Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has said Dominica condemns the blacklisting of a number of Caribbean and CARICOM countries by the European Union (EU), which describes them as among the world’s 30 worst tax havens.
Dominica was not on the blacklist but the Prime Minister said at a press conference on Tuesday that the EU’s position was “unfounded, baseless and without merit” and the island must stand in solidarity with its Caribbean neighbours.
“Dominica wants to place on record its condemnation of the blacklisting of our sister Caribbean and CARICOM sister countries,” he said.
Last week the EU released the list based on how Member States assess how countries and territories around the world apply standards of tax good governance. Standards, according to the EU, are that based on transparency, exchange of information and fair tax competition.
In explaining the list, Head of the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Mikael Barfod said: “It is part of the Commission’s attempt to develop a common EU wide approach to corporate taxation to ensure its transparency and fairness …”
But according to the Prime Minister, the list was made with no consultation and there is basis for it.
“We maintain that there is no basis for such blacklisting,” he said. “It was done without consultation, it was done without the engaging of those countries, to draw to those countries if there would have been any matter of concern to the EU.”
He stated that although Dominica is not on the list, “that for us is not the point.”
“This is about a jurisdiction, this is about our Caribbean community, this is about the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and Dominica wants to stand in solidarity with those sister countries in their fight to clear their good names and restore the countries into the category they ought to be as jurisdiction where our financial system is properly regulated,” he noted, pointing out that Caribbean states are over-regulated.
The Prime Minister noted that although Caribbean community leaders met with EU leaders in Brussels recently, the matter was not raised.
He said that if the EU leaders had such a strong concern about the jurisdiction they should have raised it at the forum and seek clarification.
Skerrit said Caribbean leaders will not take the matter lightly.
“It places our regional jurisdiction in great jeopardy, in great difficulty in the way we conduct business, in foreign direct investment from various development banks and also various government agencies which provide financing to us,” he remarked.
He said his statement is not anti-EU but is an action in which Dominica does not support.
“Dominica will join with our CARICOM member states in rejecting and fighting for our integrity and for our good name,” the Prime Minister said.
He also noted that the blacklist should be reversed forthwith.
“Both CARICOM and OECS will issue statements seeking to seek clarification from the EU,” Skerrit said, adding that “not because we are a small countries, one has to impose their might on us.”
The eight CARICOM countries on the list are Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis as well as St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A number of non-CARICOM Caribbean countries are also listed.
does that man think the rest of the caribbean islands giv a hoot about da.he is a child
SOLIDARITY SOLIDARITY SOLIDARITY
It is even more important now for countries like Barbados to join CARICOM to make it stronger and they will benefit as well
Pharoah ( I see you spell the title wrong just like the famous American race horse.) Let me tell you that Barbados is a full member of Caricom. It is not a member of the OECS, which is really a subdivision of Caricom, it and has its own currency
Stop selling my passport u pirate from vielle case
I am listening to skerrit on mat and he said he do not call the FIU for information… HE DONT NEED TO BECAUSE HE PLACED HIS POLITICAL POLICE OPERATIVE FROM THE NORTH THERE. the police cannot even make a proper contribution to that department because he is so DUNCE. so he don’t have to call the office, they all have his personal number….. and all of them like duty free.
I found that such a telling comment from mr. Skerrit. Of course he would not ask the FIU to investigate if he knew that a close associate would be exposed. So I believe the P.M when he said that he neither instructed the FIU to investigate or knew of the FIU investigating anyone. Logical, isn’t it?
How do he sleep at night. Dominicans just sit there and watch. PM children eating and drinking with no problems and us D/CA caughting hell. Ride in Air Condition and Us Getting Hell.
Stop doing us wrong we put u in power
So it is not a feather in Dominica’s cap because it is not blacklist.What it means is, the other islands are saying to the E.U. “We will not be bullied by you.” They took a stand.
We must remember the saying “Might is right”If u don’t do as I say,you will be punished and blacklisted.I am working in the U.S. and paying my taxes,the IRS is taking what they want from my salary even before I see my paycheck. In 2010 the Democrats had the majority in the House and the Senate and the made a law which they called Dodd- Frank (Chris Dodd and Bernie Frank) and signed into law by Obama in.
Through this piece of legislation the Obama administration is demanding that all the banks and Credit Unions in Da must give the IRS the names of any one with a U.S. address.In order to fulfill this demand they are sending forms to their clients and asking them to state the name of their employee, how much they are making per yr.their tax ID,social security No.name of their business if any in Da ,shares in any company or corporation the list goes on.
If you had a house or any property before traveling to the U.S. and U sell it and put the money in the bank,they must tell IRS if…
This is about the E.U., not the U.S.A.
You can dislike someone or their policies and still find common ground for their reasoning. When the European Union takes such action against our CARICOM neighbors, we must remain vigilant, because we could suffer the same fate.
Roosevelt Skerrit, you are beginning to run off your mouth just a bit to often now. A few weeks ago you were comparing yourself to Obama, tell gullible Dominicans that Obama has money at the White House that he can spend as he like without the knowledge of the senate, the same as you have at your red clinic!
That is a lie!
Today you are attacking the EU, and also the Dominican Republic. What business is that of yours if people are expelled from the Dominican Republic, that has been going on for years, it will not be the first time! Don’t you withhold work permit from the Haitians in the Commonwealth of Dominica?
Yes, you have!
Go ahead make as much enmity between all the nations of the world, the same as you attack America when you called for the lifting of embargo from Cuba. Remember your embarrassment in Belize? That goes to show you that you are not recognized anywhere except in Dominica.
Francisco, it is wiser to shut your mouth than to open it and show the world that you are indeed a fool. And remember that fool go where wise men fear to tread. Fools open their mouth on every issue and prove to the world that that they are indeed fools on the subject matter. A Prime Minister of every country in this world is know and recognise worldwide. The only place you are recognised is on the comedy pages of DNO and everybody knows you not as a Prime Minister but as a hater of Dominica and Dominican.
Who are you? Whenever I open my mouth whatever I say can be authenticated, I do talk rubbish like you. I have nerve seen a contribution from a Ralph Joseph that I or anyone can learn something from!
If you copy everything I write on DNO and get them proof read, you can write a book based on my submissions if you know how to compile my words in sequence.
You can try to insult me, as much as you wish; nevertheless; in the process the world sees you as a bigger idiot than I am, you seem to be only elementary schooled, I cannot say educated; your scripts makes no sense, even when you are kissing Skerrit’s butt! You complain about People wanted to kill you in Salisbury, I suspect if you were not damn stupid, and found a crowed of people in a frenzy, your commonsense if you have any would dictate that you turn around and take another route you rather risk your life to prove to people because you can drive a damn old car, or truck, you are privilege and you are going through, how…
How stupid is that? Worry about yourself guy don’t tangle with me because you will be the looser!
If you think I hate Skerrit, you have just proved yourself to be an idiot? I doubt that Skerrit himself believe I hate him. What the hell has Skerrit done to me personally to cause me to hate him?
Are you suggesting because I do not revere him, as fools and beggars like you means I hate him! People like you who does not have the capacity to understand what you see around you usually jump to the conclusion that I hate Skerrit. Let me tell you this, Skerrit has relatives who are very close relatives of mine, so if I say I hate Skerrit, it is like hating the relatives who are related to him and I. Chances are Skerrit will sit in one of those relatives house and eat with me, rather than drinking a glass of water from you who might harm because he did not throw some mucus on the ground to you!
That’s what you get for messing with me!
At the end of the day, PM dont need Visa to go anywhere but we need it to Travel.
His Children are not DOMINICAN NEVER FORGET THAT.
Although one must recognise the merits of the argument put forward by Mr.Steve Foster on the topic, one must never forget that just a few years ago Skerrit was in Scottsdale Arizona with the NESTMANN group promoting Dominica as a tax haven for persons of all persuasions including those who didnt want to pay child support. Are we saying it is alright for Dominica to be a tax haven for drug lords, thieves and money launderers? At what cost to the society? What kind of influence do you think that criminals who have been allowed to use Dominica as a tax haven will have on the government which permitted them to use Dominica as a tax haven? Sad to say that the “tax haven” is a sales pitch used by our government to promote its economic citizenship program.
I am therefore submitting that the only reason why Dominica is not on the blacklist is simply because Dominica has not been able to attact any significant amount of criminals seeking refuge of a tax haven. BAD ECONOMY GOOD FOR NOTHING
… The photo of the moment when such was actually being said (UBWM) , it goes to show the level of sarcasm and innuendo coupled with madness… but again it was the Media monthly so it confirms. A picture says a billion words. The choice of grammar in conveying your disgust shows absolutely no diplomacy… Unfounded, Baseless & Without Merit!!! Mr. Skerrit do you believe that was the best vocab to express your point to a major player in our economic development. PM are you indirectly implying or even subliminally telling the EU that their process of arriving at such a conclusion is fraudulent, dishonest and deceitful. What mighty soldiers are we on this little rock . Verbal missiles have been launched and now rallying the CARICOM troops to reject and fight for our integrity and for our good name. At what diplomatic tier is this done. What language of response will individual member states and likewise CARICOM adopt within a week for the latest PM since we were ahead in commenting.
I luv the archive- The only reason we are not on the black list anymore is because hastily last year the parliament was convened to implement money laundering regulations as requested by the European Union. Remember the hasty parliament meeting was because the French would not release the remaining funds for the Airport road.
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/business/government-shocked-french-foreign-aid-blacklist-pm/
But note the contradiction- Skerrit is now blaming the bank and the FIU for exposing the passport money laundering exposure. There are still lots of money laundering and racketeering going on.
don’t worry frenz the regulation they ran to parliament to pass will bite them in the ….. TIME WILL TELL
Like a “psycho”logist politician would do, you have taken fact that Dominica is NOT on the list to be sarcastic, cynical, even mordant but still derisive in uttering “unfounded, baseless and without merit” ….. indirectly at the Dominican public by saying … you see, we not on dem fellas list so I beating my chest hard even to y’all fellas over there on the other side…. BUT stating that the process is all the above you are now telling the EU that their decision in establishing the Commission Expert Group “Platform for Tax Good Governance, Aggressive Tax Planning and Double Taxation” and replacing Decision C(2013)2236 does not carry any weight.
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/gen_info/good_governance_matters/platform/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/taxation/company_tax/fairer_corporate_taxation/platform_en.pdf
The talk about CARICOM is passively used because even that Famous ONE CHINA POLICY does not hold within. ask…
Brilliant analysis, exposing all Mr. Skerrit’s inconsistencies.
I listen to Roosevelt Skerrit at today’s news conference and on second thoughts I think for his own benefit he should shut up. The truth is the more he talks is the more he confirms the weaky leaks declaration about his intellect. What I heard today is a man who is totally disconnected from the people and a man who has lost all modesty and humility. As usual I also the the hallmark of a con artist – It is always somebody elses fault and the con man find ways to make himself a victim every time there is a leading trail to indiscretion. Culturally bakes and saltfish signify humility , down to earth , roots and culture and the little people can identify with bakes and saltfish. When the PM says “ if you expect me to eat bakes and saltfish “ subconsciously he is removing himself from that class or fray of the modesty and humility. Now I am not sure whether bakes and saltfish symbolizes humility and grass roots living in Malaysia or Monaco but we can reasonable conclude is that MC Donalds
Now I am not sure whether bakes and saltfish symbolizes humility and grass roots living in Malaysia or Monaco but we can reasonable conclude is that MC Donalds is a no no for Skerrit – not when there is prime cut steak, lobster and caviar. Forget staying at a $100 per night hotel.
But the bake and saltfish analogy also have another meaning and again it points to skerrit’s total disconnect. The last time I bought a bake and saltfish in Dominica it ran me $3 and change. The truth is saltfish has become somewhat of a luxurious commodity in Dominica. Mr Skerrit don’t you know that right now the average man cant afford to buy salt fish anymore let alone bakes and salt fish. So how it is that the PM that he wont eat bakes and salt fish when he is on the country’s business when the people in the country themselves cannot even afford bakes and saltfish. That is truly symbolic of what the PM has a become – A man so withdrawn. In his mind he is suburbanite condescending to the struggling…
That is truly symbolic of what the PM has a become – A man so withdrawn. In his mind he is suburbanite condescending to the struggling man in the ghetto.
One does not have to display or even brag about his villas, multitude of real estate property, businesses, offshore bank accounts to declare his or her financial wealth. Sometimes all it takes is to listen to the man speak or just monitor his interaction and behavioral patterns and mannerisms and much shall be revealed. Also remember that The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
Mamizoo ou ka foo!!
Fess Krukowski – The tongue of the wise useth knowledge : but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. Only fools follow the ignorant. I do understand though that you are way too shallow to engage me or to provide a supportive opinion. I dive into deep waters -only an idiot plunges into a shallow pool.
Mamizoo you’re invited to dinner; just caught a big fish in deep waters and would like to have company to enjoy the cook-up!!
Skerrit, I say it in your own words: it’s non of your damn business! Do you think the EU cares one little bit what you have to say in this matter. As far as they are concerned you are an ant trying to tell an elephant what to do.
All he is doing is pretending he is in the scope of things, the man is a nobody playing and dancing to his own music.
Notice the rest of the Prime Ministers of the Caribbean seldom talk about anything happening in the more developed nations of the world? What’s the difference between the rest of the Caribbean, and Skerrit’s Kingdom?
They are all practically fully developed, while Dominica remains the poorest island in the Caribbean, yet none of the prime ministers of the Caribbean babbles like that clown Skerrit; and mind you he is the lease educated of them all! The crap he speaks is his foreign policy, that’s what its all boils down into, sour sounding notes.
Skerrit voice is not heard any place outside of Dominica; only in Dominica!
I am disappointed in Matt and the other journalist, you all always hitting Skerrit in the studios, but when you all had the opportunity to hit the nail on the head, you all were meek as a lamb, couldn’t open you all’s mouth. All you always on the bishop case how he not talking, when you all had to talk you all never spoke either. Pot calling the kettle black, don’t blame the bishop cause you all are no better. You all are cowards hiddig in studios. I am very DISAPPOINTED.
you are so right there guys a bunch of cowards. All there do with there. Coolaidrinking listeners just talk talk talk
The Coolaid is red “Al” so you know who drinking it …..Jim Jones here we come..
Jesus have mercy of Dominica.
Many of you are upset and jealous that Skerrit is using this situation to his advantage. I applaud him for going this route because if Dominica was on the list it would be a never ending portrayal of negative criticism from the people who do not like him no matter what he does.
Observer, the fact is that Dominica is NOT on that list, so your supposition is just that, hypothetical and has much value as me saying that if my auntie was a man she would be my uncle. Stick with the facts (…no, not that one from Canada, I wouln’t do that to you).
idiotttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
idiotttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt = ANTIFAKE
All part of TEAM DUNCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMFAO
Problem is he is not genuine nor consistent. I would not judge a man be one utterance but by his previous actions and utterances. There is no principled position. I bet you if Skeritt was invited by EU to give speech because Dominica was not on list and the speech was in Europe he would be saying something totally different. Add money in there he would probably ask EU to invade Trinidad and Grenada.
They not on That List, they on the other one.
PM Skerrit says and I quote “This is about a jurisdiction, this is about our Caribbean community, this is about the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and Dominica wants to stand in solidarity with those sister countries ” what a profound statement by the PM. hahahah!!!! -but when he had to stand with his sister Caribbean islands on the nomination and appointment for a head to the Commonwealth – he goes to England behind the backs of CARICOM AND says I am standing alone hahahah and nominates the Baroness Scotland hahaha- against the recommendations of the same his sister countries, this man is a real playboy when he is ready. He just cannot be trusted – it is Ian who said that he can’t be trusted because as soon as you turn your back he says something different. hee hee haha! the country nice boy!!!
What is the connection Fantastic 4?? The Commonwealth General secretary position is an INDIVIDUAL POSITION as compared to countries being placed on the black list, there is more to loose from the latter and the PM eloquently explained it so read and learn from our PM all you DUNCE CATS EMPTY BARRELS MAKING THE MOST NOISE!!!!!!
Am still baffled by your comment and attempt to compare the two do you even know that it is not a fete accomplie for a Caribbean national to get the job of Commonwealth Gen Sec?? But we should all as proud Dominicans rally behind our very own Baroness Scotland!!!!!!!!!! Am in it too!!!!
ELOQUENTLY, that man is not eloquent…. I guess you will get your blocks and cement…. idiotttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
Take this dumb ….brother to a mental institution. He needs some help, before he totally destroy this beautiful nature island.Are we as a nation just going to continue to accept this mediocre quality as Prime minister.. What a national travesty.Wake up Dominicans we can do better than that.
SKerrit….as much the rich folks want to hide their money in tax haven country they don’t do it in high risk country with anarchy . One requirement is the countries are not corrupt or has limited corruption.
This is the reason we are not on the list as a location where people use as Tax Haven …TOO MUCH corruptions in Dominica..
It is always difficult to get your money out of countries with heavy corruption….example Venezuela , Syria…Libya.
Real i wonder if we had made it on this BLACK LIST if you would have said the same thing you posted here?? Would you say we made it because we are not corrupt etc???
Feel free to answer me am waiting…….
” Joe ” Again rich people don’t used Tax Haven in countries that are heavily corrupt because as much as they want to avoid taxes from USA/Europe they want to be able take their money when they are ready.
I respect that.
It seems to me that someone has something to be concerned about . IS the Cayman islands included in the list? just asking
Of course the Cayman islands included. That is Skerrit’s real issue because his friend the Baroness has a job with the govt. there.
Skeritt is using that ole talk about we small and imposing might. There was a recent meeting of ACP and Caribbean states to discuss future and it was held in Europe. The best way to fight is to show transparency in your dealings and create sustainable plans for development instead of selling citizenship and passports to shady characters.
We have 38 million people in the Caribbean its time to utilize that resource for inter island travel, tourism, commerce, trade, updated laws, and oversight of our resources as a region. We have a market but develop nothing. The only reason you being defensive is that you hope they will come to your aid when your deeds are exposed. Your political rhetoric is decisive and does not offer any path to betterment for Caribbean people so we can be competitive on a global scale. Let’s show Europe China and America we are honest hard working, intelligent, innovative/creative, independent, and can compete fairly with the best. That is what I expect to hear.
I meant devicsive not decisive
why mister doh shut his mouth and behave his self.
If Dominica was listed among the blacklisted islands, you would be singing a different song.Yourself Matt and Angelo would be blasting the PM on Q95. I’m listening
it does not pertain to us why irritate those people,,, idiot
Go and consult Salisbury people u want to consult EU
Mr. Prime Minister, Dominica is not on the list so please adopt a neutral position when addressing the matter, or entirely refrain from such. Your government is already under US/Euro scrutiny for your passport scheme, and the recent matter filed with the UN, re-the Salisbury disturbance will do no less to shine the light upon you. It seems that you are digging yourself deeper.
I think we should focus our efforts on continuing to build up our own shop before worrying about the how the EU views the other shops around the region. If I am not mistake, the EU is the largest grant aide partner for developmental projects on Dominica outside of China and maybe Venezuela.
Way to go PM! United we stand divided we fall. Caribbean unity in all aspects is the way forward.
Ralph, you conveniently forget Skerrit going it alone with Patricia Scotland as Secretary General for the Commonwealth, against the rest of Caricom? Chupes man, Skerrit is a two-timer, looking for his interest only.
Every night is passport money he dreaming of!
I never know the PM know a word called consultation … When was the last time u consult with we Dominicans on anything … So long Bidhop calling u ,u there playing hide and seek.. Who are u to say the way is baseless ?? Do u know what the EU us all about ??? A global organization like that would make reckless statement like that ???
The EU isn’t being reckless, but they’re definitely being self-interested and dishonest. This list isn’t put together for wholesome reasons of justice, it’s put together because beleaguered European taxpayers look to other countries to provide financial services they can use to protect themselves.
These blacklists aren’t about criminal activity, they’re about economic colonialism, telling little countries that the means by which they build themselves up have to be approved by their masters in Washington and Brussels. Developing countries are right to resist this sort of bullying, and Skerrit is right to stand with them when they do.
Really he stood with them when last year he ran to parliament to have legislation passed just so that the French would release the remaining funds for the Airport road. The only reason he is talking is because he want to fluant that Dominica is no longer on the list.
The EU is being reckless for calling on the countries to implement anticorruption and money laundering measures? The last time I checked that is all we had to do to get removed from the same list.
The PM should ask the others to do what he did even if no money is held as ransom like the airport road fund. It is just a matter of going to parliament anyway cause the money laundering still continues in Dominica
Skerrit please so why didnt you raise the concern,they are watching you closely my friend.
he in de basket already. time will tell……….. skerrit lies to much
Hmmm, his colleagues in Caricom and China must be thinking now that mister is not a reliable partner, that what he says can not be trusted.?
America que Bon pou, Dominica condemns, garçon speak for yourself, u alone enjoying the rolls Royce and
good times. U need to create jobs and stop shooting at the elderly.
what a load of crap
pandering to the arbitrariness of the dimwitted labourites
A typical piece of double talk by the P.M. Although Dominica is not on the blacklist, he is adamant that we must stand united with Caricom in condoning this E.U. measure. Yet. when it comes to supporting the preferred Caricom candidate to head the Commonwealth he sees no problem in going out on his own an promote his own, Baroness Scotland. That same Baroness is also employed by the govt. of the Cayman Islands on their Judicial and Legal Service Commission and it are the Cayman Island, that are major losers of this ruling.
In addition there are companies, registered particularly in the BVI, that have Dominican citizens as beneficiaries and may be forced to disclose this. Mr. Skerrit, you do not object to the E.U. handing out money to our government but they must be chastised for taking measures that may not suit you. Malgraysa.
This forceful condemnation is very questionable. He never responds to matters that are relevant to Dominica but he wants to represent the region in a matter that is beyond his competence. He should lend the same energy to bring to bear a single candidate for the position of Caricom Secretary General.
Well spotted my man. You were not bamboozled by his talk and hit him in the solar plexus.