The United Progressive Party (UPP) is proposing a shift away from Dominica’s Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Programme, with plans to phase it out if elected to government gradually. Addressing supporters in Mahaut River over the weekend, party member and attorney Joshua Francis argued that the programme is not a sustainable solution for Dominica’s economy.
Introduced in 1993, the CBI Programme has become a key revenue source. It allows individuals to obtain Dominican citizenship through significant financial investments, attracting foreign capital and fueling infrastructure development and economic activity. The programme provides two options: a contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or a minimum US$200,000 investment in approved real estate. Applicants undergo a rigorous vetting process before securing citizenship.
Francis likened the nation’s reliance on CBI to the banana industry’s past dominance, warning against economic dependence on a single sector. He recalled how late Prime Minister Rosie Douglas had long advocated for diversification before the collapse of banana exports. According to him, after 25 years in power, the current administration has failed to establish alternative job-creation strategies beyond passport sales.
If elected, Francis said the UPP would prioritize building factories, fostering a more attractive environment for foreign investors, and strengthening the financial sector. He pointed to the need for more external companies operating in Dominica, increased hotel investments, and greater involvement in local production. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of environmentally friendly manufacturing facilities to promote sustainable growth.
Another key proposal from the UPP concerns reforming the scholarship system. Francis suggested reinstating scholarship bonding, which requires students who study abroad on government funding to return and contribute to the country’s development. He shared his experience as a government scholar, explaining that he was required to serve in Dominica for two years after completing law school.
He criticized the current system, stating that many students who receive scholarships do not return to the island, resulting in a significant brain drain. Under a UPP government, those who receive national scholarships would be required to return or reimburse the state for their education costs.
Francis reaffirmed that education would remain a top priority but stressed that it must come with accountability. The party’s proposed policies aim to create a self-sufficient economy by focusing on long-term investment and workforce development rather than relying on CBI revenues.
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