Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit used his early May press conference to defend Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme as one of the most reputable in the world and central to financing the country’s transformative national projects. Skerrit told journalists that no tax revenue, loan, or grant has contributed as much to Dominica’s public finances over the past 15 years as the CBI programme, framing the defence as both a sovereignty argument and a fiscal one.
The press conference covered Skerrit’s central preoccupation for 2026 — the successful completion of the international airport, geothermal energy development, the cable car project, and port and marina expansion. Each is intended to strengthen the economy, expand opportunity, create domestic jobs, and reduce the vulnerability that defines small island state finance. Skerrit acknowledged Dominica operates in “a rapidly shifting global environment,” with increased scrutiny of small states on global mobility, refugee resettlement, travel, and CBI from international partners.
“How does a small vulnerable island state advance critical economic development, protect its sovereignty, uphold its international obligations and preserve its identity all at once?” Skerrit asked. “Our approach is guided by balance and responsibility.” For diaspora Dominicans abroad and for would-be returnees, the PM’s defence frames the next 12 to 18 months as the period in which the airport, geothermal, and port projects either deliver visibly or do not. His government’s political fortunes — and the CBI’s continued viability — sit on the same timeline.
Sources: Dominica News Online, May 6, 2026; OPM Pressroom; PM Skerrit New Year Conversation, January 15, 2026.