Dominica Budget 2025 Highlights: Tourism Booms with 9.9% Rise in Arrivals, Cruise Visits Up 83%

The 2025-2026 budget with Estimates of Expenditure totaling EC$1,213,494,398.00 is set to be addressed as the finance minister seeks the approval of the Dominican parliament.

Dominica: Today marks an exciting day for Dominica as Dr. Irving McIntyre, Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Climate Resilience, and Social Security, is slated to open the new parliamentary session by presenting the 2025-2026 budget for the country.

The budget with Estimates of Expenditure totaling EC$1,213,494,398.00 is set to be addressed as the minister seeks the approval of the parliament. 

The budget is set to be presented today from 10:00 a.m. via a live broadcasting from the Government Information Service (GIS) and the Dominica Broadcasting Service (DBS) with the  President of Dominica Sylvanie Burton said to be delivering a special address to the citizens of Dominica. 

Dominica Budget 2025 Live: Opportunities Knock Housing Program at 2% Interest Rate 

While quoting, “Opportunities knock Housing Program at 2% interest rate for police and public officers,” Minister Irving McIntyre made a significant announcement the government is introducing a special housing loan, targeting public and police officers. 

He said that in government’s continued effort to make home ownership more accessible and affordable, particularly for low-income owners, the government is introducing a special housing loan, targeting public officers.  

According to him, an initial sum of $10 million will be allocated to the government housing loan program to provide low-interest housing loans to public officers and police earning a basic annual salary of $45,000 or less.  

These loans will be offered at an interest rate of just 2%, significantly easing their burden of home ownership. A six-month grace period will also be applied, giving beneficiaries time to advance construction before repayment begins, he explained.  

Dominica Budget 2025 Live: 382 Homes Delivered in 2024-2025 

While shedding light on the Housing Recovery Project in Dominica, the Minister said that it had made a significant impact by delivering 382 homes and resolving land holding issues for 172 families. He said that in addition to improving living conditions, the project generated employment for hundreds and created meaningful opportunities for local contractors and businesses across the country. 

He further noted that works have started on modern homes under the future housing development programme as well. According to him, “There are presently two modern homes under construction at one of the site While a third one is to be constructed at cotton Hill in Portsmouth. One of the three homes are being completed, and applicants are being invited to select their designs.” 

He noted that young professionals and public officers can assess requisite financing and consent terms as government has already negotiated special interest rates with the national bank of Dominica, which is partnering with them on this programme. 

In addition, Minister McIntyre stated that the government sold 45 housing lots last year and, in the current fiscal year, they will make available for sale 177 lots, the majority of which will be sold to the public and police officers at concessionary rates. Furthermore, work is underway to regulate the rental property market, including revising rent control legislation to balance the interests of tenants and landlords and ensure affordable rental housing.

Dominica Budget 2025 Live: Govt Cuts VAT, Import Duties on Food and Essentials Starting Oct 1 

MOMENTS AGO in Parliament: The Minister of Finance announced major VAT and import duty cuts on dozens of essential food items. 

Starting October 1st, the government will be expanding the list of exempted items in the upcoming financial year for a period of six months. The Minister said that there will be exemption of VAT on fish, onions, garlic, split peas, red beans, black eyes peas, lentils, pigeon peas, cornmeal, oats, canned corn, beef, canned herring, canned sardines, canned tuna, cereals, wheat bran etc.  

The VAT will also be exempted on biscuits, orange juice, tomato, ketchup, toothpaste, laundry detergents, toilet paper, sanitary napkins and the government will also remove import duty on pigeon peas, luncheon meat, canned corn, beef, cereals, biscuits, orange juice, tomato ketchup, toothpaste, laundry detergent, almond milk and soy milk.

Dominica Budget 2025 Live: Govt to Boost Waste Management with New Trucks 

While addressing the challenges of waste management, the finance minister said, the government will reform the operations of the Dominica solid waste management operations so that it could better fulfil its mandate with greater efficiency and ensuring timely collection. 

To support this effort, the Minister said that the government is undertaking several initiatives during this fiscal year. Among these are the procurement of six new garbage trucks, two of which will arrive by August while remaining four are currently on road and are expected to arrive by October 2025.  

He further added, “We have begun work on decentralisation of the land from stock farm to relieve pressure on a single location and better serve communities.

In other areas, we will establish a dedicated dump side for vehicles while white goods entitle to address environment and safety concerns.” 

Furthermore, the Minister added that the Government will also purchase 4 additional tipper trucks to enhance the collection and disposal process. 

Dominica Budget 2025 Live: Cabrits Marina Construction on Track for Completion by 2026 

Talking about the major infrastructural project in Dominica ‘Cabrits Marina’, the Minister was pleased to report that the construction of the cabrits Marina is progressing on schedule. He said that the marina remains a key pillar in government’s strategic plan to position Dominica as a premier destination for marine tourism..

He reported that it is one of the projects which is currently underway, and it involves critical foundational infrastructure, including the marina basin and breakwater. According to the Minister, this phase is expected to be completed by June 26 and is being executed with proper inheritance with international engineering standards. 

Phase 2 of the marina development which will commence procurement activities in August 2025, followed by construction in January 2026, will deliver the core operational features of the marina, said that Minister. On the other hand, Phase 3 will address all remaining utilities and supporting infrastructure, ensuring that the marina is fully equipped to handle the needs of the visiting vessels. This final phase is expected to be completed by November 2026.  

Not only that, but the government of Dominica has also identified a reputable and experienced marina operator. Importantly, once operational, the Cabrits Marina will unlock far-reaching opportunities in the island nation's yachting and maritime tourism sector, generating direct and indirect jobs, stimulating surrounding businesses, and enhancing Dominica's presence on the global map.

Dominica Budget 2025 Live: 10MW Geothermal Plant on Track for December 2025 Commissioning 

With regards to Roseau Valley Geothermal Power Plant, Minister McIntyre noted that the construction of the 10 MW geothermal power plant is on schedule. “The turbines generators pipelines to the geothermal wells and cooling systems are on site and installation works are progressing.” 

He said that the testing of the various components of the power plant will commence in October of this year with commissioning planned for the end of December 2025. 

Furthermore, he said that public education efforts, ranging from community to school consultations and private sector engagement, are also building national awareness as the country plans geothermal expansion and commercial use for the transmission network to support the shift to 100% renewable energy efficiency.  

“We are operating our geothermal network at a cost of $116.1 million, starting with a resilient Hurricane Category 5-tested system connecting the Roseau Valley to Fond Cole,” he added. 

Dominica Budget 2025 Live: Airport Upgrades Boost Arrivals 

Minister McIntyre, in his budget address, further noted that upgrades to the Douglas Charles airport, including installation of runway lighting, extension and grooving have significantly enhanced the airport’s capacity and reliability coupled with direct negotiations with major carriers, these improvements have led to increase in arrivals into Dominica, especially from North American markets.  

In addition, he added that, Caribbean Airlines will come to Dominica from San Juan, beginning next month further strengthening our regional and international links. We continue to implement our aggressive road development strategies to secure airline commitments ahead of the commissioning of the international airport.  

Caribbean souvenirs

According to him, in addition to the direct flights from major carriers such as American airlines and United airlines, we are pursuing direct flights from Toronto, Atlanta and St Thomas.

While discussions with other regional and international airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Condor are going and promising these actions are not only increasing arrivals in short-term but also proactively positioning Dominica to benefit from increase airlift as soon as the new airport becomes operational, emphasised Minister Irving McIntyre.

Dominica Budget 2025 Live: Tourism Booms with 9.9% Rise in Arrivals, Cruise Visits Up 83% 

Shedding light on the whopping numbers achieved in the tourism sector, the Finance Minister of Dominica said that this sector is one of the main driving forces of the economy, contributing significantly to employment, foreign exchange earnings and community development.  

He noted that in fiscal year 2024-2025 visitor arrivals increased by 9.9% over the previous year and 66.4% over the pre-pandemic levels, stay over visitors exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 35.1% and cruise arrivals doubled with an 83% increase. 

Moreover, there was a 35% increase in visitor arrivals for Mas Domnik 2025 and 9% increase for the World Creole Music Festival. Hotel occupancy doubled during the 2024-2025 period, reflecting the growing appeal of Dominica’s festivals and events, added McIntyre.

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