MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, March 19th 2024 - 09:29 UTC

 

 

Beijing virtually 'takes over' the Caribbean island of Dominica

Wednesday, December 11th 2013 - 00:06 UTC
Full article 11 comments
Roseau, the capital of one of the countries' with the lowest per capita income in eastern Caribbean Roseau, the capital of one of the countries' with the lowest per capita income in eastern Caribbean

Dominica and China have signed a new 300 million dollars cooperation agreement that includes the construction of a hotel, construction of an international airport and building a new hospital. The sum involved is equivalent to a third of the small Caribbean island GDP, which could mean Beijing virtually is 'purchasing' the small territory.

 According to Caribbean News, the agreement was signed between Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the president of ASCG, Xue Song early last month.

According to ASCG, the hotel, to be situated in Roseau, will be the first to be constructed at a cost of 70 million dollars.

The Chinese government will provide a preferential loan to support the projects.

ASCG’s general manager Wang Yueyuan said since both countries established diplomatic relations in 2004, China has strengthened its cooperation with Dominica.

Meanwhile, a government statement said that a team of Chinese officials is now on the island inspecting the site for the construction of the five-star hotel in the capital.

It quoted Skerrit as having declared during the 2013-14 national budget that the design works for the hotel had been completed and an offer of financing and for the construction was being considered by the government.

“The construction of the hotel …is part of government’s commitment to making the tourism product more competitive and for enhancing stay over visitor capacity on island,” the statement added.

Dominica's GDP in 2012 was 1.018bn dollars and a population (2011) of 71.500.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • Rufus

    I'm not sure if “buying” is necessarily the right term, given the location of Dominica, I'd imagine that the location would make it hard to actually collect, especially if there's a sudden change in government after all of the shiny new buildings have been finished.

    Rented (while they are being built) perhaps...

    Dec 11th, 2013 - 10:04 am 0
  • GALlamosa

    Beautiful island, lovely people, interesting history. Wonder where they will put the airport.

    Dec 11th, 2013 - 10:40 am 0
  • Briton

    so china is slowly expanding its portfolio,

    where next we wonder..

    Dec 11th, 2013 - 11:11 am 0
Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!