Manufacturers predict Dominica will make significant gains in the new decade
THE DOMINICA Manufacturers Association (DMA) on Friday said that it is confident of the future “as we step into the decade of the 2020s”, predicting that the decade “will be one of increased development of Dominica’s products”.
In a New Year message, the DMA said it recognises the importance of the manufacturing sector to the sustainable growth of the economy and the linkages to agriculture, tourism, and the services industry.
“The wide variety of products imported into Dominica all originate from the manufacturing sector of foreign countries to whom we contribute to job creation and economic growth of other nations,” the DMA said, adding that since the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017, the island’s economy has experienced a significant reduction in exports, and the manufacturing sector has lost numerous as well as cottage industries that depend on coconuts and other agricultural products for their operations.
It said that the recently concluded second edition of the “Strictly Local Christmas Village” has triggered a glimmer of hope for producers of manufactured goods, art, craft, wellness, and other services, with the high quality of products and enthusiasm of the organisers.
“This is testimony to the fact that the Commonwealth of Dominica has an abundance of talent and resources to develop a sustainable manufacturing sector with products that meet international standards and are suitable for the export market.
“In this regard, the Dominica Manufacturers Association has decided to dedicate 2020 as the year “to step up production for sustainable employment and export” and encourages the relevant authorities to declare it as the year for “increased production in goods and services” at the national level.
It said that earlier this month, it had convened a youth symposium on manufacturing, and as part of the recommendations for a follow-up activity, on February 27 next year, it will convene another symposium, targeting visiting nationals who will be on the island for the carnival celebrations.
JOB CREATION POSSIBILITIES
“The symposium will focus on accelerating processes for manufacturers who are export-ready, facilitate the return to production of those that are challenged and to encourage new players to the sector because the Dominica Manufacturers Association is convinced that manufacturing is the path to sustainable development and prosperity of the Dominican economy.
“The possibilities for job creation in the manufacturing sector are unlimited if advantage is taken of the resources that are available for agricultural production, exploration of natural resources such as water, sand, and stones, tourism, wellness and agro-processing. Dominica is fertile ground for the development of a new cadre of professionals dedicated to the advancement of the manufacturing sector such as mechanical engineers, chemical engineers, food technicians, graphic artists, sales and marketing experts, furniture designers, quality-control technicians, and the list goes on,” the DMA added.
The DMA said it intends to play a proactive role in the advancement of the manufacturing sector throughout 2020 and will recommence operations of the “buy Dominica supercentre”, organise another “Make Something To Sell” aimed at the youth, and towards the end of the year, celebrate a “Buy Dominica Products Week”, where local products will be on display during the independence celebrations.