The Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA) in collaboration with the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce and Invest Dominica Authority will host a symposium tomorrow at the Fort Young Hotel from 9 am.
The event which was announced at a press conference this morning will be facilitated by the AID Bank and will focus on the Treaty of Basseterre that is set to transform the OECS into a single economic space, allowing for the free movement of goods and services as well as citizens and businesses and the possible implications for Dominican manufacturers and the limitations they currently face.
Although the Treaty does not take full effect until July 1 2013, there are already provisions of the it that have potential to affect the way manufacturers operate and how competitive they can be even in Dominica and according to DMA President Lynford Guthrie the member of the association need to understand what they will be faced with in the coming years.
“There are a number of things that are affecting us already, either adversely or positively, like dumping, tariffs and unfair trading. We want to be sure in order that we can plan our roadmap for the coming years. Many of the things that are happening happen suddenly and then there are questions and no one can answer the questions. I think this symposium will clear up a number of things,” Gutherie said.
CEO of the DAIC Achille Chris Joseph pointed out that in addition to the free movement of persons that is already in place, the doors have also been opened to OECS citizens setting up businesses in other OECS countries and Dominican businesses need to be aware of the fact that the playing field has been raised and so the standard needs to be stepped up as well.
Joseph said, “The question for us in Dominica is, ‘How do we help prepare Dominican businesses to take advantage of the opportunities that will be presented’; opportunities in terms of a larger market, about 600,000 people and over 1000 square miles of land space. It more like bringing up the playing field a bit and giving the Dominican businessman the relevant information, the data so that he can make informed decisions moving forward.”
Facilitators of the discussions will be representatives from the OECS Secretariat.
I have never seen this man without blockerz, i dont know wot he do in life without, it looking like he fraid someone remember him, hahahahahahahaahahahahahahahah leave Stevie alone eh. LMAO
Everyone has their own style. Don’t be a hater
Boss, you are just one more dimwit on the block. De man doe have blockers; this is a tinted reading glasses. You must be a Labourite, boy! Only all you dat attacking the messenger and not the message.
It is all well and good to meet and discuss the way forward for local manufacturers, especially our agro-processors BUT do not ever forget that our competitiveness as an island will mostly like be our ability to export top quality fresh organic produce to these 600,000 people.
It is more than time to give focussed attention to our citrus, root crops, tree crops etc, etc,….to agricultural development and I mean more than bananas.
Why is it called Treaty of Basse Terre? I might have missed out on something.
So can’t somebody ask a question if they don’t know something? all you so ignorant. I will look up on interet to figure out what it is as the ignorant person who put thumbs down doesn’t know more than me.
Well if u finished primary school u would know Basseterre is the capital of st Kitts and nevis its just two islands up from Dominica and thats where it was ratified
Hey “Just”, thank you, I could not stop laughing. I saw the man looking straight ahead. I was about to comment if he is blind or something, when I read your comment I burst out laughing. Ha ha ha ha. Stevie is back! I wonder if he saw himself.
I hope some positives comes out of this workshop.
So to put it bluntly, you making fun of Stevie Wonder? It would seem that you should change your pen name to “Asserlite”
BUSINESS STANDARDS, PROCESSES AND ACUMEN NEED TO BE UPGRADED BIG TIME…OTHERWISE WE MIGHT BE IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING.
I AM WILLING TO OFFER MY CONSULTING SERVICES TO ASSIST LOCAL BUSINESS TO MEET THE STANDARDS AND DEMANDS OF THE NEW MARKET SPACE
OK Stevie Wonder.
i know…u in a bleddy wkshop being interviewed in a building n u have a big darkers in ur eyes..buh he really lookin like he blind.