The Government of Dominica has secured a 2.1 million dollar loan from the Caricom Development Fund for developments in the Agricultural sector.
Minister for Trade Hon. Dr. John Colin McIntyre spoke about the allocation of the loan funds.
He says, “$500,000 of this loan will go towards production support in Agriculture in terms of producing the necessary crops for export. We also have another $500,000 which will go towards the marketing support and of course we have about another 1.1 million dollars which will go toward staffing for a period of two years. First of all we’d like to employ someone in the field of Operations Manager to manage both pack houses in Roseau and Portsmouth. We will also look at a Market Support Manager, Quality Supply Chain Manager among others.”
The Trade Minister also stated that Government received a grant from the Caricom Development Fund to the tune of 1.3 million dollars which will be used for operational purposes of the pack houses, purchasing of equipment and some remedial works which will be carried out in the Portsmouth pack house.
He says, “We would like to start the recruitment stage right now in terms of advertising the necessary jobs, qualifications and requirements needed, so we can at least be ready for mid January when we will actually start the operations of these pack houses and when we receive the funds.”