Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has praised the Citizenship By Investment program (CBI) saying it is a source of non-tax revenue in a world filled with financial problems.
He said revenue generating measures like the program are necessary and despite criticism for its lack of transparency, he has stuck to the view that considering the current issues being faced around the world; the program in itself is a way of doing “more for ourselves by ourselves.”
“In the present dispensation of this world, we as a country must do more for ourselves by ourselves, and the other area means of raising revenue for the country is what is called non-tax sources, and that is where the Citizenship By Investment comes in,” he stated.
He went on to explain that this non-tax source is a method that does not affect any working person.
Skerrit stressed the many developed countries make use of CBI programs and other variations of it towards the development of their economic state, and so, for developing islands like Dominica, it is of great importance to continue using the program.
“It is important for the country and the other islands in this OECS which have this program. In the United States of America, they have what you call the EB-5 program. In the United Kingdom there is a residency program. So if the world’s largest economy and other developed countries have varied programs, you understand how important it is for small islands like Dominica,” he remarked.
The government has faced, on numerous occasions from the United Workers Party, accusations of lack of transparency and due diligence in the CBI Program.
Skerrit has sought to reassure the public of the importance of such a program to the development of the country and the condemnation of any attempts to terminate it.
Dominicans are all on their knees, and de AM and his peoples laughing to Ras
What about my girl Baronness? She gave us a warning about salt sucking; Did we take it? So keep sucking it.
I swear for all the people who say Lennox is uneducated, I dare them to observe the clear ignorance shown by Skerrit who clearly has no experience or education in Economics, yet has somehow weaseled his way into the Ministry of Finance (a mere cash grab). This man has ruined Dominica with his dumb actions and more folks are beginning to see that. This is the guy who is proud that Tax and CBI is all that can contribute to revenue in this day and age. It’s amazing how this failure can manage to be in office still.
Skerrit can’t think further pass his nose
You know only this afternoon I found out that St. Kitts has no income tax and the country rolling!!!
don’t trust this man at all
MORE FOR OUR SELF BY OURSELF and you give an 18 million dollars project to a Bajan company… Boi Skerro anybody who is fooled in this day and age they just want to be fooled and they are stupid and ask anyone. (” No one can Fix Stupid”).
As We have said the CBI was there from freedom, we know how you have make it be critical to our economy but its not only about that it is how you the prime minister have handle the money….. please use the money and invest in other things to generate more money so the country will have more money in circulation and not depend on CBI only.
https://youtu.be/CPPxoYwINQY
Dominica in CRISIS!!!! This business of blind loyalty to party even to the extent of supporting and condoning corruption can only end in one of two ways!
CBI.. sigh.. we are praising this program because funds have surfaced here and there.. but just look at it.. if passport not selling dominica dont have absolutely nothing going on to boost economic growth.. what a shame.. thats how an island rich with soil and so much else to offer as natural attractions has come to… shame..
You must look at the bigger picture of those who do nothing for their country. Do not be blind to this. I will state, some are lazy; others are critical while they have no intentions of assisting their country. This projects, with these type of nationals, how can much more be done? You depend on the government for everything. What about you? When will you commence doing something for your country and encouraging others to do likewise?
Skerrit is the CBI programme a Labour party programme???
Based on what i am seeing and hearing,i think it is..It is an intransparent scheme,benefitting only one set of people…Thats why Skerrit needs to go…He is the biggest hindrance to the countrys development.
Mr. Skerrit, call your friend and Comrad Ralf Gonsalves and ask him how he’s able to run St. Vincent without CBI, and how he was able to build recently int’l airport.
You call Gonsalves and ask him where he got the money from and how much he owes for this international airport.
doh beat up on de man. he so dam right. i wonder if dose agents paying tax on that money
DNO, what is news worthy about the statement that the CBI revenue is non-tax revenue? It is a given; no one disputes that it is a source of non-tax revenue; it is so by definition. So, why broadcast that as news? Is it because the Prime Minister said it?
Mr. Skerrit did you ever get a chance to meet Bin Laden before his death to sell him a passport? If not why, since the world knows he is the type of persons you are attracted to rich, wanted criminal and a hater of the US?
labour CBI means citizens begging institution , Workers CBI means Citizens being independent
I’ve been reluctant to post comments on DNO for quite a few weeks now as I’ve noticed, for some reason, my comments remained in “moderation” for DAYS! Some comments were posted after the news item was days old and some comments were NEVER posted at all. Maybe, it’s just me but I do believe that certain INDIVIDUALS are being particularly scrutinized and censored on DNO and I am wondering if it’s by request of the “Government” or individuals associated with the Government. I pray that ADMIN will respond to this particular issue.
With that said, I must say that Dominica’s disgraced and weakened Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, really knows how to use psychology on his subjects (loyal Labourite supporters). He always gives the impression that criticism of his mismanagement of the CBI Program and his issuing of Diplomatic Appointments to shady individuals as an effort to stop the CBI Program. These are two separate issues. I feel sorry for the gullible among us!
Corrected: With that said, I must say that Dominica’s disgraced and weakened Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, really knows how to use psychology on his subjects (loyal Labourite supporters). He always gives the impression that criticism of his mismanagement of the CBI Program and his issuing of Diplomatic Appointments to shady individuals IS an effort to stop the CBI Program. These are two separate issues. I feel sorry for the gullible among us! The facts are simple. The CBI Program can in no way last forever, if we haven’t already, we will definitely acquire more NON-NATIONAL Citizens through the program than those who reside in Dominica. Thus, the only commonsense thing to do with the CBI monies is to invest it in developing internal growth engines such as MANUFACTURING, AGRICULTURE, EXPORT GOODS AND SERVICES, IMPROVING TOURISM (Clean cities and streets, nightlife, clean beaches, easy access to major sites). This administration is NOT doing that!!!!!!,
Mr. Skerrit I agree with you. Keep selling passports. In fact here is a website of the world’s 20 wealthiest criminals. I say look for them wherever they are and sell them passports http://myfirstclasslife.com/20-wealthiest-criminals-ever/?singlepage=1. Also, please find enclosed another list of the FBI 10 most wanted fugives. I say go through the list if you haven’t and see how many of them are millionaires and looking for a diplomatic passport to run. I am sure Dominica would be a place of interest for them especially with help from the government as the world just saw with Alireza Monfared and to a lesser degree Allison Madueke, though that plan was abbotted. https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten
I am not sure how Skerrit can compare the programs in developed countries to that of Dominica. In these developed countries, they offer residency for people who are willing to invest. These foreigners actually want to live in these developed countries. If they do not satisfy their residency requirements, they stand to lose their status. That is a far cry from selling citizenship to people who have absolutely no intention of ever setting foot in Dominica.
Does anyone believe the UK or USA depend on the sale of residency to fund their infrastructure programs?
The two programs should not be mentioned in the same sentence.
we all kno it is a non tax alternative
what we asking you for is accountability
1 we want to kno who has our diplomatic passports since they work for Dominica. we want to kno who they are and there qualifications
2 we also want to kno the number of non diplomatic passports sold so far and also the exact amount of revenue brought in by the non diplomatic passports. we dont care about the names of non diplomatic passport holders ..
thats all we asking you for and you haven’t given that to us yet
remember skirt you are employed by the Dominican people and as your employer you have to answer to us
I would tell Skeritt trying to convince Dominicans that because the CBI funds is a non-tax revenue in a world filled problem, that it matters how the funds are gotten. He should be concerned who he is selling passports to. The man has a serious problem of understanding that no one in Dominica has a problem with the sale of the passports. Parry should tell Skeritt he must convince the banks who have refused to accept funds from the sales of Dominica’s passports that it is a non-tax revenue in a world filled problem and at this time point in time, the economy of Dominica is at the stage of collapse, therefore, his Government needs a break. By talking all his foolishness to Dominicans about non-tax revenue is not going to help him out of the disaster he and his Government have created.
The CBI has transformed these past few months. Pretty soon it will be described as manner from heaven and father Thomas and Bishop Kelvin will be changing the name of lusty to CBI.
The CBI is nothing else but the product of a lazy, intellectually bankrupted government. No matter how you spin it.
Boy Skerrit has given me another reason to go plant my weed and sell in secret because like his sale of citizenship ” it is a source of non-tax revenue in a world filled with financial problems.”
Can you please give us an alternative to CBI … an economical option, one that will boost the economy and foster sustainable economical growth, in-turn making Dominicans; the hard working people we are known over the world to be, dependent on US; our own efforts, our hard work, rather than your hand-outs at your red clinic and village councils???
When you are able to give us at least one alternative and a plan as to how you will get this alternative option off the ground and moving, then and only then I will respect you as a PM.
I do not understand how a country that has produced so many Phds, Masters and Bachelors holders, can be in such economic ruin and how these educated people are unable to see that there has been NO ECONOMICAL GROWTH on Dominica for the last 15 years.
Fully agree!!! When the CBI program fails, and it will, what will grow the economy.
Amen Look it. Amen.
stupes