By Government Press Secretary
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that the Government will return to Parliament on April 10, 2026, to seek approval to extend key fiscal measures aimed at easing the rising cost of food and essential goods.
The removal of import duties and the zero-rating of select items under the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime were first introduced during the 2025/2026 Budget to help cushion the impact of increasing global prices on Dominican consumers.
According to the Prime Minister, the decision to extend the relief comes in response to new global developments, particularly escalating tensions involving Iran.
“And so the cabinet has decided to go back to parliament to extend that measure further to help cushion the impact of the war on Dominican citizens and residents. Both the import duty waiver and the VAT will be extended,” the Prime Minister stated.
“It will remain in effect until the end of July this year,” he said, adding that the measure will be reviewed again during the upcoming budget period.
The Prime Minister described the move as “good news for the Dominican people,” emphasizing that all sectors of society will benefit, including families, small businesses, and the hospitality industry.
He pointed to a broader strategy to build self-sufficiency, including ongoing investments in agriculture, the development of the national abattoir, and renewable energy initiatives such as the geothermal energy plant.
“All of these efforts are about making Dominica more self-reliant, so that when external shocks occur, they have less impact on our way of life,” he said.