• GDP: US$282 million (2004).
• Main exports: Bananas, soap, coconuts, grapefruit and galvanised sheets.
• Main imports: Food, live animals, machinery, transport and mineral fuels.
• Main trade partners: UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Barbados and Guadeloupe.

Much of the land is under cultivation, with bananas, coconuts, citrus fruits and cocoa as the main produce. The banana industry, which is the country’s main export earner, came under serious pressure following a World Trade Organization ruling outlawing the preferential access to its main European markets that Dominica had previously enjoyed. This added urgency to the government’s efforts to diversify the country’s economic base and improve the country’s inadequate infrastructure.

At present there is a little light industry producing vegetable oil, canned juices, cigarettes, soap and other consumer goods largely for domestic consumption. In the service sector, tourism initially developed rather more slowly in Dominica than elsewhere in the Caribbean but it has become a vital component of the economy. The government has lately sought to promote Dominica as an ecotourism hotspot.

In recent years, the government has also been trying to promote an offshore financial services industry; in a highly competitive market, it has enjoyed limited success.

Dominica is a member of the Caribbean economic bloc CARICOM and of the Organisation of East Caribbean States.

Businesspeople should usually dress smartly and dealings will be formal, initially at least.

Government office hours: Mon 0800-1300 and 1400-1700, Tues-Fri 0800-1300 and 1400-1600.

Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC)
PO Box 85, 6 Cross Lane, Roseau, Dominica (Commonwealth of)
E-mail: daic@marpin.dm