Photo: Courtesy of Prostock-studio 

Liftoff for a New Dynamic Dominica 

Coming up on its 51st anniversary, making it the longest-standing proposal in the Caribbean region, Dominica's international airport plan is now a reality (thecaribbeannewsnow.com).  

On June 9, 2021, the government of Dominica signed an agreement with the UAE-based firm Montreal Management Consultants Est. (MMCE) to officially break ground on the highly-anticipated international airport (thecaribbeannewsnow.com). With an estimated cost of one billion Eastern Caribbean dollars, the project will be funded entirely by Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program (prnewswire.com).   

According to MMCE Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Haiden, "the most sophisticated methods developed in the construction industry" will be used to build the "best airport in the region" (thecaribbeannewsnow.com).  

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit shared his excitement over the project at the contract signing ceremony. He said that the airport will observe a set of "resilient construction standards" and be equipped with air bridges (thecaribbeannewsnow.com). It will also be fully outfitted to receive international passengers and cargo (thecaribbeannewsnow.com).  

The international airport will see a five-year construction timeline in five phases, and by 2025, Dominica is expected to welcome inbound international flights from Europe and the United States (thecaribbeannewsnow.com).  

However, the new airport will do far more than just open up Dominica to international travel. Once the airport is complete, hundreds of Dominicans will be given permanent jobs (thecaribbeannewsnow.com). According to Skerrit, "It will open up opportunities for a range of providers of goods and services, from caterers to fuel providers, and from maintenance to spa services" (thecaribbeannewsnow.com).  

Additionally, the signing of the new project encourages other sectors, such as transport and tourism, to generate more jobs in their respective fields, creating a thriving economy in the 43-year-old Caribbean republic (thecaribbeannewsnow.com). 

As Skerrit puts it, the new airport will be "Dominica's door to the world, and the world's gateway to a dynamic Dominica" (thecaribbeannewsnow.com). 

Sources: 

prnewswire.com 

thecaribbeannewsnow.com