Minister for Public Works and Digital Economy, Senator Cassanni Laville, revealed during a public conference that a digitally transformed Dominica will drive economic growth. He made this statement to advance the government’s resolve to set up a digital economy that will make life easier for everyone on the island.
“It will reduce time and cost of doing business and will improve overall service delivery,” he stated. “The availability of digital financial services will ensure that every individual, business and government can carry out financial transactions digitally, including E-payments and transactions.”
Laville emphasized that Dominica’s economic sustainability is largely dependent on digital transformation and technological initiatives. He disclosed that the government has engaged several stakeholders including the World Bank, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), government ministries and private organizations to make the digital economy plan a success.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced that a digital economy is essential for a dynamic Dominica. He said his government is dedicated to creating a resilient nation and a resilient economy for a dynamic Dominica. He said the government has tasked the Minister of Finance to initiate a concessionary loan of EC$53 million (US$20 million) from the World Bank for the digital economy project.
“We have been in engagement with the World Bank over a period of time to seek their assistance in providing both technical and financial resources in order to help us fashion that plan of a digital economy,” Skerrit said. “We believe that this is of extreme importance to the country, because if we are successful in implementing this strategy there would be many attendant benefits to it.”
To ensure that youths benefit greatly from a digitally-driven Dominica, the prime minister said youths will be invited to contribute their talents, skills and competencies towards achieving the core vision of a dynamic Dominica driven by a digital economy.
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