News

President of the Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA) Lynford Guthrie is hoping that the Buy Dominica Carnival extravaganza launched here on Wednesday will assist in reversing the thinking of Dominicans that imported products are better than locally made products.

Guthrie was speaking at the official launch of the week long extravaganza at the Roseau Market.

”We have an insatiable appetite for foreign products whether or not the quality is good. It doesn’t matter how expensive those products are the demand still remain constant. This is why the DMA and Dominica Art and Craft producers association (DACPA) are trying to reverse the trend where our consumers can think local” he noted.

Lynford said the Buy Dominica Carnival extravaganza is designed to get Dominicans to be exposed to the products made in Dominica.

“This event is really to get our consumers not only to come and buy but to be aware of the things that we have been producing and manufacturing that you don’t know about. There is more to it than just buy but it will create an awareness of the quality products being made right here in Dominica” he said.

Guthrie explains that by supporting local, this action will ultimately lead to numerous advantages for the local economy including the reduction in the import bill.

“The crucial element to reverse this economy is to consume our locally manufactured products, because if you do that then are reducing the imports, simple as that. Fine we must import, we have to import oil, medicine, pharmaceuticals, but for God’s sake why do we have to import in abundance the things that we produce and manufacture in Dominica that are even better than what we are importing? Why? We cannot continue to do that” he appealed.

Guthrie further stated that consumers should be more responsible in reversing the trend in which products are supported.

“We have to be conscious of who we support and what we buy. We have to read the labels when we go to the supermarket and make sure that we are buying and supporting Dominica. That’s what we need to do” Guthrie emphasized.

The Buy Dominica Carnival Extravaganza which began on Wednesday February 06th will end on Ash Wednesday.