Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has informed members of the private sector that government is willing to consider importing and selling basic items if the cost of living cannot be addressed.
The private sector met with government yesterday for a discussion on the cost of living and ways it could be reduced.
“This is something that we would not like to get involved in because we are not interested in having a supermarket; because at the end of the day, I want to ensure that my people can have some meat and some beans and some bananas on their plates. I do not want to see today they have meat and then tomorrow they don’t have. I am speaking very emotionally because I understand the plight of the poor people in this country,” he said.
“We cannot mix the setting aside of 20 percent of import duty as part of your profit. It has to be passed on to consumers. We are not coming here with empty hands…I give the people my commitment that we will implement these decisions because we have to do something about the cost of living,” the prime minister asserted.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce Genny Astaphan said it is time to end the cycle of distress between the private and public sectors.
“The time has come where we as a people need to move to the next level where we begin the implement the policies which are beneficial to our national interest instead of just talking or writing policy papers about them,” she told yesterday’s meeting.
According to Astaphan, government should also review the billing methods employed at the ports.
“We have had flat landing fees charged for 20 and 40 foot containers which have not been adjusted for the past six years to take into consideration reduction in port fees that have been granted to the shipping line since 2003. In the Prime Minister’s speech at La Plaine, he promised a 20 percent reduction in the port fees within his first 100 days in office. However, to avoid a repeat of the past, we strongly recommend that the method of billing at the port be changed whereby the importer will make all direct charges to the Port and not the shipping line as is currently being done,” he said.
She said if the current approach is continued, only the shipping line will benefit and not Dominica.
The private sector is expected to make recommendations and forward them to the government.
Well well…i think it’s a good first step but more can certainly be done such as reduction in the cost of basic necessities…for e.g shelter and an education….if education is the key then why shoud we have to pay so much for it? He should also think further about reducing taxes…such as income tax and VAT. But all things cant happen at once…one must crip before walking….Good move Mr.Skerrrit and its excellent that you have kept your promise to Dominicans.
thats just the first step to becoming a socialist state. before you know itthe government will not only be setting u supermarkets then banks and shipping agencies gas stations etc.
dominicans are so gulable they dont even see whats happening?
why are we talking about importing food we have so much land in doiminca that we can grow our own food.Look at all these countries that’s trying to grow organic because of health reasons and here we are with soo much land and still importing processed foods.we need to invest in our own local farming.I’ve agreed with skerrit and all what he’s done but as far as importing foods that we can grow is straight up b.s.
CommonSense, THETRUTH,
You’re right on the money. Its not just being critical to be critical, but a lot of the current policies do not make sense.
Common Sense is 100% correct. We should not even have to worry about food. We are rich with agricultural resources. Why are we even listening to this garbage?
This is pathetic to bordering on simplistic ignorance:
“… at the end of the day, I want to ensure that my people can have some meat and some beans and some bananas on their plates. I do not want to see today they have meat and then tomorrow they don’t have….”
Why should Dominica be importing ‘Meat, Beans, Bananas etc’?
Firstly, there is too much dependence on Foreign Aide. The situation is aggravated by a belief that an island with tremendous agricultural and fishing capabilities has to import meat, beans etc.
For those who are not aware of the demographic data:- Chronic diseases (esp diabetes, obesity, hypertension) are a great public burdens that rubs the country of productive assets (its people). This is a direct reflection of a change in attitude and life-style. A belief that we are advancing because one can purchase items in a Supermarket.
In an island with such a low population density and high potential to be self sufficient re agriculture, fisheries and poultry, why are we discussing importation of said commodities? Trade Deficit! Productivity! Self-Reliance! Less Talking! Produce what you eat! Health Outcomes! The phrases appear misplaced, but they are connected.
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!
Dominicans are just like the people of Israel, you are never satisfied, i mean Skeritt can never satisfy the whole population . PM do what you have to do in those trying times of World Economy. If you guys were in the PM’s shoes you all would have done worst.
Skerritt all the way……Thanks GOD for you
You all really think 20% reduction rate is going to ease the cost of living. Come on my poeple The PMis going to cushion that 20% where the IMF tell him to put it. Remember we are still dealing with the IMF. Stop being naive my people and educate all you sleves. That is how our country makes it revenue by taxing and we need to service our loans so where are we going to get the money if this 20% is not place some where else my poeple.
Mr Prime minister, I would recommend you take a look at the other islands that seem to be thriving successfully and find out why they are. Lets look at St.Maarten, for example, everything that comes into the island is duty free.
I’ve commented on one of your press releases thanking you for the custom reduction but also commented that the reduction is way too small. The cost of living is in direct proportion with the import duties and taxes that the private sector has to pay.
Now I know that there are some people who will continue to sell there good service at inflated prices but maybe if you gave more people a brake across the board, it just may lower the cost of living.
Hey maybe you could have considered giving yourself less of a raise at the tax payers expense. I understand the big companies pay for your campaign and all, but just maybe, if you created more of a level ground playing field in the private sector, more people would be inclined to get involved.
i am a dominican leaving in the us over 25years i love dominica what i think the govt should help people like me that want to come back and open a chicken farm so i could help reduced things like meat in dominica i dont need money i just need help with import taxes i know i will help people with jobs .please pm help people like us so we can come back home
Mr P.M, i have some solutions for you to get the cost of living down…
1. Reduces taxes across the floor (customs, vat etc), higher taxes only leaves people with less disposable income and them has a domino effect on the economy. Even the gov tax revenue begins to decrease, when people begin to spend less. And business raise prices to try stay afloat..
2. Create a price control board/agency, and their duty would be to patrol the businesses and make sure the prices are within the law. Obviously legislation will have to be created to establish a maximum percentage that could be added on certain goods by the merchants/ retailers.
Skeritt please just hurry up and lower those customs duties because they are ridiculous. Lower everything not just food. From clothes, to vehicles…You can imagine the import duty on a vehicle works out to be 110% and 50% on clothing. Thats why people driving all these old run down vehicles in the place and have tourists laughing at us. People cannot afford to buy clothes to put on their back and businesses failing. Even food import duties ridiculous. And them Customs officers wicked…………Its like they grudging people things. They want they alone to have. Enough said….Big up to Skeritt for at least making the effort.
DLP, you are right on the money!!!
You know its coming… The mere fact he is even mentioning a supermarket should indicate to concerned citizens how the PM’s mind operates.
If the PM was truly concerned about the citizens’ livelihood he would ease their tax burden.
Winston Warrington,( DMB) if it can’t be replaced strengthen it, i’m sure all the citizens would love to have a hand in running it..
You know. I see this marxists leader doing just like Hugo Chavez, socialists stores with the same results like Venezuela, i pray a day when i can look on back at the island of Dominica and say good riddance. It is just plain wickedness to support such a program.
You increase taxes with your VAT, and now u want to compete with the private sector at subsidized prices to wipe them out
Here we go again talking about IMPORTING “Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has informed members of the private sector that government is willing to consider importing and selling basic items if the cost of living cannot be addressed.” And mister PM thats the best you can come up with….Ummmm! You ppl are &*^%$^& sick.
HMMMMMMM!!!! where have i seen this before????? THINK>>>>> my boy >> THINK>>>
BODEGA!!!!!!!
El Comandante
LA REVOLUCION.
PATRIA O MUERTE……………
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Furthermore, importing the “basic items” will only kill the farmer even further.
Once the Farmer is dead then we will really have a serious problem.
Oh wait, i forgot, we will have our government to look after us…silly me!!!
And hear this…”because we are not interested in having a supermarket”…YET!!!!
Skerrit-Mart is coming to a town near you!!!
C’Mon, Wake up, people!!!
Youthermist, are you suggesting that we replace the current marketing board(DMB)?
I have a solution…
CUT TAXES!!
C’mon people, wake up!!
“I WANT TO ENSURE THAT MY PEOPLE CAN HAVE SOME MEAT AND SOME BEANS AND BANANAS ON THEIR PLATES ,I DO NOT WANT TO SEE TODAY THEY HAVE MEAT AND TOMORROW THEY HAVE NONE.” May i suggest to the prime minister that by importing these commodities into the country to feed his people, he will thereby be increasing the import bill of the country and not reduce it.. I posted a comment on the same subject in which his minister for agriculture made a speech a few days ago. My proposal is for the government to start getting its hands dirty, by setting aside some of the loans it has received from the EU, WORLD BANK, CHINA, VENEZUELA, etc. Use this money to build one or two small industrial units one in Roseau and another in Portsmouth. Farmers can then sell their produce directly to this new public enterprise, they in turn will sell any finished product at home,or throughout the region, or on the world market. Why shy away from being in direct competition with the private sector, with comments like this; “we are not interested in having a supermarkets.” I disagree totally I believe in governments by the people for the people, they also have a responsibility to provide jobs housing, and other welfare services for their citizens.
The Private sector is what it means Private, keep all the profits to ourselves and no one else. The public sector is egalitarian, ie, we all share in the profits. The Government should start taking a bigger stake in developing the Islands small economy,by empowering the people towards a brighter future…..
I quite agree with the PM in that those private sector firms will gladly grab the port reduction charges yet hike up the prices on the shops and supermarket shelves. And I have noted that we as customers seem to have very little rights when it comes to consumer goods. I would be glad if he could address those issues as well.
Some of the importers buy good overseas relatively cheap from the wholesale market or discount stores and come here and hike the price of the clothes, shoes, etc. beyond it’s value. That should change.
Great Initiative
Thats the way to go my PM, consult directly with the DAIC to see how the Cost of living can be brought down.
Thanks for keeing your promise!!!!!