by Mervin Matthew
Government Information Service
The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Roosevelt Skerrit on Wednesday presented to parliament an over four hundred million dollar budget for the financial year ending June 30, 2012.
The theme of this year's presentation was "Pursuing the Path to Growth - Being Responsive Yet Responsible.
Just as in last year's presentation, the Dominica Leader once again repeated calls for a change of attitude towards their country and its development
“We have to make a seismic shift in the way we do business in Dominica”
 Hon. Prime Minister and
Minister for Finance,
Roosevelt Skerrit
Prime Minister Skerrit noted the economic challenges facing international governments and reminded all that Dominica was not exempt from these challenges.
He said however that Dominica had fared well amidst these global occurrences.
“Preliminary GDP estimates suggest that amid the global economic slowdown, Dominica’s economy exhibited an admirable degree of resilience, a fact attested to by regional and international observers.
The gains and policy space created by prudent fiscal management in the years following the Economic Stabilization Programme as well as Government’s successful negotiation of grant resources placed the country on a footing to undertake counter-cyclical measures to address the adverse effects spilling over from the global slowdown.
We also follow closely, the eight point stabilisation programme which we agreed to, as a member of the Monetary Council.”
The achievements by the Administration during the last financial year have been recognised by international agencies including the International Monetary Fund.
“Madam Speaker, according to the IMF “Prudent fiscal management in the years leading up to the crisis has served the authorities well, affording them room for supportive fiscal policies during the crisis.”
Essentially, Madam Speaker, the IMF is recognizing the success of the fiscal policies of this government and confirms that a strong fiscal position allowed Government to inject a significant fiscal stimulus into the economy during fiscal periods 2007 to 2010 by increasing public investment as a means of sustaining economic activity during the global crisis.”
Several sectors of the island's economy recorded growth in the last financial year. The construction sector for example expanded by an estimated 10.2 percent (10.2%) in 2010 compared to a contraction of 7.3 percent (7.3%) in 2009.
Growth in that sector is believed to be driven by the Public Sector Investment Programme of the Government of Dominica.
“Projections for 2011 indicate a further expansion of the sector with a growth rate of 8.4 percent (8.4%). This is expected to be driven by on-going public sector investment projects, as well as Government supported activity such as the new Moroccan Government funded hotel in Portsmouth and private sector projects.”
The Prime Minister in his address also spoke of the achievements of the employment agency and small business unit and pledged significant resources towards improved capacity of the unit in the 2011/2012 financial year.
“I must report that the Employment Agency and Small Business Unit has assisted close to 400 persons in the fiscal year 2010/11 and close to 1000 for the programme to date. This year, $2.0 million will go towards that programme. Specifically, some of these resources will be to provide some support to the small businesses such as the vendors, hair braiders and taxi operators whose income is being affected by the pull out of the Carnival Cruise Lines in the off-season, and who wish to get involved in other small business initiatives, to improve their income earning capacity.
The modality of this specific assistance programme is being finalized and will be articulated by the relevant agencies in due course.”
 Opposition Parliamentarians outside of
Parliament
Meantime during Wednesday's sitting of Parliament, members of the Opposition staged a demonstration outside the House of Assembly.
With chants of, "No I.D. cards" the protesters called on the administration to make allowance for the introduction of voter I.D. cards.
Prime Minister Skerrit in his address however announced Cabinet's consideration of the introduction of a National I.D. Card which would also serve as identification for voters.
“The Cabinet considered a request from the Electoral Commission, received through His Excellency the President, for a budget of $5.2 million for the introduction of Voter ID cards. I must make it clear, that the Cabinet is fully supportive of the Commission and is committed to facilitating its work. The Cabinet has given its support to the introduction of national ID cards that can also be used for the purposes of voting. We are aware that the use of national ID cards for voting purposes is not new and exists in Barbados, Guyana and St. Lucia.
We are aware of the sensitive nature of this initiative, but at the same time, we need to ensure that it is done efficiently and without error. We intend to consult all stakeholders, in arriving at a generally preferred formula for its implementation. It is our hope, that when the time comes, all stakeholders who would have spoken for, or against the introduction of National Identification Cards, will cooperate fully, so as to expedite the process. ” |
