Dominican Government’s strategy for fully integrating overseas-based nationals
October 24, 2009 by DianeCorriette
Filed under Dominican Diaspora
The Dominican Government is due to run it’s annual meeting with overseas based nationals at the State House in Roseau on Monday 2nd November 2009 and a major part of this discussion will focus on the draft paper that has been circulating called “Draft Diaspora Policy paper”
The Government has recognised the contribution to the economy made by members of the Diaspora and although no officially recorded records exist they have estimated that “remittances from overseas based nationals are estimated at EC$80-$90 million a year or about 12% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).” It is now looking at a strategy for fully integrating overseas-based nationals in Dominica’s socio-economic development.
Worldwide understanding of the role the Diaspora can play in their home country’s economic development has been going on for years, back in 2003 India hosted a Diaspora day and last year Africa held one too. The Dominican Government is now seeking to institutionalise their relationship with the Diaspora so as to give overseas based nationals a greater stake in the development of Dominica.
The Government is comitted to
“Leveraging all the human, natural and financial resources available to the country, in order to realize the vision for Dominica as a place characterized by economic success, and by the much-enhanced quality of life of its people, through their own empowerment, and through policies of Government geared to facilitating an environment within which private enterprise can flourish” (GSPS Rev. 2008)
At the time of writing this post I haven’t been able to find a deadline for submissions to this draft paper but as it is being discussed on the 2nd November then putting together a submission will need to take place before end October.
Dr John Collin McIntyre, Minster for Trade, Industry, Consumer and Diaspora Affairs asked that this draft policy be discussed by “Dominican overseas organizations” and that all comments be submitted by select representatives visiting during this period. Well as I have no idea which Dominican organisations are actually discussing this it is a little difficult to know who to send my opinions too! But if you know of one then it is worth voicing your opinion.
What is the purpose of the draft policy?
To develop a transparent policy that will incorporate non-resident Dominicans into the development agenda by defining the obligations privileges, and rights of the Dominican Diaspora including:
- Those of us who are of Dominican origin will be eligible to be citizens of Dominica (children and grand children)
- Re-settlement provisions made for returnees (there is a Returning Residents Information Manual available since July 2007)
- Eligibility to vote as long as the Diaspora member has been residing in Dominica for XXX months (the draft policy didn’t state how many months)
- A policy of non-discrimination between domestic, foreign and Diaspora investors and incentives to encourage investment by the Diaspora
- Database of skilled and qualified non-resident Dominicans developed by the Government in partnership with Diaspora organisations
- An exchange of information flowing between the Dominican Government and the Diaspora
- The institutionalisation of a system that promotes trade – enlisting the services of the Dominican Diaspora to identify niche markets
- Initiatives that encourage cultural exchanges/export of cultural products and the promotion of Dominica’s musicians, dancers and other performing artistes
- Recognition for outstanding service and contributions to the social and economic well-being of Dominicans in the Diaspora and at home
To get a copy of the draft policy
You can read a letter from the Minister of Trade, Industry, Consumer and Diaspora Affairs and download a copy of the draft policy here http://www.gis.dominica.gov.dm/addresses/lfmoticda.php
Comments and suggestions on the Draft Diaspora Policy paper should be submitted electronically to the Ministry of Trade at
foreigntrade[@] cwdom.dm or mailed to: The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry,Consumer and Diaspora Affairs, Financial Centre, 4th Floor, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica.
For more information contact:
Sean Douglas
Press Secretary
Office of the Prime Minister
Email: seansworth [@]yahoo.com
With thanks to Raglan Riviere from DAAS for forwarding this information
NOTE : Do you know of any organisation discussing this right now? Please let us know so that people have an idea about where to go to send their views
This is positive news, as we approach our 31st Independence. However, why has it taken so long for the government to wake up from their slumber. As this is still at draft stage, I await to see what eventually becomes policy, because we in the Diaspora have been crying out in the ‘wilderness’ for too long, while we continue to support our country. They might even have read ‘Home Again’ commissioned by (Dominica UK Association) DUKA.
Dominica Belongs To Dominicans Everywhere
The purpose of this paper is to present the case that no individual, authority or government elected by Dominicans, have the power to deny the birth-right of citizenship to any Dominican where ever they reside, at home or abroad. This may seem evident, so why state the obvious? Because it is time to discredit and put to rest the malicious assertion by some Dominicans at home that Dominicans living overseas are not true Dominicans. However one defines true, this perception has deepened an existing chasm between Dominicans at home and overseas. (Read Full Paper)