A United Workers Party (UWP) government will take a second look at the Value Added Tax (VAT) system in Dominica and the economic citizenship program with the aim of reviewing them, the party has revealed.
Speaking at a press conference earlier this week former IMF economist and UWP candidate for Grand Fond, Thomson Fontaine, said taking a “complete” look at the VAT will be part of a “comprehensive fiscal and tax policy” to be initiated by the party if it is voted into office.
He pointed out this will be done to ensure that the VAT is “is more efficient and secondly it does not pose a burden to the average Dominican.”
“There has been a lot of concern about the VAT in terms of its very harsh nature on the average Dominican and we want to ensure that our policy that we put in place encourages business, encourages consumption, encourages the private sector and does not hinder the growth of the private sector,” Fontaine said. “So we are pledging to the Dominica people a look again at the VAT in terms of the current, existing rates and see how best we can make it more affordable and see how best we can make it work.”
Presently Dominicans face a 15 percent VAT but Thomson said the UWP is not making any promises “until we had a chance to look at the rate and to study it more closely.”
“But one thing we can say at this point is that is one of our major concerns and that we are going to make sure that we focus on this,” Fontaine said.
Thomson also said the UWP will review the island’s economic citizenship program pointing out the party is concerned whether or not funds that are being generated “come back in the treasury.”
“I have nothing wrong with the program, in fact the way it was perceived by Miss (Eugenia) Charles … I think it was a great way of doing it where you were linking the investment to specific investment program,” he noted. “So for example we got Garraway Hotel as a result, we got, for example, Jungle Bay where you had linked the sale of the passport, you had specific investment made in the economy.”
Fontaine said the UWP envisions the program returning to the model of specific investment made in the country. “We would like to see a return to this, we would like to see a return to accountability,” Fontaine said. “As a government we will make sure that the program is above board, that the program has accountability and transparency.”
He also said the UWP will remove the sale of passports from private agents. “I think that is a wrong way to go about it. I think the government of Dominica is sufficiently well equipped to handle and make sure it has control at every stage of this passport program,” he said.
Meanwhile prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has announced that a “new arm” of the economic citizenship program will be launched on December 1.
“We have articulated a second arm of the economic citizenship program where we will be receiving and reviewing specific investments whether be in agriculture, whether it is in manufacturing, whether it is in tourism and through the economic citizenship program we shall provide the financing to these investors, whether local investors or foreign investors, with a view of creating greater economic activity and job creation,” he told a diaspora forum on Wednesday.
Skerrit said he will be meeting with a company from Dubai on November 16 which is interested in “a major tourism project” in Dominica.
“Hopefully the economic citizenship program shall finance that particular investment,” he said.
Nothing is wrong to review the passport economic program
Isn’t that the same guy that was Vehmently opposed to the Economic Citizenship Programme not too long ago and wanted it stop. Jesus Christ what is going on with these guys. They will say anything to get in power. i guess you all will be endorsing drug dealing and crime soon too.
I feel UWP vibes. Those guys are going to take Dominica to the true next level with all their brains and openess.
As far as the “sellout of our birthright”, oh sorry, I meant “Economic citizenship” program review is not good enough. The concept of selling your citizenship for money is fundamentally flawed and unprincipled. Dominica needs a government that end this infernal program once and for all. This program is the reason why we cannot travel to Canada anymore without a visa, and it has the potential to give us a bad name all over the world, because of all kinds of undesirables have our passport. People whose movements are restricted because of their citizenship use our passport as a loophole. Where are the Dominican patriots?
The irony cannot be lost on anyone who has been following news in Dominica in the last few months.
The UWPwee has spent most of its existence shooting down every programme that the DLP administration has coughed up, every institution that our constitutions orders, every ally that the DLP adminsitartion has made, etc. Yet, in the last few months, the UWPwee has been very busy making some really impressive pronouncements (i am being very kind here): Free education for all, legalize marijuana, review tax regime/VAT/Economic Citizenship programme, 5000 jobs in 3 years, international airport during its 5-year term, friends with China (Roseau Valley is probably still trying to digest this one), embrace Chavez’ Venezuela, accept H.E Savarin’s blessings to from the government (if they should ever win a future general election during his term)etc. I am getting dizzy just listing these!
Desperataion and phantasmagoria can surely sc_ _w up some persons’ marbles!
You forgot one or two important aspects of live in Dominica that the UWP will be revisiting for sure namely:- the Goodwill fire and the Ezeedoor case.
Start preparing your defence!!!
U all flocking in other people’s country……that’s quite ok…but Dominica should welcome anybody to live here…is that fair?….
UWP team still dont impress me, they jealous of the PM and they gonna be another Patrick John, i’m sorry to say so but those guys are living in UTOPIA and have no idea the challenges of being a government as yet…….lol their time will come NOT NEVER….LOL
Stuppessssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!
What a laugh, they want to get in government to tell us what we know already, that they cannot do better than the DLP government and we would have make a big mistake if we were to be foolish enough to change the government. No way we are too smart for that. Tell us what you can do before election, tell us where all the money would come from, tell us everything first. Show us the Money. Show us the plans and how they would be implemented.
A tree they have .They just shaking it and everything falling down down. They have to come better than that.
None of the present or past leaders of D/ca has given a satisfying picture of these programs and whether these are the laws of the land they were never logically explained to the average D/can, or to put it mildly, which way it is going. The Vat, economic citizenship programs are not favorites with the majority of the community therefore, governments have failed in explaining and sharing how these programs have worked in the economy or for that matter, for everyday life. The late Ms. Charles saw it necessary at the time but times have changed, and politicians are greedier and who knows what else. Mr. Fontaine promise full disclosure of these programs, and we are thankful for that. The time to go back and look at these programs will be the best approach for good governance. Let citizens be part of this debate, and the outcome will be less painful regardless of the outcome.
it is so refreshing to see this different direction the UWP has taken the campaign to. This definitely will stimulate the minds of the young people especially the graduates and regenerate the interests of the private sector. Now Dominicans can once again feel we belong. and everyone can play his part according to his or her talent and expertise. We can provide an alternative to our young people so then we can fairly and safely tell them to get off the drug thoughts and quick money thoughts, this is where our energies should be at. keep it going guys, and 3 cheers for that new team of guys.
Continue the work guys….yes they the Opposition has the REVIEW everything, remember they are not the Government, so surely they have to query every now…good move…
Doctor Fontaine Please explain your flip flop:
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/politics/patriots-want-sale-of-passports-halted/
Hypocrisy at it’s best. Soon they will be endorsing everything the DLP is doing. Just wait and see…
But wait nuh all the documentation on VAT and VAT code is there wi why not review it now nuh, and make all recommendation on VAT through the political process/platform before/during election campaign and Lambaste dem man dem dat promoting VAT nuh,,,
Doh wait to do what you can do today for tomorrow garçon,,,
@ Rastar you are right these guys are not ready to lead. Thomson should have reviewed the VAT and Dominica’s Tax system in general.At this forum I expected that participants would be briefed on what he found that needs to be changed and what they are going to do differently. Most importantly tell us how they are going to do it differently.
Skerrit said he will be meeting with a company from Dubai on November 16 which is interested in “a major tourism project” in Dominica.
“Hopefully the economic citizenship program shall finance that particular investment,” he said.
MY QUESTION IS WHY WOULD DOMINICA INVEST IN AN IN INTEREST BY A FOREIGH ENTITY….
My biggest problem is….they look outside for investors, inviting more foreigners to our country, when we have existing business who need assistance and they will NOT give it to them judging by the color or party the owners vote for. SOOO in the end, Dominica will not be ours. The livelihood of our people is not their main priority……….on another note…….Linton dem is jokers.
Yes …make it cheaper for chineese to come live in Dominica…….I want diversity……..we need 20 000 more chineese living here….99%of the citizenship going to people who never step foot in Dominica….middle eastern folks
I need new ideas for change. Not just reviewing everything that you guys once opposed. Vat, charity clinics, china relations, economic citizenship. What’s new?
@lisad dem fellas don’t take a stand on any issue, everything for them is review this review that, at least Dominica was with taiwan and skerrit went to china, what new initiatives dem fellas have.. NADA
Big PhD fontaine got nothing new to offer Dominica.
You would think dem fellas would outline reforms for change, they are offer nothing new. Dem fellas a bunch of jokers.
Great idea to review the economic citizenship programme. You will be shocked to know some of the people that living big on passport money.
It’s not just great idea. It is extremely Great idea.Higlly impressed with Linton and his powerful team thus far. WOW! WOW! WOW!
WELL CHANGE WILL INDEED COME.
No is a bloody joke now. I read on DNO you all will continue diplomatic relations with CHina after so much criticism about how CHina communist. NOw you all will continue with the Economic Citizenship program? After alll had so much to say? What re-engineer? I will have to say that you Lennox are JEALOUS of the PM. It is a real joke now. A BIG joke. You have your supporters criticizing everything the Gment do and you all coming to do the same thing? No it must be a joke.
You have nothing to say so just “””Shut the Hell Up”””. Why would you break ties with China? IS THAT YOU ARE SAYING TO A HIGHLY INTELLIGENT MAN LIKE LINTON? What they need to do is have the Chinese employ you on their projects, and not just Chinese alone, on loans that we have to pay back to china..
That’s why I love this UWP team so much. Skerrit has made you his slave and his beggar.UWP will employ you.
ISN’T THAT GREAT?
Pardon me, But i hold a Bachelors Degree so already I am more qualified than Linton. Secondly it was THEY linton and crew making fuss about China, and the Economic citizenship program. Now they want to continue it? AND I have a well paying Job, i am qualified for. So please have several seats.
PM Skerrit did not start the Economic citizenship programme…He only took it to some unimaginable depths. Jungle Bay Resort was developed under this Programme when UWP was in power.
I love that . “review” VAT .
Vote for me, then I will “review” it.
Oh, now I have “reviewed” it, and …. the country needs the money ….Sorry .
Fontaine, what is the difference between u and skerrit?
Everything skerrit do u all reviewing. I am very disappointed with you fellas. You all claim to be highly qualified but u fellas are bankrupt of ideas.
Linton claims to be honest with integrity, this is impossible as all men bear the weight of there sins.
Skerrit & Linton is the same thing unless dem fellas don’t eliminate the VAT or do a radical change i will not vote for any of them Dominica is doomed.
Like they say, better to be thought of as a fool, than to open your mouth and confirm it.
you that doomed…
HMMMMMM if its the same MU well every knee shall bow every tongue shall tell.U see these guys fooled u all this time telling u all what the PM did was bad so now u see it was only to get into power,go back check the tape check linton face when he was interviewing the pal rep now the PM he felt it to see a young man like that was a pal rep now how u think he feels now the man is he PM?
the not he
Everytime I look at this UWP team, I say to myself that ALL IS NOT LOST FOR DOMINICA.
SO FAR SO GOOD GUYS. KEEP IT UP UNTIL YOU ALL REACH THE FINISH LINE.