Canadian high commissioner to Dominica meets PM Skerrit, discusses mutual priorities

Rosseau: The Canadian high commissioner to the Commonwealth of Dominica – H.E. Lilian Chatterjee met with the islands’ Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and discussed the common priorities, including climate change issue and economic resilience.  

The high commissioner also presented her ‘LetterOfIntroduction’ to the President of the Commonwealth of Dominica – H.E. Charles Savarin on November 27, 2021. 

With this, she reaffirmed the commitment of the Canadian government to the general public and the government of Dominica.  

Chatterjee also concluded the last of 8 presentations of credentials as High Commissioner to Dominica, while tweeting, added that, “The Canadian government is looking forward to deepening and strengthening our bilateral relations with Dominica“. 

The tweet of Canada à la Barbade et l’OECO further states, “Ceremony with Dominica government concludes High Commissioner’s virtual credentials tour”. 

She looks forward to engaging our bilateral partners in Dominica, along with other Caribbean nations such as – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, in order to advance Canada’s mutual priorities, the tweet further noted. 

Bilateral ties of Canada and Dominica: 

Both the countries have shared a very long-withstanding friendship and a bilateral relationship since they established ties in the year 1978. 

Tens of thousands of tourists visit Dominica to adore the natural beauty and peace of the island every year, hence contributing a lot to the tourism economy of the island. 

While in relation to the trade sector, in the previous year, Canada’s merchandise exports to the island figured – $3.8M, and merchandise imports from Dominica totaled $305,400. 

The main exports of Canada to Dominica includes – food products, wood and machinery, whereas Canada’s main imports consisted of machinery and food products. 

In addition, several Canadian companies in Dominica are engaged in the renewable energy and software sectors, getting more opportunities in eco-tourism, infrastructure, and renewable energy (geothermal in particular) sectors. 

Canada’s hand of friendship to Dominica:

The North American country has always been there to support and aid Dominica in times of need. Canada announced a $100 million Pledge for Caribbean Reconstruction and Economic and Climate Resilience to support Dominica and the region in reconstruction and climate resilience after the devastating Hurricane Maria 2017 arrived on the island. 

It has also aided the Caribbean island in rebuilding the climate-resilient primary schools. Canada’s – Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency – (CDEMA) continues to benefit the island in terms of natural disaster planning and response.  

At the CARICOM Intersessional Meeting in February 2020, Canada announced an additional $61.5 million in new commitments for resilience, technical assistance and education exchanges for the Caribbean.