Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has urged the public to “support local” in order to help to create more jobs in Dominica’s economy.
He was addressing the signing ceremony of an agreement to lend the AID Bank $15-million at zero percent interest rate to on-lend to the Manufacturing Sector at an interest rate of 3 percent.
The ceremony was held at the State House conference room on Thursday.
“You have to support local,” he said. “If we buy more what is produced locally, you will create a job for your son who is completing University soon, your sister who is working will be assured of a job; that’s the youngster who you are talking about creating a job for. We by our actions, will create a job.”
He added, “If we are producing things in Dominica, the question is, why are we not making a more concerted effort as consumers in Dominica to buy the products even if it is 25cents or 50cents more expensive than what is being imported.”
Skerrit gave the example of drinking water, saying he has no problem with other water sold in Dominica, adding “if we are boasting that we have the best water in the world, we can go to a river and drink water straight from the river without having it purified, then we are importing water from countries that don’t even have a dry lake from a running lake, and then we talk about our import bill and blame the government for the import bill…”
He went on to say that the supermarkets, hotels and restaurants in Dominica will put on their shelves and their tables local items if they know they are in high demand.
“When we go there we must ask for the local stuff and make the choice,” he urged.
Furthermore, Skerrit revealed that before the end of the year his government will go to Parliament to introduce legislation relating to small business development in Dominica to create a special legal framework within which the small business environment of Dominica can operate.
“And to attach to this legal framework, specific concessions and benefits which would be ascribed to small business in Dominica, so that every one of us would know how we fitting into the economy of the country, how the government can assist us and how we can play a more meaningful role in the attainment of our objective of a more just and prosperous Dominica,” he revealed.
He said the successes of these businesses will depend on the consumers of Dominica.
Minister for Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development, Roselyn Paul told manufacturers to take full advantage of the facility.
“We expect the agro-processors, furniture maker, garment manufacturer, craft producers, metal and glass fabricators, boat makers, breweries, those involved in producing soaps, pharmaceuticals, herbal teas, organic fertilizers, paints, pesticides, leather and paper, masonry products and others to take full advantage of the available funds at an affordable rate,” she said.
Paul pointed out that expected loans from the facility, as requested by the manufacturers, will be directed at, “working capital, construction of facility, purchase of equipment and machinery, expansion and or improvement of the manufacturing plant, systems update, marketing and promotion activities including training.”
She noted that the credit facility will help to improve the ecosystem, strengthen the enabling environment for enterprise development and help to address some core issues that affect the manufacturing sector.
“This giant step we are taking today along with what is already in place will certainly help to address some core issues and reach desired outcome such as; improve access to credit and this is an important pillar of any private sector development,” she noted.
Meantime; Dominica News Online (DNO) spoke to two young manufacturers to get their opinions on the loan facility.
“Honestly I feel excited…right now I am in the development stage of my business so I think I will take advantage of that loan,” Graceson John of Delices, manufacturer of Big G’s Pepper Sauce said.
Manufacturer of Heaven Scent Sherma Gregoire said she is happy about the facility.
“Actually we are looking forward, this will be a big impact on Heaven Scent in terms of expansion and also in marketing our products and certain equipment we require,” she noted.
The one eye man among the blind is king.
Based on these comments its obvious these fools are the creators of their own demise. how can you be against buying local SMH… why are your comments so obsessively focused on a man and not the idea? SMH
The comments are justified,because Skerrit is the WRONG MESSENGER..Can you tell Dominicans and the world what Skerrit said or did when Savaren told numskulls like you to boycott O D Brisbane?Why didnt Skerrit let one of his other MISLEADERS deal with that?.The message is good,but its transmitted by a terrible messanger.
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!
Skerrit you should have started as an example by employing Dominican builders to build expensive huge projects in Dominica but; you preferred employing Bajans and Chinese instead. This was one of the breaking points among the population towards you. You must put in mind that only twenty-four cubes in a packet in 2016 cost $24.00. There some parents with children living in the country without a permanent job.All these families including other adults turn into hustlers in order to pay their bills and feed their families. They should make their choice when purchasing.You are not in a position to advise people what to do with their money except your supporters of course. Commerce is a competition; if buying local is cheaper and better the public will purchase it but if not they will buy what ever is imported. Start by putting in price control in Dominica because every body is making their own price in order to abuse the poor people.
Even though he spoke of it, read between the lines to determine “he gave an advice.” This advice should be acceptable and not considered dictating.
It would be difficult to implement price control in D/ca. This is why some stores/ hucksters compete with each other and customers purchase where the price is right.
What should be initiated, the price should be shown for all items. These people should not do a guesswork, depending on who the customer is (whom they may know or not), and give different prices.
Toronto has a Law that prices must be shown on the items. Customers can demand that they are shown, especially in small stores which are owned by certain immigrants. These could play tricks on the customers. In addition, some of them do not give (do not want to give) a purchase receipt. The Law is, receipts must be given to customers. Some of them say exchange only; no refund. Others, no exchange; no refund. The Law is, exchange or refund with receipt.
The stipulation is that the items purchased and returned for either an exchange or refund must be in the same condition when they were purchased and reason given. Customers must know their rights and that of the business owners.
We have a lot of Laws here. I love that these Laws exist. I visualize when they were introduced, they were not easily and immediately enacted. They were not without debates and controversial. It took time. In the end all MP’s and MPP’s endorsed them.
These Laws are no problem for me for I am disciplined, law-abiding and adhere to Laws. I do not criticize or question Laws of morality and fairness or what is stated in all fairness which will benefit everyone. These Laws are for the benefit of customers/clients and the business owners themselves. Satisfaction guarantee or your money back, hassle free. Much more could be stated about that.
Really, D/ca should have this Law that I mentioned legislated.
Too much ceremony my PM. Add them up and you will find the cost of all of them enough to pay wages for a few young people for a few years
Simple, create a regime of enabling business policies along with this incentive aand viore la. ..Just watch it grow.
Graceson, your pepper is delicious but too expensive and for God sake, put a more efficient dispensing cap on your bottles like Bello so I don’t have to splash your sauce all over my meal and ruin it.. Why do you have to import the pepper for your sauce? That defeats what the P,M, is trying to do, not so?
Ok, This is good news no doubt..”Making Money available”. Also I like the idea of the legislative framework for small business facilitation.
I would lobby for to things..1). 0% import duty and VAT on all input materials for manufacturers
2.) A reduced electricity rate for Manufacturers
Both of these measure within the legislative framework will translate to cheaper commodity prices thereby generating more demand for the products.
As an example, we tired see imported water cheaper than Dominica water on the shelf.
The cloy decor of the State House is a world away from the day to day reality of the factory floor and I doubt if those who wax lyrical from the podium have ever run a business of their own.
The last thing a fledgling business needs is the burden of a bank loan, no matter how long the grace period or how low the interest rate. Your greatest asset is an innovative product and one that is not reliant on imported raw materials.
Increased production is not necessarily dependent on adding expensive equipment. It can be achieved by simple fixtures and working more efficiently. As an adviser on production line efficiency I once watched five women doing the same repetitive task, but each doing it differently. By following the example of most proficient and better arranging the workplace they were all able to produce at twice the rate with less effort and no additional cost.
Zero percent interest rate loan for on lending to manufacturing sector at 3%. That would be for administering the funds and creation of a revolving fund? Anyway, manufacturers, this money is not for buying the latest model vehicle for the Chief executive of the business. Whatever the money is used for as per individual business is to sustainable create employment. Period! We go see in a few years time how effectively the complainers will use the money. This is not money at 7% and 10% interest rates. It is 3%. That is commendable. Longing to hear from Severin M.
Am I crazy, cannot understand English, or am I confused?
“He was addressing the signing ceremony of an agreement to lend the AID Bank $15-million at zero percent interest rate to on-lend to the Manufacturing Sector at an interest rate of 3 percent.”
What is a zero percent rate to on-loan? From what accounting system, or loan format that derive, I live with a woman who was a banker for thirty years before becoming a nurse, and she never heard of this “on-loan” thing!
Nevertheless, it ends by saying “at an interest rate of 3%: One of the two is delusional, I know if it is not I it be Me Almost Nearly Cousin that Mountain Chicken Carpaud (crapo) Mentality Sir Knight Dr. Punjab Indian doctor of nothing Roosevelt Skerrit oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
I do not see how people in their right mind could be living on an island where the temperature is over 80 degrees each day compounded with the humidity which makes one sweet (perspire) and like clowns led by…
Finally; I must finish it:
I do not see how people in their right mind could be living on an island where the temperature is over 80 degrees each day compounded with the humidity which makes one sweet (perspire) and like clowns led by Roosevelt dressed in suits?
Are they all crazy people? I reside in Los Angeles, and do not have a Winter Coat; I only dress in full length suit sometimes when going to Church!
Well you see Mr. Dog Eater, in America, people do change profession you know!
After thirty years, as a Banker, she qualified for a pension, and that has nothing to do with government social security. So, she walked away with her pension from the bank which is more than two thousand dollars per month. When she reach the age of 65 years old her social security will cut in. I do not know how much she will get from that, it will be based on the last quarter she worked as a nurse!
Be reminded a Registered Nurse in America is paid more money than doctors in Dominica, and the Caribbean, for that matter. An LVN here is paid less than an RN,
Nurse Practitioners, and Physicians Assistance perform the work as doctors, and simply makes a little less than the doctor with the medical degree. When I majored in Health Science, I wanted start as PA for about three years, and then move on the better things; But!
@:Above comments, just to remind you Mr. Know it all In the 80s Japan had what was call zero intereste rates on loans, One more thing you said that you live with a woman who was a banker for thirty years before becoming a nurse, What went wrong? After thirty long years as a banker to a nurse, please don’t get me wrong but that stupid uneducated +unfortunate idiot is taking Dominicans for fools, If he was that clever as a young man why he did not come back to do something for the young ones in Dominica, I have research that guy all i got was he is trying to write a book, and his unfortunate miserable life.
” Mr. Know it all In the 80s Japan had what was call zero intereste rates on loans, ”
Mr. Dog, I intended to respond directly on post, click on my comment, hence it got above your question. Don’t be offended this, but rather than writing “80s” write it like this “80’s, and the word should be interest rates.
Finally: on loans as you have written, is something totally different in the English language to; “on-loans” okay!
Roosevelt Skerrit said “on-loan.” Now I do know none profit organizations some times provide interest free loans, I doubt that is what Roosevelt had in mind.
And let me tell you why I did not finish med school: it is because you and Roosevelt work obeah on me, which cause me to burn out and fail me Organic chemistry class, you see, now you and Skerrit is obeah man oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
I recall years ago there was a slogan, “Buy Local.”
I did not take it out of the fridge nor even put ice in it. The water was so tasty that I drank more than one medium glass. I felt good for the climate in D/ca is hot.
Local items/products in Dominica are expensive. It is wise to encourage nationals to buy local. Imported goods are also expensive and not fresh.
As for purchasing bottled water, if I resided in D/ca no way would I purchase bottled water unless at a time of a bad storm and thereafter for a while, if the water is unhealthy to drink.
I have previously stated this. The last time I visited, I drank water straight from the kitchen tap. I am informing you, “the water was delicious.”
Folks, listen to the PM and pay heed. Buy local. It is also good for the local businesses, for the economy and for the future generation. When next I visit I will buy local.
The water from the tap was refreshing. I could just feel it going down my throat and through my blood stream, etc. It makes me wish I had some right now.
In this age, some D/cans are spoiled and expect too much and doing nothing for their progress and that of the country.
D/cans must learn to appreciate what they have, those who do not. Make good use of them and thank God for all what they have which He gives. It could be worst.
Buy Local; buy what is nutritious. The foods, root vegetables and also fruits that are sold in D/ca are nutritious.
Some of you could also grow your own if you have ample land around your home or behind it. Make good use of your extra land. It would be wise to commence when young.
Residing abroad I learned to appreciate it and doing what I possibly could do for myself. As an afterthought, age and experience bring reason.
I will always buy the cheapest item. I’m looking out for my pocket to. Sorry!
I do not blame you. These days the cost of living is high and escalating, wherever we reside. Many of us look out for reasonable costs and to suit our pockets.
What about public sector jobs???
In most popular metropolises it’s the Organized (Unionized) labor forces that’s keeping the economy going and according to the data most of those employees come from the public sector Jobs,,,
You have an ailing economy and an ailing Public Sector, before you give Aid Bank Money to Distribute among your favorite political contributors you should look at your Public Sector departments and revitalize them,,,
The most important by far is the Public Works Department you know how many jobs could be created by strengthening that department???
From Engineers to Mechanics to the Skilled labor force, that’s a department that could and would employ quite a few candidates graduating from the local educational and vocational facilities,,,
How about creating a Public Transportation Section/ Department???
Think about how many Jobs will be created just by developing a Trolley service system facilitating transportation around the Roseau…
It is incredible that with so much water Dominica’s bottled water is sold at a much higher price that water imported from a Caribbean neighbour. The questions that we must ask are: 1) Are local manufacturers adding too much of a markup? 2} Are the costs of production/processing too high in Dominica? If the answer to #2 is yes then the government needs to step in and lower import duties or some other assistance.
I expect it’s simply that Dominica’s small manufacturers can’t match the economy of scale that those in larger countries enjoy.
@ Steve…..That is why we need to export. Import substitution and export must be the name of the game. For example if the revamp DCP factory is depending on only local market, it will fail again
For example when bananas was king if we depended on our local market it would never reach the level it did. The policy makers must have policies that boost exports to the point of a surplus in our balance of trade.
I’m pleased that the government of Dominica is finally making an effort to put legislation in place to foster Small Businesses. I eagerly anticipate this move and I must confess that I was somewhat taken aback that there was no previous cohesive legislation. Small businesses are the backbone of all economies they provide employment, foster creativity and ingenuity, generate income that remains in the economy, they are a cultural brand and can foster a sense of pride and of course sustainable development…. so I applaud this move and I wait with bated breath to see the passing of such legislations. In the mean time i implore persons to take advantage of the interest free loan…. just create
Mr. PM how can we support locals when most of our local merchants businesses are closed due to all these foreigners (Chinese, Spanish, and Indians) taking over the market and how many of them are hiring locals?
I really want to support the locals hi buying local but I sometimes have no choice than to follow my pocket because Man u of the local produce are much more expensive than the imported ones so it should be a give and take issue
I CANNOT take anymore of Skerrit’s nonsense. The brother doesn’t sound like he is normal. From the time he returned from that secret trip he sounding like he is either mentally challenged, afraid of something he feels might be coming his way, or he sounds like his conscience is beating him. I am wondering if the trip of Linton and rest of UWP members did some serious brain and heart damage to him. The man is all over the place talking crap that he himself is guilty of. He wants all opposing leaders to support his one -China policy as if the opposition belongs to him. Then he talking about contractors that cheating will not get government jobs as if he is so clean; he talks about supporting local when he is NOT supporting local and giving our jobs to foreigners. This man is of man. In Grand Fond he said he is pissed off about contractors but he stopped short of telling us that he is really pissed off about his troubles ahead
This is so beyond reason. The PM gave the Bridge contract to a Barbadian company, and now he is talking about supporting local. One has to be extremely bias regardless of party affiliation to deny that this guy is simply playing with our intelligence. Every major construction contract in Dominica is being managed by the Chinese….this does not appear to be supporting local to me.
China will not like your advice. With all this ramein, mice-lo-mein, and general Tso’s chicken waiting for Dominicans to munch on, Chiang kai Sheck must be turning in his grave thinking : “with friends like him, we do not need an enemy”. I have a better suggestion; why don’t we urge the chineese to eat dasheen which would be would be a win win situation whereby they would grow what they don’t have, simultaneously injecting some of our own money into the economy.
The idea is a good one. Government usually gives a lot of concessions to foreign investors, why not small and medium size local businesses. For local businesses to strive their products must be of good quality and the prices reasonable. Quality sells. A satisfied customer is your best advertiser. Every local business person should have a fair chance of procuring one of these loans. It must not be based on your political affiliations. When the government does good things, they should be commended. When they mess up, they should be excoriated. Again, I will urge those in charge of this facility, to give the loans on merit.
The prime minister , may have to cultivate AUTOCRATIC polices in dealing with the import issues. Water, and some other goods have no right to be imported in Dominica. Now, the merchants importing theses goods, are not Dominicans at heart, but leeches sucking the island continuously. Gov’t must embark on a national campaign, not just making speeches. KFC, PIZZA HUT, and all the other entities, should be scraped. Grow what you eat, eat what you grow should be the national moto. Courage and fortitude must be shown by the prime minister, the taste for foreign should be minimized going forward.Bob D.
The $ 50 USD duty free importation of merchandise causes a direct competition to retailers in the commodity sector The Government should protect private sector and not allow direct competition to destroy it . I HOPE that in the near not so far future that can be rectified .
Coming from a man who in the peace of the Christmas shopping season give duty free on barrels and all from US, coming from a man who during tropical Erika did not understand buying goods from our retail outlets instead of having all kids of goods shipped for relief when non of our retail outlets were affected, coming from a man who during his campaign paid thousands to foreign entertainment while local artist left in dust. Skerrit you way past expiration and nothing you say gives you any credibility because you have a very public record.
Take a look at inside that hall we Labourites must never ever allow Uwp in that great Hall off power!
As long as it’s done peacefully and thru the polls.
But; Mr. Stupid Man Dog; if the UWP get into that great Hall of Power as you call it, one of the arrangement they would have to do is remove the two stupid Chandelier they have hanging in there.
That is a sign of backwardness, in the first place the ceiling is to low, and besides every fashion do not fit everybody, and every place. You little nasty Man Dog with your sweet smelling dog feces perfume oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Have a nice nasty day Mr. Puppet Labor Party man naym raw dog meat.
I am a proud Dominican today . The pm is just not a pm he is a visionary , he is one of the great CEO of our time , as finance minister your job is not only to count money , your job is to create job creators to produce and sell goods to the outside world . To do that ethics have to be at the top , intelligence , energy , when people are given money to create value they must think of country first. Don’t be dishonest and take the money and go to St marteen shopping . Every yr when they pass the budget the money is yours to spend wisely , the government cannot do everything by them selves they need great thinkers to help bring the country forward . Stop talking and blaming , please get to work .
No Mr. Prime Minister. Local producers must produce goods and services that meets the standards of local consumers. You just publicized a report about dishonest contractors. Consumers have an incredible amount of power and choices when they are spending their hard-earned dollars.
I SHALL support local,not because of Skerrits call,but because its the right thing to do.Did Skerrit utter one word when the then president,called on Dominicans to boycott OD Brisbane & Sons Supermarket,a legitimate business at the time?.So I dont listen to Skerrit.RIGHT MESSAGE,but a TERRIBLY BAD MESSANGER.He misleads the unsuspecting.Did he support Nature Island Paper Products? How?Based on his deceptive uttera
nces he has to go to parliament,to put many things in place re SMALL BUSINESSES,but MILLIONS of $$$$$$$$$$$ were being frittered under the term “Small Business””.A regime of trickery and deception that the electorate shall KICK OUT.
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!