Commonwealth of Dominica
Dubbed the “The Nature Isle of the Caribbean”, Dominica is an idyllic island characterised by its dense rainforests and magnificent volcanic mountains. You will also find waterfalls, hot springs and a wide range of exotic animals there, making it a true paradise on Earth.
Not only does Dominica attract hundreds of thousands of tourists a year, but, unsurprisingly, many want to live on the island permanently. Fortunately for them, the country’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme allows them to do just this, as well as work and set up a business in Dominica. Among the world’s longest-running CBI programmes, after being established in 1993, it also enables individuals to receive a Dominican passport in a separate process.
To gain all of these benefits, applicants can choose between two investment options (either the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) or real estate option) and make the required investment. Investment starts with a minimum contribution of US$200,000 to the EDF for a single applicant. If you’d like to learn more about the Programme or make an inquiry, please don’t hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience.
Dominica’s history
Dominica was one of the last Caribbean islands to be formed by volcanic activity 26 million or so years ago. It wasn’t inhabited until the Arawak people migrated there from South America in around 400 AD. The Arawaks were eventually driven out by Island Carib people (the Kalinago), who were Dominica’s last pre-colonial indigenous inhabitants.
Although the French and English agreed that Dominica should be left as neutral territory in 1660, the French took control of the island in 1727, before Britain conquered it 34 years later during the Seven Years’ War in Europe. Dominica was officially ceded to Britain in 1763, which, despite attempts by France to re-conquer it, retained control over the island until 3 November 1978. This date marks Dominican Independence Day and is celebrated every year with a public holiday and various festivities featuring music, dance, food and dressing up in national costumes, such as the Wob Dwiyet. Both France and Britain imported enslaved people from Africa during their respective periods in possession of the island, meaning most Dominicans are of African descent.
Dominica’s location
Dominica is situated between Martinique and Guadeloupe and is not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, which is located 1034 km (642 miles) to the north. The country’s official name is the Commonwealth of Dominica, with the island having an area of 751 km² (290 square miles) with 148 km (91 miles) of continuous coastline.
Population
Around 73,000 people live in Dominica (making it the 10th least populated country on Earth), with just under a third of these residing in either Roseau, the capital, or Portsmouth, the second-largest city. Roseau is a picturesque array of 18th century French architecture, with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars to explore. Portsmouth is more easy-going, with the city’s main attraction being water-based activities, including diving, boating and whale watching.
Dominica is known for its inclusivity and rich cultural history, which comes to the fore with the country’s mix of European and African influences. Several Dominican traditions stem from Africa, including the bélé dance and lavway music. At the same time, the island is home to the Caribbean’s only remaining population of pre-Columbian Carib Indians.
The island is hugely influenced by Creole culture, considering the country has been claimed by the French in the past, with Creole the island’s native tongue. However, Dominica’s official language is English, which is spoken throughout the country. Just under two-thirds of the population practice Roman Catholicism, though Dominica’s constitution does allow for freedom of religion.
Dominica’s culture
Some of the main aspects of the Dominican culture include:
Food
Dominica’s cuisine is comparable to that of other Caribbean islands, with Creole cooking techniques heavily influencing flavours. Tropical ingredients and bold spices are common, as are exotic fruits and seafood. The country’s national dish is callaloo soup, which is produced from the green leaves of the dasheen plant, plus various vegetables and meat. Other staples include sancocho stew, mountain chicken (frog’s legs), stews consisting of manicou or agouti, and salted codfish.
Drink
Like many Caribbean countries, Dominica is synonymous with rum. The country has two main producers: Macoucherie and Belfast. The former’s rum is known for its sharp and earthy flavours, owing to the use of cane, whereas Belfast rum comes in a range of varieties. This includes the strong White Soca rum and the smooth Belfast D Special, a dark blend coloured with caramel. Dominica also has a strong tea culture, with the country’s tropical climate ideal for growing many of the plants needed to produce tea, including cocoa, hibiscus and periwinkle.
Music
Music plays a huge role in Dominican life, with popular genres including reggae, calypso, kompa and soca. Dominican music is typically sung in Creole French and relies on the West African use of call and response singing, clapping, and dance and rhythmic improvisation. The country is home to the annual World Creole Music Festival, which sees people from around the world descend on Dominica for a three-day musical bonanza.
Another major musical genre on the island is Dominican folk music, which is often played at work and in places of worship. Featuring bélé and quadrille dances, it is hugely influenced by West African and French Antillean cultures.
Sport
Dominica is a nation obsessed with cricket. Although it is one of the Leeward Islands, the country plays West Indies first-class cricket as part of the Windward Islands team, as it was previously part of this colony. Dominica also competes in test cricket as part of the West Indies cricket team. The country is home to the 8,000-seat Windsor cricket stadium, which opened in October 2007. Football, basketball, netball, tennis and rugby are also popular in Dominica. The country has sent athletes to every Olympic Games since 1996, though the wait for a first medal continues.
Land and climate
As discussed earlier, Dominica is nicknamed the ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean’ owing to its array of flora and fauna, and vast natural park systems. The island boasts the world’s second-largest thermally active lake, with hot and sulphur springs to boot. It is also home to many waterfalls, lakes and rivers. Dominica’s highest peak is Morne Diablotins, which at 1,447 m tall, is one of the biggest mountains in the Caribbean. Therefore, the island is a popular hiking destination, while tourists also visit for activities such as scuba diving, canyoning, and whale watching.
Economy
Dominica’s principal exports are agricultural, such as coffee, cocoa, bananas, and citrus and tropical fruits. Another major industry is the tourism sector, with the country welcoming around 200,000 visitors a year.
Travel by air
There are two airports in Dominica: Douglas–Charles Airport (DOM) and Canefield (DCF) Airport. Located just under 35 km (22 miles) from Portsmouth, DOM is the bigger airport and is where most people fly in to. DCF Airport is situated just outside of Roseau, however, it is only used for chartered flights and private jets.
International flights from the US and Europe are connected to Dominica through airports in six other Caribbean countries. The Dominican Government is using CBI funds to push ahead with plans to build a new international airport by 2025 in order to accommodate more flights from outside the Caribbean.
Tourism
Dominica’s principal exports are agricultural, such as coffee, cocoa, bananas, and citrus and tropical fruits. Another major industry is the tourism sector, with the country welcoming around 200,000 visitors a year.
Dominica’s natural charm
Although the Caribbean is most famous for its white beaches and tropical temperatures, people come to Dominica for a different reason: its stunning natural beauty. The country is home to nine volcanoes and is enveloped in rainforest, meaning there are hiking opportunities aplenty.
Arguably the best hike is the demanding but thrilling Boiling Lake Trail, which lets you see the island from up high, as well as indigenous wildlife like the Sisserou parrot, lizards and snakes. The Boiling Lake itself is an extraordinary spectacle, with the 200 x 200-foot flooded fumarole a cauldron of bubbling greyish-blue water.
Among Dominica’s other natural highlights include its waterfalls and its wonderful coral reefs, which gives you the opportunity to spot sea life like sperm whales, octopuses and dolphins.
Dominica’s ecotourism
The country’s ecotourism industry is also attracting holidaymakers to Dominica. As the island aims to become completely climate-resilient, visitors can come to Dominica without having concern over the environmental impact of their trip.
There are many eco-friendly accommodations for tourists to stay at, some of which are CBI-funded. For instance, the Secret Bay Resort operates a Zero Waste policy and features villas built out of sustainably sourced tropical hardwood. Another example is Jungle Bay Resort, which uses local materials too, and prepares food supplied by local farms and fisheries.
Business opportunities
There are plenty of business opportunities in Dominica, with three of the industries being best for investment, including tourism, green energy and agriculture. These are all experiencing massive growth, as is shown by the rising number of hotels in the country, massive sustainability projects such as the construction of a geothermal plant, and Dominica’s goal of making it one of the world’s largest cocoa producers. What’s more, the island has a rich pool of talent too. Dominica boasts a high 94 per cent literacy rate, while there is a significant investment in future generations through schemes like the Dominica Youth Business Trust.
Dominica is a member of the CARICOM, which could soon incorporate all its states into a single economic unit, which would put an end to regional tariffs. Dominicans already enjoy free movement across the member states, potentially improving the country’s trade and employment opportunities. Notably, the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) also removes tariffs on any goods imported from Dominica into the UK, while the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) provides duty-free access to the US market for most goods.
How to set up a business in Dominica
Reserve your company name
The first step is to search for your proposed company name through the Companies and Intellectual Property Office to check that it’s available. If so, it takes less than a day to register it.
Get a lawyer to verify your affidavit
You next need to sign an affidavit in the presence of a lawyer to verify the documents required for incorporating your business, including the articles of incorporation and the notice of directors. This process should take around two days.
Register with the Commercial Registry
You again need to go through the Companies and Intellectual Property Office to register your company and receive the certificate of incorporation. This process should also take around two days.
Apply for taxpayer identification number
To receive the taxpayer identification number required to set up a business, you simply need to present the certificate of registration to the Tax Authority and fill out a form. It should take about a week for everything to be finalised.
Register as an employer with Social Security Institute
If you aim to employ staff as part of your business, you’ll have to register as an employer with the Social Security Institute. This is an online process that can be completed in a few minutes.
Dominica’s legal system
Dominica’s legal system is rooted in English Common Law. The hierarchy of the country’s courts is: Magistrate Court, High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and the Privy Council are binding authorities, while the English Courts are persuasive. All of Dominica’s laws must adhere to the country’s written constitution, which contains provisions like the right to life, personal liberty and freedom of expression.
Dominica’s Government system
Dominica is a parliamentary democratic republic. The executive branch comprises the president and the prime minister. Presidents are in office for five years and are nominated by the prime minister and the opposition party leader. The party appoints prime ministers with the majority of elected officials. The prime minister also recommends members of parliament (the House of Assembly) that the president appoints. Parliament is made up of 30 members (as well as the Speaker and Attorney-General), with 21 of these elected and nine senators selected by the president.
Dominica has a two-party system, with the Dominica Labour Party in power and the United Workers’ Party in opposition. The current president of the country is Sylvanie Burton, while Dr the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit is the Prime Minister. Dominica has elections every five years, with universal suffrage for adults.
Currency
The East Caribbean dollar (ECD) is Dominica’s official currency, though the likes of the euro and the dollar are accepted as legal tender. The island started using the ECD in 1965, which is also the currency of seven other members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. It is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of US $1 to EC $2.70, helping to maintain price stability and reduce inflation. As Dominica is part of the Commonwealth, all banknotes and coins feature Queen Elizabeth II’s image.