Government is now in the process of implementing the National Export Strategy (NES). The aim of such a strategy is to bring about a diversified and competitive export sector that is driven by innovation and a strong spirit of entrepreneurship.
The NES will assist the Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) to focus its exports on priority markets with high penetration potential.
As a tool, the National Export Strategy will also assist DEXIA in achieving the medium-term goals outlined in the growth and social protection strategy document.
“We are looking at a new DEXIA and we know under the mandate of sort of a new organisation. This is so because in DEXIA, we have to make sure that we had to change. We could not continue doing business as usual. The globe has changed; things have changed as there are new dynamics, new opportunities, we have forged new relationships, there are new agreements, new trading arrangements. So the National Export Strategy which is something that is just unfolding right now. I am very interested in this one. I am infused by it actually,” said Trade Minister Colin McIntyre.
Government is of the view that the issue of competitiveness is central to the effective implementation of any National Export Strategy.
McIntyre, said that Dominica cannot achieve success in exports if our industries and key sectors are uncompetitive.
He said that Dominica need to find creative ways based on the international trade centre template and value chain analysis to create our own competitive advantage.
“What we need to do in Dominica is to market our produce. We produce a lot of raw material here. We produce a lot of bananas, dasheens, breadfruits, guavas, herbs and spices. We produce a lot. What we need to do is to package these products, increase and present them in terms of a shelf life for marketing. This is so because you see, when you look at perishable products, for example, we are doing very well in dasheen. But how long can dasheen last in its raw form? If we were to add value to it then you realise much more,” he said.
Effective June 1st, 2011, Joseph Isaac was appointed to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the NES which is located at the DEXIA Office in Roseau.
The only thing we can export now is corruption. We do have enogh scandals for export
manufacturing is dead on island so what to we plan to export the very same things that were inported talk about manufactuing frist and only then we can talk about exporting