ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Dominica has launched an online platform allowing persons to apply for licenses, permits, certificates, and other related imports, exports, and transit documents.
Finance Minister, Dr. Irving McIntyre, said that TradeStream forms part of the Roosevelt Skerrit government’s “determination to create a more conducive environment favorable to doing business as seen in our EC $75 million (One Ec dollar=US$0.37 cents) investment in the Caribbean Digital Transformation Programme along with other initiatives funded by tax revenues”.
McIntyre said that the launch of TradeStream is another crucial step in the government’s continuing efforts to improve the efficiency of services delivered within the public sector.
”I am pleased that we are moving forward with this important initiative because it indicates our seriousness about a reset that touches every aspect of the life of doing business in Dominica.”
McIntyre said the TradeStream application is part of a broader system that the government is building to create a truly modern e-government that embraces the digitization of services and information to streamline administrative processes between the government and the private sector and between government and individuals to create a more open market and a more robust economy.
Acting Comptroller of Customs and Excise Department, Vincent Christmas, said the TradeStream platform would benefit the business community and government by allowing conducting transactions, “reducing [our] business time and ensuring the liberalization of global trade and investment.
“We are stepping in into an era [of] smarter, faster, and greener trade, and the significance of this cannot be understated,” Christmas said, adding that the government, through the customs department, reaffirms Dominica’s readiness to continue embracing advanced technology for the prosperity of the nation to foster growth and sustainability.
Furthermore, he believes that the occasion should be a celebration for Dominica and a clarion call to all our fellow customs administrations in the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
“Let our steps today inspire you to embark on this transformative journey. Together we can make the Eastern Caribbean a powerhouse of efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced trade.”
Trade Minister Dr. Vince Henderson said Dominica, over the years, has been pursuing several initiatives to facilitate transactions between the population and the government.
“Accessing government’s services is now online more than ever before, and we are celebrating another great milestone, another great achievement to continue facilitating the transactions between the people and the services that the government provides.”
Henderson said that TradeStream presents an opportunity to reduce transaction costs, “and hopefully, we will see a reduction in the cost of goods arriving on our shores.”
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