Athie’s budget

Hotelier and former minister of agriculture Athie Martin wants to see the 2012/2013 budget about to be presented by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit putting “the interest of the people first”.

If the budget were being presented by Martin, it would be one that responds to the question “what are the critical needs of Dominica today”.

“It’s clearly jobs, for our growing army of young people.  How do you get jobs?  You get jobs by creating businesses, by helping existing businesses grow again and expand,” Martin told DNO.

It’s that kind of budget he says the prime minister, in his capacity as finance minister, should present on July 17.

He says the budget should seek to “stimulate new businesses particularly that are sensible and consistent with our brand as a nature island, the green economy business”.

If PM Skerrit were to take Martin’s advice, this would be the main priority outlined in the fiscal package:

“Jobs, priorities number one two and three, the way to get jobs, stimulate investment, we’re going to partner with the private sector, we’re going to facilitate the private sector”.

“They can refinance entire portfolios.  For instance they can take tourism, the AID Bank has a portfolio of about $16 million for tourism – none performing.  You can refinance that, refinance that with conditions to say, you’re going to get two and a half per cent money. But in order for you to get it you have to agree to do A B C D.  And we’re going to supervise and make sure that you do it,” Martin recommends.

And he is advising that the same be done for manufacturing, for the transportation sector “on land as well as on the sea”.

Martin wants a “shock budget”, a visionary package that shows it won’t be business as usual.

Prime Minister Skerrit hasn’t said much to date on the coming budget.

However, he has indicated that it will reflect the difficult global economic situation which is impacting on Dominica and the other OECS countries along with Caricom and the rest of the world.

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32 Comments

  1. evenhanded
    July 6, 2012

    Except for Sam Raphael’s Jungle Bay, have the hotels owned by prominent Dominican “entrepreneurs”with very soft loans(millions of $$) from the ECONOMIC CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMME paying back the loans to the government and people of Dominica?!?

  2. Anonymous
    July 5, 2012

    JUST ANOTHER CONTRIBUTION TO THE #TAlk# industry ,these suggestions are not new and some are already in process so hope is not an-ego ting..

  3. Anthony P. Ismael
    July 4, 2012

    Athie made some great points, but his proposal is somewhat flawed.
    1.Foreign markets must be sought and trade policies set in stone before a manufacturer will manufacture goods to be sold.
    2. Secondly, Dominica’s population is rather small. As a result, the local market for consumption of goods and services is wholly limited.
    3. Our toursim product is constantly expanding, but it still has serious limitations. How can we promote yachting in Portsmouth without a marina?
    4. We cannot talk tourism without a proper airport and “Real” night landing.
    Taxes must be lowered to spur investment. The Economic Citizenship Programme was a great idea to help create investment, and increase the population with new citizens who have their own capital or access to capital but that was bungled. The Four or Five Star Hotel at Layou River till this day, was bungled.

  4. hmmm
    July 4, 2012

    No matter how much we come and blah blah on DNO or we blah blah in our little circles, one thing remains the same. We the citizens are going to be affected by the NWO agenda, we voted because most of us are blinded to the fact that all governments everywhere are linked some way some how. the rich strive to remain rich and do all in their power to keep the poor poor. the poor struggle to get rich and are blocked or criticized by the rich no matter how positive their contribution may be. >>> 1. Job creation, 2. Better living conditions (even if it means putting up apartment complexes), 3a. More attention to agriculture and in part, 3b.our health because we have what we need to be a strong and healthy nation. We need to teach the children the benefits of certain foods and also TEACH them how to cook! 4. Tourism/Marketing of our nature island. (i said Marketing NOT Exploiting). There is a Global economic crisis HOWEVER we have alot of INTELLIGENT people therefore we can maintain ourselves through 5. Education of the youth, proper education! We need to teach them that a positive attitude will get you what and where you want!!! Not blind the generation then complain about then in years to come. Remember you are building them to take care of YOU in your elderly stages!!!!!

  5. ROSEAU VALLEY
    July 4, 2012

    DNO, what about my budget? What about Jojo’s budget? Well, I do not know about Jojo but here is a synopsis of my budget in my capacity as the self-appointed representative of the ROSEAU VALLEY in the People’s Virtual Parliament (PVP) via DNO:

    Madam (Speaker) DNO,
    As the virtual representative of the ROSEAU VALLEY constituency in the PVP of DNO, I rise to make my contribution to the 2012-2013 budget debate. Although, I have the constitutional right to comment on the budget presentation, I hope you will allow me to make my contribution free of any frustrating, unnecessary interruptions and unlawful interventions. As someone who resides in the ROSEAU VALLEY, I trust that you will be more sympathetic to my position- Madam.

    As you may be aware Madam, our elected Representative, a good man in generally, has been rendered mute and ineffective since the days of the Garbage BinBol and the Fertilizer BoBol. Therefore, I have decided to take to the internet to speak on the behalf of the hard working farmers, entrepreneur , tour operators, hoteliers, bus drivers, welders, teachers, shopkeepers, nurses, police officers, musician and the all the people of the ROSEAU VALLEY- through the PVP of DNO.

    Madam DNO, I have opted to make this on-line presentation in the same new and smart way in which the UWP’s manifesto was launched –in the hope that the whole world could read it without the need and cost of printing booklets with pictures of the almighty leader and his subjects as was done in the days of old.

    The budget, Madam DNO, must be focused on one single and most important factor, i.e., the creation of jobs (for locals). The government must find ways to stimulate economic growth-not only in the ROSEAU VALLEY, which is one of the areas of Dominica with tremendous potential for tourism development. It is my hope Madam DNO that the government will listen to my plea and create the environment to stimulate public-private and local-foreign investment to avoid a complete collapse of our economy.

    We must find innovative ways to support the private sector with facilitating regulations and policies aimed at encouraging employment creation and where possible through fiscal measures with the support of our banks to encourage private sector borrowing through reduced commercial lending rates and the interest on housing mortgages.

    Madam DNO, we need to facilitate increase financing for micro and small business enterprises and the development of small farm holdings to increase vegetable production in Laudat, Wooten Waven, Cockrane and Morne Prosper. The base funding of institutions like the NDFD and the Small Business Unit must be increased to expand, grow, and create more jobs for our people. This cannot be overemphasized.

    Madam DNO, I wish to respectfully submit that we must reduce the size of the oversized and inefficient cabinet. The Labour Party was not given a 18-3 mandate to find jobs for the boys and girls in ministerial, diplomatic and advisory positions at the expense of the tax payers. We elected the Government to create an environment to foster business growth and development and to create jobs for our small indigenous population. This must be other priority number one.

    With regard to the VAT, Madam DNO, the government should delay any planned increase in the VAT as now is not the right time to do so. If anything, the VAT should be reduced in combination with other economic and fiscal measures as we do not have a vibrant financial, agricultural, manufacturing or export sector to add real value to goods and/or services consumed in Dominca. Like everything else, there is a time and place but the increase of the VAT at this juncture is untimely and will have devastating consequences for the economy.

    Any increase in the VAT will affect famers, house workers, tour operators, bus drivers and the poor people of the ROSEAU VALLEY disproportionately when compared to the impact on the lifestyle of the politicians and the more affluent ones among us. It is the poor people of the VALLEY who will be most affected by such a move. An increase in the VAT, at this juncture will punch deeper holes in the leaking wallet of the poor among us. It will further stifle private sector growth and job creation. When stand to gain a lot more if we focus on putting our young people to work through public works, on the farms, in gangs cleaning the rods, more tour guides in the ROSEAU VALLEY

    Let’s find ways, Madam DNO to increase the flow of money in the economy and in the pockets of our people- not to take more away from the poor. We need to encourage consumer spending and increase local demand. If more of our people are employed, we will have less migration, a more stabilized local population,, less crimes and a real reduction in poverty.

    Already, Madam DNO, we have seen the ugly signs that things are getting rough in Dominica with government intention to cut back on public spending; to continued the freeze or no increase in salaries for public servants, the stagnant private-sector wages, the reduction of social security benefits, the loss of health and personal insurance coverage; the high commercial interest rates at our local banks and increasing personal debts/mortgages against rapidly depreciating property values–all of which makes for economic chaos.

    As alternatives to the proposed increase in the VAT, Madam DNO, I suggest that we consider the following as possible areas of raising taxes.
    – introduce a carbon tax to promote a healthy and clean environment and increase the consumption tax on commodities such cigarettes, alcohol and cheap low calorie, high sugar content drinks. We could take this green initiative further by equipping all government offices with solar energy to power air conditioning units for civil servants to be more productive and
    – Increase taxes on transfer of inheritances, the purchase and transfer of land and property, which could be imposed without adversely affecting economic growth or affecting the poor- with provision for exemption below a certain value;

    Madam DNO, it is clear that whatever the negatives associated with the implementation of the above measures in any combination would not by themselves or collectively be so severe as the negative impact of an increase in the VAT on the backs of the poor and those businesses seeking to create employment in Dominica.

    Essentially, Madam DNO, as the self-appointed virtual representative in the PVP, I see that we do have viable alternatives to austerity as our colonial masters in Europe are now finding out. As Dominicans, we must ne willing to work together and think progressively as a people.

    Thank you Madam DNO. I shall rise in the future, if deemed necessary to add flesh to the above skeleton after reading the comments of Peeping Tom, Prof. Wikileaks, LEN & As and others.

    • Hod Kai Ché
      July 5, 2012

      Well Mr. Roseau Valley, for your information the Roseau Valley is more than adequately represented by our REAL, duly elected and much beloved, PARL-REP Hon. Dr. John Collin McIntyre.

      We do not need or want you to represent us – be it “virtual” or otherwise. So if you want to rant and rave and talk rubbish, please do so on your own behalf and leave us, the good citizens of the Roseau Valley out of your cow mess!

      • ROSEAU VALLEY
        July 5, 2012

        My fellow Roseau Valley constituent. Welcome to the PVP, I like your passion and respect your opinion and support for Dr. John Mc. Intyre, In fact, I would have continued to support him had he remained as the clean and uncorrupted gentleman that he was raised to be before being so negatively influenced by the Skerrit cabal. He has become just like them and I can no longer support him as the dirty, underhanded politician that he has become. Daddy Mac, would not have approved of the many sneaky deals that Collins have found himself tangled in. Unlike you, I did not benefit from the cash that he circulated in the Valley –especially in Trafalgar during the last elections- not that I would have accepted his money. I did nor request nor did I benefit from his redirected funds from the Office of the PM for purchasing building materials for a private home in Fond Canie and elsewhere, I was ashamed of the Garbage Bin and Fertilizer BoBols. Yes, just like the Labour Party, our Parl Rep can identify some major road works in the constituency but the cost of that type of representation is too high when he remains silent and condone the nonsense that is currently taking place in the Country. In any event, my goal is not to go negative on our Parl Rep but to simply make suggestions for the development of all our people. I give thanks and praise for all those who have represented us in the Valley (Henry, Norris and Collins)

        So, I love you my TR brother/sister. Keep that passion flowing in the hope that you can redirect it towards a discussion on the issues rather than on my provocative statements, which is only meant to generate just that of emotion in our people whether they hate or like what I write. If Jesus had enemies, do you think I expect everyone to agree with me?

        Respectfully
        Your Representative in the PVP of DNO

    • martel
      July 5, 2012

      Roseau valley thats very good point you i have similar ideas for the development of dominica wish we could meet to discuss those views on national level if u are interesting let me know
      we

      we need investment in agro processing need to reduce cost of production for manufacturing by reducing on vat on electricity, reduce vat on the hotels more emphasis should be placed on stay over visitors

  6. Lost
    July 4, 2012

    I agree with Athies Ideas. One of the saddest things about Dominica now is that there is no future for the children. At least none that I can see. I am desperately trying to figure out how my child can stay in Dominica and make something of himself. I just don’t see it… Please Please make the change of direction quickly.

  7. Morihei Ueshiba
    July 4, 2012

    Paying taxes is Adultery!

  8. street side
    July 4, 2012

    i often wonder what is wrong..

    dont folks realise that Dominica is a lost case.

    look at the countless of information they receive year after year day after day talk shows countless but still the citizens just talk talk and more talk.

    when you move around the island and interact with its the citizens you see 100% ignorance to the core, just by the way the look and how they view things, unable to take actions by voicing their view aggressively in terms a march in large numbers, holding their regime to count etc…

    when their deceased Prime Minister Pierre Charles accounted for saying his citizens wear that badge with honour its the most truthful statement ever given in the history of that island by a Head of Regime…and thats the Most Important factor that is pressing Dominica and Dominicans for eternity.

    They just dont get it Period. its manifest itself at the Region Level why they rated the Poorest and a place which lacks attractiveness for High End Investment.

    They are a weak minded set of Citizens who arent united for common cause thereby unable to seek or create visions and the way forward.

    So they will accept with Honour the Poor, Dull and lack of Creative thinking Budget from a their Regime without showing/actions of disgust, contented to bow humbly with ignorance saying thank you for the gravel…is that we have we!

    What on God’s earth would a Investor or Developer seek to think positive about a nation of that sort of mind set from their citizens…

    Thats a World Wide notion of Dominica a few speak truth and reality but thats far out in the wilderness..the island is covered with too many dark undisguised elements which contribute to the negativity and droll island

    • Anonymous
      July 4, 2012

      Oh SHUT the Blank UP!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      July 4, 2012

      No Road side, Dominica is not a lost case. We may disagree with the policies of the current administration is no longer in a position to spoil her good name in the international arena and to continue to impoverish the people.
      What you and your friends have to do is encourage each other to increase their resolve to bring about change in the political directorate of the country.
      Don’t lose hope- the information that has been and continues to be disseminated in every nook and cranny. It is permeating through- slowly but surely. Keep supporting Lennox, Matt , Angelo and others. Listen also to …… and learn of their lies so that we can take note of their weaknesses. This is a democracy at all, we need to effect change in a democratic manner and that will happen soon

    • July 4, 2012

      YOU COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER

  9. Fairplay
    July 4, 2012

    Unpleasant comments against the DLP Government and its supporters are considered fair but the same comments against the UWP and its supporters are deleted or ultered,these actions lead me to conclude that DNO is Anti-Government/DLP or the person moderating the comments is. :?:

    • Shank Shank
      July 4, 2012

      I agree 100%.

    • Met Yo
      July 5, 2012

      boss, when WE bash allu, we do it diplomatically. For example, yours truly knows how to give a nice lash, leaving the admin with nothing to censor :-D

      But u know labourites already, special people from special planet.

      But u must not be quick to label DNO as anti-dlp nuh, if u know knew what I know you wouldn’t be saying that.

  10. Anonymous
    July 4, 2012

    Is DNO really series about the headline “Athie’s Budget” Where is Athie’s budget? Is that kind of information budgetary? Well if it was, then Athie is only joking.

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      July 4, 2012

      Guess you meant “serious”. Seriously, Athie is serious. The budget need not be about anything more than “job creation (for locals/Dominicans). Priority No.1, 2, 3 and 4. What more is there to say other than jobs, jobs, jobs, employment, employment and employment, put the people back to work, support business creation and development and create jobs, employment and jobs more jobs, jobs, jobs. That’s it.

      • Correction
        July 5, 2012

        Well my friend Athie was given a license to bottle millions of gallons of water from the Melville hall river, this should assist in creating priorities 1,2,3 and 4.

        So go put pressure on Athie the Government has done it bit!!!!

  11. Unemployed
    July 4, 2012

    DNO, thanks for the comments re Athie’s budget proposals. One of the ways to assist Dominica in jum starting its economy is the creation of jobs. Since 2009, Athie has a government issued exclusive license carying around in his back pocket giving him the right to harness water (from the Melville Hall River) to makets he knows about and has all the intelligence.
    DNO pleae ask Mr. Martin to explain to the Dominican public what is the situation with that project. The last word we had was that by the first quarter of 2012, there will be real action on the ground. We are now in July 2012. Where is the project heading? How soon will we see any movement on that? When he can adequately explain the inactivity of the project, and what is really the problem, then he can talk and we will decide if he should be listened to.

    • anonymous2
      July 4, 2012

      It is collateral held for debt owed and Athie and the govt. know that.

      • Correction
        July 4, 2012

        No Land was transfered to him so how is the project held for collateral?

        But unemployed i even forget about the license held by athie to assist in creating jobs we lol!!! The man say the first 3 priorities is jobs and he wasting time on that project… what a waste!!!

        He wants government to refinance loans taken foir tourism at the Aid Bank …. Go Figure who property is advertised for foreclosure on DNO…

  12. jojo
    July 4, 2012

    DNO what about my budget.

  13. zephyr
    July 4, 2012

    i love athie —what a warm hearted patriot! a true son of the soil! im giving you your roses while you’re alive athie.its when you leave this earth all those who had negative things to say to and about you will be singing your praises. God bless you athie! :-D

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      July 4, 2012

      Indeed, I am proud to join your choir of praise and gratitude to Arthie. I wish I had his wisdom, stamina, and guts to sustain such a prolonged campaign for the development of Dominica.

  14. Correction
    July 4, 2012

    So he will advise to keep the VAT then?

    He suggest the government through the AID Bank refinance existing loans that are not performing, but what is the ABCD that he thinks should be met first? Is he saying that Government should include managing the entity it is bailing out?

    Athie stop blowing hot air!!

    DNO don’t just allow the man to talk, you all must question the man, ask him questions as to implementation etc..

  15. Fokit
    July 4, 2012

    My budget ; first cut the useless spending. Those on boards making 25 thousand a month; get the lawyer family to pay the taxes that IR division try to collect; cut the number of ministers; cut the number of advisors ;the cut the useless traveling ; cut the monies for those overseas mission personnel that are going to school instead.

    • I and I
      July 4, 2012

      Fokit,I and I respect your budget.Hope you gonna respect another person own.You all UWPITES and the KINGS of q95 just want things to be done you all way.If not done you all way,nothing is never done properly.

      • fokit
        July 4, 2012

        I and I just otesent your budget. No one is stopping you but if the government present a budget you, me and anybody else have the right under frredom of speech to criticized that budget. That said i would also like to add onr more item to my budget. Cut the pipe line to chambers of lawyers; collect all the procerdings from passport sales from crooked lawyers. Return the briefcase of money that disappeared grom the trip to Libya.Amen.

    • Anonymous
      July 4, 2012

      This looks like a working and thinking budget. Good! Not what Athie did.

    • July 4, 2012

      WELL SAID MR “GARDEN TOOL”

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