Manufacturers of furniture in Dominica are hoping to explore ways in collaborating and working together with their Saint Lucian counterparts in the production of furniture.
Dominica’s Manufacturing Sector received a severe blow from the ravages of Hurricane Maria which affect the island last year September.
Last week, four wooden furniture manufacturers and one mattress manufacturer, visited the island on a trip organized by the Saint Lucia Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) to explore ways of collaborating and working together with Dominican stakeholders.
President of the Dominica Manufacturing Association (DMA), Severin McKenzie, said the visit was necessary in order to learn from Saint Lucian Manufacturers.
“We thought that it was necessary that we could look at our counterparts in Saint Lucia with the intention to showcase what they are doing in Saint Lucia,” he said.
McKenzie said with the demand for timber furniture and with the limitations that manufacturers have with their manpower to produce, “we thought that it was a good idea that we invite those furniture manufacturers from Saint Lucia.”
The Dominican manufacturers hope that it will be a collaborative event and that local manufacturers will see what the Saint Lucians are doing and see, “what we can do in meeting the demand of giving people proper furniture.”
The event was held at the OECS Office in Roseau and all Dominicans were invited to come in and take advantage of the opportunity.
The visit to Dominica was organized by TEPA in collaboration with the DMA.
Oh, you mean like DomCan Timbers who destroyed our forests and left us with their rusting equipment to litter our once pristine environment. How quickly we forget! Forestry Division was there then but apparently asleep at the switch. I have no problem with using the fallen timber but that too MUST be supervised lest we fall prey again. Dominicans can be too naive sometimes!
I welcome our brothers from St. Lucia. The potential for transfer of knowledge, design improvement, employment, export potential is great. We have too many fallen trees going to waste that can be used. We have no furniture manufacturers. Simeon Albert doesnt count to me. We need to begin industrial revolution here where we increase production and exports. In turn this provides employment etc., reduces the trade deficit which keep growing and eventually improves the standard of living in Dominica. Think big, Not petty people.
Only one question: Are these the best people that we can learn from?
We should be seeking the elusive Cohesion , Dominica need help, joint ventures like these in most cases is the best way out. Sub-standard products have a great name on the Island, just check the OBESITY numbers per Capita, at least Dominica’ manufacturers might have a valid input , while gaining insight into what others are doing.
Regional Integration is the only we in the Caribbean will be able to compete against the UK, US, Canada etc especially on the foreign exchange market. Sad that it is not bearing fruit. But this idea is a step in the right direction. It will be really interesting to see the end results.
How do you want Dominica to compete on the foreign exchange market Carlty? You want us to print our own money then, like Haiti? Smart idea man. Wonder where you went to school.
Exactly the point Mr. Auntie Uncle. Did you read the comment I made or are just retorted without understanding? Dominica; (or as my comment suggested no Caribbean country) can compete on any foreign trade market. But collectively we stand a chance. We have the ability to have one strong Caribbean dollar, increased productivity and make a big impact on foreign trade.
How about restoring and reviving DOMCAN? Whould it not be nice?
No, they cut a lot of our forest and then went bankupt.
We don’t want these Luciansto come here and cut down our forest. They have already done enough damage in their own country.
First of all, Not lucian not even DOminican can just come and cut down our forest. Everyone must seek approval from the Forestry Division to cut trees in DOminica’s forest. Forestry will inform which trees can and cannot be cut down. After Maria there are hundreds of thousands of fallen trees in our forests, along river banks and along our sea shores. NOTHING is being done with the majority of it. We do not have the capacity to process what is fallen on the ground in record time. Most of it will go to waste. In addition, they also pose a danger ad they block water ways and in some cases pollute our water fronts. What are we doing with all of it? NOTHING! we might as well process them or allow someone to come and process it for us if we are just dragging our feet like everything else we do here. Anonymous our forests are protected. the majority of it is part of UNESCO world heritage sites. Noone can just come and start to cut and clear.
Oh, you mean like DomCan Timbers who destroyed our forests and left us with their rusting equipment to litter our once pristine environment. How quickly we forget! Forestry Division was there then but apparently asleep at the switch. I have no problem with using the fallen timber but that too MUST be supervised lest we fall prey again. Dominicans can be too naive sometimes!
Tell Skerrit that. Our parrots were supposed to be protesteren too.