The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) predicts that Dominica will lead regional growth in the new year.
 The organization says Dominica's economy will expand by 9%
Attorney Anthony Astaphan says the 9% predicted for Dominica by the economic council is the highest in the region for next year.

​Attorney Anthony Astaphan

Minister for Climate Resilience & the Environment Joseph Isaac says his ministry is satisfied with the promotional activities and sensitization of the general public regarding the banning of all styro-foam and plastic materials in the new year.
He says months ago one on one discussion was held with private sector members by the Ministry of Environment together with the Ministry of Trade & Tourism.

Meanwhile Isaac says several consultations have been done with different groups in regards to a piece of legislation which will focus on the issue of keeping the environment clean in 2019.

​Minister for Climate Resilience & the Environment Joseph Isaac

Chief Welfare Officer Leroy Morvan says the welfare division can only work with the information that it has, and within the law.
He says he remains satisfied that the division has been doing its job as effectively as possible.

​Chief Welfare Officer Leroy Morvan

President of Dominica Charles Savarin has commended the Cuban Government for its medical cooperation program to provide Dominica's health sector with the services of several medical specialists in diverse fields.
These fields include oncology, radiology, internal medicine and optometry.

President of Dominica Charles Savarin
Meantime Cuba's New Ambassador to Dominica H.E Ulysses Arandz Fernandez says Cuba shares with Dominica a common interest in the Caribbean region and a membership in ALBA, which provides the opportunity for collaboration.

​Cuba's New Ambassador to Dominica H.E Ulysses Arandz Fernandez

The West Coast Cooperative Credit Union (WCCCUL) wants to see a boost in agriculture in the Salisbury community.
A tiller was presented to farmers in that community Friday.
President of the WCCCUL Eric Serrant says farmers have been frustrated following the last two severe weather events in Dominica.

Meanwhile he says the tiller is for use of all members who require it on a term that is easy and considerate of other users.

​President of the WCCCUL Eric Serrant 

​Catholic Priest Monsignor Eustace Thomas is still a part of the clergy and will not be defrocked according to a verdict by a congregation of the doctrine of faith in Rome.
Investigations were conducted into the matter of claims of sexual misconduct made against him by a female.
Bishop of Roseau His Lordship Gabriel Malzaire says the matter was dealt with according to the process allowed by the church.

​Bishop of Roseau His Lordship Gabriel Malzaire  

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says his government persevered in 2018, and managed the finances of the state including raising financing to sustain the economy, and rising expenditure of the government.
He says government also continues to reach out to many families, institutions and individuals.

​The PM says the government has tried to inject as much money as possible in the economy.

HIV AIDS has always been a serious concern amongst the Caribbean, especially amongst the youth.
many persons have been afraid of the stigmas attached to the title of being HIV positive, and as a result have been reluctant to get tested and knowing their status.
Naturally this causes a serious risk for persons sexually active. But its not all bad, as serious shift have been made for the year 2018 and many more persons are actively getting tested.
Interim coordinator for the national HIV AIDS Response program Lester Guy, says that there has a significant boost in the number of persons getting tested in 2018, and majority of whom are the youth, and he is very proud to say that this a great sign moving into 2019.
He says that there are certain measures taken by the association to help educate persons and as well as influence them to get tested.

Interim coordinator for the national HIV AIDS Response program Lester Guy

​Many persons have had Dr. Sam Christian in their prayers for many a month as he is holding on strong to optimism and faith for a healthy recovery.
Dr. Christian was a victim a freak accident a few months back, which saw him crushed from the waste down and fracturing his pelvic bone.
With the joint efforts of many friends’ relatives’ citizens political leaders of all sides, and the speedy movement of Dominica’s medical team, dr. Christian was able to be air lifted to Martinique where he currently is, bed ridden and stable.
Many persons were afraid that Dr. Christian would not be able to walk again as a result of the extent of the Damage.
Acting as his ‘Santa’ over the Christmas holidays was his cousin and church leader and executive pastor Avenel Christian, who visited Dr. Christian.
She says that he is in high spirits and optimistic about his recovery, and says that he is able to move his toes and a leg, indicating that there is very strong possibility of him being able to walk again.

​Cousin to Dr. Sam and church leader and executive pastor Avenel Christian

The Bahamas has implemented the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS) by publishing critical data through the National Summary Data Page (NSDP).
The page aims to serve as a one-stop publication vehicle for essential macroeconomic data on national accounts, government operations and debt, monetary and financial sector, and the balance of payments. These data will be disseminated in both human and machine-readable formats.
The e-GDDS was established by the IMF’s executive board in May 2015 to support improved data transparency, encourage statistical development, and help create synergies between data dissemination and surveillance.