Dominicans and visitors to the island now have a one-stop-shop to purchase locally manufactured products.
The new Buy Dominica Supercenter, which is located on 33 King George V Street, was officially opened to the public on Tuesday 1st December 2015.
“It is an honor for me to be part of this simple but very symbolic ceremony today,” President of the Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA), Jean-Yves Bonaire, said at the opening ceremony, which was held at the Symzees Restaurant in Roseau.
He pointed out that the decision by the DMA to open the facility was a bold one.
“Today what we are doing is to basically to give a home to the manufacturers of this country. Only three months, after the devastating passage of Tropical Storm Erika over our island, it is a very bold decision that we have taken for this sector,” he noted.
He said despite the fact that the sector was “severely impacted” by the storm, the DMA has been resilient and confident “in better tomorrows…”
“We expect to play our role in building back Dominica, to build back better,” Bonaire noted. “We want to be among those who believe that the possible mindset will always be a better choice than the impossible one. The supercenter is simply aiming at giving a better exposure to our locally manufactured products.”
First Vice President of the DMA Severin McKenzie, who also addressed the function, said the opening of the center has a three-prong approach.
“The first one is the one we are initiating today, where we are trying to get Dominican products under one roof where we know what we are producing and we can look at the quality,” he noted. “The second approach would be to look at the export market, how we can put consolidated containers together and find the niche markets wherever they are and then the third one is to let Dominicans know that we in the DMA have an outlet where we know where we get what you want.”
However, the opening of the supercenter has not been without problems.
“The problem that we had is the people who are making these products, we really begged them to come on board,” McKenzie remarked.
He noted that identifying manufacturers was an issue.
“We cannot pick up our phones because we do not know you and you cannot continue producing in your back yard,” he explained. “In fact in getting this outlet operational, this has been our major obstacle-who is making what and where is this person? We see some of these products on the supermarket shelves, but we do not know where it is coming from, who is the contact person for it.”
Meantime Minister for Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development, Roselyn Paul, said he is happy that the association responded to the call of the Dominican people in opening the outlet.
“I am indeed elated since the cry of the people of Dominica has been heard, and not only heard, but responded to by the DMA,” she said.
She added that one voice has always been echoed in Dominica for the need of a one-stop shop for the purchase of locally manufactured goods.
“And today this has become a reality,” she stated.
The facility is stocked with locally produced teas, beverages, paper products among others and will be managed by a management team of the executive of the DMA.
It is expected to create employment for four Dominicans at the commencement of operations and additional employment for manufacturers who will no longer be burdened with the lack of access to sales outlets.
Dear All,
The opening was great, but for me the proof is in the sales. We just got a call today, that our teas have nearly sold out. This means that the Buy Dominica Super Center has had one of the fastest turn overs of our product on the island. So congratulations to all concerned, from the choice of locations, to the Dominica Manufacturers Association to the friendly and courteous staff, and the patrons.
Question: What is the phone number for the Buy Dominica Super Center?
Answer: Today I find I do not have the phone number, and can not find it easily online. So looking ahead I thing the DMA needs a website with an E commerce site tied directly into the store. This is something that the chairman of the DMA mentioned at the launch, and when ready I am willing to help expedite the realization of this goal.
Coca Cola is NOT a product made in Dominica. Remove it!!!!
Buy Dominica means that the majority of the products would be Dominica processed, everything does not have to be made in Dominica–there has to be a variety products for shoppers who are not used to the products of Dominica. Those people who are from the international world.
great job this was long over due since bello days.
and lots more. 8 out 10 we dont produce any of this product
most of the products wasnt made in dominica…get that clear…..they are finish products …..do we cut trees to make paper/toilet paper? NO!
Great! Great! Great! Thanks to You dear God, on behalf of the people through whose mind, You fed and established the project.
Great idea… PLEASE DO A LOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING TOO. Marketing is crucial for growth. And PLEASE REPAINT THE FRONT AND CHANGE THE DOOR INTO A GLASS DOOR. It looks very ugly and not inviting on the outside. Wish they had paint the shelves and walls inside too, but oh well. Start good with an appealing appearance and strong marketing. Get more creative and attractive ways to stock the shelves, not just place them there on some old cloth.even if you’re starting small, don’t mean you got to look like its been there for 30 years. KEEP IT UP and take my advice.
great job
I’m very happy for that center
my family and I will be shopping there.
I welcome the idea, I really think It is a good thing and I personally will be shopping there. I am not sure what the coke is doing on the shelf. Coke is imported from St.kitts or St.Lucia, therefore it is not local and should not be there.
It is a novel idea. I was home 6 months ago and not for anything could I find Bella products. I scoured Roseau looking for snacks and sharing food to bring back …made in Dominica and labeled as such. I found it sad. People told me “Good luck with that”. We do need to improve our mentality and do more. More original ideas like this are needed. Kudos.
I was honestly expecting something a little bigger when I saw the term “Supercentre” but it’s a good start, despite the misleading name.
They say “SUPERMARKET” because they expect it to grow. Never think small.
SPLENDID & CONGRATULATIONS TO Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA). I urge all of us Dominicans to support ourselves towards self-sufficiency and sustainable development.
RECCOMENDATIONS for Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA):
1. I know you have just started but as soon as you can work hard and very fast to improve the entrance to the facility to a high marketing and branding standard. I am sure the DMA understands far better than me the importance of marketing, product & brand appeal and the psychology of trade. So once settled and with available resources work in that direction.
2. Have a web presence. Create your website and a web portal to host all your manufacturing members and contributors. In this dispensation it is deemed that IF YOU ARE NOT ONLINE YOU ARE NOT ON SALE. Have an ALL INTERNET Policy.
3. Link the Portal to the website of Discover Dominica and Invest Dominica as an integrated development approach to Marketing, as part of a pull factor for…
Contd.
Link the Portal to the website of Discover Dominica and Invest Dominica as an integrated development approach to Marketing, as part of a pull factor to boost the tourism product and to create the potential for attracting Foreign Direct Investment or Angel Funding for a number of the Start-Up Companies.
4. Link your portal to DEXIA and Caribbean Tourism Association website. Forge links with Travel & Cruise ship agencies.
Very good job, Dominicans please buy local. We need to rebuild our country.Congratulations and keep it up.
Well Done.
This is a good initiative but I will only buy these products if they at least match the equivalent imports in both quality and price. I do not want to buy uncompetitive- or inferior goods simply because they are made in Dominica. That would be unworthy of the producers and bad economics, something my wallet does not agree with.
so Who the Hell care,just don’t buy they will not miss your $$$$
Very nice move. Congratulations.
That’s great! We are doing something for ourselves – And I can bet you, that our product is better than the chin-chong product. I will buy it any day. This is a sign of our independence. We don’t need help from anybody. Our government wants us to think that we must beg and relying on other countries for everything! Eh heh! We have to show the world that we have skills and ingenuity.
WOW
This place is much more than I expected it to be!
I had pictured a small family type of business. Instead this is an idea whose time has come.
Local producers and manufacturers will have reason to be encouraged knowing they have this market for their goods.
I expect they will happily accept the challenge of competing with imports. Variety, quality, packaging, and pricing are things they will want to look at when it comes to competition to win their well deserved share of the market. Next they need now to explore the possibilities of exporting.
At the same time Dominicans should realise there are good reasons to buy local. They are helping to build Dominica into the country they and future generations will be proud of.
People who have complained for so long about a lack of industry and manufacturing in Dominica need to come alive and move ahead with the winds of change that are blowing.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Since Erika, and even before that storm, this is one of the best bits of news from our country in a very long time in the area of self reliance. We cannot depend on China or fly by night investors to build our nation. Only united efforts such as this, born of local industry and self confidence will save the day. And I do agree we should remove the soda – unless it is locally manufactured – and replace it with local juice. Well done to McKenzie, Bonaire and Dominica Manufacturers Association. Keep up that spirit.
Let good quality be a goal.
The mention of China makes me shudder. Canada imports from China. Yet our people cringe when somebody says ”It was made in China.” Go ahead. Compete big time with the dragon. People will make their own comparison and see that Dominican goods are superior.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
very Good
But how the coke is not locally made na. It is bottled here. But how all u dunno that. Locally made is not necessarily supposed to equate to healthy eh.
Laura, I am looking at a 500 ml. bottle of Coca Cola right now, that was purchased in Dominica. It says that is was manufactured by Du Boulay’s Bottling Co. Ltd. , Bridge Street, Castries , St. Lucia., under the authority of the Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. It was not bottled here and this and it should not be on the shelves of the Supercenter, passing off as a local Dominican product.
The DMA need to conduct a registration of all local manufacturers. Manufacturer, product, location , history, constraints, potential for development etc etc.
Congratulations! Brilliant idea! Of course you will have teething problems but this decision is indeed visionary. Moving from whining and complaining and waiting on government, to thinking creatively and doing something developmental.
Great job!
I think the importation of goods that can or are produced at home should be stopped or the taxes on the impetus goods should be higher to allow for greater success of local products.
Do not misled the buyer….the coke is not made in Dominica remove it from the shelf.
You are right. most of the Coca Cola we drink is produced and bottled in St. Lucia and imported by local distributor Josephine Gabriel, who used to produce it locally but stopped production for reasons best known to themselves.
I believe it’s a very good idea and I welcome the Super Center . But is coke manufactured in Dominica if not it should be removed I will be shopping there .
just observing . am seeing coke which is not locally made by Dominica we should have grapefruit and orange juice up there instead, any thing which is not locally made should be removed immediately.. if you say is for local well then it should be only for local… we cant mix apples and oranges say one thing and do another…
For real. Some people in Layou make a very good unsweetened orange and grapefruit juice
Good job.