Opposition Leader Jesma Paul-Victor raised concerns about declining Citizenship by Investment (CBI) revenue, warning that the trend could have severe ramifications for national projects traditionally financed through the programme.
Paul-Victor said the CBI programme has made an extraordinary contribution to Dominica’s development, “helping finance schools, hospitals, housing, roads, water systems, climate resilience projects and other major infrastructure.”
However, she warned against becoming excessively dependent on the programme.
During her budget response, Paul-Victor cited CBI revenue of approximately $605 million for the previous year and said the government is budgeting approximately $514.9 million for the current year, representing a decline of about 15 per cent.
She further cited a projection of approximately $474.8 million for 2027-2028.
She said the downward trajectory could have serious implications for CBI-funded development programmes.
The Opposition Leader argued that CBI revenue “should increasingly be invested in productive capacity capable of generating sustainable private sector growth.”
She went on to state that history has demonstrated the danger of countries becoming excessively dependent on a single revenue source, “whether bananas, sugar, oil, tourism or citizenship investment.”
Paul-Victor said Dominica needs an economy supported by several pillars including “agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, financial services, digital industries, renewable energy, education, innovation and the creative economy.”
