Roseau, Dominica: The Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, has strictly reacted to the applicants acquiring Citizenship at the lower price. He said that the citizenship which is given under the required prices, would be revoked.
During the press conference PM Skerrit shed light on the recent increase in the minimum thresholds for the applicants to qualify for the Citizenship of Dominica. The contribution that has been decided after the recent MOA signing between five OECS nations to promote credibility and transparency. Dominica issued its new Gazetted Regulations which states that the thresholds is $2,00,000.
Prime Minister Skerrit made it clear while interacting with the press that any individual who engages in acquiring the Dominica’s Citizenship needs to advise themselves of the legal prices in terms of SRO, which have been clearly mentioned on the government’s website.
PM Skerrit further noted that he has been continuously at every occasion and stage indicating people that if anybody presents the evidence that someone has acquired the citizenship at the less price than the legal fees, the citizenship will be immediately revoked.
Following this, he emphasized that all this can be ensured through the Due Diligence process where applicants are asked during the interview that how much they have paid for the citizenship. This is the mandated question for every Due Diligence firm to ask and anybody who acquires it at the lesser price, the citizenship will be instantly revoked.
He further emphasized on the problems that the Caribbean countries are facing while shifting funds from international banks to source for the Citizenship by investment programme.
PM Skerrit stated that there are few banks in the Caribbean community with no corresponding banking services and for the developing countries like Dominica. This issue is similar to climate change which is also spread all over the world, he noted.
Prime Minister Skerrit shared that if the country does not have correspondent banks, the region will not be able to trade at the global level and will be cut out. In result, the country will be not be able to trade if Euros, Pounds, US dollars are not available and this is every individual’s problem not just government’s.
He further added that it is important that everyone should talk on this matter that the countries are facing.
PM Skerrit also shared that 2024-2025 National Budget address will be presented on 26 July, 2024 in the Parliament of Dominica. The budget will be people-centric focusing on the development of the citizens and the country. It will be presented by Dr Irving McIntyre, Minister of Finance.
The Government of Dominica will also contribute EC$1 million to the Caribbean countries that were hit by then category 4 storm, Hurricane Beryl and are coping with its aftermath.
