Mr. Speaker, 

Thankful to the Almighty God for His continued protection, guidance and blessings upon  our nation, I greet the members of this Honourable House, invited guests, the people of  Dominica and all those listening here and abroad, as I present this Fiscal Year’s Budget. 

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the hardworking people the Lord has entrusted with the task  of building this country. Our farmers, fishers and agro-processors; our public officers,  police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and sanitation workers; our tradespeople,  entrepreneurs, bus and taxi drivers; our entertainers and athletes; our students and many  volunteers have all played an important role in the remarkable progress our nation  continues to make. 

Every Budget presents an opportunity to account for our stewardship while we respond  to the needs of our people and continue to advance the work of national development. 

However, there are moments when changing circumstances demand a broader statement  of direction. Such a statement must look beyond the immediate financial year. It must  measure the distance we have travelled, identify the risks ahead and prepare the country to seize opportunities that may come only once in a lifetime. 

We find ourselves at such a moment.  

The world beyond our shores is being reordered in real time. Geopolitical tensions have  disrupted energy markets and shipping routes. A new generation of trade barriers are  emerging. Technology is changing the nature of work. Climatic events are increasing in  frequency and severity. Competition for investment, talent and market access has  intensified. Meanwhile, larger states and international institutions continue to revise the  rules governing mobility, finance and international cooperation. 

Mr. Speaker, for small island developing states, global events quickly become local  realities. 

We feel the consequences when fuel prices rise. We feel them when a container ship  costs more to move. We feel them when imported food becomes more expensive. We  feel them when international uncertainty reaches the shop counter in Bioche, Capuchin, Morne Prosper, Delices, Sineku, Gallion, Tranto, Tete Morne or any other community in  Dominica. We feel them when the international community changes a rule and expects a  small state, like Dominica, to absorb the consequences without being given the time and  space to adjust.  

Mr. Speaker, these realities make one thing abundantly clear: standing still is not an  option. Countries that fail to prepare will find themselves increasingly vulnerable to forces  beyond their control.

That is why Government has pursued a deliberate strategy of investment and  transformation. Today, it is important to recognise how far we have already come.  Dominica is no longer standing where it stood after Hurricane Maria. We are not standing  where we stood when the pandemic closed the world. We have rebuilt homes, roads,  schools and health facilities. We have protected incomes. We have expanded social  support. We have pursued energy independence. We have opened new possibilities in  tourism, agriculture, the blue economy and digital services. We have advanced projects  that earlier generations discussed but could not bring within reach. 

We have made measurable progress. But these advancements have not rendered us  blind to the pressure being carried by households. We recognise the anxiety created by  the cost of food, transportation, rent and construction.  

A serious Government must be able to hold both truths at the same time. We must be  proud of what has been achieved without suggesting that every problem has been solved.  We must defend our record without becoming defensive. We must acknowledge pressure  without surrendering confidence. 

It is from this national position—our progress, our exposure, our assets and our  responsibilities—that the theme of this Budget arises: Protecting Our Progress.  Strengthening Our Independence and Securing Our Future. 

These are not three disconnected phrases. They are one single governing philosophy.  They describe the sequence by which a responsible Government should act: protect the  gains for which our people have already paid and sacrificed; strengthen the country’s  ability to stand on its own feet; and secure families against risks that may arrive without  warning. 

By protecting our progress, we are safeguarding what the Dominican people have built:  our homes, our businesses, our schools, our health system, our roads, our communities,  our social protections, our international relationships and our fiscal stability. 

To Strengthen our independence, we are called to produce more of what we consume,  generate more of our own energy, increase foreign exchange from several sectors,  continue to develop Dominican enterprise, and ensure that no single programme, market  or external institution can determine the limits of our future. 

In securing our future, we must continue to prepare our people for the jobs of tomorrow,  protect the vulnerable, manage our resources responsibly, strengthen institutions and  build resilience into every layer of national life. 

These three principles set the foundation on which this Year’s Budget has been prepared. And so, I begin with the macroeconomic performance and outlook for Dominica.

MACROECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND OUTLOOK 

Mr. Speaker, the performance of our economy shows that the strategy we have pursued  is producing results and giving the country greater room to protect essential services and  prepare for future shocks. 

The Macroeconomic Performance 

According to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) July 2026 publication of the World  Economic Outlook, global growth in 2025 is estimated at 3.5 percent while the Eastern  Caribbean Central Bank indicated a 3.0 percent growth for the Eastern Caribbean  Currency Union (ECCU) during that same period. 

However, Mr. Speaker, Dominica’s economic performance in 2025 exceeded both the  global and ECCU averages. Building on the 3.5 percent which was achieved in 2024,  Dominica achieved growth of 4.5 percent in 2025—that is, 1.5 percent above the ECCU  and global averages. This strong performance was driven by an 18.3 percent increase in  visitor arrivals alongside expansion in the construction, retail, and trade sectors.  

Driven by oil-price shocks and trade-policy uncertainty, global inflation averaged 4.1  percent in 2025, while inflation within the ECCU stood at 2.5 percent. Inflation in Dominica was below average at 2.3 percent, easing from 3.1 percent in the previous year as prices  of imported goods softened. The current-account deficit was elevated in 2025 at 38.0  percent of GDP, largely because work accelerated on transformative projects—including  the International Airport, the Geothermal Plant and transmission infrastructure, the Cable  Car, the Marina and the Loubiere to Bagatelle Road—resulting in higher investment 

related imports. As at 30 June 2026, the debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 99.5 percent. 

Mr. Speaker, Government’s fiscal balance has improved with a primary surplus of 1.8  percent for fiscal year 2025/2026, that is, 0.8 percent higher than projected. This positive  performance was driven mainly by a 7.6 percent growth in tax revenues.  

The Macroeconomic Outlook 

As we forge ahead, the IMF projects that Dominica’s economy will expand by a further  3.1 percent in 2026—that is, 0.1 percent above the 3.0 percent forecasted for global and  ECCU economies. Inflation is projected to average 3.0 percent before easing towards its  long-term norm of 2.2 percent by 2028. 

Total revenue for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 is estimated as follows: 

REVENUE	2026/2027 Millions
Tax Revenue	473.53
Non-Tax Revenue	558.57
Total Recurrent Revenue	1,032.10
Capital Revenue	10.00
Grants	117.55
Total	1,159.65

Government intends to use continued growth, stronger revenue and greater public service efficiency to improve the fiscal position, raise disposable income and reduce  business costs. From 2026/2027, Government commits to an annual primary surplus of  at least 2.0 percent of GDP until the debt-to-GDP ratio declines to 60 percent; the current  Estimates project a surplus of 2.2 percent. That discipline preserves room to maintain  essential services and respond to future shocks. 

Mr. Speaker, risks to the economic outlook remain significantly elevated. The persistence  of extreme weather events over time continues to threaten projected economic gains,  while the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a major oil-producing region, continues to  place upward pressure on global energy prices with consequential impact on food and  other commodity prices. 

On the upside, our goal to transition to 100 percent renewable electricity generation by  2030 will reduce exposure to volatile oil markets. Digitisation of government service,  improved connectivity and a more diverse tourism product will also strengthen public  services and support wider economic activity. 

Additionally, strengthening technical and vocational education will help close critical skill  gaps in construction, manufacturing and tourism, thereby improving productivity and  expanding economic output. 

In 2026/2027, we will advance this agenda through prudent fiscal management, efficient  expenditure, implementation of a robust revenue arrears collections framework and  productive investments—the capacity to protect our progress, strengthen our  independence and secure our future. 

These figures establish the fiscal setting. The Budget now turns them into choices about  what must be kept running today and what must be built for tomorrow. I therefore present  the Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2026/2027, totalling EC$1.24 billion. 

FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 BUDGET PROPOSAL 

Recurrent Expenditure 

Mr. Speaker, I propose a total recurrent expenditure of EC$675.1 million for Fiscal Year  2026/2027. It covers legally mandated expenditure and those required for the day-to-day  operation of the State. For example, payment of public-service salaries, utilities, and rent,  the procurement of supplies and equipment, maintaining our roads, and operating our  education, health, national security and justice systems. 

Mr. Speaker, Table 1 outlines the details of this proposed recurrent expenditure. Table 1: Recurrent Expenditure by Ministry/Department

Ministry/Department 

Amount  (000’s m) 

%  

Office of the President 1.6 0.2% Integrity in Public Office 0.5 0.1% Public and Police Service Commission 0.5 0.1% Legislature 1.3 0.2% Audit Department 1.2 0.2% National Security and Legal Affairs 67.1 9.9% Elections 1.7 0.3% Office of the Prime Minister 8.4 1.2% Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social  

Security 284.8 42.2% Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy 9.2 1.4% Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and  

National Excellence 76.9 11.4% Housing and Urban Development 5.9 0.9% Health, Wellness and Social Services 75.4 11.2% Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and  

Constituency Empowerment 10.2 1.5% Tourism 27.1 4.0% Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development 15.1 2.2% Establishment, Personnel and Training Department 10.1 1.5% Public Works, Public Utilities and the Digital Economy 52.2 7.7% Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy 19.7 2.9% Cabinet Office 3.5 0.5% Labour, Public Service Reform,Social Partnership,Entrepreneurship  

and Small Business Development 2.7 0.4% 

GRAND TOTAL 675.1 100.0%

A total of 42.2 percent of recurrent expenditure, or $284.8 million, is allocated to the  Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security. 

Of this amount, $122.2 million is allocated for debt-service payments; $47.3 million for  gratuities and pensions to retired public officers; $75.2 million for marketing and due diligence services for the Citizenship by Investment Programme; and $10.2 million for  insurance coverage, including disaster-risk insurance.  

The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National  Excellence receives the second-largest allocation, $76.9 million, or 11.4 percent of total  recurrent expenditure. It will fund teachers’ salaries, school operations, student  transportation, uniforms and school-feeding programmes—services that support learning  while easing costs on parents. These are not figures in a vacuum, they represent yet  another demonstration of this Government’s commitment to education as a key driver of  national development. 

allocation of $75.4 million, or 11.2 percent of total recurrent expenditure. This will ensure  The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services will receive the third-largest  

a sustained access to healthcare by funding the procurement of medicines, continued  engagement of health workers and operation of the hospitals and other medical facilities. 

Additionally, $67.1 million, or 9.9 percent of total recurrent expenditure, is allocated to the  Ministry of National Security and Legal Affairs. Public safety, border protection, law  enforcement and the administration of justice, are not buzz words for this Government.  The safety of Dominicans matter. 

The Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities and the Digital Economy will receive $52.2  million, or 7.7 percent of total recurrent expenditure, to fund road and infrastructure  maintenance, utilities and digital services. 

Table 2: Recurrent Expenditure by Economic Classification (EC$ millions) 

Classification Estimate FY  

% 

2026/2027 

Personal Emoluments 184.4 27% 

Goods & Services 225.2 33% 

Transfers and Subsidies 137.1 21% 

Refunds 5.0 0% 

Investment Financing 1.2 0% 

Sub-Total 552.9 81% 

Interest 48.6 7% 

Debt Amortization & Sinking Fund 73.6 12% 

Total 675.1 100%

Mr. Speaker, overall, financing the procurement of goods and services is the single largest  expenditure item within the recurrent expenditure budget totalling $225.2 million. This is  followed by personal emoluments which is projected at $184.4 million and include the 3  percent salary increase for public officers in 2026/2027. Transfers and subsidies are  estimated at $137.1 million and cover retirement benefits, the subvention to the Dominica  China Friendship Hospital and other statutory bodies, other obligations, grants to various  institutions, and public assistance. Interest payments are estimated at $48.6 million, with  debt amortisation and contributions to the sinking fund projected at $73.6 million.  

I now turn to the Capital investment which our Government is making to ensure sustainable growth of this country. 

Capital Expenditure 

Mr. Speaker, the Capital Estimates, comprising Government’s Public Sector Investment  Programme for Fiscal Year 2026/2027, propose total capital expenditure of $566.9 million.  $117.6 million in grants. 

It will be financed through $383.5 million in local resources, $65.8 million in loans and  

Table 3 details the allocations by Ministry and Department. These investments build the  infrastructure and productive assets needed to expand economic capacity and resilience.  Through these initiatives, this Government aims to strengthen our productive capacity,  

promote inclusive growth, and enhance the quality of life for all. Ministry/Department 

Table 3: Capital Expenditure by Ministry/Department 

Amount  

_{(000’s m)}%  

Office of the President 2.3 0.4% National Security and Legal Affairs 2.5 0.4% Elections 1.5 0.3% Office of the Prime Minister 290.0 51.2% Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience and Social  

Security 11.9 2.1% Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy 25.4 4.5% Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National  Excellence 5.9 1.0% Housing and Urban Development 19.8 3.5% Health, Wellness and Social Services 5.1 0.9% Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and  

Constituency Empowerment 57.1 10.1% Tourism 6.3 1.1% Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development 13.6 2.4% Establishment, Personnel and Training Department 0.2 0.0% Public Works, Public Utilities and the Digital Economy 70.7 12.5% Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy 51.7 9.1% Cabinet Office 0.5 0.1% Labour, Public Service Reform,Social Partnership,Entrepreneurship and  

Small Business Development 2.4 0.4% 

GRAND TOTAL 566.9 100.0%

A total of $290 million has been allocated to the Office of the Prime Minister for the  continued development of the International Airport and the Marina. Of this amount, $250  million is allocated to the International Airport Project and $40 million to the Marina  Development Project. 

With an allocation of $70.7 million, the Ministry of Public Works and the Digital Economy  will advance roads, water and sanitation and the Digital Economy—supporting safer  access, more reliable public utilities and easier access to Government services. 

The Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency  Empowerment has been allocated $57.1 million, primarily to finance the Kalinago  Multipurpose Centre and Emergency Shelter, environmental sustainability initiatives— including sustainable waste management—and the National Employment Programme. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy has the fourth  grid.  

largest allocation in the amount of EC$51.7 million of which EC$51.2 million will fund the  remaining work on the new network to transmit the geothermal and hydro power to the  

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy has been allocated  EC$25.4 million to advance food security, economic resilience and sustainable livelihoods  through a comprehensive suite of programmes and initiatives. 

An allocation of EC$19.8 million is provisioned for the Ministry of Housing and Urban  Development to include expenditure related to the Roseau Enhancement Project and  Government’s comprehensive housing programme.  

Mr. Speaker, this $566.9 million in investments are expected to enhance the lives and  livelihood of Dominicans across the country. These investments will create short term and  long-term jobs; increase family income and open new opportunities for businesses. They  will strengthen food security, improve roads, water supply and make daily life more  conducive for residents. They will also make Dominica even more attractive to visitors,  improve connectivity to the island, increase exports, stimulate economic growth, and  continue the transformation of our country. 

I will now inform the Honourable House and the people of Dominica of the progress we  have made, the progress we must protect, and the progress we are building on. 

PROTECTING OUR PROGRESS 

Mr. Speaker, before we turn to projects, programmes or sectors, we must begin with the  most fundamental issue of all: the contract between a Government and the people it  serves. A Budget is more than a statement of expenditure; it is an expression of priorities,  responsibility and trust. It reveals what a Government is prepared to protect, what it is  determined to change and how seriously it takes the everyday concerns of its citizens. 

Government is entrusted with more than a mandate. It is entrusted with the people’s  confidence. Dominicans expect Government to plan wisely, spend responsibly, protect  the vulnerable and create conditions in which the people’s effort can be rewarded and  citizens can grow. They expect leadership to be present when it matters—when a family  loses a home, when a farmer loses a crop, when a vulnerable person requires care and  when a community faces danger. 

This Government has honour that covenant. 

The evidence is not in what Government says about itself. It is in the record that follows:  homes completed, schools built, health services expanded, incomes placed in  communities, and citizens protected. These achievements, which we must protect, form  the first pillar of this Budget, that is, the social development of our people. 

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 

Housing and Home Ownership 

Mr. Speaker, there are responsibilities that fall squarely within the remit of Government,  and there are others that Government assumes because of a deeper sense of duty and 

commitment to its people. This Administration has never held the view that our mandate  ends with the provision of services legally required of us. We know that we must also  create conditions that allow families to build security, accumulate wealth and improve their  quality of life.  

Bearing this mind, we have gone beyond the traditional role of Government to assist  families—including middle-income families—in securing land, building homes and  achieving greater economic stability. 

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that Government commenced the procurement  process for the East Communities and Campbell Relocation Housing Projects which will  add to the more than 3,000 resilient housing units constructed across Dominica.  

Efforts to expand home ownership also advanced through the allocation of ninety-nine  residential lots at substantially reduced prices in Warner, Jimmit, Hillsborough Garden,  Cotton Hill, Grand Bay and Plat Ma Pierre. Mr. Speaker, lots valued at $10.00 and $12.00  per square foot were sold to our young people as low as $5.00 per square foot. These  significant discounts have resulted in major savings for our young people who now have 

the opportunity to build homes of their own.  

Government also advanced reforms to modernise land administration, strengthen survey  and planning systems, and ensure that future development is orderly, sustainable and  responsive to the needs of a growing nation. 

Mr. Speaker, home ownership must be supported not only by access to land, but also by  affordable financing. Government is therefore proceeding with the Opportunity Knocks  2% Housing Programme announced in the previous cycle for public officers and members  of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force. Some applications have already been  approved and others are under consideration. The benefit of concessionary financing is  straightforward: it lowers borrowing costs, reduces the monthly instalment payment and  permits the borrower more disposable income during the life of the loan or alternatively,  allows the borrower to increase the size of his mortgage or home. For a working family,  that can make homeownership more affordable—turning a recurring rental expense into  an investment in a lasting family asset. 

Mr. Speaker, the true value of owning a house is not found in the cost of concrete and  steel. It is found in the improvement of the life of a family. 

It is the mother who no longer fears when the hurricane season begins. It is the elderly  person who has moved from insecurity into dignity. It is the child who can study in a safer  environment. It is the family that can redirect income originally used to pay rent, toward  food, education and advancement. 

Every completed home represents a family and community made safer and wealthier.

A secure home protects a family, but the future of that household also depends on whether  its children can gain the knowledge and skills to earn, compete and achieve. So, the next  protection we strengthen is education. 

Education and Human Capital 

Mr. Speaker, Nelson Mandela reminded us that “no country can really develop unless its  citizens are educated.” This Government shares that conviction. Education is not merely  a social service; it is the foundation of opportunity, productivity and national progress. A  country that educates its people equips them to create, innovate, and compete, thereby  shaping their own future. 

Government is investing heavily in educational infrastructure across the country. The  Government of the People’s Republic of China funded Goodwill Secondary School, Calibishie Primary School and Thibaud Primary School are 90 percent complete while the  Tete Morne, Bellevue Chopin and Sineku schools are 85 percent complete.  

These projects have created work for more than 140 Dominicans. But the lasting value  will be measured by the children who learn in modern classrooms, the teachers better  equipped to teach and the young people who discover that intelligence is expressed not only through examinations, but through technical skills, creativity, problem-solving and  enterprise. 

Mr. Speaker, we have held firm to the view that education is the greatest equaliser in any  society. A child’s opportunity to learn, to develop their talents and to build a better future  should never depend on the financial circumstances of their parents. So, this Government  has made it a priority not only to invest in schools and teachers, but also to remove the  financial barriers that prevent children from accessing education. 

Accordingly, during the last fiscal year, Government invested more than $22.8 million in  programmes that directly supported students, families and educational institutions. These  investments provided transportation for primary and secondary school students,  subventions for the Dominica State College, salary grants to non-government primary and  secondary schools, salary support to early childhood centres, the School Feeding  Programme, the Textbook Programme, school transfer grants, and the Uniform  Assistance Programme. 

Mr. Speaker, these allocations represent a conscious decision that no Dominican child  should: (i) miss school because transportation is unaffordable; (ii) go without a nutritious  meal during the school day; (iii) lack a textbook or uniform; or (iv) be denied an education  because a family cannot meet the associated costs.  

Again, Mr. Speaker, the monies invested in education are not disconnected statistics.  They describe the social character of this Government. They reveal who we place at the  centre of our decision making. They show that national progress has a human face.

Government continues to invest heavily in tertiary education through free tuition at the  Dominica State College; ongoing scholarship programmes with our long-standing  partners in China, Cuba and Morocco; and a range of financial assistance initiatives that expand access to higher education. Three hundred and forty-three (343) students  graduated from the Dominica State College just this past month. They represent 343 stories of possibility and 343 reminders that when Government invests in education, it is  investing in the future of our country. 

In the upcoming academic year, ten Dominican students will receive newly secured  scholarships to the University of Guyana, while five additional scholarships have been  secured for study in Romania in priority fields aligned with our national development  agenda, including aviation and other disciplines that support the country’s strategic  transformation. 

Government is also finalising additional financing of $19.0 million from the Caribbean  Development Bank through the AID Bank to expand student loan assistance, enabling  more Dominican students to pursue tertiary education and professional training. Special  focus will be given to students pursing studies in accordance with a revised national  priority list and skills training. 

Mr. Speaker, we are also transforming what our children learn to prepare them to drive  the “new-look” Dominica which is developing before us. Curriculum reform will focus on  developing the analytical, critical thinking, innovative and entrepreneurship skills of our  children and young people. It will strengthen science, technology, technical and vocational  education, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, creativity, civic responsibility and problem 

solving. This is how education moves from social protection to economic independence:  by preparing young Dominicans to fill the jobs being created in construction, aviation,  tourism, energy, agriculture, manufacturing and digital services. 

Education gives a household the capacity to advance; health protects that capacity from  being lost to illness, distance or unaffordable care. I therefore turn to the health and social  systems that stand between a medical emergency and a family crisis. 

Healthcare and Social Protection 

Mr. Speaker, protecting our progress means protecting the health of our people. It means  ensuring that the investments we have made over the years deliver better healthcare,  stronger institutions and improved outcomes for every Dominican. 

Building on the construction of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, the Marigot  Hospital and the thirteen Health and Wellness Centres, we are improving healthcare  services across the island. SMART upgrades were completed at the Mahaut, Castle  Bruce and Wesley Health Centres, making these facilities more resilient. Rehabilitation  works were also completed at the San Sauveur, Mahaut River and Belles Health Centres,  while the new Savanne Paille Health and Wellness Centre is now operational, restoring  primary healthcare services to that community.

Mr. Speaker, our primary healthcare system has long been recognised as one of the  strongest in the region. By modernising facilities and expanding services, we are  protecting that achievement and bringing quality care closer to the people. Care delivered  closer to home can mean one less costly trip to Roseau, less time away from work, faster  attention and earlier treatment before a manageable condition becomes a household  emergency. 

At the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, a new Accident and Emergency Operating  Theatre was commissioned, significantly expanding emergency surgical capacity,  reducing response time and improving patient outcomes for critically ill and injured  patients. 

Government is implementing a new human resource management structure across the  healthcare system to strengthen leadership, improve service delivery and enhance  patient care. As part of this reform, positions are being filled in the new nursing  management structure while additional medical specialists are being appointed to  improve the quality of services and expand access to specialised care. 

Protecting our progress also requires strong institutions and modern regulatory  frameworks. The Medical Profession Act, the Nurses and Midwives Act and legislation  establishing the Medical Laboratories Council have been enacted. These measures will  strengthen professional standards, improve regulation and accountability, support the  recruitment and retention of qualified healthcare professionals and ensure that the  healthcare system meets the highest standards of safety and quality. 

Our healthcare system continues to reach important milestones. The successful  completion of Dominica’s first brain tumour surgery is a clear demonstration of the  growing capacity of our health services. Today, major procedures that once required  patients to travel overseas are increasingly being performed here at home, supported by  a growing team of specialist consultants and improved diagnostic and surgical  capabilities.  

Mr. Speaker, Government is committed to ensuring that patients receive high-quality  clinical care and the support they need throughout their healthcare journey. To further  strengthen patient care, we are establishing a Patient Support Unit, staffed by dedicated  Patient Navigators who will help patients access services, coordinate appointments and  receive guidance from diagnosis through treatment. 

Mr. Speaker, protecting progress also means protecting dignity. 

From its very beginning, one of the defining principles of this Dominica Labour Party  government has been that development must improve the lives of every citizen, especially  those who are least able to help themselves. Caring for the elderly, persons living with  disabilities, vulnerable families and those facing hardship has never been an afterthought.  It has been, and continues to be, a fundamental pillar of this Government’s philosophy  and a defining feature of our approach to national development.

Even as global economic uncertainty, inflation and other external pressures place  demands on public finances, this Government has remained steadfast in protecting the  social programmes that thousands of Dominicans depend upon. We have made a  deliberate decision that, regardless of the challenges we face, we will continue to invest  in people because no society can truly progress if its most vulnerable citizens are left  behind. 

Throughout the past year, Government continued to provide for our elderly citizens,  persons living with disabilities and vulnerable families through the Public Assistance  Programme, the Yes We Care Programme, Social Welfare services, the Non-Contributory  Pension for persons over the age of sixty-five, and a range of community-based support  initiatives that help improve the quality of life for many households across the country. 

Mr. Speaker, we also recognise that people living with disabilities must be active  participants in national development. In 2022, in response to the advocacy of the  Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities (DAPD), Government established the  National Commission on Persons with Disabilities. Building on that important step,  Government will now establish a dedicated National Disability Affairs Unit, headed by  a Coordinator, to give greater focus and prominence to issues affecting persons with  disabilities. This Unit will support the Commission in fulfilling its mandate, strengthen  advocacy, improve coordination across ministries and agencies, and ensure that the  rights, needs and interests of persons with disabilities receive sustained attention at the  national level. 

Mr. Speaker, these programmes reflect a simple but enduring principle—development  must never leave people behind. Public assistance, pensions and disability support  protect our most vulnerable citizens, preserve dignity and provide support when it is  needed most. That is protection in its most human form—ensuring that age, disability or  misfortune does not erase a person’s place in the national community. 

Sports, Community Life and Opportunity 

Mr. Speaker, this government is also investing in the facilities, programmes and  environments that allow our young people to develop their talents and realise their full  potential. 

Government has made significant investments in sports infrastructure across Dominica. I  am excited to report that we now have an upgraded and modernized lighting system at  the Windsor Park Sports Stadium, which allows us to resume night sporting events,  expand community access and improve training opportunities for athletes. Work is set to  begin this year on the Synthetic Track and Field Facility at Pointe Ronde, another  transformative investment that will strengthen athletics development and provide world 

class facilities for our aspiring athletes. 

Community sporting facilities continue to be enhanced throughout the island, including  the lighting of several sports facilities and the completion of the Trafalgar Basketball 

Court. For our young people, a public sporting facility provides access, supports health  and discipline and can open a pathway from community participation to national  representation and employment in sport. 

Investing in Playgrounds and Community Spaces 

Mr. Speaker, strong communities are built not only through houses and roads, but through  the shared spaces that bring people together. Safe, attractive and well-maintained  recreational areas give children room to play, families places to gather and neighbours  opportunities to strengthen the bonds that keep communities healthy, secure and vibrant. 

Government will therefore continue its programme to develop and upgrade playgrounds  and green spaces in rural communities across Dominica. This initiative recognises that  every child, regardless of where he or she lives, should have access to safe and well maintained recreational spaces that encourage healthy growth, physical activity and  social interaction with extended family and community. 

The programme will provide modern playground equipment, green landscaped areas,  seating, walking paths where appropriate, lighting and other amenities that create  welcoming spaces for children, families and senior citizens. Communities will also be  encouraged to incorporate native trees and plants, reinforcing our commitment to  environmental stewardship while enhancing the beauty of our villages. 

Government will work closely with Village Councils, community organisations, youth  groups and the private sector to identify suitable locations and keep these facilities  maintained.  

Facilities create the space for development; people provide the knowledge that turns  potential into capability. We will therefore connect community infrastructure with the  experience already present among our own citizens. 

Community Mentorship Programme 

Mr. Speaker, the wealth of a nation is measured not only by what lies beneath its soil or  within its Treasury, but also by the knowledge, skills and experience carried by its people.  Across Dominica is a deep reservoir of expertise—retired professionals, successful  entrepreneurs, skilled artisans, farmers, tradespeople, educators, accountants and  information technology specialists. That accumulated wisdom must not be allowed to  retire from national development. It can mentor young people, strengthen emerging  businesses, transfer practical skills and help the next generation advance with greater  confidence. 

Therefore, this year, in addition to our Youth Skills Training Programme, Government will  establish a Community-based Mentorship Programme to facilitate practical training and  hands-on support. The programme will connect experienced professionals and skilled  community members with young people, aspiring entrepreneurs and others seeking to  acquire new skills, improve existing ones or transform ideas into successful businesses.

Participants will benefit from practical instruction and mentoring in areas such as  entrepreneurship, financial management, digital technology, agriculture, the trades,  customer service, leadership and other disciplines aligned with community needs and  national priorities.  

Mr. Speaker, our aim is to create a cadre of new entrepreneurs, ready to embrace the  opportunities which will be available in the ‘new look’ Dominica. As these new  opportunities become available across the country, it is important to highlight that proper  infrastructure and connectivity is required. 

Infrastructure and Connectivity 

Mr. Speaker, one of the defining achievements of this Government is the transformation  of the road network across the country. Communities that were once difficult to reach are  now better connected through modern roads and bridges, making it easier for people to  get to work, take their produce to market, access healthcare and send their children to  school. That is what development looks like in practical terms, and this Government has  delivered in every part of the country. 

Mr. Speaker that work continues. Most recently, the East Coast Road improved  connectivity from Bois Diable to Hatton Garden through the Kalinago Territory and along  the eastern corridor. The Loubiere to Grand Bay Road is well advanced with the  construction of five new bridges, drainage improvements, road widening and  reconstruction.  

Government is also preparing for Phase II of the Roseau Enhancement Project, which  is, the rehabilitation of seven streets. We are moving forward with stakeholder  consultations and procurement activities. A contract for the commence of works should  be awarded by December 2026 to allow works to begin by February 2027.  

Other major road rehabilitation works planned to commence within the next two years  include the Yorke Valley to Sultan Road, the Pond Case to Bois Diable Road, the  North Road from Portsmouth to Hatton Garden and the resurfacing of the road from  Roseau to Canefield. 

Mr. Speaker, every road we have built, every school and hospital we have upgraded and  every resilient home we have constructed helps to reduce vulnerability, increase  opportunities and expand the choices available to Dominican families. 

That record required resources, sound policy choices and the courage to invest for the  long term while steering the country to recovery from extraordinary shocks. To explain  honestly how our progress was protected, we must identify one of the principal  instruments that helped finance it.

The Citizenship by Investment Programme 

Mr. Speaker, any honest account of Dominica’s progress must acknowledge the  contribution of the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI) and the prudent and  visible use of those funds. 

CBI has not been an abstract entry in the national accounts. It financed resilient housing,  healthcare, education, agriculture, small business development, roads, climate-resilient  infrastructure and projects that are creating the platform for future sustained growth. For  the household, its contribution is therefore visible in assets and services that families use,  in the jobs they have secured and the economic benefits their families have received, in  a better quality of life, in reconstruction that did not have to be financed through heavier  taxation, and in national capacity that would otherwise have taken far longer to build. 

CBI has also supported the productive economy. Since this Government restructured the  Programme in 2014, thousands of business owners, farmers and fishers received direct  and indirect benefits. Investment through the approved real-estate route helped finance  hotels and ecolodges, expanding Dominica’s tourism plant and creating construction and  hospitality opportunities. 

Mr. Speaker, it helped Dominica respond when disaster could have reversed a generation  of progress. Hurricane Maria inflicted damage and loss estimated at 226 per cent of GDP.  In the weeks and months that followed, accumulated CBI resources were mobilised to  bridge urgent financing gaps while grants and other external support were being  assembled. Those resources helped Government restore essential services and rebuild  public infrastructure. Thousands of Dominicans, in every community, received CBI grants  to restore their homes and others received new houses from government. 

The International Monetary Fund has confirmed that the sharp increase in resilient public  investment after Maria was financed mainly from CBI revenue. The World Bank has  similarly reported that accumulated CBI reserves were drawn down to finance  reconstruction and recovery activities. This did not replace the valuable support of  international partners; it gave Dominica the capacity to act immediately and to direct  resources to national priorities. 

The Programme gave a small country room to act when the scale of our need exceeded  the space available through ordinary revenue and borrowing. It allowed Government to  move with urgency when delay would have imposed a greater human and economic cost.  

Mr. Speaker, there should be no apology for homes built for Dominican families, for health  facilities, schools, roads and resilient communities, or for building hotels and advancing  our development, or for lawfully mobilising resources to protect our people. 

But confidence in the programme and its benefits must never become complacency. 

The value of Dominican citizenship must be guarded with seriousness. Due diligence  must remain rigorous. Administration must continue to be sound. Oversight must continue 

to be strong. Information sharing and international cooperation must continue. The  integrity of the Programme is not separate from its economic value; integrity is the  foundation of its economic value. 

Mr. Speaker, international rules affecting investor-citizenship programmes and visa-free  mobility are changing. Our response must be clear. We will continue to engage  constructively with all our partners. We will listen to their concerns, adjust our systems, where required, and continue to uphold high standards. 

The European Union has revised its visa-suspension framework, putting further pressure  on investor-citizenship programmes. We do not dismiss that development or answer it  with hostility. We will answer through constructive dialogue.  

Dominica will approach these discussions as a responsible partner—prepared to  cooperate, uphold high standards and protect the legitimate development interests of the  Dominican people. 

That is the position from which we move forward: confident in the contribution of CBI, firm  in protecting its integrity and equally determined that no single programme will carry the  full weight of our future. The assets CBI helped to build must now produce jobs, exports,  energy savings and new income. That is the bridge from protecting our progress to  strengthening our independence. 

STRENGTHENING OUR INDEPENDENCE 

Mr. Speaker, strengthening our independence does not mean turning away from CBI,  international partners or foreign investment. It means ensuring that Dominica has options.  It means that if one revenue source weakens, several productive sectors can continue to  support jobs, public services and household income. 

From the outset, Government’s purpose was clear: to convert CBI revenues into lasting  national assets and productive capacity. Those resources helped build the infrastructure,  resilience and social foundation on which the next stage of development can stand. CBI  which helped us build those investments must now help us earn. This means turning  infrastructure into enterprise, enterprise into employment and employment into stronger  household incomes—while attracting visitors and more investments, increasing exports  and generating new sources of national income that circulate through communities across  Dominica. 

That is why your Government has consistently pursued economic diversification. Mr.  Speaker, long before recent international developments, we deliberately broadened the  country’s productive base so that Dominica would be better positioned to withstand  external shocks and create more long-term opportunities for its people.

Let me assure our people that this strategy will continue. We will build on the progress  already made, strengthen productive sectors and widen the number of ways in which a  Dominican can earn a living at home. 

Agriculture, Food Security and Value Addition 

Mr. Speaker, Agriculture! 

Mr. Speaker, this government has invested heavily in transforming agriculture into a  modern, competitive and commercially driven sector. From July 2017 to June 2026,  Government invested EC$252.5 million in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, agricultural  infrastructure and food security.  

Over the last 12 months, approximately 830 acres of priority crops were established, with  projected production of 17.9 million pounds of marketable produce valued at more than  EC$44.7 million. Those figures represent potential farm income, more local food in shops  and markets, and a larger domestic buffer when shipping or overseas supply is disrupted. 

Mr. Speaker, Government’s strategy for transforming agriculture is equally focused on  adding value to what we produce, expanding market access and creating greater  economic returns for our farmers and agro-processors. 

Over the past year, through DEXIA, Government purchased more than 938,000 pounds  of agricultural produce, injecting almost EC$1.5 million directly into the hands of  Dominican farmers. Government also invested more than EC$4 million to strengthen over  150 agro-processors, while providing EC$1 million to support the commercialisation of  locally manufactured products. 

The next logical step is to create the infrastructure that will enable agricultural products  to be processed, branded and marketed on a commercial scale. To that end, Government  has completed the feasibility study, architectural designs and cost estimates for the  establishment of a multi-purpose agro-processing facility. 

The facility will serve as the national hub for agro-processing, value addition and  commercialisation. It will provide commercial-scale processing infrastructure for root  crops and tropical fruits, while housing dedicated incubation space for entrepreneurs  producing honey, sauces, jams and jellies, herbs, spices and other value-added  agricultural products. 

This investment will reduce post-harvest losses by creating reliable markets for fresh  produce and enabling surpluses to become higher-value, shelf-stable products. For the  farmer, that means less income rotting after harvest. For the consumer, it means a longer  local selling season and more Dominican alternatives when imported products become  scarce or expensive. For the entrepreneur, it creates room to turn a crop into a branded  product with a higher return. 

This year, more than 520 farmers and agro-processors will begin to receive support under  the Dominica Community Resilience Enhancement Project (DOMCREP) to adopt 

climate-smart agricultural practices, including improved irrigation, greenhouse technology  and agroforestry. This investment will increase agricultural productivity and improve  livelihoods in these communities. 

Mr. Speaker, Government has also been investing in the rehabilitation of farm access  roads to increase production. Since the Feeder Road Rehabilitation Programme  resumed in 2021, eleven feeder roads have been completed at a cost of approximately  $26 million, significantly improving access to agricultural lands, reducing transportation  costs and enabling farmers to move inputs and produce more efficiently. During the past  year, progress continued on feeder roads at Captain Bruce, Neiba/Atlee, Macaton,  Carholme and Belles, while a contract was awarded for the rehabilitation of the Grange  Road in Portsmouth. Further works will proceed this fiscal year on the  O’Delice/Newfoundland Feeder Road and the Modest Feeder Road in Castle Bruce. 

Mr. Speaker, Government has completed the new Abattoir for poultry and pork, while the  National Feed Mill will soon be completed. These are intended to lower production  constraints and support expanded domestic meat production. When local producers can  access feed and processing more efficiently, the benefit is greater stability in supply, more  income kept in farming communities and less exposure to every external disruption  affecting imported food. 

We are also investing heavily in the development of the apiculture industry. We have  provided 600 beehives, equipment and protective gear to beekeepers across the island.  These have resulted in the doubling of the national hive stock and strengthening of honey  production and processing capacity. Building on this success, an additional $1.5 million  will be allocated to expand the industry through the establishment of hundreds of new  hives and the development of a nationally recognised Dominican honey brand. The  Government commends the Beekeepers Association for their partnership and advocacy. 

Mr. Speaker, in the fishing subsector, Government delivered fifty-four fishing vessels and  invested a further $2.46 million in fisheries infrastructure. Fish landings reached about  1,225 tonnes and generated an estimated $20.25 million in economic activity. The Fish  Purchasing Facility at the Roseau Fisheries Complex, managed by DEXIA, provides  guaranteed markets and prompt payment to fishers. That gives fishing households  greater certainty that a catch will become income, while helping secure a reliable local  source of protein for Dominican consumers.  

All of these timely investments will expand livestock, apiculture and fisheries to reduce  food imports and create commercial opportunity. 

Mr. Speaker, to protect these major investments, this year, Government will take an  additional step by procuring Crop Insurance, valued at $1.5 million. This insurance  facility, will provide liquidity for Government to assist farmers in the event of a climatic  disaster. This will help protect farmers and their families from climate risks. This insurance  facility will be fully financed by Government at no cost to the farmers. 

Connectivity, Tourism and New Markets 

Mr. Speaker, I now turn to another critical driver of economic growth and national  development— connectivity and tourism. 

The International Airport stands at the centre of our national development strategy. As  the single largest infrastructure investment in our nation’s history, it will fundamentally  transform Dominica’s connectivity to the rest of the world, expand direct airlift to and from  key markets, attract new investment, and support our long-term goal of significantly  increasing stayover visitor arrivals and exports. Its impact will extend well beyond tourism,  creating new opportunities for agriculture, fisheries, transportation, construction,  hospitality and the creative industries, while strengthening the country’s overall  competitiveness. 

The project continues to make substantial progress, particularly, on the tunnel and  passage terminal.  

Earthworks and culvert construction now stand at approximately 78 percent complete.  Runway and taxiway construction have passed 60 percent. Work is simultaneously  advancing on the cargo facility, the air traffic control tower, the fuel farm, and the aircraft  rescue and firefighting services building. 

Noteworthy Mr. Speaker, more than 400 Dominicans are employed directly on the site — Dominicans learning heavy civil trades, surveying, plant operation, concrete and steel  work— skills that will outlive this project and follow those workers into other construction  sites in this country and the wider region. 

Mr. Speaker that is what it means to build a nation’s future without leaving its people  behind. 

With the project on schedule for completion in the second quarter of 2028, preparations  have begun for the airport’s operational phase, including work on the regulatory  framework, staffing, operational systems and commercial arrangements needed to  ensure the airport can commence safe and efficient operations from the inaugural flight. 

Mr. Speaker, the Cabrits Marina is another example of our diversification strategy in  action. It is creating another tourism product positioning Portsmouth as a premier yachting  destination, expand opportunities within the Blue Economy and stimulate sustainable  economic growth in the north of the island. Since construction began in October 2024,  substantial progress has been made on dredging operations, breakwater construction,  upland development and other critical infrastructure, with the marina entrance channel  now partially opened and major protective works advancing steadily. 

A critical component of the Project is a boat yard to house and repair yachts. This will  attract even more marine activity. Mr. Speaker, once operational, the Marina along with  the boatyard will create at least 300 permanent jobs. 

Upon completion, the Cabrits Marina will create new opportunities for tourism, maritime  services, private investment and employment, while strengthening Dominica’s position as  a leading yachting destination in the Caribbean and further broadening the country’s  economic base. 

Mr. Speaker, the Cable Car is another transformative project, which will do more than  transport visitors to the Boiling Lake in just 20 minutes! It will give Dominica an entirely  new tourism product, one no other Caribbean destination can offer. At 6.6 kilometres, it  will be the longest cable car of its kind in the world, carrying up to 1,000 visitors an hour  to witness one of our greatest natural wonders.  

The Woodbridge Bay Cruise Village: Mr. Speaker, this year Dominica welcomed  375,646 cruise passengers through approximately 189 ship calls, our strongest cruise  season since 2011. That demonstrates the growing appeal of Destination Dominica. The  challenge now is not simply attracting more ships but ensuring that more of what cruise  passengers spend remain in the hands of Dominicans. 

To achieve this, Government is advancing plans for the expansion of the Roseau Cruise  Pier and development of the Cruise Village through public-private partnership.  Negotiations are progressing well and it is expected that an agreement will be finalized  by October this year. This Project will be funded exclusively by foreign direct investment,  a significant investment in our country. 

As we move forward with this development, we will hold consultations with key  stakeholders to gather their input on this important project. 

The Cruise Village will create a modern waterfront experience that provides greater  opportunities for vendors, farmers, fishers, artisans, musicians, tour operators and other  Dominican businesses to benefit directly from our growing cruise industry. It is an  investment designed to ensure that every cruise passenger who comes ashore leaves a  greater share of their spending in Dominican hands, creating jobs, supporting livelihoods  and strengthening the national economy. 

It is our hope Mr. Speaker, that with the completion of the international airport, the Marina  and the new cruise village, Dominica will become a major air and sea homeport.  Government has already begun those discussions with cruise lines. 

Energy Independence 

Mr. Speaker, Dominica, a Small Island Developing State, has become the first CARICOM  country to generate electricity from its own geothermal resources, marking a historic  milestone in our transition to clean, renewable energy. This achievement places Dominica  among a select group of countries, becoming only the second small island state in the  world to develop a geothermal power plant.

In June 2026, 68 percent of the electricity supplied by DOMLEC came from renewable  energy—25 percent was hydro while geothermal accounted for 43 percent—Mr. Speaker,  that is clean energy being supplied to our homes, a reduction in the volume of imported  fuel, and lower electricity costs for every Dominican homeowner and business. 

Mr. Speaker, this Government has long held to a simple but powerful principle: power  from Dominican soil must power Dominican progress. After years of sweat, challenges  and struggles we have achieved! 

Government has also modernised the transmission network through new substations at  Padu, Trafalgar and Fond Cole and approximately 19 kilometres of underground and  overhead high-voltage lines linking the geothermal plant, the Roseau Valley hydroelectric  stations and DOMLEC’s distribution network.  

The geothermal plant has now successfully passed reliability testing and is approaching  commercial operation. This is an important shift from testing to sustained operation.  During the first three months of commercial operation, the Independent Regulatory  Commission will monitor geothermal performance and its effect on consumer electricity  costs, replacing projections with evidence from the plant’s actual operation. 

This milestone also shows that the project is moving beyond its early commissioning  difficulties. As steady geothermal generation is integrated with the strengthened  transmission system, it should reduce pressure on diesel generation and help limit  generation-related outages. It will not eliminate every interruption as—distribution faults,  maintenance and extreme weather will still matter—but it should make the electricity  system more stable and resilient. 

Mr. Speaker, Dominica must fully explore its Geothermal potential. There are endless  opportunities to be had from this resource including export of energy and conversion to  other products. With this in mind, Government is actively investigating other sources of  geothermal energy in the country, including in the North, while preparing to expand its  yield from the reservoirs in the Roseau Valley. 

Geothermal will not remove every component of an electricity bill overnight, but it will  reduce exposure to volatility of imported fuel prices. The IMF projects lower fuel imports  and a stronger external position as the system expands. For households, this creates  greater scope for stable bills and more reliable service; for businesses, it reduces the risk  of interruptions and sudden energy-cost increases.  

Our investment in geothermal energy is, therefore, a strategic investment in energy  security, economic resilience and Dominica’s ability to exercise greater control over its  own development. 

Small Business Development 

Mr. Speaker, reliable and more affordable energy lowers the cost of doing business.  Modern infrastructure connects producers to customers, while sound policy gives 

entrepreneurs the confidence to invest. But these national gains matter most when they  create opportunities for people. This is where infrastructure becomes enterprise, policy  becomes payroll and national independence becomes household income. 

That is why Government continues to prioritise Micro, Small and Medium-Sized  Enterprises (MSMEs). These businesses are not on the margins of the economy; they  are where many Dominicans earn their first wage, develop an idea, build a livelihood and  create opportunities for others. Supporting them is therefore central to expanding  employment, encouraging entrepreneurship and building a stronger, more broadly based  private sector. 

For these reasons, Government will make an additional EC$19.0 million available to the  AID Bank for on-lending to Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises from December  2026. These loans will be offered on the same terms as the recently completed $27.8  million loan facility. That is, Mr. Speaker, 3.5 percent interest on a reducing balance; up  to ten years to repay; and a six-month grace period on principal and interest. These terms  are designed to protect cash flow when a business is most vulnerable: during start-up or  expansion.  

Mr. Speaker, this last $27.8 million MSME Loan Facility benefitted 554 businesses, reflecting the strong demand for affordable financing. By 31st March 2026, all available  funds had been assigned to support businesses across the country in the agriculture,  tourism, transportation, manufacturing and services sectors. 

Mr. Speaker, the success of the MSME Loan Facility demonstrates that Dominican  entrepreneurs are prepared to invest when finance is within reach.  

The Orange Economy 

Mr. Speaker, supporting small businesses also means recognising that economic  opportunities lie in the creative industries.  

As a means of further harnessing the creative talent of our people, the Government has  decided to establish Dominica’s Creative Economy Development Agency (DCEDA).  

Over the coming months, Government will work with artists, musicians, filmmakers,  designers, cultural practitioners, event organisers and other stakeholders to shape the  framework for DCEDA, so that it reflects the needs and aspirations of the sector. The  Agency will support product development, remove barriers to growth and create clearer  pathways for artistes to participate fully in the formal economy.  

Mr. Speaker, our Bouyon artists have been making waves across the world. What was  once a uniquely Dominican sound is now being played on international stages, streamed  across digital platforms and embraced by audiences throughout the Caribbean, Europe,  North America and beyond.  

Along with our bèlè dancers, our Creole and cadence-lypso singers, our calypsonians,  our photographers, fashion designers and digital creators, they are entrepreneurs, 

exporters and ambassadors for Dominica. Every time a Dominican artist earns income  abroad, attracts visitors through our culture or showcases our talent to the world, they  contribute to economic growth, create employment and generate valuable foreign  exchange for our country. 

Mr. Speaker, DCEDA will also place special emphasis on preserving, promoting and  commercialising the rich cultural heritage of the Kalinago people. The traditions,  craftsmanship, music, dance, storytelling, cuisine and indigenous knowledge of the  Kalinago are among Dominica’s most distinctive cultural assets and hold tremendous  potential for cultural tourism and creative enterprise. Government will continue to work  with the Kalinago community to support artisans, cultural practitioners and entrepreneurs  through product development, training, marketing and expanded market access, ensuring  that this unique heritage is preserved while creating new economic opportunities for the  people of the Kalinago Territory. 

As part of this initiative, Government will also support the establishment of a National  Recording Studio, giving Dominican musicians, producers and content creators access  to professional recording facilities here at home. 

This means, Mr. Speaker, that a young Dominican can record, produce and release their  work to international standard at a fraction of what it would cost them to fly abroad and  pay foreign studio rates. It means training and certification pathways for our sound  engineers and producers. And it means Dominican artistes will retain more of the value  of what they create, because the tools of a global music industry will be available to them  at home. 

Mr. Speaker, Government also recognises that the growth of the Orange Economy  depends not only on creating and promoting talent, but also on protecting it. We will  therefore strengthen our intellectual property framework to ensure that artists are able  to protect their work and receive the financial rewards they deserve. Too often, creative  works are copied, used or commercialised without those who created them sharing fairly  in the benefits.  

This Government will take the necessary steps to ensure that artists are protected,  properly valued and transformed into a lasting source of income, enterprise and national  wealth. 

Mr. Speaker, when we speak of Dominican talent, we must also acknowledge a growing  and passionate youth community—our bikers. Government intends to work with riders,  organisers and other stakeholders to grow Dominica’s Bike Festival into a signature  national event, supporting initiatives that promote training, safety, entrepreneurship and  sports tourism. Government will also explore opportunities to support motorsport activities 

more broadly as another avenue for youth engagement, enterprise and visitor attraction. 

Mr. Speaker, funding for these programmes will be provided by the Dominica National  Lotteries Commission, in keeping with its mandate to support youth development.

These proposed initiatives represent an investment in our young people, our culture and  a growing sector with the potential to create jobs, generate exports and diversify the  Dominican economy. 

Introducing International Online Gaming 

Mr. Speaker, Government is pursuing a deliberate strategy to further broaden the  economic base and create new sources of sustainable growth. As part of this strategy,  we will continue to explore opportunities that can attract increased international  investment, foreign exchange earnings, and economic activity for Dominica. 

In this regard, Government intends to proceed with the development of an online gaming  industry. To facilitate this, we will revise and strengthen the legislative framework to  establish a comprehensive regulatory regime governing internet gaming in Dominica. It  will establish licensing requirements in accordance with industry standards, including  tests for operators and senior management, ongoing regulatory oversight, regular audits  and reporting requirements and strong enforcement powers. It will also place significant  emphasis on responsible gaming through mandatory age verification, player protection  measures, self-exclusion programmes, data security standards and safeguards against  fraud, money laundering and other financial crimes. 

Government will establish a dedicated Gaming Authority to regulate the industry and engage stakeholders and international partners during its development. 

Ensuring A Cleaner Dominica 

Mr. Speaker, as our economy expands, the demand for reliable waste collection and  disposal services will continue to grow. Meeting that demand requires sustained  investment in specialised vehicles, fuel, landfill operations, environmental protection  systems, equipment, maintenance and the dedicated personnel who work every day to  keep Dominica clean. 

Mr. Speaker, Government currently spends approximately $14 million each year to  provide residential waste collection across the country. That expenditure keeps an  essential service available to households. 

Mr. Speaker, starting this year, Government will begin to outsource the collection of solid  waste to the private sector, while the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation will  continue to oversee and manage the processing and disposal of waste. This is intended  to create new business opportunities for Dominicans and improve the efficiency of the  garbage collection system. 

I therefore encourage interested individuals and companies to begin preparing to take  advantage of this opportunity. Government stands ready to support this transition through  import duty and excise tax concessions on garbage trucks and other specialised  equipment required to provide these services.

Mr. Speaker, a modern and reliable waste management system requires sustainable  financing. That issue was carefully examined during the National Budget Consultations  and the public consultations conducted by the Dominica Solid Waste Management  Corporation, where there was broad consensus that maintaining a modern and reliable  waste management system requires a shared national commitment. 

Accordingly, the Government has decided that each household and business will be  required to pay a monthly fee effective January 1, 2027, the amount of which will be  communicated to the public at a later date. 

Mr. Speaker, providing an efficient waste management system must be matched by a  strong culture of environmental responsibility. Government will therefore undertake a  comprehensive review of the existing legislation governing waste management and  littering, with a view to strengthening enforcement measures and introducing tougher  penalties for indiscriminate littering and other environmental offences. Those who  undermine the cleanliness of our communities and the beauty of our country must be held  accountable. 

Digital Government: Bringing Services Closer to the People 

Mr. Speaker, communities today expect public services that are efficient, accessible and  responsive. A service to the public that requires a person to make several trips, lose a  day of work or not receive a timely response, is not in line with our current development  trajectory. 

Cognisant of the situation, Government continues to modernise the delivery of public  services through digital transformation. 

Increasingly, citizens are able to access Government services online, building on that  progress, beginning 1 October 2026, vehicle owners will be able to renew vehicle and  driver’s licences online.  

Government will also replace the mandatory annual on-site pre-licence vehicle inspection  with road inspections. This removes the routine annual journey to the Traffic Division and  waiting time while preserving the legal responsibility to keep vehicles roadworthy. This  will reduce the administrative burden on compliant owners and drivers and allow targeted 

enforcement where unsafe vehicles are actually found. 

Rebuilding Our Population and Reconnecting the Global Dominican Family 

Mr. Speaker, Dominica’s development depends on people. Our schools, health services,  businesses, housing and communities all require a sufficient resident population and  access to the skills needed to support national growth.  

The Dominican family extends far beyond our shores. It includes citizens who migrated,  their children and grandchildren, and others who retain a connection to Dominica through  family and culture. They have acquired valuable skills, professional experience, business 

networks and capital. As our economy is transformed by the international airport,  geothermal energy, the marina, expanded tourism, modern infrastructure and new  investment opportunities, we want them to know that this is an ideal time to return home. 

Our vision also extends to investors, retirees, CBI citizens, remote workers,  entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, many of whom are looking for safe, stable and  welcoming places to live, invest and spend more of their time. 

This Government’s goal is to increase Dominica’s resident population to 100,000 by 2040.  

Government will therefore establish a National Population Renewal and Global  Dominican Engagement Programme to address three related needs: rebuild the resident  population, reduce the skills gap and create practical ways for the wider Dominican family  to return, invest, serve and settle here. This year Government will begin to implement the  following: 

1. Citizenship through a Dominican Grandparent – The necessary legislation will  be taken to Parliament to allow a person with at least one grandparent born in  Dominica to apply to become a citizen, subject to proof of ancestry, identity, and  good character—beginning January 1, 2027. Many descendants are now two or  three generations removed from the island but still retain a strong family  connection. Citizenship can encourage them to participate more fully in national  life—visit more often, restore family property, establish businesses, and invest. It  can also widen the pool of people eligible to represent Dominica in sport and other  fields.  

2. Global Dominican Talent Register – A Global Dominican Talent Register will  identify athletes, medical professionals, scientists, teachers, engineers,  entrepreneurs, artists and other skilled people of Dominican ancestry. Registrants  will be able to state their expertise, availability and the ways in which they are  willing to contribute. This will allow Government and national institutions to match  people with specific opportunities to represent Dominica, mentor young people,  provide short-term specialist assistance, invest, support disaster recovery or build  international partnerships.  

3. Free Two-Year “Live in Dominica” Resident Visa– Eligible remote workers,  retirees and financially independent individuals and families will be able to obtain  a free two-year “Live in Dominica” residence visa while earning their income  abroad. These residents can bring immediate spending into rental housing,  property improvement, food, transportation, recreation and domestic services.  Applicants must be able to support themselves, maintain appropriate health  coverage and satisfy immigration and security requirements. 

4. Returning Dominican One-Stop Service – A Returning Dominican One-Stop  Service will create a dedicated single point of contact to assist returning  Dominicans with housing, business registration, school placement, licences,  utilities and other essential services, making the process of returning home as  simple and seamless as possible. 

5. Essential Skills and Entrepreneur Residence Permit – A fast-track Essential  Skills and Entrepreneur Residence Permit will be offered to nurses, engineers,  skilled tradespeople and other qualified professionals who fill a verified national  skills shortage, as well as genuine entrepreneurs who establish a viable business  or employ Dominicans. The permit will be used only where there is a genuine  national need or clear economic benefit. Its purpose is to fill critical gaps, create  jobs, expand training and transfer skills rather than displace Dominican workers. 

6. Citizenship by Investment Long-Term Engagement – The Eastern Caribbean  Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority Act, passed by Parliament last  October, introduces new requirements aimed at strengthening the relationship  between economic citizens and Dominica. 

Under the Act, new citizens are required to: (i) establish a genuine link to the  country; (ii) be physically present in Dominica for at least 30 days during the first  five years after receiving citizenship; and (iii) participate in approved integration  programmes. Government intends to ensure that these requirements are fully  implemented and adhered to. 

This will encourage more economic citizens to spend extended periods in  Dominica, purchase homes, establish businesses, invest in productive sectors and  become active participants in our economy. 

To support these initiatives, Government will introduce a broader package of policies  designed to make relocation, investment and long-term residency more attractive. These  will include identifying lands for residential and investment development, providing  incentives for second-home ownership, retirement living and business establishment,  streamlining investment facilitation, and preparing development plans for designated  growth areas capable of accommodating new residential and commercial communities. 

Mr. Speaker, these measures provide practical routes through which Dominicans at home  and abroad, returning families, skilled residents and responsible long-stay visitors can  help rebuild communities and strengthen the country’s economic base.

SECURING OUR FUTURE 

Mr. Speaker, a new-look Dominica by 2030 requires partnership between Government,  citizens, residents, investors and friends of Dominica. But partnership begins with clarity  about who benefits and how. 

Government has been playing its part by making financing available primarily through the  AID Bank and providing a range of fiscal incentives to encourage investment across the  economy. Through import duty concessions, income tax holidays and excise tax  exemptions, we have supported businesses large and small to expand and invest in  tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, small business development and the services sector. 

These measures have helped stimulate investment and economic activity. This fiscal  year, Government will introduce additional policies aimed at reducing the cost of doing  business, encouraging greater private investment, protecting business assets, creating  jobs and accelerating economic growth. 

These measures work through three connected channels. Income-tax relief, continued  relief on essential imports and the end of tax compounding will provide direct household  relief or create the conditions for it to reach consumers. Commercial-property and  employment incentives, small-business finance and service reform widen the routes  through which people can earn. Crop insurance and business vulnerability funds protect  income and employment from being wiped out by disaster. Together they follow the logic  of the theme: protect what families have, strengthen how they earn and secure their ability  to recover. 

Mr. Speaker, beginning income year 2027, Government will introduce two new allowable  tax deductions for businesses: the first, is a new capital allowance in respect of the  construction and substantial reconstruction of commercial buildings offered for rent; and  the second is a deduction for amount set aside for disaster financing. 

1. Deduction for new Commercial Rental Buildings 

Owners of qualifying commercial rental properties will be allowed an annual capital  allowance equal to the lesser of three percent of the construction cost or $30,000 per year  for up to ten years after the building was constructed or substantially reconstructed. This  will become effective in income year 2027. 

For example, where a qualifying owner is entitled to the maximum annual allowance of  EC$30,000, the resulting reduction in taxable income can lower the annual tax burden by  as much as EC$7,500, subject to the applicable tax position. 

2. Business Vulnerability Fund Deduction

Mr. Speaker, as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, Dominica  understands better than most the importance of preparing before disasters strike and has  first-hand experience of rebuilding repeatedly after severe weather. 

For this reason, Government established the Vulnerability Risk and Resilience Fund in  2017 to strengthen our ability to respond quickly to natural disasters and reduce our  financial vulnerability. As at 30th June 2026, the Fund stood at EC$28.3 million. A number  of Government statutory bodies are also operating similar Funds. 

Government now wishes to encourage the private sector to adopt a similar approach. 

Beginning income year 2027, a business that establishes an approved Vulnerability Fund  will be allowed an annual income tax deduction equal to the amount contributed to the  Fund, up to a maximum of 0.5 percent of annual gross sales. 

These deductions will continue until the balance of the Fund equals the net book value of  the business’s insurable fixed assets. 

Businesses wishing to participate must apply to the Comptroller of Inland Revenue for  approval. Withdrawals will require authorization by the Comptroller, and any funds used  for purposes other than disaster recovery, or withdrawn without approval, will become  taxable. 

This measure allows approved contributions to a disaster reserve to be deducted in  determining taxable income, thereby making it easier for a company to set aside its own  resources before a shock rather than depending entirely on emergency assistance  afterwards. 

3. Employment Tax Rebate 

Mr. Speaker, in 2014, Government introduced a tax rebate to encourage businesses to  create new jobs and expand employment opportunities. The initiative had two clear  objectives:  

(I) to support new and growing businesses and 

(II) to encourage employers who had been mentoring participants under the  National Employment Programme (NEP) to offer them permanent employment. 

The rebate was available for one year, from 1st August 2014 to 31st July 2015. Under the  programme, employers were eligible to claim a rebate equivalent to 2 percent of the salary  paid to each qualifying employee, up to a maximum of EC$600 per employee per year,  with an overall cap of EC$6,000 per employer annually. 

Mr. Speaker, effective 1st October 2026, Government will reintroduce this tax rebate for  a period of two years. The rebate will remain at 2 percent of the salary paid to each  qualifying employee during the employer’s tax year. However, we are increasing the  maximum annual rebate from EC$6,000 to EC$10,000 per employer.

A business that creates qualifying new positions can reduce its annual tax liability by up  to EC$10,000 for each of the two years, helping to offset the early cost of expanding its  workforce. 

4. Income Tax Relief 

Mr. Speaker, this Government has been consistently reducing the income tax burden on  working Dominicans. Indeed, from the very first years of this administration, we have  maintained that working people of Dominica deserve to keep more of what they earn. 

When the Dominica Labour Party assumed office in 2000, the income tax structure  comprised rates of 20 percent, 30 percent and 40 percent, with a tax-free threshold of just  $12,000.  

Following the country’s economic recovery and our successful completion of the IMF supported programme, from 2009, Government began providing meaningful income tax  relief: 

✓ We reduced the tax rates to 15 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent.  ✓ We also increased the tax-free threshold first to $25,000 and then to $30,000, ✓ We increased mortgage deductions from $15,000 on one property to $30,000 and  $15,000 on a first and second property respectively 

✓ We allowed deductions for student loans, home and medical insurance. 

All of these have reduced the income tax burden on workers and removed thousands of  Dominicans from the income tax net altogether, thereby allowing families to retain a  greater share of their income. 

Today, despite a global environment marked by economic uncertainty, this Government  will again provide relief to further empower the hardworking people of Dominica.  

It is therefore my pleasure, Mr. Speaker, to propose that effective January 1, 2027, the  Government will replace the income tax rates of 15%, 25% and 35% with a single, flat rate of 10 percent. 

This is a sacrifice the Government is making to support the working people in our country. 

Mr. Speaker, it is the most significant income tax relief ever granted to the people of  Dominica. It will deliver meaningful savings to workers and make our tax system simpler and fairer. 

Let me break it down further, Mr. Speaker. This measure will reduce the personal income tax burden of working residents whose income exceeds the $30,000 personal allowance,  while those earning $30,000 or less will continue to pay no personal income tax. The  benefit is measured in money retained by the worker each month and each year: 

I. A person earning $4,000 monthly, or $48,000 a year, will retain an additional  $75 each month or $900 a year;

II. A person earning $5,000 monthly, or $60,000 a year, with personal allowance  and no other deductions, will see monthly income tax fall from $458.33 to $250.  That is $208.33 retained each month or $2,500 a year; 

III. A person earning $7,000 monthly, or $84,000 a year, will retain approximately  $541.67 more each month or $6,500 a year. 

Mr. Speaker, these are direct savings. A household with two earners each bringing in  $4,000 per month could retain a combined $150 per month or $1,800 per year. One family  may use the savings for shopping; another to procure a mortgage or health insurance;  another may decide to save some more for rainy days or reduce their debt; while others  may start a small enterprise or pursue studies—the choice is yours. In short Mr. Speaker,  the relief gives the household more room to make it. 

All these measures, those in the past and the flat rate today, demonstrate how throughout  the tenure of this Government we have been reducing the income tax burden on  individuals, allowing them to keep more of their pay to invest and improve the lives of their  families. 

Removal of income tax on worldwide income 

A related measure, Mr. Speaker, is the removal of income tax on worldwide income,  where residents and non-residents will be liable to pay income tax only on income earned  in Dominica. 

The removal of taxation on worldwide income will encourage Dominican retirees, remote  workers and investors to make Dominica their home, knowing that only income earned in  Dominica will be subject to tax. 

Firearm Licences 

Mr. Speaker, Government has also undertaken a review of the fees associated with  firearm licences, taking into account the administrative and regulatory costs of the  licensing regime and the need to ensure that these fees remain appropriate and reflective  of current realities. 

Effective 1st October 2026, the annual fee for a firearm licence will increase to EC$1,000. This adjustment forms part of Government’s review of selected fees and charges.  7. Extension of VAT and Import-Duty Relief 

Mr. Speaker, last year, Government took decisive action to shield Dominican families from  the impact of rising global prices by extending the Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption and  import duty waivers on a range of essential goods through 31st July 2026. 

Those measures were introduced in response to persistent global economic  uncertainties, including higher shipping costs and supply chain disruptions, all of which 

continue to place upward pressure on the prices of food and other essential commodities  in small, import-dependent economies such as ours. 

Mr. Speaker, many of these external pressures remain. Government therefore believes it  is prudent to continue providing this important relief to households. 

I am pleased to announce that the existing VAT exemption and import-duty waivers on  the covered essential goods will be extended for a further two months, until 30th September 2026.  

Importers, wholesalers and retailers are expected to continue to pass this benefit on to  consumers. Let there be no misunderstanding: a concession granted by the State must  not be converted into a larger private profit margin. Relief at the port becomes household  relief only when it is reflected fairly in the shelf price. We will closely monitor prices to  ensure that the intended savings reach our families.  

Ending Tax Compounding on Imports 

Mr. Speaker, for many years citizens and businesses alike have expressed concern about  the administrative burdens associated with importing goods and the complexity of  Customs calculations. 

These concerns deserve careful attention. An efficient clearance system should facilitate  commerce, not frustrate it. Your Government is committed to modernising the clearance  system at the ports of entry and reducing costs and delays. 

This forms part of a broader strategy to improve the overall ease and cost of doing  business in Dominica. 

Every unnecessary delay, duplicated document and avoidable storage or administrative  cost is eventually reflected in the price paid by a consumer. Modernising the clearance  system is therefore a priority. 

Mr. Speaker, this Government has examined the tax structure applied to imported goods  and has decided to make some adjustments. 

At present, Excise Tax and VAT on imported goods are calculated not only on the cost,  insurance and freight value—the CIF value—but also on other charges and taxes,  including the Customs service charge, environmental surcharge or levy, import duty and  Excise Tax. Put simply, one tax or charge is added to the base on which another tax is  calculated. That is tax compounding. 

Effective 1st October 2026, Government will end this practice. 

Excise Tax and VAT will instead be calculated solely on the CIF value of imported goods. 

This measure is a practical example of Government reviewing its own systems.  Government also has a clear expectation: where relief is granted, it must be passed on  to the consumer. 

Mr. Speaker, taken together, the measures, including the insurance for farmers which  was mentioned earlier, form a connected household package. Income-tax flat rate leaves  more earnings with workers every month. VAT and import-duty relief temporarily shields  covered essentials, while the end of tax compounding permanently removes cost on  imports. 

The import duty and excise tax concessions on garbage trucks along with the  employment and commercial-property incentives support the entrepreneurship, creation  of jobs and business activity. Vulnerability funds protect those jobs after disaster. The  reform of the import clearance process and digitisation of government services return time  and reduce hidden expenses. Some measures provide cash relief, some create the  conditions for income and some prevent income from being lost. Together they protect  our progress, strengthen our independence and secure our future. 

Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that citizens understand the magnitude of this national  sacrifice. These measures are not costless: they represent revenues totalling $43.5  million annually that Government is leaving with workers, households and businesses  instead of collecting for the Treasury. Government is entrusting these funds to our citizens  confident that the resulting gains in household income, investment, employment and  economic activity will justify the fiscal cost.  

CONCLUSION: CONFIDENCE IN OUR FUTURE 

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this Address, I acknowledged that the road ahead is  uncertain. But we do not enter this moment without experience. We know what it is to  face danger. We know what it means to lose in a single night what took decades to build.  Above all, we know what Dominicans can achieve when adversity confronts us. 

We rebuild. We adapt. We protect one another. We turn setbacks into opportunities for  renewal. We may bend under pressure, but we do not break. We may be delayed, but we  do not abandon the journey. 

This Budget has been prepared in that spirit—not fear, but foresight; not retreat, but  readiness; not surrender to uncertainty, but a decision to give Dominican households,  workers and businesses greater control over their future. 

Throughout our development journey, Government has made deliberate choices. We  chose investment over stagnation, rebuilding over retreat and preparation over  complacency. Those choices are now transforming lives across Dominica. 

A road is not simply asphalt and concrete. It is a safer journey to school, fewer vehicle  repairs, a farmer reaching the market and a business reducing the cost of moving goods. 

A hospital is not merely a building. It is faster emergency care, treatment closer to home  and protection against a medical crisis becoming a financial catastrophe.

A school is far more than classrooms and walls. It is a textbook a parent does not have  to choose over groceries, a skill that opens a job and a reason for a young Dominican to  build a future at home. 

Mr. Speaker, that is the household test applied throughout this Address. Development is  meaningful only when it reduces vulnerability, widens opportunity and leaves people  better able to face the next month and the next shock. 

This budget is a covenant. A covenant between this Government and the people of  Dominica. A promise that even in a world of rising costs, climate shocks and global  uncertainty, we will not waver in our duty to protect, to invest and to build. 

The investments already made have prepared Dominica for a new phase. The measures  in this Budget now convert that foundation into household outcomes: more take-home  pay for working people; incentives for businesses to hire; finance that allows  entrepreneurs to invest without exhausting family savings; reserves that help firms reopen  after disaster; continued tax protection on essential imports; and an end to taxing one tax  upon another. 

Economic progress ultimately depends on confidence. Confidence is earned through  responsible leadership, sound financial management, political stability, strong institutions  and the consistent delivery of national priorities.  

Today, Dominica has earned that confidence. It is reflected in the scale of investments taking place across our country, the growth of our productive sectors, and the  determination of Dominican entrepreneurs who are expanding businesses, creating jobs  and driving economic activity. 

Mr. Speaker, the future before us is one of promise because the plan is connected:  resilient homes protect families; education and health protect human capacity; tourism,  agriculture, fisheries, energy and enterprise widen the ways we earn; migration policy  adds people and skills with safeguards for existing communities; and fiscal reform directs  relief to wages, prices, jobs and resilience. 

With unity, sound leadership and the determination of our people, there is every reason  to approach the future with confidence. 

We will protect our progress by defending the homes, services, incomes and institutions  our people already depend upon. We will strengthen our independence by producing  more, generating our own energy, creating several engines of income and making  Dominica a better place to work and invest. We will secure our future by leaving more  money with working families, reducing avoidable costs, protecting jobs from disaster and  preparing the country for uncertainty. 

We rest on God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11: 

“I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm  you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Mr. Speaker, at this point, permit me to thank: 

• The Honourable Prime Minister and my Cabinet colleagues; 

• Our partners, both locally and internationally; 

• The Public Officers involved in the preparation of the Budget; 

• The Treasury, Customs and Inland Revenue Staff; 

• Those who took time to participate in our consultations; and made written  submissions for inclusion in the Budget; 

• Our prayer warriors, volunteers and friends; 

• The media and the technical teams; and 

• Those attending this session and following the broadcast. 

Today, I lay these Estimates and policies before the Honourable House and the people  of our beloved country with faith and with determination that the prosperity we create  will be shared prosperity. 

May God continue to bless the Commonwealth of Dominica and may he guide us as we  do the work of the people. 

I thank you, Mr. Speaker.