people might not agree with me or even him but there is one thing that we can’t do and that is lie to ourselves about that state of our state called Doninica.
Words of wisdom coming directly from a guy who knows exactly what he’s talking about. It’s a great shame the Mr. Skeritt, the unwise broke left hand of God has to be schooled and cautioned by the opposition. While a significant portion of the population will notice the commonsense in the words of Mr. Fontaine, Skeritt and his good for nothing cabinet will see this good advice as rudeness, disrespect, a little boy who is out of place, some who needs a backlash. This Labor government is conceited. They are too proud, too bigheaded, and too elegant to stoop down low and take advice from UWP although they are witnessing the fruits of their labor which is the destruction of Dominica under their failed methods. This Labor regime is pointing to the future aimlessly with no sense of direction but its party members will continue to think that the great distributer of free Wi-Fi, outdated tablets, and wood ant infested plywood, Dr. R. Indian Buddha Skeritt is the way to go. Labor in action
Solid advice indeed which the government should assess and apply where possible. I don’t think the pronouncement on the tax relief is fair, as a sizeable section of the working population was recently removed from the tax bracket with the increase in the ceiling for taxable income. Also taxation was removed from pensions some years ago bringing some meaningful relief.
Bear in mind that people tend to look beyond the message at the messenger to see how he/she may have made use of this kind of knowledge and wise advice in their personal lives because often a proven personal track record is the best way to sell wise advice, e.g. personal debt management. This would be particularly relevant as the advice is coming primarily from a politician.
I would therefore suggest that those of us commenting on this site make allowance for this justifiable skepticism from people who may not necessarily think like us and who take time to analyse the message as well as the messenger.
I’ll admit that you do sound like a smart person sometimes. My problem with you is that you’re on the wrong side. I advise you to jump ship before it’s too late. Don’t sink with it
Saunders might sound like a smart person but clearly is not one. Everybody that keeps on supporting this regime after all it’s failures can not be smart and can not be a patriot. It must be clear to every smart person by now that this government did very little for the nation but a lot for themselves and it’s ‘advisers’. Who in their right mind keeps supporting a government that up to this day is unwilling to account for MOU with China, the profits of PetroCaribe, the income from passport sales, cash donations after Erika… Who in their right mind keeps supporting a government that keeps promising a new hospital every 3 month, that had to close Marigot hospital due to a lack of maintenance. What about geothermal, the coffee processing factory, the Cabrits hotel deal…? What about electoral reforms, what about the ‘new’ IPO…? 1000 questions… no answers! But the majority of the voters still support them.
Hi Floridian and Gabriel
I support Dominica, not parties, as I believe neither party is all good or all bad. Unlike you two I do not see wrong doing only on one side. Thanks for thinking that I sound smart, that is not my intention. I simply try to use my God-given little bit of intelligence to analyse issues, so I do not simply listen to one side’s rhetoric. The other thing is that I have lived here all my life except when I travel now and then and I thank God for that so I know when some of you speak as if Dominica is the worst place on earth I know with some certainty that it is not.
I try to be realistic and as such do not expect pies in the sky. Those allegations being raised by Gabriel of not accounting for funds received are what they are – allegations. I cannot therefore, join the bandwagon on that! Some of the other issues I will not have space to respond to even if I wanted to.
I simply pray that God will continue to bless and guide Dominica always.
Solid Points and solid advice. Sadly, people will come on here and bash….while they all suck salt.