By Caribbean News Now contributor
ST JOHN’S, Antigua — At a news conference Tuesday following the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), two-day meeting, the dominant concerns were matters relating to LIAT’s future, Scotiabank divestment to Republic Financial Holdings Limited and regional leadership.
Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit reiterated that the regional private sector and other stakeholders should consider ownership interest in LIAT and the continued development of the region.
“It is not enough to just say well LIAT is this, LIAT is that – come to the table. If you are not around the table it is going to be very difficult for you to influence the decisions,” Skerrit said. “And so, if you are a party to the negotiations, if you are a party to something, then the ideas which you have can very well find themselves turn into decisions.”
“We just have to close our eyes for a few seconds and appreciate the impact on the way of life of ordinary citizens and businesses in this region if LIAT were to cease its operations … there are economic consequences,” adding, “I think the regional private sector needs to join forces with the governments and all of us in the region need to join forces.”
“LIAT is a very critical part of our survival in Dominica and you cannot remove the airline from the equation. We continue to be a shareholder and Dominica will play a bigger role in LIAT,” he said.
This follows Skerrit’s decision earlier this year to commit Dominica to the “sustainability and sustenance” of LIAT in recognition of the significant economic impact on Dominica’s housing revolution, citizenship by…
