Dominica’s citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) programme finances a new international airport and a cable‑car link to Boiling Lake, but these projects are not direct investment options for applicants. Understanding how the programme’s two investment routes relate to the infrastructure projects is essential for anyone considering Dominican citizenship.
CBI investment routes
- Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) – a non‑returnable contribution to the government, starting at US $200,000 for a single applicant.
- Real‑estate route – a purchase of a government‑approved private development of at least US $200,000, held for a minimum of three years, plus government fees that begin at US $75,000 per applicant.
How the airport and cable‑car projects are funded
Both projects are classified as national infrastructure and are financed through revenue generated by the EDF. The contributions made to the EDF are pooled into the government’s budget and allocated to projects such as the airport and cable car; they do not provide investors with ownership stakes, revenue shares, or any direct return of capital.
Airport project
- Developer: Montreal Management Consultants Development Ltd (MMC) – responsible for raising capital.
- Construction contractor: China Railway No. 5 (international contractor).
- Status: Construction mobilisation began in 2023; site works and contractor mobilisation are underway.
- Timeline & cost: No official completion date or total project cost has been published. Any circulating dates should be treated as unofficial until confirmed by the government or MMC.
Cable‑car project
- Manufacturer: Doppelmayr (specialist cable‑car supplier).
- Logistics partner: ABL Holdings.
- Purpose: To shorten the current five‑ to eight‑hour hike to Boiling Lake to a roughly twenty‑minute ride, with top and bottom stations featuring food and retail space.
- Projected completion: Public statements have targeted around 2025, but infrastructure timelines can shift, so the date should be verified before reliance.
Implications for CBI applicants
- EDF contributions support the broader infrastructure programme, including the airport and cable car, but they do not grant any direct benefit tied to those projects. The EDF is a donation‑style contribution with no expectation of capital return.
- Applicants seeking an asset‑backed investment that can be sold or transferred should consider the real‑estate route, which involves purchasing a specific, government‑vetted property.
Approved real‑estate developments (examples)
- Anichi Resort & Spa
- Jungle Bay Resort
- Timbo’s Downtown
- Ocean Edge Development
- InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa (Range Developments)
- Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort & Spa
- The Residences at Secret Bay
- Tranquility Beach Resort
These developments represent the only properties that qualify for the real‑estate route; each carries its own risk profile distinct from the EDF contribution.
In summary, while the airport and cable‑car projects demonstrate the Dominican government’s use of CBI revenue to improve tourism infrastructure, they do not constitute separate investment pathways. Applicants must choose between the non‑returnable EDF contribution and the asset‑backed real‑estate purchase, depending on whether their priority is supporting national development or acquiring a tangible, potentially marketable asset.
Source article: knightsbridge.ae
