Dominica: All you need to know about a whopping $1.2 billion fiscal budget

The budget was presented in the house of parliament with the presence of Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit and all assembly members.

Dominica: All you need to know about a whopping $1.2 billion fiscal budget
Dominica: All you need to know about a whopping $1.2 billion fiscal budget

Roseau, Dominica: Minister of Finance of Dominica- Dr Irving McIntyre presented a national budget of $1.2 billion for the fiscal year 2023-24 on Tuesday.

The budget was presented in the house of parliament inthe presence of Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit and all assembly members. The budget was presented in the context of the need for a National Reset, and mindful of the current global environment and the unknown challenges which lie ahead.

National Budget 2023-2024: Size

Dr McIntyre announced the recurrent expenditure of $639.6 million which is inclusive of those provided by law.

The highest budget allocation is assigned to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience, and Social Security, totaling $271.0 million or 42.5 percent. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services has received the second largest budgetary allocation of $73.0 million or 11.4 percent of the total budget.

The third largest budgetary allocation of $71.5 million or 11.2 percent is announced for the operation of the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence.

The Ministry of National Security and Legal Affairs will receive $55.0 million or 8.6 percent of the total recurrent expenditure. Besides this, an amount of $59.0 million or 9.2 percent of the total recurrent expenditure is allocated to the Ministry of Public Works and the Digital Economy.

Similarly, an amount of $701.6 million is allocated for total capital expenditure. In the capital expenditure, the agriculture, fisheries, blue economy will receive 47.5 million, while tourism will be given 21.3 million.

The budget of 69.1 million is allocated to Housing and Urban Development. On the other hand, the culture, youth, sports and Community Development will receive the budget of 25.7 million.

Education:

  • The government of Dominica is all set to construct the Goodwill Secondary School in 2023/24 Fiscal Year. The project will be commence with the support of the People’s Republic of China and designated as a National Centre of Excellence for Technical and Vocational Education.
  • Dominica also signed contracts for the construction of new primary schools at Bellevue Chopin, Calibishie, Thibaud, Tete More and Sineku.
  • The American Canadian School of Medicine to commence operations in September 2023 in Picard, Portsmouth.

Public Sector Investments

Finance Minister Dr Irving McIntyre said that the government has decided to increase the budget for the public sector, aiming to facilitate the emergence of new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses; create additional jobs expand the economy and contribute to the resilient and sustainable development of Dominica.

He said that the country will pave the path of the development with the proper investments in agriculture, value added and manufacturing, the blue economy, tourism, renewable energy, services for export, the digital economy and commerce.

The International Airport

Finance Minister stated that progress has been made towards the construction of International Airport. He said,”The contractor has mobilized and the works are ongoing on construction of temporary supporting facilities for workshop and storage, as well as for mixing concrete and asphalt.”

Outlining major developments for the project for this fiscal year, Dr McIntyre said that it will include major earth works, construction of culverts, new roads and the installation of the perimeter fence.

Dominica will begin the work on the passenger terminal building of the airport in August 2024 and the runway, taxiway and apron in October 2025. It will boost the economy and maximize the many opportunities for all the sectors.

The project will allow direct flights from Europe, Canada and different parts of the United States. As per the finance minister, new airport will benefit hoteliers, tour operators, bars, restaurants, farmers and fisher folks.

Marina at the Cabrits

The government of Dominica has signed an agreement for the construction of marina at the Cabrits. The project is the part of their development plans for the North and indeed the entire country.

Finance Minister announced that the construction of the marina will begin by November this year as the feasibility and environmental studies as well as the designs have been completed.

He said that the project will come up with several benefits such as dedicated slips for yachts with a length up to 60 ft as well as flexible spacing for berthing super yachts.

The construction of marina will also repair yard, fuel farm for refueling vessels, customs house, administrative building, and commercial spaces to be leased to businesses desirous of offering goods and services to visitors.

Improvements of Road Network in Dominica:

  • As per the Budget presentation, the $127 million East Coast Road- from Bois Diable to Hatton Garden via Castle Bruce and the Kalinago Territory will be completed by December 31, 2023.
  • The work on the Hillsborough to York Valley segment of the Layou Valley Road has been completed at a cost of $20.0 million. Dominica to start construction of segment from Layou Bridge to the Warner intersection this Fiscal Year.
  • Roseau Enhancement project will also continue this year.
  • The installation of sidewalks along Virgin Lane and the rehabilitation of Great George Street will also continue this year.

Agriculture:

The government of Dominica will work to develop a resilient agriculture and fisheries sector which helps in contributing at least $700 million to GDP by 2030. This goal is fully aligned with the main objective of the OECS Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation (FAST) Strategy, developed in response to the wider CARICOM Single Market and Economy 25 by 2025 Initiative which is geared at reducing the food import bill by 25 percent by 2025.

Dominica’s Agriculture 2030 Plan focuses on:

  • Increasing production of agricultural produce, livestock, horticulture, and fishing to eliminate the need for imports and to increase our exports;
  • Enhancing the Nature Island Brand and Expanding Market Share locally, regionally and internationally;
  • Increasing agro-processing output to add value to our agricultural produce.

Finance Minister also announced that the government has increased the budgetary allocation of Ministry of Agriculture this fiscal year. The amount of $56.2 million is proposed for the agriculture sector.

Other budget allocation for agriculture sector are as follows:

  • Tissue Culture laboratory at Portsmouth is near completion and constructed in the budget of $13.0 million.
  • $2.7 million allocated for redevelopment of the Agricultural Centres at Portsmouth, Woodford Hill, Londonderry, and La Plaine to supply agricultural materials to farmers.
  • $11.4 million allocated to upgrade the Plant Protection and Quarantine Centre in Longhouse, the Agricultural Centres of Woodford Hill, Londonderry, and La Plaine, the Farmers Services Centre at Gaulette River, and seven fish landing sites at Scotts Head, Soufriere, Fond Cole, Newtown, Bioche, Mahaut and San Sauveur.
  • $1.8 million will be spent in livestock development to import new breeds and improve existing breeds of sheep, goats, rabbits, and pigs; and operationalize the Central Livestock Farm laboratory to reproduce a consistent supply of young animal by artificial insemination.
  • A $5.8 million assigned for the Chatwell Road connecting Bellevue Chopin to Pichelin was awarded, while sections of the La Plaine, Grand Bay, Cuba Road, and Bo-plan roads were completed.
  • $1.0 million has been allocated to provide grants to juice producers.
  • Government has allocated an amount of $1.0 million to provide operating space for agro-processors in several communities including Roseau and Portsmouth.

Tourism

The government of Dominica in on the drive to increase stay-over visitors’ arrivals to 500,000 by 2030. The four key focus the government will be included:

  • Marketing
  • Access
  • Visitor Experience
  • Product Development

Housing

Finance Minister Dr McIntyre announced that the government of Dominica will construct 327 houses this fiscal year. It will also include the relocation and resettlement of some residents of Good Hope, San Sauveur, Petite Soufriere, and Campbell; Under the Future Housing Development Programme.

Besides this, 50 homes will be constructed in Warner and Cotton Hill, to help more young professionals, the youth, and employees in the public and private sector to realize their dreams of owning a home.

Currently 344 homes are under construction in Dominica. It included 256 housing units in eleven communities, namely, Grand Bay, Pointe Mitchel, Wesley, Scotts Head, Paix Bouche, Vieille Case, Penville, Woodford Hill, Canefield, Trafalgar, and Eggleston; and 88 houses in other communities.

Health

Dominica will focus on the following aspect to uplift healthcare system for this fiscal year:

  • Improving patient care, and patient and family experience at our health and wellness centres, and hospitals. This will include the enactment of five bills, that will, among other things, govern and guide the operations and practice of our medical practitioners namely, the Medical Profession Bill, the Pharmacy Bill, the Nursing Profession Bill, the Medical Laboratory Bill and the Digital Health Bill Patient outcome in terms of their results after being treated at our hospitals.
  • The welfare and wellbeing of nurses, doctors, and staff at our hospitals and health and wellness centres.

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