Economist and former leader of the Dominica Freedom Party, Kent Vital, has called for a fundamental change in Dominica’s economic culture, urging greater emphasis on cooperative investment, local ownership, and shared responsibility for development.
Vital argued that Dominica’s economic progress has been slowed by an overreliance on government intervention, with insufficient private and community-driven investment. He said sustainable growth requires citizens to move away from expecting the state to solve every economic challenge and instead take a more active role in building enterprises and pooling resources.
According to Vital, cooperative investment offers a practical pathway for small economies, allowing individuals to combine capital, share risk, and retain profits within communities. He pointed to examples where collective ownership models have strengthened agriculture, credit unions, and small manufacturing, while reducing vulnerability to external shocks.
He also raised concerns about weaknesses in political and business culture, suggesting that mistrust, rivalry, and short-term thinking often prevent meaningful collaboration. Vital said these social barriers must be addressed if local investors are to work together successfully and create enterprises that can compete regionally.
The economist stressed that changing laws and policies alone will not deliver results without a parallel shift in mindset. He said education, transparency, and leadership are necessary to encourage cooperation and rebuild confidence among potential investors.
Vital maintained that a stronger culture of cooperative investment could help Dominica generate employment, expand local ownership, and reduce dependence on external financing, while giving citizens a greater stake in the country’s economic direction.
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