PM Skerrit says international organizations imposing will on small countries

Skerrit in parliament

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, is of the view that the country could be at a disadvantage if amendments were not made to the Offshore Banking Act.

The Amendments were approved in Parliament on Monday.

“The failure of the Parliament to bring these Amendments to Parliament could have serious repercussions for the way we do business in Dominica,” he said.

According to Skerrit, this affects the country’s ability to trade with the world, to be part of the financial system and to be part of the monetary systems of the world.

“They can stop you from transacting with US currency; they can strike you from dealing with the EUROS and the pound sterling and Canadian dollar and therefore your country would be a credit union,” he said.

He explained that one opposition member spoke about the CBI [Citizenship By Investment], “but I will say to her in the process of educating her that this is not about CBI, because Barbados does not have CBI, St Vincent and the Grenadines does not have CBI, Jamaica does not have CBI and all of us must comply,” Skerrit remarked. “So it’s not about CBI my friend.”

Meantime, Skerrit said he believes that the international organizations are imposing their will on people, even to the point that it impinges on the constitutions in the region.

“And I have said in the region, that we in the Caribbean, must not see this as a partisan issue,” he stated. “This is not a partisan issue. This is about our countries and impositions that are placed on every Caribbean country.”

Skerrit explained that in discussions with a representative of the IMF he mentioned that this world is imposing on, “poor, small jurisdiction like ours” and will have a serious repercussion on the country’s ability to create better opportunities for its people.

“We must not be so myopic, we must not be so closed minded about our duty and responsibility to our country,” Skerrit said.

The amended Act was unanimously passed in parliament on Monday.

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51 Comments

  1. Filip
    January 25, 2019

    but I will say to her in the process of educating her that this is not about CBI, because Barbados does not have CBI, St Vincent and the Grenadines does not have CBI, Jamaica does not have CBI

    It’s amazing that none of these countries have CBI but are so developed.. Someone tell me what’s wrong with Dominica. Perfect example of the failure of the dlp.

  2. Bring back the kidnapped Dominican parrots
    January 24, 2019

    He is not complaining about the CASH. What happened to all the CASH that has been donated to Dominica after Hurricane Maria and that collected from the sale of passports? it sure is not in the treasury. It may have been deposited in some overseas personal bank accounts. It is time for INTERPOL to conduct an investigation as to the whereabouts of the missing CASH. CASH is easy to hide from auditors.

  3. Jonathan Y St Jean
    January 24, 2019

    If he feels that there are issues with these international organizations policies and they affect the countries of the region, then why didn’t Skerritt hold discussions to put forward a united point of view from the region which would have harmonized solutions rather than this piecemeal approach he has taken. Do the other more developed countries in the region have the same problems as Skerritt has and if not why not? Skerritt has shown a propensity to indulge in shady and back alley schemes to include stabbing in the back on the candidate for secretary general of the Commonwealth. It takes one to know one so Skerritt has to figure out if Dominica is a major international power player or if not learn to abide by the rules or seek to influence the drafting or changing the rules where it will not hurt the standing of Dominicans and not only look out for himself his pals and his shortsighted world view.

  4. Jonathan Y St Jean
    January 24, 2019

    Skerritt is imposing his will on the Dominican people. He has thrown the playbook for good governance in the trash. He says it’s not our damn business where he gets his money from. He doesn’t want the Dominican people to know what’s in the MoU with China. He appoints shady and criminal persons to be our ambassadors to Dominica. He won’t say what’s been done with the money from Petro Caribe, He disappears from the island and reemerges like a crab, He denies legitimate farmers assistance from friendly organizations whilst giving it to nonfarmers, He denies assistance to people who support the opposition parties, He sends our parrots away without we know about it in advance like they are his personal pets, He speaks on all issues like its a one person government. Should I go on? I’m sure you can add to the list of things which demonstrate Skerritt imposing his will on an impoverished citizenry. Kettle calling the hot bottom black

  5. iprotest
    January 23, 2019

    imposing your will on Dominicans is your greatest skill.

  6. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    January 23, 2019

    Steve: here is part of what the what the OECD is all about I don’t see any of what is written here have anything to do with Roosevelt opinions, the man is talking nonsense!

    “The Organization provides a setting where governments can compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice and coordinate domestic and international policies.

    For more than 50 years, the OECD has been a valuable source of policy analysis and internationally comparable statistical, economic and social data.

    Over the past decade, the OECD has further deepened its engagement with business, trade unions and other representatives of civil society. The U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB) represents the views of America’s private sector through its participation in the OECD’s Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC). The U.S. trade union interests are represented on the OECD’s Trade Union Advisory Committee by the American Federation of Labor and Congress…

    • viewsexpressed
      January 23, 2019

      Skerrit is a big joke. the biggest political joke on earth. A real hopeless Prime Minister. No way that this man is able, competent, sufficiently educated, ill-prepared to represent us on the big world political stage.
      This man is a failure, he must go. Labour, worse government ever in Domininca, Skerrit, the worse Pm ever. Labour Party, worse incompetent unprepared minister in Dominica ever.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      January 23, 2019

      Continue:

      Roosevelt wish to be a big man worlds affairs, and so speaks garbage in Dominica believing he will be heard the man is a nobody, I don’t see offshore banking have to do with this

       The U.S. trade union interests are represented on the OECD’s Trade Union Advisory Committee by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) (USA).

      Today, OECD member countries account for 63 percent of world GDP, three-quarters of world trade, 95 percent of world official development assistance, over half of the world’s energy consumption, and 18 percent of the world’s population. Together with its sister agencies, the International Energy Agency (IEA)and Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the OECD helps countries – both members and non-members – reap the benefits and confront the challenges of a global economy by promoting sound energy policies that further: economic growth; energy security; free markets; the increasingly safe, clean, and efficient use…

  7. Not A Herd Follower
    January 23, 2019

    I thought the PM stated in his last Budget Address that Dominica was getting out of the offshore banking business.

  8. sisserou
    January 23, 2019

    Exodus 4:21
    And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

  9. Karl Orndem
    January 23, 2019

    they are asking for transparency to prevent money laundering, not only with islands that have CBI programs as stated by Mr. SKerrit. Yes it will impact on our investments, especially as some islands are more “favorable” than others. But if it done everywhere else, and you have nothing to hide, i think this shouldnt be a problem. Then again maybe the PM is right. The Caribbiean must stand as united region against the outside pressures, regardless of if they pour money into us annually for various reasons. here as a region we must consider our future. Are we to bow to the will of the super powers? or do we become a super power ourselves? what must we do to wein ourselves off from their teats.

  10. RandyX
    January 23, 2019

    Can Skerrit inform the citizens of Dominica what the amendments were to the Offshore Banking Act and what was the real reason for the amendments. Please refrain from the usual waffle though and give us the truth!

  11. Paul Rossnof
    January 23, 2019

    Skerrit said: “The failure of the Parliament to bring these Amendments to Parliament could have serious repercussions for the way we do business in Dominica.” Skerrit your statement is incorrect and should read: “The failure of the Parliament to bring these Amendments to Parliament could have serious repercussions for the way Skerrit, Lennox Lawrence and Nathan do business in DA. This is all about passport selling, money laundering and associated businesses and that’s all there is to it. Skerrit, you can not pull the wool over my eyes, not a little stuck up teacher from the north who 20 years ago came on a rusty bike to work. Instead of doing the job you are paid for by the country, you use the country and its institutions to contact your shady businesses here and abroad.

  12. January 22, 2019

    Papa Bondie all u doh give this man any more fake (Dr) PhD; he admit he is a small fish among sharks yet he trying to impress people that when he talks the world listening; boy only Kairi FM and DBS and your “mouton-batallie” listener-ship dat hearing you; like the calypsonian said “go put you tail between your legs” shut up and pass d legislation.

  13. Child of Itassi
    January 22, 2019

    So you want to use the people currency (USD, GBP, EURO, CDN) but you want to oppose them and support Venezuela et al? Why don’t you grow a pair and do your transactions in Venezuelan currency instead?

    “The lion does not turn around when a small dog barks” – African proverb

  14. It's my damn business
    January 22, 2019

    But isn’t Skerrit using his office to impose, afflict, arrest and even try to jail those that don’t support his corruption? I do hope that the international organization squeeze his coconut till he has no more jelly water left in him.

    • DE TRUMP
      January 23, 2019

      they would be squeezing your country, J.A.
      you hate a man so much that you are willing to bring down your own country for him?

  15. Don't give a crap what u think
    January 22, 2019

    I do not know this idiot posing as P.M nor do I have any interest in knowing him or the other characters who form our parliament That having been said of a country which bore me. He adds insult to injury with such an obvious comment. Kaka doc as our folk refer to U That’s actually true with jokers like U at the helm.
    You bought * sold land built a couple millions house which was suppose quoting you > A modest dwelling for $4450 EC Liar. Other borbols along the way.
    Every citizen knows about and the thousands of Denizens too.
    Then came the MOU with China ????? Man I can’t comprehend how D/cans allow u to continue in office and not doing life.
    Tis my opinion and Lugay’s hahahahahahha. Remember The real P.M not you Kaka doc, took offence and filled proceedings against Lugay?

  16. Hiders
    January 22, 2019

    the bottom line is this – people all over the world use all kinds of means to hide their income from the tax man. now the world is catching up with them

    my question is how and if will this benefit Dominica. in other words are there Dominicans hiding their incomes from the tax man in other parts of the world?

    • UKDominican
      January 23, 2019

      This is a very good question. Consider this, we have many authorised CBI agents, including Dominican ones, operating through entities registered in the United Arab Emirates where they are not subject to either income tax or corporation tax.

  17. jamie
    January 22, 2019

    Skerrit keep passing the nasty gas on your supporters,the must keep supressing,you guys are a waste.

  18. January 22, 2019

    Skerrit is dead right about this. The OECD, which is nothing more than a cartel of high-tax countries, has been particularly meddlesome and obnoxious in this area, disregarding the sovereignty of countries like Dominica, and bullying them to protect big banks in wealthy countries.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      January 22, 2019

      Steve, a sovereign country means that country is fully and totally independent from all other sovereign power; politically, and economically. Political independence, without economic independence, is absolutely no independence at all!

      That is Dominica funeral.

      When the prime minister of a country runs around begging even poor struggling nations for help, that is not independence, or sovereignty. Every nation on earth with economic power  has power over Dominica, and Roosevelt Skerrit!

      You can agree with Roosevelt as much as you wish; his words and thoughts are insignificant. The man is powerless to develop the country; as such our nation will forever be at the mercy of those you believe are meddlesome, and obnoxious!

      This man Roosevelt has ruled Dominica for approximately nineteen years, only to bankrupt and destroy the nation; every foreign company which operated in Dominica for forty and fifty years has left in recent months; how do you account for that Steve?

      How can…

      • January 23, 2019

        I’m sure you have a very enthusiastic rant queued up, but let me stop you by saying that you’re asking me to “account” for issues different from the one in question.

        As ever, I agree with people when I think they’re right and disagree with them when I think they’re wrong. Even if I’m downvoted into the abyss for saying so, on this particular issue Skerrit is absolutely right: multilateral macroeconomic institutions like the OECD purposefully work to our detriment and the detriment of those in other small economically developing countries.

    • Joseph John
      January 22, 2019

      Steve, opposition forces do not understand the power of the controllers. Can anyone remember apartheid in Sout Africa When black people could go to their own beaches with ‘whites only’ signs. South Africa is the biggest producers of diamond but diamond is traded inn London. World Stock exchanges are controlled mostly in the USA ,England and Germany and Japan. This was organized by the Marchial pln after WW2. money was invented by the Phoenicians and writing and data processing by the Mesopotamians some 37,000 years ago. Acting began in Europe but today less than 5 US companies control the movie industry.
      Knowledge, fashion, wealth and money is controlled by less than one half of 1% of the population of the world through the banking industry….. THE CONTROLLERS.
      Remember when sugar, vanilla, cocao and limes ( to name a few) made wealth in the Caribbean, the controllers again. Big Oil is money but over 80% of Trinidad oil is controlled by USA companies. These

      • Pipo
        January 23, 2019

        Joseph, you are clearly out of your depth bro., going all over the place. Teacher always told me only to talk about things I know about. Good advice.

      • Joseph John
        January 23, 2019

        Pipo so why are you not taking your teachers advise. My teachers taught me to research , to inform myself and methodology . I learn facts check and click. I took my teachers advise.

    • Ibo France
      January 23, 2019

      There is some element of truth in your comments , Mr. Forster. One of the first acts of Mr. Obama, once he was sworn in, was to go after the offshore financial sector of the Cayman Islands. Many of these offshore banks were shell companies for money laundering.
      We have to admit though that when things are falling apart around Skerrit, he always finds scapegoats. His favorite punching bag is the opposition. The PM is very economical with the truth so I never rely on what emanates from his deceitful mouth.

    • Joseph John
      January 23, 2019

      These controllers are only concerned with the repatriation of money ( wealth) . The biggest controllers and most of them are in the USA .And do not operate under any law (not even international) because the control the legal systems. They do not recognize any sovereignty . BUT SKERRIT LIED.
      Trinidad was in oil before the advance of OPEC, but OPEC found a way to keep some of their money from the early 1970’s, but controllers are still making most of the profit.
      CARICOM has about 5 mil people. Through the years if we controlled the wealth of the oil produced in Trinidad we would all be multi-millionaires today. BUT our PM lied.
      In the USA there are over 1000 agents making money in CBI type operations. There are 88 countries involved in this type of activity, but SKERRIT LIED…..Go Figure.
      Opposition forces want to derail our path to progress so they will say and do anything necessary to achieve that goal. The big question is …WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO GAIN by their actions…

      • Neville
        January 23, 2019

        This comment, if in doubt before, definitely confirms that you have a screw loose. I always thought as much because nobody in their right mind could come on here and defend Skerrit or his 18 clowns.

      • Joseph John
        January 23, 2019

        Neville I may have 5 screws and certified but I did not invent the OECD. Neither am I suffering from the negatives of the Placebo effects like you and your fellow misguided opposition gang bangers.
        Does it make you feel good and boost your ego of fake self importance to call people names and make false accusations like your fellow opposition gang bangers and your imposter wanabee leaders ?
        your attempt at intimidation may work on you, but from an early age I was taught that a person can become a victim of intimidation if he allow it to affect him. So you can call me screwup until you are BLUE in the face. I guess you have already turned BLUE like of your fellow blue crabs in a barrel. Go figure…..again.

      • Neville
        January 23, 2019

        Your answer confirmed that you actually have 2 screws loose. Now be a good boy and go to the rum shop and have one. In case you haven’t got any money, do let me know and I sent you a money gram, safes you to go to the red clinic next week! Do have a good day!!

    • Anonymous
      January 23, 2019

      Steve, I guess you have surrendered your U.S. citizenship then?

  19. %
    January 22, 2019

    Don’t blame anyone or any organisation. Blame your incompetence…
    Stop the blatant LIES!!!!!!!!!!!
    A country reliant on only CBI, will find itself in all kind of difficulties!!!
    Your failure is glaring…
    Thank God your evil and destructive DLP is more out than in .
    Lazy leader!!!
    Stop lying my friend ..You are taking those who believe your lies to a dangerous place with you!!!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  20. Country Man
    January 22, 2019

    In his own works – “poor, small jurisdiction like ours”. After 18 years we are poorer with no end in sight

  21. Shaka Zulu
    January 22, 2019

    Same thing you doing to your ministers and Dominica. Stop begging. One way to stop that is be truely independent. Additionally ther ar 40 million plus people in the Caribbean. Like Africa we are divided so they will continue impose thier will. The common factor; Leaders who do not see the value of thier people being prosperous, independent, law abiding, leaders who are corrupted and think of themselves more than country. Society where resources are endless yet people begging for toilet, house and other favors. The inferiority complex magnified by a leader who use European to form CREAD and everything else and goes around telling the world Dominicans helpless and incapable. You get hospital, stadium, road, coffee plant, abbatoir airport, all substandard and cheap what do you expect. You take money from world bank and IMF so rhe call rhe shots. You had 18 years to make dominica prosperous. Apparently they dont trust you like u claimed.

  22. country man
    January 22, 2019

    In his own words – “poor, small jurisdiction like ours”. After 19 years we are poor with no end in sight. Something to think about.

    • %
      January 23, 2019

      The Trinidadian lawyer says that Dominica is impoverished..Read the last paragraph of his comment We were correct all the time.

  23. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    January 22, 2019

    Shut up Roosevelt, all of this garbage talk is nothing more than sweet sounding nothing; simply ignorant political rhetoric, music to your ear! 

    In the first place beggars are not choosers; what do you have to trade? There are no industries in the country manufacturing, and producing anything for export;  ours is not a manufacturing, and exporting nation. There was a time when people in Antigua would wake up in the mornings and go to the duck of the bay looking out at the ocean to see if there was a boat from Dominica laden with agricultural provisions for sale.

    I was one of them: However, presently Dominicans import sweet potato from Antigua. We once produce Sorrel (don’t know if that is spell correctly). Today Sorrel comes from Antigua to me in Los Angeles. What part Roosevelt can you play the world monetary system?

    Hogwash talk!

    The world does not trade passports, which is Dominica’s main industry, give it up talk has not help the country thus far under you!

    • The grapevine
      January 22, 2019

      Do you want me as ur leader FET then call me please.

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        January 23, 2019

        Indeed yes; I keep calling you many times last Sunday, and prior to Sunday;  it rings no answer: in the event you are reading this; and that is if DNO print it call me! Rendy have some medical questions for you; she doh believe in Dr. FET anymore oui!

        She want ask real doctor she questions eh!

        Later!

  24. Looking
    January 22, 2019

    More excuses for your poor report card. Quit the crying and get on with the job!

  25. carltymas
    January 22, 2019

    This is no secret Mr. Skerrit and this is not the first or the last time larger and more developed countries have tried, tries and will try to restrict smaller countries. My mind flashes back to the CBS interview with Mr. Linton and I remember shaking my head at the hypocritic interviewer leading the conversation one which degrades the CBI programme and the country. He made no mention of the US who thrived on their own investment residency programme which most of their investors come from the Middle East, Asia, UK and who has had their own issues with due diligence. I recall the CBI was not a concern to them when it was not more popular than the other programmes from the developed countries. But this just goes to show to inconsistencies of the matters of the world and the “care” these countries have for unity and prosperity for all.

    • viewsexpressed
      January 22, 2019

      Caltymas, you cannot compare the intellectual and decency in politics of Hon Linton with your failed incompetent Questionable Skerrit. Whatever was said and done in the name of Domininca by Skerrit, always returns home with a negative tone to it, because Skerrit is never clear or accounts to us tax payers and Dominicans on his expensive and extensive travels to wherever that we know not of all. It`s all about fanfare and talk and there are no results nor accountability in the Parliament of these excessive travel and we have that Ole Speaker want to get at Hon Fontaine and Hon Linton with her silly political talking BS when they and the UWP Team stands up to debate the failures of this corrupt Labour government.
      Skerrit must Go. labour ust Go. they have failed us and brought us into deep poverty. Corruption is high in Domininca and leadership is devious, crooked and corrupted, That behaviour seems to be contagious within this failed corrupt Labour leadership and government. Skerrit Go

      • Carltymas
        January 23, 2019

        Sir, I do not know if you are highly delusional, too biased to comprehend, or innocently ignorant to establish an understanding of what I stated. My comment had nothing to do with a Skerrit-Linton comparison but in fact how larger countries and organizations based in these countries use their influences to control and/or govern developing states and their development. I used the CBS interview as a great example considering a US-based television industry used THEIR influences to bring down a programme that has benefited even their country. I explained as well the contradiction. Further to address the Skerrit in negative light vs Linton. Most often, the only time I see or hear negative feedbacks about Skerrit, it stems from the influences of the UWP and his track record from the international community shows he is a very likable individual. However, from the experiences of Mr. Linton’s travels, there, many times, seems to have an attached controversy or issue.

      • Pipo
        January 23, 2019

        Carlty, as usual you using a lot of impressive words to try and impress. I read it twice brother to try an understand it once, I am not ashamed to admit but I still ending up with nothing, like a bag of wind. Try KISS (keep it simple stupid). Honestly I think you trying too hard to sound important.

      • carltymas
        January 23, 2019

        Again PIPO. I will repeat, I will not hold my words because of fear of being bullied by supporters who do not agree with what I said. If you do not understand something I suggest that you simply move on, find a way to understand what is said or simply ask a question none of these would hurt you. Note that the leader of the opposition often use “impressive words”, some of which often aren’t actual terms or does not belong in the context in which they are used, sometimes use terms that causes a phrase to be a contradiction and other such errors but at the same time he is understood quite clearly and is quoted on several forums. Please note that I am NOT a reverberator and I will speak in the manner that I see fit as long as it is the truth and it is not destructive to myself, my people and my country.
        Have a GREAT day sir and be blessed.

  26. LaPlaine Observer
    January 22, 2019

    This is an ongoing effort by Skeritt to continue using offshore banking as a safe haven for his overseas bank accounts. After 14 years of incompetent rule and an economy on brink of collapse , his only accomplishment is having millions of US dollars in foreign banks while Dominica has the third highest unemployment rate in the Caribbean. How can intelligent Dominicans with good conscience support this inept administration.

    • Ibo France
      January 23, 2019

      Well articulated, Observer. It is inconceivable that a government whose performance for the last eighteen consecutive years, which has been so economically disastrous, can still gain favor with the electorate. Anything good that happens in the country, he is quick to take credit. All things adverse, he throws the blame on the opposition or to external forces. The man is a blameshifter/finger pointer.

  27. RandyX
    January 22, 2019

    Skerrit, of course it has got to do with CBI and it has got to do with money laundering as well. You are involved in the sale of Dominican passports all over the world without applying due diligence. You have ruined Dominica’s good name within the world community.

  28. UKDominican
    January 22, 2019

    I believe our Prime Minister is disingenuous when he says these measures have nothing to do with CBI programmes because the money streams of these programmes are implicated. It is not always clear what the sources of these monies are. They could be the proceeds of crime or money laundering for instance and this is why reputable banks, like the RBC want to distance themselves from either holding or transmitting such funds. His remark to the lady on the opposition side about educating her is arrogant and belittling and not one I would expect from the leader of my country.n

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