Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has strongly criticised the United Workers Party‘s proposal to gradually phase out Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, arguing that the initiative has played a critical role in protecting the country’s economy and financing national development.
Speaking at a Dominica Labour Party public meeting in Roseau North, Skerrit responded to recent statements by United Workers Party leader Dr. Thomson Fontaine, who indicated that a UWP administration would move to phase out the programme because of increasing international scrutiny.
The Prime Minister described the proposal as misguided, maintaining that the Citizenship by Investment Programme has enabled Dominica to recover from major national challenges while avoiding heavier taxation on citizens.
“One of the vehicles used to shield Dominicans from draconian taxation and maintain the socioeconomic standards of our citizens is the Citizenship by Investment Programme,” Skerrit told supporters.
According to Skerrit, revenue generated through the programme has financed critical infrastructure projects, housing developments, healthcare improvements and post-disaster reconstruction, particularly following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
He argued that dismantling the programme without first establishing an alternative source of national revenue would place unnecessary pressure on the country’s finances and ultimately affect public services and economic growth.
“I was blown away by the recent press conference held by the UWP leader during which he stated that his administration would dismantle the CBI Programme,” Skerrit said. “When someone shows you and tells you who they are, you must believe them.“
The Prime Minister also contended that the programme has allowed successive governments to invest in social programmes while limiting the need for significant increases in taxation.
Using a weather analogy, Skerrit said proposing to end the programme at a time of economic uncertainty would be comparable to destroying a shelter just as a storm approaches.
“You hear that a storm is coming… and your answer is to take a sledgehammer to your strongest shelter,” he remarked, describing the programme as an important pillar of Dominica’s economic resilience.
The Citizenship by Investment Programme has remained a central issue in national political debate, with government officials defending its contribution to economic development while opposition parties have called for reforms and greater transparency. The differing positions are expected to remain a prominent issue as political parties continue campaigning ahead of future elections.
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