PM Skerrit discusses investment in Dominica at exclusive lunch and dinner in India

The Prime Minister is presently in India
The Prime Minister is presently in India

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is travelling across the region of Punjab, located in northern India, with the goal of discussing Dominica and its promising economy with local entrepreneurs.

On Tuesday 23 February, after chairing the 6th Convocation of Lovely Professional University and receiving a Doctor Honoris Causa from the prestigious institution, the Prime Minister attended a luncheon in his honour at the largest banqueting hall in Jalandhar.

Jalandhar is the oldest city in Punjab, and is rich in history and traditions. It played a significant role in the development of the Indus Valley Civilisation, and was an important Mughal centre. Modern Jalandhar is known as the ‘sports city of India,’ as it produces first-rate sporting goods that are sought after by India’s greatest athletes. It is also renowned for its agricultural produce, and leather and textile merchandise.

The luncheon was attended by over 90 top businesspersons and manufacturers from the city of Jalandhar, who warmly received the Prime Minister’s message of economic growth and opportunity for investment.

Not only did the Honourable Prime Minister deliver an impassioned speech on his increasingly flourishing nation, but he also took the time to speak individually to the attendees – learning about their trades and inviting them to exercise their skills and carry out their activities in the island of Dominica. Because of Jalandhar’s reputation as India’s finest producer of sporting equipment and as the seat of a number of dynamic manufacturing businesses, the luncheon attendees took the opportunity to present the Prime Minister with local goods produced by the city’s leading manufacturing companies.

Prime Minister Skerrit attended a similar event that same evening in Ludhiana.

Ludhiana is one of India’s leading industrial cities, with the BBC referring to it as ‘India’s Manchester City.’ It is the country’s largest city north of the capital, with much of the city’s expansion due to its prolific and profitable light engineering, hosiery, and textile industries.

The Prime Minister was greeted by a hall overflowing with industrialists and businesspersons with interests in a varied range of activities – stretching from import-export, to beauty products, construction, light manufacturing, cycles, machinery, and more.

The Prime Minister addressed the congregation with fervour, speaking enthusiastically about the future of Dominica and the Caribbean region as a whole. He noted that investors must consider all the Caribbean islands when evaluating where to invest, as the region aspires to work in concert for a better future.

Needless to say, the Prime Minister dwelled on Dominica’s unique investment opportunities.

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52 Comments

  1. bin Wood
    February 26, 2016

    Glory days are just days. What about the years? Don’t forget that, bro. You like the spotlights? enjoy while the light is on. CDC used to cut style with their electricity.

  2. papa
    February 26, 2016

    What happen to pm suit no dry cleaners it look like caca iron

  3. FED UP
    February 26, 2016

    Skeritt in his Gucci loafers while Dominicans suce sel. Pure lunacy!

  4. FED UP
    February 26, 2016

    Term limits Dominica. Start implementing them – two terms maximum and then a leader should move on. This is lunacy!

  5. Abolo
    February 26, 2016

    Dominica has a very buoyant economy. Our largest export is the sale of ordinary and diplomatic passports… so no need to export bananas or toilet paper :lol: :lol: :lol:

  6. Traitor Alert
    February 26, 2016

    A True Leader, God Bless the Prime Minister. Industrial Power, A great way to go…..THUMBS UP

  7. Trevor Fabien
    February 26, 2016

    Dominica Cocunut Products (DCP) has been folded for whatever reason and oh the government was supposed to revive it apparently. The only toilet paper making business in up for sale. They can no longer compete because there are way too many challenges. The second biggest employer is an American owned Call Centre employing 700 people (Clear Harbour).

    No Dominican has access to a proper public library with adequate resources to carry out research at degree level. Yet we hear about how great the country is doing. Yes i understand that some people might be doing great but please don’t tell me that the country and the people on a whole are experiencing prosperous times.

    Look at Roseau,it looks like it’s been frozen in time except for the influx and growth of those Chinese retailers.
    We really need to wake up and take a hard look at ourselves and where we want to be.
    We need to do better than that and can do but wet need to raise our game

  8. anonymous2
    February 26, 2016

    I don’t think that the Indians are that dumb Mr. Skerrit. They will out smart you in the end.

  9. Anthony P. Ismael
    February 26, 2016

    If I played tennis, this would be a case of “Game, Set and Match.”

  10. Anthony P. Ismael
    February 26, 2016

    I knew it was only a matter of time, before he tried to sell some more passports to the Indians. All this crap about honorary doctorate degree was nothing more than a “Passport Selling Jolly.” I guess it’s time for government ministers to purchase their 2016 four wheel drive vehicles, expand their homes and keep the good times rolling. I would love see an audit published stating the number of passports sold, revenue earned from such sales and net income after expenses. Then again I’m living in the real world. In Skerro’s world there’s zero accountability.
    It’s time to “Sousay Sel” for the down trodden while the big shots continue to “Sewo.”

  11. Face the Facts
    February 25, 2016

    This will be a memorable visit for the PM, given the red carpet, receiving a doctorate, a lavish dinner in his honor attended by some people of status. Who would not be happy about that?
    In addition, promoting our beautiful island of Dominica. We hope, in time some will decide to invest in Dominica.
    One thing he could have done was to bring some slides of Dominica’s scenery. I expect his visit and time did not permit this.
    As for you consistent critics who can never have a kind word to say, as the PM said, Dominica is flourishing. However, I find your words are not flourishing at all. Such words, as embedded in your hearts and minds, could make you bitter and filled with hatred. This also leads to lack of peace and disunity. It is noticeable. Do not blame anyone but yourselves, as you project. A change of character and heart are needed.

    • FED UP
      February 26, 2016

      OMG – what colour is the sky in your world. Are you insane?

  12. Locs Girl
    February 25, 2016

    “..the goal of discussing Dominica and its promising economy with local entrepreneurs.” Say what now?!

  13. Oobin Wood
    February 25, 2016

    It’s me, I and skeritt. I shall never work again in my life. “To hell with the constitution.”

  14. Eh Beh Weh
    February 25, 2016

    “Not only did the Honourable Prime Minister deliver an impassioned speech on his increasingly flourishing nation”

    Say What now? The only flourishing nation is in his pockets….always pushing his hands in public purse.
    FYI Skerro you are the only one flourishing….As the old saying goes we will just enjoy our salt!

    May the curry deal with you for days LOL!

  15. Doc. Love
    February 25, 2016

    I wondered what is going through the mind of the President of Venezuela. He left his country, travels in order to assist Dominica and every day he reads how Skeritt is entertained all over the world, while he is catching hell. I wondered if he read about Skeritt’s $60, 000 to a country, things are so good with them that they can spend hundreds of dollars for his security and entertainment. I wondered what is going through the minds of leaders of the Eastern Caribbean when they read that the same man who they felt sorry for, approximately six months ago, dinning amount Presidents, Kings and Queens all over the world. I wonder what is going through the minds of the people of Delice who are not sure where their next meal is going to come from or a safe place to rest their weary heads at nights or the young people of Dominica who cannot find a job and to read Skeritt is sleeping comfortable at nights in another country and having the best meals that country can offer.

  16. Viewsexpressed
    February 25, 2016

    “Needless to say, the Prime Minister dwelled on Dominica’s unique investment opportunities……..”
    Give me a break, he dwelled, what else could he have done. Have you prepared Dominica for any unique development investment Skerrit? Man get the hell out of the people country.
    Empty handed, thoughtless, poorly developmentally thinking…..just does not make sense. This man is living in kangaroo lane and treats us like subjects, the big boy bully who owns the streets.
    I guess your next stop is London….and wonder for how long, must be arriving London Friday or weekend.
    Sickening

  17. Jean Simpson
    February 25, 2016

    Dem just jealous of Dr. Skerrit! My God why that level of hatred? Dr. Thonpson Fontaine knows that the accolade that was bestowed on PM Skerrit is a customary activity in Academia. Academic institutions the world over recognize individuals who have contributed in one way or the other to human development. Why can’t we leave our partisan politics locally. Whay seek to export it overseas? What benefit is there for tarnishing the name of Dominica? Is this a situation where the end justifieds the means. Kill Dominica because Skerrit. ooops!!! Doctor the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit is PM and when we come in we will fix it. This is just hatred for a man who means and is working only for the God of all his countryman. No wonder we can contribute almost $200,000.00 in one month (the most difficult time of the year) to our political leader’s legal fees. They jealous of Skerro.

    • Viewsexpressed
      February 27, 2016

      Jean….Skerrit does not deserve, earned, or trusted with any award, be it doctorate, illiterate or bogus. We do not trust him. The real worked for award is somewhere in the Bin Bobol stuffed with Fertilizer.

  18. DomiChina
    February 25, 2016

    Maybe Lennox needs to start going to England, Europe, Great Britain, and America to negotiate development for Dominica since there has Euros, Pounds and US Dollars whilst Skerrit goes to China, Malaysia and India where there is yen, peso and ringgit.

    Something is drastically wrong with one of these pictures.

  19. February 25, 2016

    Same thing Skerrit said about China :-D :-D

  20. %
    February 25, 2016

    The more this inept man travels, the poorer the country gets.So long Skerrit is talking about investment,why we cannot see anything happening..?Are we being punished for putting such an easily manipulated man to lead the country?Dominica has never had this kind of bad,backward and inept governance.WHAT A TERRIBLE LEADER!!!!!

    • anonymous2
      February 26, 2016

      He’s spending a lot of money in his travels. A lot more than he will ever get back.

  21. Big Papa
    February 25, 2016

    How is it Labass Diaspora has not posted as yet . God job.

  22. Not A Herd Follower
    February 25, 2016

    ”The Prime Minister was greeted by a hall overflowing with industrialists and businesspersons with interests in a varied range of activities – stretching from import-export, to beauty products, construction, light manufacturing, cycles, machinery, and more.”

    With exaggerated language like the quote above, the Press Release is obviously written to impress the gullible.

    But our focus must be on what is real. A major, major factor in the decision of businessmen or firms to invest overseas is the size of the overseas host market. Studies by UNCTAD have concluded that this (market size) is more important than tax breaks. Dominica has a total population of 70,000, perhaps the size of a small slum in India with its gigantic population of over one billion. Who is the rational Indian businessman who will target Dominica as a market or location for setting up production plants?

    • Anthony P. Ismael
      February 26, 2016

      The Phantom Business Man, maybe. :-P :-P :-P

  23. Floridian diaspora
    February 25, 2016

    After reading this article I think that it is safe to say that Skeritt is living in a dream while the rest of us live in reality. I want to know on what RED moon does this Dominica economy look promising? In order to impress, I suspect that this man telling lies to the international community by telling them positive nonexistent things about the island when in reality it is something quite bleak going on down here. It is evident that our supreme leader’s energy would be best served in Hollywood because all he’s good at doing is dress up and grin for the cameras. Lights, camera, action. The peasants of Dominica should not expect anything good to come from this as Skeritt represents Nazareth and nothing good cannot come from that place. A few months ago it was Dubai but that’s on the backburner for now. These days his majesty’s newly found hobby is frequenting India to pay homage to Buddha.

    • Big Papa
      February 25, 2016

      Stupes think of something that can tell us you have a little commonsense na Labass Diaspora.

    • yessahhh
      February 25, 2016

      Aye Labass Diaspora think of positive stuff plz! I find you just a nuisance to DNO well isee that’s your new name maybe its because of the rubbish you speak.

  24. The Evangelist?
    February 25, 2016

    But what type of investment is Skerrit interested in? Let’s not forget The Layou River hotel was an investment. The sad thing is, we do not know how much was invested and where our money went to. yet it was an investment that only a few, especially foreigners that don’t care a damn about Dominica benefited in.
    Skerrit needs to understand that Dominica does not belong to him so he could give to whomever he chooses. He needs to discuss with us to see if we want our island and passports given to foreigners. Unfortunately he is just the PM, who does not have an interest in the future of Dominica, except for what he can get now.
    My wife and I own our house and everything we have belongs to us. As the husband, God in His wisdom just appointed me as head of the family, just for accountability & stability. As leader I CANNOT just go and sell our land and expect my wife to take it as a moomoo. The same is true with Skerrit and that’s why I cannot understand why we behaving like moomoos

    • Loud Voice
      February 25, 2016

      Dear Evangelit – please note that the Layou River investment project did not occur under the PM Roosevelt Skerritt administration. Please restrict your comments to factual information please.

  25. ♚ El Guapo™ ♚
    February 25, 2016

    Heard two idiots talking koshone on a radio program last night about how 30,000 people at the university listened to Skerrit’s speech and they kept emphasizing on how that is half the population of Dominica. Obviously since India has the second largest population in the world and Dominica has one of the lowest this should be expected. They should be ashamed that 30,000 people is half the population of Dominica, they done ran 1/3 of the population away.

  26. dissident
    February 25, 2016

    Investment opportunities in which areas??
    When are we actually going to begin rebuilding Dominica?
    After de hurricane season brings added challenges to our dwindling Treasury account?
    And then we will hear of promised Hotel development rather than bridges , roads and broken infrastructure.

    Our PM has lost his shine!!!
    China, Malaysia, UAE and now India.
    But he not meeting with officials of government……..why??? No official welcome and tour.
    Do we have an ambassador to India?
    Who is our Ambassador to UAE and Malaysia???
    I have no Doctorate conferred on my head.
    I think our nation would stand to benefit more from official Diplomatic links…….but then we have official links with China and we have a stadium where de roof truss material to my mind appears defective like it is used material, no Hospital, no secondary school, EO Leblanc highway reconstruction is necessary after less than 5 years!

    what is there to jump and scream about?

    • Me
      February 25, 2016

      There is no Ambassador for Dominica in India but apparently we have a Hon. Consul in New Delhi. Mr. Rama Kant Shukla, 283 Gulmohar Enclave, New Deklhi 110049 (tel; 11-1686-2595, e mail: shukla_dominica@ hotmail.com. The address is an upmarket development of luxury apartments & offices.
      Search me what mr. Shukla is doing for us in India. There is no mention of him in connection with Roosevelt Skerrit’s visit, but perhaps a diplomatic passport has got something to do with it.?

    • Me
      February 25, 2016

      PS. Roosevelt SAkerrit was accompanied by Steve Ferrol, in his role asCabinet Secretary. I believe it is him in the photograph, walking behind Skerrit on the right hand side. Why were we not told about this in Dominica? Is there anyone else accompanying him we should know about?

  27. committed
    February 25, 2016

    You can see that’s fake,look at his business counterpart, all his chest is out.
    That must be a taxi driver walking him to a taxi.

    • Dominican
      February 25, 2016

      So you beating your drum and you dancing right? :mrgreen: Too funny. first it was a business man then his taxi driver hahaha make up you mind and look for a more intelligent comment to make on the article

      • Viewsexpressed
        February 25, 2016

        What do you know of intelligent comment when yours is not.
        Go read a book on accountability and good governance in high office.

  28. Jesus_Was_A_Captalist
    February 25, 2016

    Prime Minister deliver an impassioned speech on his increasingly flourishing nation, but he also took the time to speak individually to the attendees :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
    Flourishing nation hope they don’t go to Dominican Republic….

  29. Peter Potter
    February 25, 2016

    I quote: Prime Minister Skerrit delivered an impassioned speech on his increasingly flourishing nation…
    His inceasingly flourishing nation – is Skerrit talking about Dominica? Surely not, or have I missed something? Is this man travelling all over the world on taxpayers money to tell his usual lies? This man is not only an embarrassment to himself but also to our country.

  30. Zandoli
    February 25, 2016

    Convocation of Lovely Professional University – Has anyone head of this “prestigious” university ?
    I have heard of Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Oxford, Cambridge, McGill, Princeton, Yale……..you get the drift, but never have I come across this bastion of learning in India.

    Mr. Prime Minister, if you want to attach a handle to your name, get one from a university that most people recognize. I remember Patrick John getting a doctorate in metaphysic from another one of those “universities” back in the 1970s.

    Please don’t make a fool of yourself and us by extension. Now you will have other Caribbean leaders who actually earned their doctorates making snide remarks behind your back.

    • Jean Simpson
      February 25, 2016

      I have heard about UWI and the other uuniversities you mentioned. have never heard about “lovely University” before they confereed the hinor on our PM. But I do know that there are some among us, graduates of these prestiguos universities who have gone on to become scammers, thieves and con men. See what happen to the DAAS land at Rosalie and the DAAS funds in Washington. I also know of university degree holders form your prestigious universities who are running away from Credit card companies for as little as $900.00 I also know of degree holders form your prestigious universities who go to the offices of law firms and behave like animals. You want more? Check yourself.

  31. Chris
    February 25, 2016

    Blah Blah Blah! All he worth to travel and be whined and dined, wasting tax payers money with his high travelling expenses and nothing to show for it when he return, only LIES and EMPTY PROMISes. You not no PATAT doctor.

  32. Doc. Love
    February 25, 2016

    This is one of the problems I have with Skeritt. He can be interviewed and address the press all over the world, but Dominicans have to rely on the international press to know what he does or says whenever he goes on his trips. I have said it countless times, the press in Dominica should have a black out on all Skeritt’s trips unless he can treat them with honor and respect. That sneaking in and out of the country must stop. It is Dominicans that are paying for his trips, therefore, why should we have to depend on the international press for information as regards wherever he is wining and dinning. I am fed up of Angello Alleyne having to tell me, in terms of the where about of the Prime Minister. As soon as he lands at Melville Hall, the press should be the first ones to meet him.

    • Shameless
      February 25, 2016

      Keep on dreaming my man. When are you all going to accept that Dominicans are mere subjects to His Excellency Skerro? You and others are answerable to The Great One Skerro so why should he tell you his business? Not state business because there is no state business in Dca its only Skerro’ business. We have created a monster so we all have to deal with it. When you have bishops, priests, pastors, ministers, commissioners, judges president, speaker etc bowing to His Excellency’s every command what do you expect?

      I will keep praying for Ma Dominique :twisted: :twisted:

      Always Assertive! :twisted:

  33. TRUEMAN
    February 25, 2016

    ***Hardly prestigious***

    This is not exactly a “prestigious” university. I mean look at the reviews & ranking online.

    http://www.webometrics.info/en/Asia/india?page=1

    It just seem like a regular university.

    Doctor Honoris Causa : A degree conferred to honor the recipient.

    Thanks

    • February 25, 2016

      The degree is like a “thank you congratulations” this degree does not have any thing to do with the education he received at school,in other words it is not considered by the educational system..

  34. Puzzled
    February 25, 2016

    Just who is writing this s,,,,,,,,

    • Me
      February 25, 2016

      Well, since it is coming from the Office of the Prime Minister it must have been crafted, or at least approved by the present occupant of that seat, and other unappreciated member of the literati, no other than Act. P.M. Hon Justina Charles.

    • Sakwe Gas
      February 25, 2016

      OMG I was thinking the same thing! An article about the PM discussing investment opportunities in India…but couldn’t list one industry he highlighted.

      And then this line… “Not only did the Honourable Prime Minister deliver an impassioned speech on his increasingly flourishing nation,”

      Increasingly flourishing in what?? Crime, Sexual abuse, Suicides, Corruption, what??

      • Ma Moses
        February 25, 2016

        Remember, invest opportunity would also cover the Citizenship by Investment programme. People with an Indian passport face many challenges to enter other countries and visa restrictions. A Dominican passport would help them to travel to many more countries, especially in Europe without a visa. Is Roosevelt Skerrit on a mission to peddle passports in India and all this is just a cover? That would make sense, doesn’t it?

  35. Titiwi
    February 25, 2016

    That wouldn’t have anything to do with cricket, in particular West In dies cricket and Mr. Skerrit’s close association with Mano Nanthan would it? Given the plethora of sports equipment manufacturers in Jalandhar such as Uni Sports, Flash, HRM, R.I.S,, Belco, Pilot, Rebel and sundry others that conclusion is almost inescapable. If we can not even manage to keep a local manufacture of toilet tissue afloat, how are we going to compete producing cricket bats…in English willow no less? Of course, it could be very profitable for someone in Dominica to be appointed exclusive distributor for the Caribbean for such goods Where is Mano by the way?

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