Carib Scope

标签： Dominica

多米尼克

  • PMs Skerrit and Browne not to be blamed for CBI and U.S. restrictions, says Astaphan

    PMs Skerrit and Browne not to be blamed for CBI and U.S. restrictions, says Astaphan

    Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan has vigorously defended the governments of Dominica and Antigua & Barbuda against criticism regarding recent U.S. visa restrictions, asserting both nations implemented comprehensive reforms to their Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs well before the American policy announcement.

    In an exclusive interview with Antigua.News, Astaphan dismissed opposition claims blaming Prime Ministers Gaston Browne and Roosevelt Skerrit as “ill-informed and misleading.” He revealed that since 2023, the five Eastern Caribbean CBI nations have maintained sustained collaboration with international partners including the United States and European Union.

    A pivotal development occurred in October when U.S. officials specializing in anti-money laundering and counter-narcotics met with regional representatives, culminating in an 81-page agreement establishing a regional CBI Regulatory Authority. This comprehensive framework introduced far-reaching reforms covering enhanced due diligence, residency requirements, and prohibitions on name changes—all subsequently enacted into law.

    “Antigua and Barbuda was the first country to pass and implement the required legislative changes,” Astaphan emphasized, highlighting the government’s proactive stance in addressing international concerns. He noted that despite the U.S. proclamation referencing residency issues, Antigua and Barbuda had already made necessary legal adjustments before the announcement.

    The attorney expressed frustration with critics, stating: “Anyone who continues to criticise the CIP is either completely ignorant of the history of collaboration with the United States, or simply missed the parliamentary sittings and was unaware that the legislation had already been passed.”

    The U.S. action, initiated through a December 16, 2025 proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, cited national security and public safety concerns. The policy aims to protect American citizens from terrorist attacks and other threats, citing weaknesses in foreign identity-management systems that limit proper vetting of travelers.

    Dominica and Antigua & Barbuda are among several nations affected by these restrictions, which have generated significant international media coverage and social media discussion throughout the Caribbean region and beyond.

  • LIVE: Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition 2026 Knock Out Round 22nd January 2026

    LIVE: Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition 2026 Knock Out Round 22nd January 2026

    The corporate landscape is undergoing a profound transformation as artificial intelligence transitions from an experimental technology to a core component of workforce architecture. A new generation of AI-driven ‘digital employees’ is emerging, capable of performing complex cognitive tasks that were previously exclusive to human workers.

    These sophisticated AI systems represent a significant evolution beyond basic automation tools. They can process natural language, analyze complex datasets, make evidence-based decisions, and adapt to dynamic work environments. Companies implementing these solutions report substantial improvements in operational efficiency, with some departments achieving productivity increases of 30-40% while reducing error rates to near-zero levels.

    The implementation of digital workforce solutions spans multiple industries including financial services, healthcare diagnostics, customer experience management, and research development. Early adopters are reporting not only cost reductions but also enhanced capability to scale operations rapidly without proportional increases in human resources.

    This technological shift is prompting organizations to reevaluate their human capital strategies. Rather than simply replacing workers, forward-thinking companies are developing integrated models where AI handles repetitive analytical tasks while human employees focus on creative problem-solving, strategic planning, and emotional intelligence-dependent roles.

    Workforce analysts suggest that successful implementation requires comprehensive retraining programs and organizational restructuring. The most effective transformations occur when companies view AI as collaborative partners rather than mere tools, creating symbiotic relationships between human and digital workers.

    As this trend accelerates, it’s creating new specializations in AI management and digital workforce coordination. The companies leading this transformation are those that recognize the strategic importance of balancing technological adoption with human capital development, ensuring both technological and human elements evolve in concert.

  • COMMENTARY: Buzzing with purpose – How young Dominicans are building futures through agriculture

    COMMENTARY: Buzzing with purpose – How young Dominicans are building futures through agriculture

    Across the Caribbean nation of Dominica, a transformative shift is underway as young professionals embrace agricultural entrepreneurship through innovative approaches to beekeeping and agro-processing. This movement represents a fundamental reimagining of traditional farming—not as a fallback occupation but as a strategically viable career path combining environmental stewardship with economic opportunity.

    Supported by developmental initiatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this agricultural renaissance empowers both young residents and returning citizens to establish sustainable livelihoods rooted in local resources. Beekeeping has emerged as a particularly attractive venture, offering flexible management requirements that accommodate full-time employment while generating supplemental income.

    Shem Jacob exemplifies this new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. Balancing his profession as a police officer with ownership of Bud’s Backyard Honey, Jacob launched his apiculture enterprise in 2020 after identifying honey production as an ideal complementary business. “The appeal lies in honey’s non-perishable nature and the bees’ minimal daily maintenance requirements,” Jacob explains. “This flexibility allows me to maintain career stability while building a sustainable business.”

    His operation now produces pure honey and beeswax distributed through local markets and direct sales. Beyond financial benefits, Jacob describes beekeeping as a profoundly grounding experience that connects practitioners to natural systems. “It demonstrates what small creatures can accomplish collectively,” he notes, referencing the hundreds of bees required to produce a single bottle of honey.

    The ecological significance extends far beyond honey production. Bees serve as crucial pollinators for key Dominican crops including cucumbers, peppers, watermelon, coconuts, and citrus fruits. Enhanced bee populations directly contribute to improved agricultural yields, strengthened food security, and increased climate resilience—aligning with national sustainable development objectives.

    Through his position on the board of the Dominica Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd., Jacob facilitates training programs and knowledge exchange among island beekeepers. The cooperative additionally connects members with regional opportunities, exposing young agriculturalists to Caribbean-wide best practices.

    “Market saturation isn’t a concern,” Jacob emphasizes. “There’s consistent demand for honey and its byproducts, and we urgently need more beekeepers.” His message to youth underscores agriculture’s dual role in personal income generation and national development: “You’re not only profiting individually but supporting farmers and building the country.”

    IOM recognizes these initiatives as demonstrating how youth engagement in sustainable agriculture advances broader developmental goals—creating dignified employment, enhancing food systems, protecting ecosystems, and fostering community resilience. Dominica’s investment in green livelihoods signals a future where economic advancement and environmental conservation progress synergistically, with young innovators leading this transformative change through modernized approaches to traditional practices.

  • New land lease gov’t initiative receives kudos from agriculture minister

    New land lease gov’t initiative receives kudos from agriculture minister

    The Government of Dominica has unveiled a groundbreaking agricultural initiative designed to transform the nation’s farming landscape and economic prospects. Minister of Agriculture Roland Royer announced the Cabinet-approved Agricultural Land Lease Facility, a strategic program specifically targeting young farmers and agro-entrepreneurs.

    During a recent press conference, Minister Royer emphasized the program’s significance as both an economic catalyst and food security measure. The initiative, approved on January 14, 2026, will make state-owned lands available at the symbolic rate of EC$1.00 per acre annually for an initial five-year term. Lease renewals will be contingent upon demonstrated agricultural activity.

    This policy directly addresses one of the most persistent barriers to agricultural development: land accessibility. Royer explained that the structured, transparent leasing agreements will enable a new generation of farmers to plan, invest, and scale production with unprecedented confidence. The program forms part of the government’s commitment in the 2025-2026 budget to allocate at least 300 acres of state-owned land across multiple regions specifically for agricultural development.

    The designated sites encompass strategically chosen locations throughout Dominica, including Newfoundland Estate, Londonderry Estate, Woodford Hill-Mango Gutter, Wesley-Joe Burton, Morne Prosper, Charlotte Valley, Savanne York, Williams Settlement, Wotten Waven, Blenheim Estate, Pointe Mulatre Estate-Fond Thomas, Hertford Estate-Warner, and Richmond Estate in Castle Bruce.

    Minister Royer projected that the initiative would stimulate private investment, accelerate adoption of advanced technologies, and promote climate-resilient production systems. The program represents a cornerstone of the government’s comprehensive strategy to expand agricultural output while working toward the ambitious national target of having the sector contribute $700 million to GDP by 2030.

  • Police Chief says CDPF working hard to intercept illegal firearms, reduce crime in country

    Police Chief says CDPF working hard to intercept illegal firearms, reduce crime in country

    Dominica’s law enforcement authorities have disclosed comprehensive results from their 2025 anti-crime operations, revealing the seizure of nearly 100 firearms alongside substantial quantities of narcotics and ammunition. Police Chief Lincoln Corbette presented these findings during a recent press conference convened by the Ministry of National Security and Legal Affairs, addressing mounting public concerns regarding firearm-related criminal activities across the island nation.

    According to Chief Corbette’s detailed breakdown, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) successfully confiscated 94 firearms throughout the year, effectively preventing these weapons from being utilized against citizens. The operations additionally yielded more than 1,300 rounds of ammunition spanning various calibers, significantly impairing criminal capabilities.

    In a major blow to narcotics trafficking, authorities intercepted and destroyed over 1,700 kilograms of cocaine while confiscating approximately 84,000 individual doses of illicit substances. The comprehensive cleanup campaign extended to urban infrastructure with the removal of 160 abandoned vehicles from public roads, enhancing both safety and aesthetics in community spaces.

    Proactive policing measures included the establishment of over 300 vehicular checkpoints and nearly 200 residential searches, resulting in the arrest of more than 50 individuals specifically connected to firearms offenses. Beyond urban security initiatives, the CDPF implemented specialized agricultural protection units dubbed ‘Farmers’ Patrol’ in western regions following consultations with Wesley farming communities where produce theft had emerged as a critical concern. Chief Corbette reported substantially reduced incident reports following these targeted interventions, demonstrating their effectiveness in addressing rural crime patterns.

  • WEATHER: (12:00 PM, Jan 22): Unstable weather expected to continue in the wake of trough system

    WEATHER: (12:00 PM, Jan 22): Unstable weather expected to continue in the wake of trough system

    Meteorological authorities are advising heightened vigilance across the region as a persistent trough system continues to deliver unstable weather patterns. Forecast models indicate the persistence of predominantly overcast conditions over the next 48-hour period, accompanied by widespread scattered showers. These precipitation events are projected to intermittently intensify to moderate and heavy levels, sustaining elevated soil saturation across vulnerable terrains.

    The sustained rainfall significantly elevates environmental risks, including enhanced potential for surface runoff, landslides, and destabilization of rocky outcrops leading to rockfalls. Residents and commuters in areas historically susceptible to such hazards are urged to maintain a state of alertness and implement necessary precautions.

    Concurrently, maritime conditions are deteriorating. A slight augmentation in swell activity is anticipated, with wave heights forecasted to approach 7 feet along western coastal margins and potentially exceed 10 feet along eastern shores and in open oceanic expanses. The compounding effect of increased wave periods is expected to amplify ground swells, presenting considerable challenges to marine navigation. In response, the standing Small Craft Advisory remains actively enforced. All maritime operators and recreational sea users are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain apprised of the evolving seascape.

  • FAO helps farmers assess investment opportunities and preparedness of protected agriculture farms in Antigua and Barbuda

    FAO helps farmers assess investment opportunities and preparedness of protected agriculture farms in Antigua and Barbuda

    A groundbreaking agricultural development mission has concluded in Antigua and Barbuda, marking a significant step toward modernizing the nation’s farming sector. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in collaboration with Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy, has successfully completed a comprehensive week-long program designed to transform local protected agriculture operations into financially viable investment opportunities.

    The initiative brought together 15 pioneering farmers alongside more than 20 government officials and private sector representatives. Under the guidance of FAO Agribusiness Finance Specialist Dr. Omardath Maharaj, the program focused on enhancing the economic sustainability of various farming systems including greenhouse, hydroponic, and shade house operations through targeted training sessions, thorough farm assessments, and extensive field interviews.

    This project represents a strategic expansion of previous agricultural development efforts in the region, building upon initiatives addressing water security, nature-based farming solutions, and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus sub-project under the Mexico-CARICOM-FAO Partnership established two years prior to promote climate resilience throughout the Caribbean.

    A cornerstone of the mission was the specialized workshop ‘From Data to Dollars: Building a Profitable & Resilient Farm Business,’ conducted on December 1, 2025, at the Agricultural Extension Division in St. John’s. The session attracted approximately 19 participants including extension officers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and protected agriculture farmers, providing them with essential skills to connect farm records and production costs with investment-ready business planning.

    Market analysis conducted during the mission revealed substantial demand from major buyers including supermarkets and hotels for high-value crops such as tomatoes, lettuce, and bell peppers. These findings were validated through comprehensive farm surveys and stakeholder consultations with key entities including the Antigua and Barbuda Agricultural Development Corporation and Epicurean Fine Foods & Pharmacy.

    Ms. Kathleen Forde of Seasonz Hydroponics Farm, one of the participating farmers, described the training as ‘timely and informative,’ expressing optimism that the acquired knowledge would significantly enhance both her farm operations and the nation’s overall agricultural productivity.

    Mr. Ika Fergus, Acting Chief Extension Officer and FAO National Correspondent, emphasized the mission’s alignment with ministerial objectives, noting that the developed business models provide farmers with clear financial justifications and planning tools necessary for commercialization and investment attraction, particularly in climate-resilient protected systems.

    The project’s next phase, scheduled for completion by February 2026, will involve detailed analysis of collected data to develop five customized business cases. These cases will directly support farmers in securing financing while assisting the Ministry in attracting investments toward building a more sustainable, resilient, and profitable agricultural sector focused on import substitution and improved national livelihoods.

  • OECS debuts digital dashboard to manage partnerships

    OECS debuts digital dashboard to manage partnerships

    In a significant advancement for regional governance, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission unveiled its groundbreaking Partnership Dashboard on January 8, 2026. This innovative digital platform represents a transformative approach to managing international collaborations across member states, developed through strategic cooperation with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

    The newly launched dashboard addresses critical governance challenges by centralizing previously fragmented partnership data into an accessible, transparent system. The platform enables real-time monitoring of initiatives, projects, and collaborative engagements, providing unprecedented visibility into the organization’s multilateral operations. This technological solution allows OECS leadership to instantly identify partnership networks, geographical distribution, and strategic objectives across the Eastern Caribbean region.

    OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules emphasized the platform’s fundamental purpose during the launch ceremony: “This initiative transcends mere digitalization—it represents our commitment to operational clarity in an increasingly complex international landscape. By consolidating dispersed information streams, we transition from theoretical cooperation to demonstrable, measurable impact throughout our member states.”

    The development process involved extensive consultation workshops and rigorous technical discussions to ensure the platform meets practical operational needs. Dr. Manuel Otero, outgoing IICA Director General, highlighted the dashboard’s adaptive design philosophy: “We engineered this system with scalability as a core principle, creating a dynamic tool that will evolve alongside the OECS’s expanding requirements. This partnership exemplifies how international cooperation can yield practical solutions for regional development.”

    The launch event also served as a recognition ceremony for Dr. Otero’s contributions to regional cooperation. Both organizations acknowledged the project’s significance in overcoming traditional barriers to collaboration. Senior officials including Ms. Beverly Best (IICA Director of External Relations) and Ms. Nadege Jn Baptiste (OECS Head of Development Cooperation) emphasized how the dashboard demonstrates strategic partnerships’ ability to transcend linguistic, geographical, and institutional divides.

    This innovation has already strengthened OECS’s internal capabilities while promoting bilingual engagement and knowledge-sharing protocols. The platform stands as a testament to how targeted technical cooperation can produce tangible improvements in governance transparency, accountability mechanisms, and ultimately, more effective development outcomes across the Eastern Caribbean region.

  • Knock off Round of Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition kicks off today

    Knock off Round of Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition kicks off today

    The 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition launched its preliminary round on Thursday, January 22nd, initiating the annual intellectual contest that showcases Dominica’s brightest secondary students. Organized by Trudy Christian, the event commenced at the Dominica State College Upper Campus with six institutions debating critical societal issues.

    The opening session featured Orion Academy, Isaiah Thomas Secondary School, Wesley High School, St. Mary’s Academy, Convent High School, and Arthur Waldron Seventh-Day Adventist Academy engaging with the motion: “Local communities should have veto power over projects that significantly affect their environment.” This environmentally-focused debate addressed community rights and environmental governance.

    Friday’s schedule will see Castle Bruce Secondary School, St. Martin Secondary School, and Portsmouth Secondary School debating the proposition: “The legal driving age in Dominica should be lowered to increase youth independence and national productivity.” This discussion will examine transportation policy, youth empowerment, and economic development considerations.

    Competition format mandates that only seven of the nine participating schools will advance to Round Two, where they will challenge defending champions Dominica Grammar School. The selection process prioritizes top-scoring institutions based on argumentation quality, research depth, and presentation skills.

    Event organizer Trudy Christian expressed enthusiasm for both live attendance and digital viewership, noting: “We encourage spectators to join us at the Dominica State College or watch via live stream on Dominica News Online and Emo News.” The afternoon sessions begin at 2:00 PM, offering multiple access points for public engagement.

    Christian extended particular appreciation to primary sponsor Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd., emphasizing that their sustained support “is vital in fostering youth involvement and promoting meaningful national dialogue.” This sponsorship enables the continuation of a tradition that develops critical thinking and public speaking skills among Dominican youth.

  • Rotary Club of Dominica hands over refurbished chicken coop to Grand Bay Primary’s 4H Club

    Rotary Club of Dominica hands over refurbished chicken coop to Grand Bay Primary’s 4H Club

    In a landmark initiative blending international cooperation with youth development, the Rotary Club of Dominica has officially transferred a fully renovated poultry housing facility to the 4-H Club at Grand Bay Primary School. The ceremonial handover occurred on January 16, 2026, representing a strategic investment in practical education and food security.

    Funded through a collaborative financial injection of EC $27,000 from the Rotary Club of Gateshead (England) and District 1030 (UK), the project transcends mere infrastructure. The revitalized coop arrives operational, stocked with an initial flock of 50 broilers and 50 layers, ensuring immediate project viability and hands-on learning opportunities.

    Dr. Jermaine Jewel Jean-Pierre, President of the Rotary Club of Dominica, articulated the project’s deeper purpose during the ceremony. He emphasized that the facility serves as a dynamic classroom for cultivating essential life competencies. “This chicken coop is more than a structure; it is an investment in the future of our children,” he stated. The initiative is designed to equip students with tangible skills in animal husbandry, entrepreneurship, teamwork, and livestock management, while simultaneously fostering an appreciation for agriculture’s role in sustainable development.

    The project’s design incorporates a self-sustaining economic model. Principal Evans James expressed profound gratitude to the international Rotary partners, highlighting the project’s dual impact on education and community nourishment. Revenue generated from selling eggs to local residents will be channeled directly back into funding the school’s feeding program and covering ongoing operational costs for the coop, such as feed and supplies.

    The event, attended by students, educators, and Rotary representatives, stood as a testament to the power of global partnerships in driving local community advancement. This poultry project is a component of the Rotary Club of Dominica’s broader commitment to executing impactful, sustainable projects across the island in collaboration with both local and international allies.