Caribbean Net News: Dominica records growth in production, tourism and construction sectors

ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica has recorded growth in the production, construction and tourism sectors in the second quarter of 2006, according to a report by the Central Statistical Office Quarterly Economic Indicator for the second quarter of 2006 (April-June).

During the period April-June 2006, significant increases were recorded in the activities of the construction sector, compared to the corresponding period last year. There were thirty-one construction starts during the second quarter of this year, compared to twenty-seven in the same period last year. The value of construction starts also increased markedly, moving from $6.3 million to $11.4 million.

In addition the import of construction materials continued to increase, while the sale of cement doubled, moving from 81,345 bags in the second quarter of 2005 to 201, 397 in the same period of 2006.

The Tourism sector also reflected favourable movements in the second quarter. There were 19,468 stay over visitors in the second quarter of 2006 compared to 16,697 in the same period last year. Cruise Ship visitors also recorded an increase. There were 61,950 cruise ship visitors in the second quarter of this year compared to 57,730 in the same period last year.

Consequently the total number of visitors for the period under review was 81,627 compared to 74,556 in the corresponding period last year. Total visitor expenditure for the period under review was $42.8 million compared to $34.4 million in the same period last year.

During the period under review banana export production from DBPL increased, from 2,923.7 metric tonnes to 3,185.7 metric tonnes. Export revenue moved from $4.1 million to $5.1 million. This movement was as a result of favourable weather conditions and the returns from the replanting in October 2005.

For the period under review, the production of beverages declined, from 222,731 cases to 172,790 cases. The production of chemicals and related products rose, from 3,617.2 tonnes to 3,964.5 tonnes.

This latest report by the Central Statistical Office confirms that the economic recovery which started towards the end of 2003 is more broad-based and is continuing to strengthen.

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