Dominica open for business and will build back better

Members of Tropical Storm Erika Relief Committee with Honorable Francine Baron in London
Members of Tropical Storm Erika Relief Committee with Honorable Francine Baron in London

On Sunday 29th November, Honourable Francine Baron, Minister for Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Affairs of the Commonwealth of Dominica, together with Mr. Colin Piper, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), met with Dominican Nationals and well-wishers of Dominica at the Dominica High Commission in London.

Minister Baron stopped in London while on her return to Dominica from a successful meeting at the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) Summit where Dominica’s nominee, Baroness Patricia Scotland, was successfully elected as the next Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Nationals in London expressed their support and confidence that Scotland would do Dominica and the wider Commonwealth Caribbean proud.

DDA’s CEO Colin Piper presented details on the impact of Tropical Storm Erika on Dominica’s Tourism product.

Mr. Piper, assisted by The Brighter Group, was at the time in the United Kingdom to meet with important Travel and Tourism stakeholders and to give the very clear message that significant progress has been made following the Storm’s impact and Dominica is again open for business.

In her remarks to the gathering, Minister Baron gave a comprehensive report on Government’s progress to date in the areas of: clean-up, relief distribution, infrastructure works, housing and resettlement, social services – schools, reconstruction, the private sector, and International aid response since Tropical Storm Erika. Baron indicated that the Government intends to make significant improvements as it rebuilds the affected parts of the country and will “Build Back Better”.

Minister Baron thanked the Dominicans residing in the UK and the many organisations and friends that had come together to send relief supplies and orchestrated fund-raising events to assist in helping Dominica to rebuild.

She acknowledged the efforts of Dominican Associations and The Tropical Storm Erika Relief Committee in raising significant funds which they have indicated would go towards funding a reconstruction project to be identified. In that regard there was a symbolic handover to Minister Baron of cheques totalling approximately £57,000 (equivalent to EC$232,500).

The Foreign Minster expressed sincere thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Government and people of Dominica to Dominicans living in the Diaspora for their tremendous relief efforts and also to the Government and people of the United Kingdom for their assistance and support.

“The task of rebuilding the country is an urgent priority, and would require ongoing support and assistance from Dominicans living in the Diaspora and friends.”

During the event The Waitukubuli Culture and Tourism Initiative, a project of Dr. Violet Cuffy brought to fruition with the support of the High Commission of Dominica during the tenure of the Minister as High Commissioner, presented a certificate of appreciation to her for the assistance and encouragement given to them. This initiative is specifically focused on introducing young people of Dominican descent living in the UK, to Dominican culture and traditions and to encourage them to visit Dominica and embrace their roots.

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27 Comments

  1. cameron
    December 7, 2015

    its open for more corruption and more power to the cabal.i went out of my way after Erika and no matter what happens again i will not,dominicans keep on being fooled by Skerrit and his wasted cabinet.

  2. December 7, 2015

    Your best mistake was comming back to a broken land !!!!

  3. My-Dominica-Trade-House
    December 6, 2015

    Dominicans here and abroad are being treated with contempt, utter disrespect, like their lives do not matter.

    Dominicans were never told. Neither the Minister for Foreign Affairs, nor Skerritt and his DLP Cabal, find it fit to inform the people of ‘My-Dominica-Trade-House’, the US$10,000.00 given and whatever was discussed, agreed upon, signed in that Malaysia trip. No answers to the people’s questions?

    Shameful!! House slave mentality to treat your own brothers and sisters in that way. That continued enslavement to Massa continues.

    It would be interesting to find out, through some survey, whether the young people regard the present Foreign Minister as any role model for young women, in fact, women in general in DA. Many have allowed themselves to be turned into Zombies.

    Greed , selfishness, nepotism have made them turn their backs on their fellowmen and women, instead rubbing shoulders with those who think only of the $$$$$$$ and their pockets.

  4. 4-cars
    December 6, 2015

    Come on peoples! We are back online and open for business – So start boxing those Passports.

  5. December 6, 2015

    Good luck Dominican, I hope the people holding the money bag look out for the best interest of the people of Dominica and not for their pockets. For me as far as I can see Dominica is far from ready. 8-O

  6. December 5, 2015

    The same old thing. More talk no action. It is just politics as usual.

  7. Fedup #1
    December 5, 2015

    Maybe if the Foreign Minister stops taking those frequent joy rides and spends more time on the ground, she would become fully aware that Dominica is not yet open for business. And Erika alone is not to blame.

  8. December 5, 2015

    On less the gov’t is not taking action concerning the port duty ,dominica will be lost for ever.This is what i am waiting for,many western countries have stepped up on their import charges and given a 10-15 years tax free to people who would like to open businesses,from since these poor countries are now way up the ladder,,it is not with a little cheque we will build dominica,we need to renovate the entire system,foreign business men needs to invest there,we need to transform our agricultural products ,i buy powder dasheen ,plantain in powder form ,plantain chips,mango juice and other fruit juices ,we have all this in dominica,why can’t we give it a go,we need factories ,dominica is taking loans up on loans mostly to build ,sometimes what they build is not a priority ,example the political state building just for politics,we need a magot/worm laboratory to save the diabetics legs or lives,let us think further than our noses before dominica end up the poorest country in the world..

  9. Malgraysa
    December 5, 2015

    It is odd that whilst this gathering took place at the our High Commission in London Ms. Janet Charles is neither mentioned nor show in the photograph. Almost a year after the appointment of Ms. Francine Baron as a Govt. Minister, till then our High Commissioner in London, Ms. Janet Charles is still officially listed as Acting High Commissioner. Does this mean that Francine Baron remains our de facto High Commissioner and that Ms. Charles has to defer to her? I really wish our govt. would clarify this situation by confirming Ms. Charles permanent status., It is highly unsatisfactory to have an acting Commissioner in that important position for a year.

  10. lougawo
    December 4, 2015

    Alu sick close and open dominica when alu want alu labourer

  11. Trump ✓ᴼᴿᴵᴳᴵᴻᴬᴸ
    December 4, 2015

    Dominica Reopen for business folks, since the early 2000’s we been down. :lol:

  12. stinking poopoo pants
    December 4, 2015

    Oh yes, Dominica is opened for business but only to a few. I am sure we opened for people like Skerrit, Mano, Bobbles, Francine Baron, Lawrence, Tony and other operatives of the DLP. In fact not even Erika could stop then from doing business

  13. December 4, 2015

    The Government of this mighty and blessed Dominica Labour Party continues to make great strides in bringing our beloved Island-Nation back to some sense of normalcy. Minister Baron, Labourites everywhere recognize your hard work on behalf of all Dominicans and are extremely proud of you. Please continue pushing forward to bring the International Community on board with the recovery efforts here at home. It’s this type of hard work and commitment by Labourites that makes it so frustrating to see and hear the Uneducated Wicked People in opposition trying to sow seeds of disunity and chaos in these most troubling times. The Uneducated Wicked People and their retarded supporters are currently on a campaign to challenge the authority of our dear and precious Supreme Leader and the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force. Our police force silenced them in Salisbury this year with tear gas and rubber bullets. This time around it will be lead…REAL lead! Fair warning!!!

    • cameron
      December 7, 2015

      Your the biggest idiot,the empire is fallig,the cant stop Lugay.

  14. Untouchable Dominican
    December 4, 2015

    This is not a political issue. We need to come together to rebuild our land. PLEASE AND REALLY??? I DON\’T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT DLP OR UWP because when you start talking Politics, all your actions will be in VAIN and not from your HEART.

  15. Doc. Love
    December 4, 2015

    It would appear, Dominicans may have learnt a lesson. She has not been able to account for a check of US $10,000, which is alleged, she received on behalf of a charitable organization in Dominica. No chances are taken this time, they made sure this one is symbolic, great job.

  16. Peter Potter
    December 4, 2015

    Have I missed something. Is Baron our news PM. Why is that woman jetting all over the world on taxpayers money only to talk garbage. By the way, I have not heard from Skerrit in days. I know he left the country last Saturday to Puerto Rico and presumably onwards to the US. Is he living there now or is he being interviewed by the FBI? Frankly, Dominica does not need a PM that spends half of the year abroad in particular not in times like that.

  17. December 4, 2015

    Shut. up the lot of you

  18. %
    December 4, 2015

    The Dominican economy was slanting towards a collapse even before Erika. Erika added several more nails to the coffin housing Dominicas carcass. Bad,inept,greedy,incompetent leadership was the main cause.When you add to that lying, stealing cheating, one can get a sense of the quagmire in which this poor country is in. Dominica has been comatosed by this gang of clowns, masquerading as a DLP government..Labour parties throughout the world strive hard to improve the lot of the poor and dispossessed. In Dominica,WE HAVE GREEDIES WHO ARE TAKING FROM THE NEEDY! Hurricane DLP has been Dominicas worse and most devastating hurricane…It will take us about 100years to recover from the effects! Erika was bad? Well think of hurricane DLP!!!!

  19. Thorbjørn Jagland
    December 4, 2015

    Stop using Erika to mask your incompetence, God don’t like ugly, stop before he send another one.

  20. rapees-ministas
    December 4, 2015

    woyyy Dominica was closed for business before erika suddenly it open after erika?

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      December 4, 2015

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

      They are all blind mice, running around like Chickens with their heads chopped off. Dominica will never be a better place than it is today, as long as Skerrit, and his circus are in control of Dominica.

      Nobody is listening to those people, under Skerrit labor party, the future of Dominica is to spiral in the downward position! The sale of passport to criminals will not help either

  21. views expreesed
    December 4, 2015

    I read this above in the article with laughter and dismay and realised it must be an error.
    “The task of rebuilding the country is an urgent priority, and would require ongoing support and assistance from Dominicans living in the Diaspora and friends.”

    Correction Please: This should read:

    The task of rebuilding our ravaged country is of an urgent priority, and would require ongoing support and assistance from Dominicans living in the UK and Diaspora and loyal and committed friends to seriously assist in getting rid of this Skerrit led DLP government from Office”

    This is urgent, please spread the news in Guadalupe, Martinique, St. Thomas, St. Croix, England, UK, Canada, USA, etc. Anywhere you are we need that help in Dominica to dethrone this bobol cabal and their associates.

    • the bushmaninda
      December 4, 2015

      It took you this long to get that upset, you really sound upset

    • Indi
      December 5, 2015

      With reference to your last sentence….when pigs are able to fly

  22. AfokoHills
    December 4, 2015

    Excellent news and superb delivery expectations. I applaud you all

    However I’m happy to return to Dominica and make a major investmentin business
    Alas I cannot get water to my holdings due to the damage caused by Storm Erika.
    I cannot open for business because I cannot have running water to the holding
    Catch 22. Why invest when the basic requirements such as water
    Is not available. Yep I’m tolerant and will wait , but for how long.

    Anxious business woman wanting to help build Dominica

    • dissident
      December 5, 2015

      I wonder why de caged bird sings!

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