Manufactures to meet tomorrow to discuss Government’s partnership and expansion proposals

​Local manufactures are to meet on Wednesday 21st December 2016 at the conference room of the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD), from 3:00 pm, to discuss government’s proposal for partnering, expanding and making that sector sustainable. That’s according to President of the Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA), Severin McKenzie, who says manufactures need to look beyond the government’s proposal, and discuss the critical issues related to the manufacturing sector.
 
At a meeting with Prime Minister Skerrit, and Planning, Economic development & Investment Minister, Dr John Colin McIntyre, at the State House conference room last Thursday, Manufacturers and Agro-processors were offered financial assistance from government, in a similar manner to that offered to the agriculture and tourism sectors, through the AID Bank.
 
McKenzie said, “although the offer from the government is related to making finance available to the manufacturing sector, we are of the view that the current status of the manufacturer sector needs more attention, not only with respect to financing, but also to other challenges that the manufacturing sector is facing”.
 
McKenzie noted that some of the challenge relate to the availability of raw materials, the status of some of the manufacturing companies, in terms of their ability to export, the quality of the product they present to the market, financing, issues of production and resources; as for example, the availability or non-availability of technical support, for maintenance of equipment and spare parts. He says the manufacturers decided to meet to discuss these issues, and to prepare a comprehensive proposal for government’s consideration.
 
McKenzie said one of the recommendations from government was to establish “a working committee” to help us “negotiate our way through what the government is actually offering. So we see this as a positive move as we close 2016, in that the sector may get some assistance or recognition, and we really welcome it”.
 
He added “The best way to approach this, is through an established organization, and DMA is the most suitable one at this time”. The meeting is open to all manufactures and not only members of the Dominica Manufacturers Association.