MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Beijing virtually 'takes over' the Caribbean island of Dominica

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.