Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Hon. Reginald Austrie says that Government is awaiting US 65 million dollars agricultural financing loan from the World Bank. He said that the funds have been approved for Dominica on concessionary terms. There are plans to allocate a portion of the loan to the Fishing and Boatbuilding industries.
“It (the project) makes provisions for the construction of boats up to about $11,000 US dollars per boat. It makes provisions for repairs to our landing sites, it makes provisions for boat building.”
The Minister further revealed that ten (10) local boat builders have already been contacted to build 80 – 85 boats. Further, Austrie called on citizens to consider boat- building as an industry in itself.
Austrie made the comments at a ceremony where three boats and engines were handed over to fisherman in the Roseau area.
