The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Islands of Guadeloupe (CCIIG), leader of the OHADAC project, organised a webinar on business opportunities in Dominica on June 3, 2021. The webinar was run in partnership with the Invest Dominica Authority, the agency responsible for investing in Dominica, together with the Dominica Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Martinique Chamber of Commerce.

All the members of the CARICHAM network, the organising chambers of commerce and the Invest Dominica Authority met to present the resources available for developing business activities in Dominica to French, Dominican and Caribbean companies.

Formed in 2019, the CARICHAM network (https://www.caribbeanchambers.net) includes 21 Caribbean Chambers of Commerce. These institutions have chosen to cooperate in promoting economic growth and development in their territories and at regional level.

The topics addressed during the webinar were:

• Dominica's new investment strategy
• The main sectors presenting business opportunities and new projects
• The business environment in Dominica
• Why do business in Dominica?
• How to register a company in Dominica

The guest panel was made up of:

• Carole Théobald, head of the international division of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Islands of Guadeloupe (CCIIG)
• Marie-Noëlle Catayée, international service manager for the Martinique Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Hermina Augustine, head of investment promotion in Dominica at the Invest Dominica Authority
• Kendel Alexander, executive director of the Invest Dominica Authority
• Hervé Nizard, honorary French consul in Dominica
• Brenton Hilaire, agency manager, Sagicor Life

The webinar was an opportunity to meet the authority in charge of investment in Dominica: the Invest Dominica Authority.

The Invest Dominica Authority is a government agency responsible for promoting investment in Dominica. It aims to inform potential investors and entrepreneurs about opportunities for investing, producing and doing business on the island while taking part in the economic development of Dominica and the region.

Hermina Augustine wanted first to recall and salute the strong ties that unite the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica, as well as their respective Chambers of Commerce. She gave a presentation on the key advantages of the island of Dominica (zero deaths linked to Covid to date plus a very short quarantine period for people who have been vaccinated) and the mutual benefits to be derived from developing inter-island trade.

Brenton Hilaire spoke of the need to expand inter-island alliances and the potential of these projects. He also highlighted which sectors are currently enjoying a boom in Dominica: agri-food processing, e-commerce, digital marketing, tourism, etc.

Hervé Nizard stressed the mutual commercial interests that exist between the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica. He noted that there is a real appeal and appetite for binational projects and investments and developing potential markets. He pointed out, however, that there is a degree of “timidity” about converting these projects into reality.

Hermina Augustine and Kendel Alexander referred to the main reasons that make Dominica an attractive investment: it is mutually beneficial for the French islands and is a gateway and exit to Europe. In addition, inter-island trade will promote the export of various products and services while helping to develop the economy and create jobs in the relevant islands.

They discussed the new national strategy for investing in renewable energy, knowledge services and the transformation and distribution of raw materials.

They also gave a brief overview of the stages involved in setting up a company in Dominica.

The webinar concluded with a Q&A and discussions with the connected guests. Answers were provided about tax and customs issues in Dominica.

Further webinars have been announced in collaboration with the Invest Dominica Authority.