Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, Roosevelt Skerrit, has announced that the government hopes to partner with the Dominica Agricultural Industrial and Development (AID) bank on three new portfolios.
He spoke at the AID Bank’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, on Wednesday morning.
The first project, he said, involves the bank financing farmers, so that the farmers may, in turn, set up livestock farms to supply the abattoir which is set to commence operations next month.
“The government is discussing engaging the bank on three additional portfolios, which it hopes that the bank will manage on its behalf. One has to do with financing farmers, to invest in livestock farms in the country—particularly with chicken and pigs, to supply the abattoir,” he stated.
However, the Skerrit mentioned that the success of the abattoir and other investments geared at reducing the island’s food import bill, relies largely on consumers. He, therefore, called for consumers to develop a greater appreciation for local produce, in order to contribute to the reduction of the food import bill.
“And, I know that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Cabinet are engaging themselves in discussions to see how best to go about making those funds available to ensure that we are able to take advantage of the abattoir, and critically reduce on the import bill of meats, chicken parts, and pig parts to Dominica,” he noted. “But, at the end of the day, no matter how much investment the government makes, the success of those investments reside and rely with us, the Dominican consumers. We have a choice when we go to the supermarkets to either purchase that which has been imported, or demand from the merchants that you want local stuff to help the local economy. So, if we want to reduce the food import bill, we have, in many respects, in our hands, that power to reduce. The government cannot be blamed for the food import bill if we the consumers prefer the imported items.”
The second initiative revealed is geared toward the development of Dominican musicians. Skerrit elaborated that international artistes would be brought to Dominica, to train aspiring artistes. He expressed his belief that this training would help to improve the professionalism of the artistes.
“The second facility which we are discussing within the government system, is a special facility for serious — and I underscore the word ‘serious ’—musicians in Dominica. I think, and I have been discussing with musicians… I’m bringing some international experts to train our local musicians on the art form, because I believe there is much more we can benefit from our musicians, but there are things they have pay special attention to—especially with regards to professionalism of the art form, and the way they conduct their business…” the Prime Minister stated.
He emphasized the importance of artistes learning the fundamentals of the industry, stating that the music industry has the potential to contribute greatly to the nation’s economy.
“We have to ensure that our musicians understand the fundamentals of being in the business. And, once they understand that, I believe the music industry can contribute much, much more to the GDP that currently is provided. And, we need the foreign exchange,” Skerrit said.
The third venture aims to assist businesses in the hospitality industry. Skerrit hinted at loans from the bank for such businesses, underscoring the need to present an organized business plan, and to repay what is borrowed.
“And, the third facility which we will continue discussing, hoping to engage the bank on is a special facility to assist existing hotels and guesthouses and restaurants to improve their properties,” Skerrit stated. “But, again, there must be conditions. It cannot be ‘look money, and don’t account for it’. When you come, you have to come with proper documents, and proper plans, and clear vision, and a clear mission of what you want to do with your existing property…”
Dr. Nothing Mountain Chicken Crapo (Carpaud) Mentality Roosevelt Skerrit is always partnering with some nobody, or some invisible entity, which never evolve into anything; his voice simply bellows like the wind on a cold winter day!
Ok i can say these are good peojects because i am a musician and a farmer. While we need these short term work shops amd seminars on the professionalism of music lets look at a long term project at the collage where artist and muaicians can do a three months course on the business of music every year. Next the farming issue ,Re the aid bank i have told the development officers while their intentions are good its to hard to get financing from the aid bank. The people pm is targetting to get into farming do not have the collateral needed to back up the finance needed . So how do we get around that? We also have to look at the cost of feed, at $45 a bag if u have to feed 600 chickens everyday thats an issue for small farmers. So the imputs for animal husbandry are a concern but we are greatful for the initiatives it’s a good start.
ens everyday
SCARY SEES DOMINICA AS HIS PRIVATE ISLAND. PERIOD.
Aid Bank 2.69 MILLION profit
NDB 4.4 MILLION LOSS?
The PM is right we need to pay attention to the message and not the messenger. Gosh
Oh, so why he is mentioning the name of Lennox Linton so often? Because he is in love with him? P.M. too full of contradiction.
“…………the Cabinet are engaging themselves in discussions to see how best to go about making those funds available to ensure that we are able to take advantage of the abattoir,……”
These guys are always “seeing..” what they have to do. Don`t they have a plan…or is come see come do fast food attitude to development……
What a waste, what a bunch of jokers in the Cabinet…..so loooong talking of abattoir …like it is still in the making,
Idiots
Cheap talk Skerrit,your words are just wind blowing all over.Like a bad gas.
This is the problem I have with the Doctor, amongst others, he does not practice what he preaches. He states and I quote: It cannot be ‘look money, and don’t account for it’. Now my questions as far as accounting is concerned:
Has the PM accounted for the aid money we received after Erika?
Has the PM ever accounted for our passport sales (number of passports sold and the amount received?
Has the PM ever accounted for the MOU with China?
Has the PM ever accounted for the PetroCaribe income and outgoings?
Has the PM accounted for the funds received in connection with the Layou River Hotel?
I mean I could go on here for hours… One day Sir, we will hold you, your Ministers and advisers accountable. Believe me that day will come and it might come sooner than you think!
Guilty on all counts. SLAMMER IS WAITING.
Campaign is in full swing. Scary is taking dem one ata time.
PM must be reading DNO. He is finally getting some sense. However the financial experts are at the bank. The government need to remove itself from business investment and focus on regulations and concessions. Remove the stiffling VAT, increase the power of the bureau of standards and measurements so they can do a better job at QA/QC of local products. Tax idle estaes like Hampstead or at least negotiate concessions if they can get back into production. They have all the resources to provide all the animals the abbatoir need. It use to be the income generator and employer in the NE. Tax concessions for private sector that employ at least 10 people a year. Improve gov audit. Handouts and socialism especially with limited natural resources is the fastest route to poverty. Change the way gov projects are financed and implemented. 100s of millions wasted at Londonderry, mils on geothermal exploration, gov housing means lost potential mortgages for banks.
Shaka I feel you with the Policy you pushing..what the gov’t fail to realize is that they need to ease up on the taxes to incentivize investment..instead of bothering small businesses for 30% of their profits ask them to increase local wages and pay Payroll taxes instead of the annual 30% on Profit. you’ll have more money in ppl hand to support investment and businesses will no longer lie on their tax returns..
Government is not about the people in government but about the PEOPLE period..Life too hard in DA and is because people lack disposable income..Who have cooping it and hiding from the tax man..And the people in Gov’t only concerned about their own pockets..Have we forgotten “All for Each and Each for All”
For the sake of Dominica and it’s people I really hopes these projects work..
On the “seriousness” of local musicians, I wholeheartedly agree with Skerrit.
Several year ago, I attended a dance where WCK was playing in my city. These guys did not start to play until 2:25 am.
As far as I am concerned, if I stay out to 5 am, the day after is a total waste. I like to go out and get back home at a reasonable time so that I can be productive the following day.
I left that dance at 3 a.m and vowed never to patronize that band again. That to me, was totally unprofessional of them.
These musicians need to look at their craft as a business and treat their customers with respect.
WOWWWWWW…I THOUGHT YOU KNEW OF THIS BAND!!!! WCK IS A NOISE MAKER; AND THEY THINK THEY ARE REALLY GREAT. ALSO, THEIR FANS DOESN’T KNOW WHAT GOOD MUSIC IS. JUMP UP PEOPLE.
I will buy what I consider the best value for my money. Not necessarily because the P.M. says so or because it originates from Dominica. Is my money, not his (….yet!). He could start by freeing up, our market for animal feed and flour and allow us to buy outside Caricom or OECS. We are not there to give other islands profit and restricting our choice. Sometimes there is no animal feed to buy in the whole island! And I want decent bread like you can find in Guadeloupe and Martinique every day of the week. Do that for us P.M. and I may start thinking more kindly of you. Thank you.
“But, again, there must be conditions. It cannot be ‘look money, and don’t account for it’. When you come, you have to come with proper documents, and proper plans, and clear vision, and a clear mission of what you want to do ”
oh yes ?? does the giraudel city council have to do the same with the 60,000.00 ec$ they get ??