Opposition Leader Jesma Paul-Victor says the Government of Dominica cannot create a truly dynamic economy on its own, arguing that sustainable growth depends on a strong partnership between the public and private sectors.
Paul-Victor made the remarks during her response to the 2026/2027 National Budget in Parliament on Thursday, where she said government has an important role to play but cannot be the sole driver of economic transformation.
“Governments can construct ports. Governments can invest in hospitals and schools. But governments alone cannot create a dynamic economy,” she said.
According to Paul-Victor, lasting prosperity requires the active participation of private investors, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, farmers, technology companies, and young professionals willing to create and expand businesses.
She said the responsibility of government is to build the right conditions for these sectors to thrive.
“Stable policies, efficient institutions, reliable infrastructure, affordable energy, predictable regulation, access to finance. These are the conditions that attract investment and [create] opportunity,” she stated.
The Opposition Leader also highlighted the rapid changes taking place in the global economy, noting the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital commerce, renewable energy, and climate adaptation on future economic opportunities.
She said Dominica must prepare not only for the challenges of today but also for the demands of tomorrow’s economy.
“We should become a regional leader in renewable energy, climate resilience, digital government, remote professional services, sustainable tourism, high-value agriculture, creative industries,” Paul-Victor asserted.
She emphasized that current investments must be designed with young people in mind, ensuring they have the skills and opportunities needed to compete in an evolving global marketplace.
Paul-Victor also argued that economic success should not be measured only by traditional indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Success must also be measured by the number of young people who choose to remain in Dominica because meaningful opportunities exist. The number of small businesses that expand. The number of farmers whose incomes increase. The number of families who become homeowners. The number of graduates who find rewarding employment,” she said.
She said these outcomes represent the measures that matter most when assessing whether an economy is truly improving the lives of citizens.
