Relocation Services

For many, moving to a new home is a major event. With careful planning, your moving stress can be minimized with the help of CENTURY 21 Nature Isle Realty. We can make all the necessary arrangements before you move in, so when you arrive, all your services will be activated.

Here is a complete list of all the agencies and facilities in Dominica that you will need to know to make your life as trouble-free as possible.

Electricity

Electricity in Dominica is provided by Dominica Electricity Services Ltd (DOMLEC). The island uses 220/240 volts. In many homes, both of the outlets, 220/240 volts and 110volts/60 Hz, (the voltage used in North America) are offered.

Dominica Electricity Services Ltd (DOMLEC)
18 Castle Street
P.O. Box 1593
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
Customer Service Hotline: 1 767-448- 2680
Fax: 1-767-448-5397
Email: support@domleconline.com
Website: www.domlec.dm

Water

The Dominica Water and Sewage Company (DOWASCO) has the mandate to provide portable drinking water and sewerage services to communities throughout Dominica. They are responsible for maintenance and development of the waterworks and providing a safe, adequate and reliable water supply, and for water conservation. If you are a home owner or a potential home owner, DOWASCO can also give advice to you through your architect and contractor, on cost saving measures.

Dominica Water and Sewage Company (DOWASCO)
3 High Street
P.O. Box 185
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
Customer Service: 1-767-448-4811
Fax: 1-767-448-5813
Email: dowasco@cwdom.dm
Website: www.dowasco.dm

Cable

All your favorite programs are available in Dominica. There are two television stations on island airing via cable. Their programming line-up comprises of both local and foreign programs. Their coverage spans the capital of Roseau and villages throughout the island.

SAT Telecommunication Ltd
20 Bath Road
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
Customer Service: (767) 448-5096
Website: www.sat.dm

Marpin 2K4 Ltd
5-7 Great Marlborough Street
Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica
Customer Service: (767) 440-6110
Email: manager@mtb.dm
Website: www.marpin.dm

Radio

There are four radio broadcasting stations in Dominica: DBS (Dominica Broadcasting Station) broadcasts on 88.1 MHz FM or 590 KHz AM. Kairi FM broadcasts on 88.7, 93.1 and 107.9 FM, and Q95FM broadcasts on 95.1FM. These radio programming includes up-to-date Music, Sports, News, and Current Events & Festivals in the Caribbean , Educational Tips on Health & Beauty, Traffic, Weather, Food & Nutrition, Security, The Environment, and more.

For those who are of strong Christian beliefs, there is also the Voice of Life Radio which brings mainly religious programmes. They serve on 90.1FM, 102.1FM and 106.1FM.

Importing personal belongings – Customs

Dominican nationals returning home for permanent residence are allowed to import free of duty all Personal Effects (wearing apparel, and items for your personal use) and Household Effects (items that are normally required in the home in order to facilitate a comfortable living environment) including one motor vehicle new or used. Nationals wishing to take advantage of this concession must ensure that their goods arrive in Dominica within three months before or after taking up residence on the island.

Foreign Nationals who will be coming to Dominica to work and or reside will be allowed to import free of duty their used Household and Personal Effects. (Vehicles do not apply)

This policy is intended to facilitate:-

• Investment/Investors
• Working experience and expertise
• Retirement

Customs in Dominica

Imports - Duty Free

The following goods may be imported into Dominica without incurring customs duty by passengers aged 18 and above:
200 cigarettes or equivalent of tobacco products; 2l of alcoholic beverages; tools for professional use.
Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment and other items. Local embassies or consular agents may be able to supply further information on customs regulations.

Importing Pets

In order to bring a family pet or other animal into Dominica you will need to first obtain an import certificate, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Department Unit. You will also need a health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian in the country of origin. The certificate should state that the pet is healthy and free of parasites and is on a flea and tick protection program. The pet must have all current inoculations including rabies. The rabies vaccine must be given 30 days prior to travel but not more than 365 days prior to travel.

An Import permit may be issued once these requirements are satisfied, and sent to the importer via fax or email. Upon receipt of the Import Permit please notify the Livestock Development Unit (LDU) of the Port of arrival, date and time of arrival, at least two (2) weeks in advance. At the time of entry, present the import permit and the Veterinary certificate. Processing and Import Permit fees may apply.

Importing of fruits and plants

On importation of fruits and plants, one will require an import license from the Minister of Agriculture and a Phyto-sanitary certificate provided by the appropriate government agency in the exporting country. All imports of plants, fruits, soil, dung, living insects, non-marine invertebrate animals, and any accompanying container or wrapping material must enter Dominica through a designated port of entry and be subject to examination by officers of the Plant Protection Office.

Department of Agriculture
Division of Agriculture
Veterinary Unit
Botanical Gardens
Roseau
Dominica
Tel: (767) 266-3824/3827
Fax: (767) 448-8632
E-mail: forestvet@cwdom.dm ffestvet@cwdom.dm

Health Care

When it comes to primary health care, Dominica is at the top of the line particularly in primary healthcare. The healthcare system includes three public hospitals on the island: The Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), the Marigot Hospital and the Portsmouth Hospital. In cases of lack of specialist equipment, airlifts are usually possible to hospitals in neighbouring islands.

Through its Public Health Department, the Government runs Health Centers in each of the districts, and conducts health programs including immunization, genetics and nutrition. The Government also operates clinics providing dental and eye care services.

Dominica is home to a wide range of specialists, including visiting doctors, private dentists and optometrists from the US and elsewhere, who operate from private clinics offering a variety of services.

Schools

Education in Dominica is basically free and is provided by both government and denominational schools. Attendance is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 15 years. The educational system is divided into four main categories: preprimary, primary, secondary, and tertiary and is governed by the Ministry of Education. The system is modeled after the British (levels) and North American (grade) structures. Primary education begins at the age of five and lasts for seven years. Secondary education begins at the age of twelve and lasts for five years.

Churches have played a significant role in Dominica through the establishment of institutions for formal and informal education, and still continue to do so. Direct involvement in formal education by the churches began in the 1800s, when the Roman Catholic and Methodist churches, which had already established congregations in various parts of the islands, became involved in providing primary education and secondary education.

The educational system of Dominica consists of:

• 83 preprimary schools-all privately owned, managed, and funded
• 63 primary schools-53 are government-owned, 5 are government-assisted, and 5 are private
• 15 secondary schools-6 are government-owned, 8 are government-assisted, and 1 private-grant aided
• 1 school for the hearing impaired (government funded)
• 1 school for the mentally challenged (privately and government-funded)
• Dominica State College and Dominica Teachers Training College.

Private Education

In addition to the few private primary schools on island there are other educational establishments on island.

The Pioneer Preparatory was formed through the perseverance and commitment of a group of parents who wished to provide an improved and stable learning environment for children. It was founded in 1997 as a non-profit organization with open membership opportunities for parents and others; the school is entrusted to the vision of elected Trustees commonly devoted to the prosperity and development of children.

Orion Academy Inc. is a registered not-for-profit company which operates a secondary school in Dominica under the name Orion Academy. It is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of six (6) individuals, some of whom were involved in the establishment and management of Dominica’s premier primary school, Pioneer Preparatory School.

The Ross University School of Medicine is a medical institution, located at Portsmouth. See http://www.rossu.edu/medical-school for more information on Ross.

The Archbold Tropical Research and Education Center is a biological field station located at Springfield Estate.

In 2006, another medical school called All Saints School of Medicine opened its facilities and is now situated in Roseau.

There is also a marine biology school, the Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology (I.T.M.E) which is situated in Mahaut, fifteen minutes north of Roseau.

One other privately owned institution, established in the early millennium is the Business Training Centre. It provides a curriculum primarily focused on business and IT. This institution partners with external regional institutions on some of the academic programmes.

Private Primary Schools

Private Secondary Schools

Tertiary Schools

Useful Contact Numbers

Medical Doctors:

General Practitioners

Dr. Nicole Amour-Johnson 767- 445-5332
Dr. Liris & Griffin Benjamin 767- 448-8899
Dr. Phillip Cooles 767- 448-5950/8460
Dr. Irving McIntyre 767- 449-9720/0870
Dr. Paul R. Ricketts 767- 449-8565
Dr. Hendricks Paul 767- 448-4873
Dr. Joseph C. Williams 767- 448-4132
Dr. Victor Emanuel 767- 448-7552
Dr. Taura C. Breedy 767- 440-5314/265-5490

Consultant Gynaecologist & Obsterician

Dr. Ruby J. Blanc 767-440-0091
Dr. Curvin J. Ferreira 767- 448-3119
Dr. Ricardo P. Odiamar 767- 448-8949

Orthopedic Surgeon (Bone Specialist)

Dr. Julian De Armas 767- 440-5740

Specialist in Internal Medicine & Cardiology E C G & Echo Services

Dr. Gerald Grell 767- 449-8300/235-5365

ENT Specialist

Dr. Irving Pascal 767- 448-3551

Dermatologist/Skin Specialist

Dr. Worrel Sanford 767- 448-5270

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Hazel Shillingford-Ricketts 767- 449-8565

Emergencies

Police, Fire & Ambulance 999
Crisis hotline 1-800-4357
Police Headquarters 767- 448-2222
Disaster Management Office 767-448-7777
Dominica Fire & Ambulance Service 767-448-2889
Princess Margaret Hospital 767-448-2231

Government Listings

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries

And Forestry 767- 266-3271
Division of Agriculture 767- 266-3811

Ministry Of Public Utilities

Energy And Sea Ports 767- 266-3298

Telecommunication

Wireless Ventures Dominica Ltd. 767-440-3189/449-2347
Digicel Dominica Ltd. 767- 616-1500
Lime Dominica Ltd. 767- 255-1000

Other

General Post office 767-266-5209/266-3247
Dominica Museum 767-448-8923

Mortgage

Buying a home is the largest single investment you’ll ever make and unless you have enough money to pay for a house yourself, you'll need a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan you take out to finance the purchase of your home. It is also a legal contract stating that you promise to make a monthly payment until your loan is paid off.

If you do not have a mortgage broker, you can call upon CENTURY 21 Nature Isle Realty to provide you with the names of the leading financial institutions that will take the time to explain the options available to you and recommend a loan program designed to meet your needs.

Most of the financial establishments amortize for up to 30 years, with interest rates ranging from 7% - 9%. Repaying your mortgage over an extended period, allows you to customize your monthly payment to fit your budget.

When applying for a loan to construct a house, or to buy a piece of land, it is the responsibility of the borrower to provide the Mortgagee with some sort of security or guarantee for the repayment of that loan. The most common form of security is the provision of a Certificate of Title.

Non-residents may open bank accounts and obtain a mortgage for residential or commercial purposes. However, the mortgage terms will differ.

Investing in Dominica

Dominica markets its natural beauty to full advantage, attracting eco-tourists to this unspoiled destination. Like many Caribbean countries, the Nature Island is looking at ways to diversify its economy.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Private Sector Relations welcomes investment from all investors who are bona fide. Investment opportunities are available in hotel development, yachting sector, manufacturing and agro processing, information and communication technology, retirement tourism, health and wellness, ancillary tourism services (dive, restaurants, golf, marinas).

Investments are also welcomed in any other areas that have the potential to add value, generate foreign exchange, and provide employment to Dominicans.

The Ministry facilitates and supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing ones by providing incentives to investors under the legislation. Some of these incentives include:

• The granting of a tax holiday of up to twenty (20) years for approved hotel and resort developments;
• Exemption from payment of import duties on building materials, furniture & fittings, and operation vehicles;
• Equipment and machinery are provided for the construction, upgrading, expansion and renovation of hotel properties;
• An Alien Land Holding License can be waived for approved hotel projects;
• Withholding Tax Exemptions on dividends, interest payments, and other relevant external payments;
• Exemption from payment of import duties on plant, machinery, equipment, spare parts, raw and packaging materials, and vehicles are offered;

Foreign Ownership

Land is still very reasonably priced in Dominica. It also represents good value for money as there is no capital gains tax, unless buying and selling of land is the nature of a business.

A foreign investor can acquire and hold not more than three acres of land on an annual tenancy for his residence, trade or business, without the need for an Alien Land Holding License from Government. Transfer fees are 10% of the market value of the land. At the present time the Government encourages tourism projects and accordingly there are a number of incentives which can be obtained for investment in this sector.

Stamp Duty

A "stamp duty" on all transactions involving land at time of purchase is to be paid to the Government of Dominica’s Treasury Department. The standard Stamp Duty is 4%, and is calculated on the market value of the property.