http://www.dexia.dm/news en-us http://www.dexia.dm/news N/A mmarie@tbgdominica.com Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:42:29 MST 20 http://www.dexia.dm/news/blogs/45/Consumers-to-pay-Higher-Prices-for-Brown-Sugar.html DEXIA announced in July that with immediate effect, consumers would have to pay slightly higher prices for Brown Sugar. The new wholesale price is set at EC$92.00 per 110lb bag, an increase of EC$4.00 per 110 lb bag. Consequently, the new recommended retail prices are EC$1.00 in area 1, EC$1.04 in area 2, EC$1.08 in area 3 and EC$1.12 in area 4. Norman Dorival, Manager of DEXIA’s commercial operations says the increases became necessary since the Agency was now “paying higher prices for the commodity on the world market.” DEXIA contracted Brown Sugar at US$492.50 per metric tone during the first half of 2009, but the price had jumped to US$529.50 by July, an US$37.00 increase. Notwithstanding the small increases, the Agency’s speculative buying has resulted in considerable savings to the consumer. “If we did not contract in February/March” says Dorival, “we would easily be buying Brown Sugar at US$600.00 and White Sugar at US$700.00 per metric tone.” In fact, casual comparisons show that sugar prices in Dominica are “better than and or at least on par with that which obtains in the sub region. Furthermore, local prices are not expected to increase during the rest of the year since the Agency has contracted Brown and White Sugar up till December. As a result of poor weather conditions in the top producing countries of Brazil and India and speculative fund buying, sugar prices are expected to remain higher throughout 2010. Wholesale and retail prices for rice, DEXIA’s other product, aren’t likely to increase over the next six months either. David Vital Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 MST http://www.dexia.dm/news/blogs/44/Dominica-to-Participate-in-2010-Expo-Shanghai-China.html Plans for Dominica’s participation in World Expo 2010-Shanghai are moving full steam ahead. Expected to attract over 160 countries and more than seventy million visitors (95% are from Chinese mainland), the Expo which is organized under the theme ‘Better City, Better Life’ will be staged in Shanghai from May to October 2010. Dominica has already signaled its commitment to participate and has been mobilizing the support and contribution from key public and private sector organizations and companies. The Dominica Export Import Agency, Invest Dominica Authority, Discover Dominica Authority, the Dominica Water & Sewage Company are among those slated to participate. A few cultural icons and entertainers will also feature as part of the presentation. Organizers of the Expo have awarded a grant of US$650,000 to Dominica (as well as each member of CARICOM) to facilitate its participation. The monies will go towards booth construction, logistical support and travel and accommodation. As is the case with the rest of the English speaking Caribbean, Dominica’s booth, themed ‘Urban Rural Interactions,’ will be showcased within the CARICOM Pavilion. It is, among other things, designed around the two overarching features of the city; the Roseau River and the Botanic Garden. China has invested heavily in Dominica’s infrastructural development. Three landmark projects include the new Dominica Grammar School, the Windsor Park Sports Stadium and the soon-to-be constructed West coast road. However, while Dominica is hoping to attract additional public resources and investments, a major goal for participating in Shanghai Expo 2010 will be to attract substantial private investments into key growth sectors. These include among other things, geothermal and clean energy sources, water, eco-tourism, hotel development, agriculture and cultural products. Gregoire Thomas, General Manager of DEXIA has been appointed as Dominica’s National Coordinator for Expo 2010, Shanghai.Concept design by Marlon P. Marie - IT Specialist - The Business Gateway (DEXIA) David Vital Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 MST http://www.dexia.dm/news/blogs/46/DEXIA--Business-Gateway-Host-workshop-on-ISO.html Staff at DEXIA as well as a few of its client companies are now better informed and more proficient in the understanding and application of the quality management system following a two-day ISO workshop held in September. Quality Engineer, Orett Campbell of the Caribbean Institute for Quality Ltd (CIQ) of Trinidad, conducted two days of training in ISO 9001:2000 for staff and client companies of DEXIA and the Business Gateway. The opportunity was also used to provide participants with an introduction to the ISO 9001:2008 standards. Sessions focused an overview of the ISO 9001-2000 standard, transition from ISO 9001:2000 to the 9001:2008 version, the use and management of corrective and preventative actions, handling of customer complaints, identifying and correcting non-conformities and the creation and maintenance of a quality culture. Campbell also conducted targeted sessions with DEXIA’s Internal Auditors on how to conduct internal audits. Sessions focused on the preparation for the audit, analysis of data, report compilation, follow-up actions and corrective and preventative actions. On day two of the workshops, members of the DEXIA Management Quality Review Team were refreshed on their roles and responsibilities and that of the Management Representative and the Assistant Management Representative. DEXIA’s Management Representative Sharon Dennis Rolle describe the workshop as a timely and long overdue intervention” She said she now expects DEXIA’s staff “to be more aware and proficient of their role in the maintenance of the Agency’s Quality Management System. DEXIA and Harris Paints Dominica Ltd are the only organizations in Dominica that are ISO certified. Funding for the Workshop was provided by DEXIA’s EU-funded Business Gateway.DEXIA, Business Gateway and Clients Participate in ISO Training WorkshopsSharon Rolle QMS Rep hands over gift to Orett Campbell Quality Engineer following end of workshop Sharon Rolle Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST http://www.dexia.dm/news/blogs/36/Protecting-Carib-Craft.html I visited the Carib Territory sometime ago for a photo shoot.While there, I took the opportunity to shop around for a few craft pieces.And God must have been smiling upon me because I also got the opportunity to have a descent conversation with a former Carib Chief – Fustulus Frederick.We spoke at length about the patrimony and wonderful heritage of the indigenous peoples of the island. Craft shops and stalls lined the streets of the Territory all the way from Bataka to the Kalinago Barana Aute (Carib Model Village by the Sea) at Sineku.It was at the Carib Model village that I ran into the Chief, himself a master artists and craftsman.There were lots of tourists and locals visiting that day.All seemed to have been in the hunt for a piece of the Kalinago's living history; a chit chat with a Kalinago, collection ofa few craft pieces or a brief stopover at the model village.I was truly amazed at the depth and breadth of the creativity, rich culture, wellspring of local knowledge, industry and deep spirituality of the Kalinago people. My stopover at the craft shops and stalls however yielded one major disappointment; the ubiquitous presence of synthetic and cheap Chinese and Indian craft.Worse still was the fact that a few vendors attempted to pass these cheap 'knockoffs' as genuine Carib craft.These vendors were not 'outsiders' but full blooded Caribs, some of whom were artisans.Imagine how my friend –the Carib Chief must have felt.When I broached the subject he immediately and unapologetically lamented and denounced the practice. "I see a lot of Chinese arts and craft being sold by our people in the Territory and it hurts me" the teary eyed Fustulus bemoaned."This is where we are going to loose a lot of our weavers and techniques if steps are not taken to address the situation" he added. But what exactly are the steps that must be taken to avert this impending doom?We live in a free society extolling the virtues of the free market system and so we can't advocate the imposition of a ban on vendors who refuse to tow the line.If one can make a living from selling cheap Chinese imports, why not?I'm convinced that Chinese or Indian craft is no threat to the superior Kalinago products.When a tourist goes through the trouble of visiting Dominica or the Carib Territory, it's certainly not in search of an Oriental experience.Otherwise he or she would have gone to Shanghai or Tibet.Indeed visitors to the Carib Territory are looking for something unique, something distinctively and genuinely Carib. Only the Carib people (all of us included actually) can destroy their handicraft industry and sabotage any real chances of their climb out of their economic morass and centuries of chronic underdevelopment.Scratching out the 'made in China' labels from Chinese craft and replacing them with 'made in the Carib Territory' is counterproductive and tantamount to economic treason.Handing the tourist a cheap Indian basket when he or she asks for a Carib basket is not only dishonest, it's a sell out of our great ancestors who fought so valiantly to defend and preserve their way of life.These practices should not be tolerated at all particularly in the Carib Territory. A massive reeducation drive is one way to check or at least slow this disturbing trend.Every indigenous person must be made to understand and appreciate the social, political, economic and spiritual value of their heritage.They must understand that their future is inextricably tied to their past, their abundant resources - their collective experiences and traditions as a people.In their bid to 'survive' they must be trained in business models that respect their traditions and promote sustainable livelihoods.The Ministry of Carib Affairs in conjunction with the Carib Council must lead the way in showing the Kalinago people how they can leverage their history, culture, traditions, craft and way o f life to their great advantage.Such an effort will obviously require all hands on deck; civic minded community groups like Karifuna and the Waitukubuli Arts & Craft Association, the schools, churches and much more. Then there must be a genuine attempt at creating some breathing space -an 'economic zone' for Carib Craft (to shield it from unfair competition).This is what the Kalinago Barana Aute is attempting to do.For years, this is what my friend, Chief Fustulus has been advocating.Any craft item sold at the Carib Model Village bears the inscription / label 'Genuine Carib Craft'.Of course the management of the village verifies and can substantiate the claim that the item is a genuine Carib article.Once the tourist or visitor sees this 'approval stamp' then he knows he is buying an authentic piece of the Kalinago's history. Maybe that programme can be expanded to cover craft items sold in the Carib Territory or anywhere in Dominica for that matter.We ought to make it difficult and unsafe for anyone to label anything Carib Craft and profit illegally from the cultural patrimony and creativity of the Carib people. At DEXIA we've been seeking to jump-start some discussions and action in that direction.The time for establishing a geographic indicator for Carib Craft is long overdue. Is anybody listening? David Vital Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.dexia.dm/news/blogs/35/Prices-Not-Falling-Fast-Enough.html Dominicans can now brief a sigh of relief.Six months after the passage of Hurricane Dean and near total ruin of agriculture, the sector (and particularly the non-banana sector) is beginning to bounce back.Life is slowly returning to the farms and marketplaces.Food shortages (except in the case of a few exotics), once feared could lead to widespread starvation and massive inflation are disappearing. So acute was the problem, food prices immediately skyrocketed.And as expected, the high prices persisted throughout the post Dean period.At EC$20.00 a bunch of green bananas and EC$0.75 per ripe finger, 'fig' truly became 'green gold.' Fresh food exporters also suffered terribly.DEXIA could not capitalize on the demand for container-loads of dasheen from its US buyers.Farmers demanded as much as EC$2.00 per lb for the crop while the US market offered EC$0.60.Others fared no better, unable either to secure supplies or outbid consumers scrambling for rapidly thinning supplies. Government's swift and decisive action however may have averted a major food crisis.Though heavily criticized, its massive cash injections, inputs, and income support to the farmers and vendors is now paying big dividends.Equally important as well to the recovery is the resilience of our farmers.They were willing, with or without government's assistance, to rehabilitate their farms and rebuild their lives.Back then we were willing to pay an arm and a leg for the not-so-presentable limited supplies. It was a pleasure then when I visited the New Roseau Market a few Saturdays ago to witness the recovery firsthand.However it has not been a wholesale return to business as usual.Food is back but prices are no where close to their pre-Dean levels.Green bananas still sell at EC$17.00 a bunch, common oranges three for EC$2.00 and carrots EC$6.00 a pound.While Dominicans wait on farmers to drop their prices, they are showing no such inclination.In fact, if anything, the farmers say they have a case for increasing prices further; cost of living has increased and farm input prices have risen sharply. However and notwithstanding recent surges in the cost of living, food prizes are still way too high.Not too long ago, the former Trade Minister, the Hon. Charles Savarin chided farmers for their failure to readjust food prices.He insisted that in light of the massive government subsidies doled out to farmers, the present high prices cannot be reasonably justified.EC$20 million dollars invested in agriculture is quite a hefty sum.One would think that kind of support would more than adequately compensate for any increases in production cost. Even if we conceded a legitimate cost increase, farmers still could not justify these price hikes.As a part-time farmer, I know the biggest cost component of any farm operation is labour.That cost has not budged in years.Nor has the movement in other farm inputs posted triple digit increases.However food prices have posted between 100 % to 500% increases. Farmers of course are business savvy.They understand perfectly the laws of supply and demand.We dare not fault them for taking advantage of our free market economy.After all, we've drilled them for years to adopt a more business like approach to farming.They've finally caught on. Some are suggesting that these high prices are not going to go away and so consumers had better get used to it.I disagree.Back to the free market thing; prices will come down as this recovery gathers momentum and comes full circle.For now prices are not falling fast enough.Let's just hope that it does not take another thirty years for prices to return to their pre-Dean levels. David Vital Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.dexia.dm/news/blogs/34/DEXIA-Awarded-EU-Grant-Contract-1-million-euros.html The Dominica Export Import Agency has been awarded an EU Grant of one (1) million euros to enhance the competitiveness of private sector entities in Dominica through an innovative programme of business support services. This private sector development programme which will be administered through a Business Gateway mechanism will be managed by DEXIA in collaboration with WHITCO Development Institute, the Dominica Bureau of Standards and the Dominica Hucksters Association as partners. The EU Grant is being financed under the Special Framework of Assistance (SFA) 2004 and will be for a duration of 36 months. The main objective of the programme is to enhance the competitiveness of the private sector operators in the agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors to respond to market opportunities locally, regionally and internationally. The Business Gateway will provide support to meet this objective by screening prospective participants based on diagnostic audits and needs assessments of the business environment in Dominica. This programme will assist new business start-ups as well as existing Micro, Small and Medium sized (MSMEs) enterprises and will provide improved access to start-up enterprises, business planning, information on trade opportunities and other expert support. Priority areas for assistance include: product development and management, productivity enhancement, business mentoring, market access and other related issues to enhance competitiveness, penetrate markets and increased revenues. The Business Gateway will also provide targeted training to consultants and business support organizations in order to upgrade the pool of local business and facilitators. There will be three main components of the programme: ·Productivity and Competitiveness Enhancement Programme Market Access Programme Training of Service Providers and Entrepreneurs The Business Gateway is housed at DEXIA’s offices and the programme is expected to promote employment , income generation and increased export earnings. “The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of DEXIA and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.” David Vital Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.dexia.dm/news/blogs/33/Meeting-In-The-Dominican-Republic-With-European-Firms.html The PROINVEST Sector Partnership meeting for Furniture and Accessories will offer great opportunities for manufacturers of handcrafted products, particularly those in the accessories and decorative items category. The meeting to be held from March 10-12 at the Hotel Dominican Fiesta, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will bring together firms from Italy, France, Greece and Spain to establish joint ventures, outsourcing, sourcing and other business opportunities with Caribbean firms. "The firms from the (European Union) EU will range from buyers of regional souvenirs items - to differentiate themselves from the Asian products already in the market, to companies wishing to manufacture products and construct hotels in the region and companies wishing to source regional products", indicated Alan Ramirez, Deputy Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export). The meeting is sponsored by the European Commission through the PROINVEST Programme. The partners from the Caribbean are Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), Guyana Office for Investment (GOINVEST), Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA), Confederacion Dominicana de la Pequena y Mediana Empresa Inc (CODOPYME). The European partners are, Italian Giftware Association, Chamber of Kavala, Greece, Interco Aquitaine, France, and La Union de Exportadores de Muebles y Afines del Centro de Espana, Spain. Mr. Ramirez also indicated that this important PROINVEST meeting forms part of Caribbean Export's support to the gift and craft sector. This year, the Agency is also coordinating the Caribbean Gift and Craft Show which will be held in Barbados from October 2 -5, the Canadian Trade Readiness Capacity Building Project in collaboration with Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada and the launching of craft catalogue in coordination with the Caribbean Hotel Association. "Companies from the Caribbean can start identifying benefits of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) by initiating special arrangement that could facilitate business and investment with Europe. The EU is an integrated market of 27 countries. The interest of these European companies in our region is a demonstration of the potential of this market and the recognition of the quality of the region. When a buyer from Greece thinks of our countries as a good source of raw material and finished products, our companies need to participate and benefit from these opportunities", concluded Mr. Ramirez. Handcraft firms in the region interested in this unique opportunity should contact Romily Thevenin at romily@codetel.net.do or Sam Kruiner at skruiner@carib-export.com. Participation is free of charge for the companies. For more information, visit www.carib-export.com and click (click to continue) on the EU Partnership meeting article. Cora Lowe Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 MST http://www.dexia.dm/news/blogs/32/CRSTDP-Consultant-Visit.html The Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development Programme (CRSTDP) in collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is in the process of preparing an on-line handicraft catalogue and DVD. This catalogue will be used to market and promote handicraft products to wholesalers, retailers, and consumers in the tourist and hospitality industry. Some of the categories to be included in this Catalogue are Aromatherapy & Herbal Products, Basketry, Ceramics/Pottery, Wood Craft, Specialty Foods, Jewelry, Leather Craft, Batik, Tie & Dye and Dolls. The Catalogue is also intended to increase market awareness of handicraft producers and their production. The Catalogue will be distributed on websites like the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), the Hotel Association Executives and Caribbean Export. It will also be distributed to mail order companies and by direct mail to companies listed in Caribbean Export’s database of Trade Buyers, wholesalers and retailers, department stores, souvenir shops and hotel gift shops. A Consultant will visit Dominica August 22 – 24, 2008 to select products for inclusion in the Catalogue. David Vital Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:00:00 MST http://www.dexia.dm/news/blogs/31/A-Dominican-Perspective-on-Moko-Disease.html I've been thinking and this time I've been thinking loudly. It seems that the continent of Africa (unfortunately) gets labeled as the origin of a lot of the pestilences and destructive pests that harm both our crops and even our bodies. Even the names that are given to some of these diseases and pests such as Giant African Snail, Moko Disease, Black Sigatoka among others seem to brand the beloved African continent as some kind of breeding ground for these unwanted creatures and bacteria. But you know when I hear the word Moko Disease in particular it straight away spells death and destruction in my mind. And that is why here in this region particularly in our Nature Isle Dominica, we have to keep those kinds of evil imps away from our shores. Don't panic Moko has not been reported in Dominica but I have been hearing that it is close and trying desperately to introduce itself from our neighbors backyard. But worse than that is the easy ways it can come in to our country. It is certainly not the African continent this time to be blamed but our own people and their habits of indiscretion. People wanting to bring in all kinds of plant parts and you know the story. Some folks are going as far as hiding plants and plant parts in their suitcases to avoid the customs officers. Then there are those who try to make millions on rare species by stealing from one country to sell to their friends in another. I never knew this was such big business until I read what goes on in some of the eastern countries. Anyway the message is clear and simple “let us keep Mr Moko out of Dominica at all costs” otherwise is sheer devastation to our agricultural sector. Lloyd Pascal Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:00:00 MST http://www.dexia.dm/news/blogs/29/Excited-or-disappointed.html These are  the sentiments that were captured at the cocoa meetings which took place in November  and December 2006. Some farmers destroyed the cocoa trees and others have plots that they have abandoned. During the month of  November I conducted sensitisation meetings with cocoa farmers around the island.For some, the news about the market was a relief  and for others the news was accepted with some pertinent questions. Generally , the farmers are interested in working with  DEXIA in order to perform its role which is that of marketing produce. Price which is always an issue brought up much discussions at all the meetings.The rehabilitation drive with the farmers will definintely bring some relief to those who were feeling insecure and for those who felt that the future was grey . I brought encouraging news to them which gave them an indication that DEXIA would seek alternative markets to ensure that there is an outlet for the dry cocoa beans produced, and the Division of Agricultutre will work feverishly to ensure that agronomic practices are followed by those interested in the programme.I hope that all the fears of the farmers will be gone towards the end of  2007 after the first shipment of beans leave Dominica. Theodora Anthony Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:00:00 MST