Invest in Dominica for a life in paradise

Roseau, Dec. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The festive season is often a time to reflect on the year that has passed and on plans and goals for the year to come. With gift-giving around the world, the festive season is also a time to think about what one really wants from life.

With the explosion of remote work options around the world, our experience wish lists are no longer restricted by location. And even if your professional and private life requires you to be in a certain location from time to time, the world has opened in ways which may just top your stockings’ list.

Dream island location

The Caribbean is known for its idyllic beaches and island lifestyle. Let alone its dynamic culture and history, it’s offered a hideaway for investors the world over.

Located halfway along the Eastern Caribbean archipelago is the Commonwealth of Dominica, an island-state stretching 751 km² (290 square miles) and boasting 148 km (91 miles) of coastal line. It is not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, also in the Caribbean.

Also known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean”, its forest landscape is still being formed by geothermal-volcanic activity and boasts the second-largest hot spring in the world, Boiling Lake. The island boasts nine volcanic peaks.  Morne Diablotins is the highest mountain on the island and the second highest in the Lesser Antilles. One can even view the neighboring islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique from its top.

The country’s climate agenda also makes good use of these natural resources. As part of its aims to become the first climate-resilient country in the world by 2030, as announced by President Roosevelt Skerrit following the devastation ravaged on the island nation by Hurricane Maria in 2017, the nation is actively investing in sustainable development projects. In March 2019, the World Bank approved a US$27 million project to support the construction of a 7MW small geothermal power plant in the Rosseau Valley, which aims to increase the share of renewables, diversify the country’s energy matrix, and identify a clear road map for private sector investment in geothermal development. Development projects outside of the development and enhancement of renewable energy capabilities include sustainable housing, healthcare and educational facilities. The country already obtains 28% of its energy requirements from renewable energy sources such as hydropower and wind.

Cities and spoken languages

English is the official language of Dominica, with French and Spanish spoken in some parts. The capital city is Roseau, which is the most popular place for nomads and expats to settle in Dominica, while others choose to live in Portsmouth, Dominicas’ second-largest city.

Visa and work options

Dominica welcomes digital nomads from across the world. More recently, the government has launched its “Work in Nature” (WIN) campaign. This programme offers digital nomads an extended stay visa for individuals and families to work remotely in Dominica for up to 18 months.

Many affluent investors enjoy life on Dominica so much, that they opt to invest in the country’s Citizenship by Investment (CIB) programme, through which investors gain citizenship, freedom of movement and of doing business in and from the island nation. Citizenship is for life, with the right to hold dual citizenship, so investors don’t need to give up their current citizenship at all. Once citizenship is obtained, it can also be passed to future generations.

Launched in 1993, Dominica’s CBI programme has been ranked as the number one CBI initiative for five consecutive years by the CBI Index. This is a ranking system published by the Financial Times’s Professional Wealth Management (PWM) magazine. The Financial Times’ PWM publication particularly highlighted the programme’s stringent due diligence, efficient times and affordability. After applicants pass the due diligence checks, citizenship hopefuls then choose to either invest in real estate or contribute to a government fund. The latter is known as the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), and it sponsors public and private sectors in Dominica that need financial support or have economic potential, such as the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Project.

Is this for me?

The Dominica CBI Programme is a good value for money for both individual applicants and families looking to apply for second citizenship. It is particularly a good fit for single professionals who want to broaden their horizons, families that would eventually like to add dependants such as grandparents or siblings, individuals looking to study abroad and digital nomads who want greater global mobility.

Dominica requires no wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, foreign income tax or personal income tax. There are also corporate tax incentives, import duty exemptions, tax relief and export allowances.

The programme has no residency requirements for applicants, so there is no need to be present on the island for any duration of time.

As the processing time for a CBI application takes about three months from submission of the application to approval in principle, this is something you’ll be able to bag before next Christmas.

PR Dominica
Commonwealth of Dominica
001 (767) 266 3919
mildred.thabane@csglobalpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8720614

Ethiopian Airlines to Resume Daily Flights to Tigray

NAIROBI, KENYA — Ethiopia’s flagship carrier Ethiopian Airlines has announced it will resume daily flights to Tigray region’s capital Mekelle as an African Union-brokered peace deal moves forward.

The national carrier said it would operate daily flights from Wednesday and increase the number of daily flights depending on demand.

The airline halted flights to the region weeks after the war broke out in November 2020 between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

In a statement, head of the airline Mesfin Tasew said the resumption of flights would help families connect as well as facilitate business and tourism.

A CNN investigation last year accused Ethiopian Airlines of transporting troops and weapons to fight the Tigrayan rebels.

The airline denied the allegations, saying the photo evidence was manipulated.

The announced resumption of flights comes just a day after Ethiopian officials arrived in Tigray’s capital Mekelle for the first time in nearly two years for implementation of a November peace deal.

The speaker of Ethiopia’s parliament Tagesse Chaffo Dullo led the delegation, which included a security advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, leaders of state companies, and members of Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Commission.

National Security Advisor Redwan Hussein tweeted Tuesday that Ethio Telecom, which was part of the delegation, was expected to announce further resumption of services to Tigray.

Hussein also tweeted the TPLF was expected to work until Thursday on handing over heavy weapons and control of Mekelle to Ethiopia’s military as agreed during meetings this month in Nairobi.

The delegation’s visit to Tigray was welcomed by a Tigrayan spokesman as a milestone in the peace agreement to end the war.

Getachew Reda tweeted Tuesday that the government’s gesture to green light what he called the long overdue restoration of services was commendable.

He noted that none of the delegation members were accompanied by security guards, which he called a testament to their confidence in Tigray’s commitment to the peace agreement.

Mediators from Kenya and the African Union are also expected to visit Tigray after Ethiopia and the TPLF agreed last week in Nairobi to a joint monitoring team.

Ethiopia has gradually lifted a blockade on much needed food and medical aid to Tigray and already restored some telecommunications.

Ethiopian federal and Tigrayan officials signed the African Union-brokered peace deal in South Africa on November 2, agreeing for hostilities to end, rebel groups to disarm, foreign fighters to leave, and blocked aid and other services to be restored.

Source: Voice of America

SAPS management visit bereaved family

The devastating effect of domestic violence always stays a shock to the family members that stays behind and even more so if a child is left behind without a mother and a father.
Today the Joe Gqabi District Commissioner Maj Gen Lindelwa Vellem, Col Spambo and Lt Col Jantjies together with Lady Grey members led by WO Adam, the acting Station Commander visited the family of a 16-year-old girl who was murdered by her boyfriend in the early morning hours on Monday, 26 December 2022.
The deceased left a one-year-old baby behind. The suspect is the father of the child and was arrested.
During the visit to the family they were comforted with a prayer led by Maj Gen Vellem and words of encouragement. Maj Gen Vellem with her entourage left donations to the family as a token of support.
The family much appreciated the visit and the support from the SAPS management that made special time to comfort them during this difficult time.

Source: South African Police Service

Murder suspect apprehended

The efficient collaboration between various security companies and the community contributed towards the successful apprehension of an alleged murder suspect.
It is alleged that Swartkops SAPS were summoned to a scene of murder in Hillcrest Drive, Bluewater Bay at 18:30 last night, Monday, 26 December 2022. Police found the body of a male (in his thirties) with multiple stab wounds to his face and head. According to witnesses, the suspect stabbed the man (reason unknown) and as they wanted to apprehend him he ran away. A clear description of the suspect was provided to the security officers that were patrolling the area and the suspect was arrested in Linda Lane a few minutes later. The murder weapon was handed in as evidence.
The 25 year-old man is due to appear in the Motherwell Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 28 December 2022 on a charge of murder. Investigations are continuing.
The name of the deceased will be released once formal identification is completed.

Source: South African Police Service

Makuya police request public assistance to locate a missing boy

The police in Makuya outside Thohoyandou have launched a search operation after the disappearance of a 07-year-old boy, Washu Tshihume from Lamvi village.
The child was reported last seen on Saturday 24 December 2022 in the afternoon while playing with other kids and never returned home.
Police and family searched for the boy at different places and nearby households without any success.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the Investigating Officer Sergeant Thulani Baloyi on 072 228 2680 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via MySAPS app.
The search operation continues.

Source: South African Police Service

Missing Nastal Mkhonto sought by police

Kraaifontein Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit are seeking the assistance of the public to trace 16-year-old Nastal Mkhonto who was last seen in Covid Informal settlement in Bloekombos on Sunday 25 December 2022 at around 09:30.
At the time of his disappearance he was seen wearing yellow shorts with black and red slippers, an orange t-shirt with the words “Covid 19” written on the back and a black jacket. The missing person is mentally challenged.
Anyone who can assist with information that will lead to Nastal’s safe return is kindly requested to call the Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Charles Goodwin on 082 535 5874 or alternatively call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or using MySAPS app.

Source: South African Police Service