Member of the United Progressive Party (UPP) Attorney Joshua Francis has said that, if elected to government, the party would phase out the Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Programme.
He made the disclosure while addressing supporters at a meeting held in Mahaut River in the Kalinago Territory on the weekend.
Launched in 1993, the CBI Programme in Dominica stands out as one of the most enduring and sought-after CBI options globally. Individuals may acquire Dominican citizenship by making a substantial financial investment aimed at enhancing the nation’s infrastructure.
Its primary objective is to attract foreign investments, thereby stimulating economic growth and addressing the needs of today’s competitive international market.
The programme offers two pathways for individuals to obtain citizenship: donating to the Economic Diversification Fund or investing at least US$200,000 in approved real estate, followed by a thorough due diligence process. Upon approval, investors fulfil their investment obligations and receive citizenship, typically within a few months, while contributing to the country’s economic growth.
“The UPP will phase out the Citizenship By Investment Programme,” Francis said. “ That cannot be the answer for Dominica.”
He continued, “That reminds us of what happened in the 80s when we were producing bananas. We were depending on bananas and it took Rosie Douglas, God bless his soul, to keep telling Dominicans that we need to diversify, and by the time the banana industry collapsed the only answer we had was to sell passports.”
According to Francis, it is now 25 years that the current government has been in office and, to this date, has not been able to develop any other means of creating jobs for the people of Dominica.
Francis pointed out that part of his party’s plans includes the creation of factories, making Dominica more friendly to foreign investors, to develop the financial sector, “ our external companies registry will improve because we will get investors, we will create a situation where investors will come to Dominica to build more hotels, get involved in production.”
He believes that Dominica needs environmentally friendly factories.
Meanwhile, Francis said under the UPP students will be presented with scholarships to study abroad, however, they will be bonded.
“That is how it was in the past and it worked,” he stated.
Francis explained that he is a government scholar and following his studies at law school abroad he returned to Dominica to serve for two years.
“Today, over the past 20 years we have had a government giving scholarships and children just go and they do not return,” he remarked. “Some of them are not even sending a barrel to their parents.”
Francis noted that under the UPP education will continue to be a priority, but he emphasized that this comes with responsibility.
“UPP will ensure that more people will get scholarships, but everybody who gets a national scholarship has to return to serve the country,” he reiterated. “And if you do not want to come back, you give the country back the money.”
He added, “We must do that because we have a serious brain drain…”
Wait a minute. Is there only one member in this political party? I mean he keeps talking about we but all I see is him. Oh well…guess Pappy did it so why not him.
Very sound plans outlined for the country by Mr Francis during his meeting in the Kalinago territory. This is indeed refreshing and I truly believe he is genuine, a real patriot and someone who could really make a difference in Dominica. Here is someone for a change telling the truth about what happened to the banana industry and not the lies you often see posted on DNO. This really adds to his credibility. Now it’s time for Mr Francis to put a strong team together, hit the road and provide more information on how he plans to achieve those things that he stated. Politicians always promise the world to get elected but actually deliver very little when they get in therefore never over promise if you know from the get go that those things are unattainable.
CBI has never been the answer. Question is what do you offer the hundreds who graduate school yearly, let alone others who need a help, if your economy s*cks.
Some will eat and drink with you.
Then behind, them SU-SU pon you.
Who the cap fit, let them wear it.
crook!
For a country to do well economically it must efficiently and quickly turns its resources into products for export/sale.
The selling of passports for significant sums of money is an easy way to buffer the economy of a country but is quite unsustainable. Corruption usually takes root as very large sums of money attract thieves.
Dominica produces nor manufactures anything product on a large scale for export. In fact, perennially, it checks up monumental trade deficits. This will continue into perpetuity if the present DLP and its offshoots remain it power.
Dominicans! Let’s get rid of them NOW!
Good message.
A very very very bad messenger.
I don’t trust you not even 0.0000000000000000000000001%
MEME you are PERFECTLY correct! The messenger is quite eloquent; the message is on point; the man is obviously erudite but his CHARACTER is shady, dark, embarrassing and inglorious.
Don’t be fooled by Joshua’s well-reasoned viewpoints he has on a mask of deception.
Mr. Francis is a brilliant man and I believe this current journey will be rewarding. Mr. Francis is an excellent strategist, he doesn’t need to be a part of a group like UWP which will retard his vision. He is a leader and so he has taken the right decision to form his party. I know he genuinely cares for people and will work tirelessly to uplift the underprivileged amongst us. UPP has my unwavering support. UPP is the alternative the Nation yearns for!
@fake DC
Why did you single out the UWP? You garble like a sheep in wolves clothing. He will lose whichever party he chooses. Noone, or just a small handful of people TRUST this guy. He cuts on all sides.