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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 93 - Monday February 12, 2007
The Chinese Factor - We Must Have a Strategy
Gabriel J. Christian Esq.


Dominica is a unique country and it�s ours. Our love for our island has been manifested in many ways, and we care about her future. Let us be clear on some issues:

A Note on Free Trade and Foreign Control
I abhor xenophobia and so should we all. It is not helpful. However, raising the issue of local control is not anti-Chinese or anti-anybody. Every nationality has a right to stand on its own turf and be proud of it and protect its ownership interest therein. And we must never apologize for being nationalist.

The US flaunts free trade, yet when Dubai Ports sought to secure contracts for two or three East coast ports recently, Congress raised hell and shut that down. What would Chinese think if, suddenly, 2-5% of their population became Japanese and controlled significant parts of their country? What would be their reaction? Let us be fair, and not pillory Dominicans who raise valid questions about our country. Let us have an intelligent debate grounded in reality.

Singapore and Tortola: Both these countries are success stories. Yet both have significant restrictions on citizenship and who can own land. In Tortola, if one is not a "belonger" then one cannot buy land or become a citizen--even if born there. That has not stunted wealth creation on that island. They have a clear strategy. So let us be clear.

1. The nature of employment on Dominica is such that the Govt. is the primary employer. Hence, many who would want to opine on things remain silent, lest they be victimized. It has happened to many of us, and seems a scourge across the board. For that reason, we should not shut down those at home - or abroad - who seek to comment on the state of our nation. Such debate should not be seen as anti-government, anti-foreigner or anti-Chinese. Such debate, where coupled with productive effort, is desirable. But note, productive effort! It means we must learn to put our monies where are mouths are by building institutions to support the nation-state we love and/or desire.

2. Let this be clear: The primary investor today in Dominica are the overseas Dominicans in the US, Canada, UK, other Caribbean Islands who constantly and consistently send money to the island, support their families and who build homes there. But for their input over the years our country would have collapsed. That we have not succeeded in pooling our funds for major projects is not because we have not tried.

A request to set up a local bank to fund development by the Diaspora was lost, not too long ago.

Other Dominicans who have returned to set up businesses have been discouraged or not provided support. That is a sad fact, that honesty requires us to confront. We have a colonial mindset that prevents us from promoting those who look like us. And anyone who denies this salient truth is either dreaming or unaware of our history. Those of us who continue trying - despite that fact - are the truly committed and should be supported. The truth is we do not support local investors, our own, enough. We have run many away!

3. The Chinese are nationalistic people too. I would assure anyone who has a sense of Chinese history that they do not take lightly to foreign domination either. We studied the Chinese back in the days of the independence movement and supported their struggles then. Let us take some of these traits from them:
Commitment to the motherland;
Patriotism;
Thrift;
Love for our Culture;
Pride in our ethnicity;
Pride in our history;
Industry;
Teamwork;
Cooperative effort; and
Perseverance.

Let us embrace the Chinese, but with wisdom born of study. Let us be their friends. How many of us care to study the Chinese? We must do so with greater vigor as they are a force to be reckoned with. Let us also seek technology and know-how from them and be wise and strategic in our partnerships with them.

Teaching Chinese at some of our high schools, with Chinese teachers, would be wise. Having some Chinese math, computer science and physics teachers, would be wise. Inviting some Chinese light industry to partner with Benjo Seamoss or other local firm would be wise. Inviting some Chinese to assemble PCs in Dominica would be wise. But let it be areas where we do not have a competence. Chinese food is good; tasty. A few restaurants and shops are fine, but that should not be what we encourage or focus on.

An alliance between the Dominica State College and Beijing University would be wise. A partnership between a Chinese textile plant and a Dominican business to make locally designed clothing and shoes for export within the CSME is desirable. True partnership. But having Hayden's or some village shop close down because someone has a direct link to Chinese productive capacity, is not strategy. We must protect our businesses best we can so that Dominicans retain an ownership stake in their own society, that is all.

What is our plan? Every state has an immigration policy? What is ours? Can we discuss this? Or is our policy restricted to selling passports and pocketing the monies received, with little or no accountability?

Conclusion: Land and water is in short supply the world over. Dominica's population has fallen, partly because of a more educated population, better health care and other opportunities overseas. The same thing has happened in advanced countries, like Italy for instance. Nature abhors a vacuum. The Chinese and everybody else with the wherewithal will seek fortune, just as many Dominicans did in Curacao, the UK, and US etc. So people will come to our beautiful island and we should welcome those who do. But we must have a strategy and a policy. It must be discussed and must not happen behind closed doors.

What can we do? As soon as we can:
1. Let us come together to build a hotel or eco-inn.
2. Let us open an account at NCB, where we can.
3. Let us support or mentor a local business with our skills learnt
4. Let us support a local school, clinic or program.
5. Encourage visitors to come to Dominica
6. Encourage investment in Dominica, especially in the hi-tech sector.
7. Let us meaningfully support organizations of which we form part. Often, it is the same tired war horses doing all the work, amidst much chatter. That can be debilitating.

Doing those things will help insulate us from the canard that we talk much, and do little.

Be blessed all, and let us discuss this matter with respect. Confident in our patriotic ardor and desire to make a productive difference.

Wise discussion; then take productive action: That formula will win all the time.

Comments about this article? Email:
editor@
thedominican.net
Telephone:
1-703-861-9411
Fax:
1-202-589-7937

Volume No. 1 Issue No. 92
Gaffe over visa rule
History of Zouk
2007 Queen contestants
Dominica comback
Dame Eugenia inheritance




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