President of Dominica, His Excellency Charles Savarin, has said that the much-criticized Citizenship By Investment (CBI) program has the potential to “re-energize” the economy.
Speaking at the First Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, on Tuesday morning, Savarin insisted that the program should be presented internationally as a national initiative, rather than the vision of a singular party.
“The Citizenship by Investment Program is one such program to re-energize the economy—particularly the tourism sector, and should be presented to the world as a national effort, and not as a party’s initiative mired in political controversy,” he explained.
While he commended friendly governments and organizations for their “generous and selfless” donations post-Tropical Storm Erika, Savarin emphasized that Dominicans themselves should to do as much as possible to revitalize the economy.
Thus, he urged members of Parliament to develop an understanding of the CBI program, its operation, and its benefits, and to make suggestions as to how the program can be improved.
“Let us, therefore, try to understand what that program is, how it operates, the benefits to the economy, and to the opportunity of eradicating poverty that it presents,” Savarin elaborated. “And, if there is need for refinement, let us, as a people, and as a Parliament, agree on such improvements that could be made to improve the program as time progresses.”
Additionally, Savarin called for Dominicans to set aside their differences, in order to present a united front to the world, as the island continues to rebuild after the devastating effects of the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, last year.
“We need, therefore, to put our differences aside, and present a united front to the world as we go about the business of rebuilding Dominica,” he articulated. “It is such a united front that will build greater confidence, signal that we are driven by a common national goal, and facilitate a more rapid drawn down of the monies pledged and committed by donors.”
He claimed that failure to do so would be “a signal to the international community that even in the face of a great national disaster, we do not have the courage and the fortitude to temporarily set aside our differences in the national interest.”
The President asked that all citizens have patience, as he emphasized that it will take quite a while before the island is fully restored from the effects of Tropical Storm Erika.
When they are bold they are bold. The b-older they get de bolder.
Is anyone surprised? If skerritt were to pass a law to jails civil servants for striking saverin would also support it.
Dominica has not been restored since the advent of Hurricane Skerrit into government, is after Erika you want it restored by this corrupt political hurricane supported by a president and his hurricane mininisters
I think I better go dye my hair, real black
Oh Laud! look at the people running our country!!!!!Oh me Ladd…
What do you expect Savarin to say. In the days of UWP it was bad, today it is good. I wonder if he knows how many passports that have been sold, for the last five years. He was one of those you accused Mr. Emanuel of burning his own house, now he wants Mr. Emanuel and his wife to put their differences aside. Why doesn’t he put pressure of police in order to solve the Emanuel case. Put your differences aside my foot.
The president should never get to speak on such matiers even if he is a political appointee. He is supposed to a unifying voice but he is clearly showing his bias. We must elevate ourselves!
It is called singing for my supper, especially when you are failed politician who wanted t be PM
if everyone had charlo salary we could revitalize the economy, not on an NEP salary or civil servant salary… skerrit made his king(charlo) so who dares speak against him((skerrit)
Charlo & Skerro are correct, but how can one ‘develop an understanding of the CBI program, its operation, and its benefits, and to make suggestions as to how the program can be improved’ if all the details are shrouded in secrecy. There needs to be transparency within the program so all can see if there are any issues with it.