Businessman Gregor Nassief has intensified his public criticism of Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, leading to a direct and increasingly public dispute with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit over whether the concerns he raised were ever properly addressed.
The disagreement centres on the operation and oversight of the CBI programme, a key source of revenue for the island, as well as broader questions of government economic policy. Nassief has questioned aspects of how the programme is managed, while the Prime Minister has pushed back, maintaining that the matters raised have been dealt with.
The exchange has unfolded in the public domain, with both men making their positions known. At the heart of the dispute is a difference of view over whether Nassief's criticisms were given adequate attention by the Government, or whether they were dismissed without proper engagement.
The CBI programme allows foreign investors to obtain Dominican citizenship in return for a qualifying investment in the country. It has become a significant contributor to national revenue, funding infrastructure and other development projects. Because of its importance to the economy, any public disagreement over its management tends to attract wide attention.
Nassief, a prominent figure in Dominica's private sector, has been vocal on matters of economic policy beyond the CBI programme as well. His comments have added to an ongoing national conversation about the direction of the economy and the transparency of key government programmes.
The Prime Minister's response has been firm, rejecting the suggestion that the concerns were ignored. The back-and-forth has highlighted the sometimes tense relationship between the private sector and the Government on questions of economic management.
No resolution to the dispute has been announced. The exchange remains a matter of public record, with both sides holding to their positions.
