The items range from the useful to the strange, from the traditional to the modern and everything in between.
There were bush rums of all imaginable types, candle holders carved out of a single block of wood, Kalinago craft, locally made jewellery and perfumes, paintings, handmade dolls, locally made toilet paper, handmade candles and soaps and more.
Then there was the white brain coral with “Obama, first black president” and an American flag emblazoned on it.
“I did that with my own hands, right here in Dominica,” the artist behind the concept boasted proudly.
The Roseau Market was alive with activity as the first ever Buy Dominica initiative featuring only Dominican made products, kicked off on Thursday morning.
The aim of the event, according to organizers, is to “create a light at the end of the tunnel for the local suppliers.”
Dominica News Online caught up with one of the main organizers, Francis Richards, president of the Dominica Arts and Craft Producers Association (DACPA) who said the event is a joint effort between his organization and the Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA).
“We are trying to focus the attention on what is Dominica,” Richards explained. “We want to showcase what is naturally Dominica. For too long we have been crying about foriegn products and foreign input and are now saying we in Dominica have stuff too. So let us do something about trying to showcase to the Dominica people that we have products that are as good as, and in many cases better, than imported products.”
He said the response has been good although this is the first time the event is being held. He noted that 45 stalls have been set up to accommodate participants and every single one has been taken up. “I am very happy about this,” he remarked.
Richards also noted that the event is a learning process. “There is no precedence for what we doing right now. We are hoping to see what happens between today and tomorrow to get a feel for what Dominica is looking for and people are already asking us if we are going to do it next year,” he said.
Richards stressed that every single product at the event is locally made. “Everything in here is Dominican made,” he pointed out. “Maybe some of the material may come from overseas but everything is produced and made here in Dominica.”
He is encouraging all Dominicans to come out in large numbers to support the event. “Come out and buy Dominica,” he said.
…it’s not an original idea at all! In 1988 or thereabouts the late Ninian Marie of Harris Paints Ltd championed a ‘Buy Dominica’ campaign or something of that nature. Considering that is ‘living history’ how on earth can we so easily forget as this was in our life-time and a very well supported nationwide campaign.
Alas!
The difference is the BUY DOMINICA, in the past the focus was to show what we can do, now we are selling our products.
Not one single Government Minister has passed there, not Minister of Trade nor Agriculture or Finance, none.
They do not like the organizer!
He does not sing from their hymn book and he speaks out without fear.
Go for it DMA and DACPA teach the bunch of incompetence how things should be done.
When are we going to see an online shopping site so people abroad can purchase these items?
This is a wonderful initiative which should be developed and not just for Christmas. We have so many fruits rotting on the ground which can be used, ie marmalade, dried etc. In the 70s, you could buy Bello juices in other islands, they were the best. Time to start using what the land produces and flood the groceries with them. Good luck folks. Merry Christmas
Went and was very impressed.
Well layed out. Polite and imformative vendors.
Happy with my purchases.
Pity there were more vendors than customers.
It is private sector orgs., Civil society who would initiate such an important activity. Dominicans do not wait on that incompetent Govt. with DDA, IDA, DEXIA, Min. of Trade, Min. of Agriculture to come up with such brilliant ideas of exposing the public to Dominican manufactured products.
Instead they will facilitate the Colombian Trade Show to set up to grap our little money during Christmas time and take off.
Unlike our own Trade show selling locally made products, money circulating in our economy, locals showcasing manufactured goods, adding value to products, exposing their manufacturing skills and trying to earn a living, instead of going to a ‘RED Clinic” with hand outstretched, begging.
Every Year, Dominicans spend millions importing hams and chicken from outside for Christmas. Inferior, cheap goods from Chinese stores grab our money. Bravo DA Manufacturers’ Association. You are doing what that lazy Govt. would not think of initiating. To the Cabal the indiscriminate sales of our ordinary and diplomatic passports, engagement in other corrupt acts, and quick enrichment by any means possible, is first on their list.
Remember the PM fooling us about meeting with Carnival Cruise lines in Miami, that for reasons untold, seemed unsuccessful? What a lie? Those guys just do not care. They make their monies otherwise. To hell with manufacturers, farmers, teachers, nurses, senior citizens, hard-working Dominicans.
They have institutionalized Begging. They put their trust in foreign Chinese construction Co. to build State Palace and College which our local workers could do easily. Electricity and Telecoms under foreign control. Our National Bank managed by foreigner. Geothermal exploration in the hands of a foreign co. We do not care if we do not own our own country.
dominican Products,Dominican Pride,And Dominican Power.Lets come on board and support what is our own. Bring back the milk and honey.
This is a really good thing. So why then when we visted this market at a little before 2pm we were the only one’s walking around it. There were also
plenty of spaces where no one had bothered to turn up. There was no advertising to say this was taking place, so that the cruise vistors were made aware. We spoke to some people leaving the market area who had no idea this event was happening. Found it all rather dissappointing. Would like to think this will be kept going and it grows.
Sounds like proper advertising was not done. I think this is a wonderful idea. When I visit dominica, I fill my bag with everytning Dominican, but there just is never enough at the grocery. Good Luck folks. wonderful initiative
I can’t view the pictures DNO
Great stuff guys!!!!!!!! Beautiful and skilful work, every one of them impressive!!!!!!!! I wish you all the very best as well and I hope that this will continue especially when the ships are in port!!! A Merry Christmas to all and all the very best for the New Year!!!! This ia what we need to promote!!!!! keep it up guys…………Peace
This is a great initiative and Dominicans should be encouraged to support it. I wish the organizers of this event every success.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
Very well featured is a 100% local juice which I tasted called nature Island Fruits. The orange and Grapefruit juice is the Bum!!! Happy for the substitute from all those imported brands, farmers can have money in their pocket and jobs can be created. Amen to that
Well said I will always make sure when I go shopping I always purchase something from the Kalingo market I am happy the products look so good all made locally I’m happy for the famers it’s about time. The people of DOMINICA have too much products wasting now we can buy local.
BUY LOCAL BUY LOCAL BUY LOCAL
WISH I WAS IN DOMINICA NOW TO BUY SOME OF THOSE WONDERFUL STUFF. THEY SO BEAUTIFUL. YOU ALL HAVE LOTS OF TALENT THERE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL