Prime Minister Skerrit has indicated that the government is poised to move forward with investment options concerning the bottling plant in Loubiere.
This was revealed while speaking as a guest on Creole HeartBeat Program hosted by Leroy ‘Wadix’ Charles recently.
In 2018, the bottling plant proprietors, Dominica Brewery & Beverages Limited, announced its inability to operate its brewery and water production line, as a result of the serious damage suffered during the impact of Hurricane Maria in September 2017. The company was known for one of its signature products, Loubiere Water.
According to the prime minister, a locally-based individual has expressed interest in investing in the plant’s water-bottling potential.
“There is one local investor who has come to us and indicated that he is looking at investing in a water bottling plant and I have said to him that we are prepared to give all of the support that we need to give,” Skerrit said.
He continued, “There are some requests that have been made to the government, and I have given firm commitment in writing to them that we are prepared to put in place those requests to facilitate his investment in water, and he is going to look at the high end with glass bottle, because the glass bottle has a higher value.”
Skerrit further pointed out that the government is also in discussion with a foreign investor who is interested in purchasing the property of the Loubiere Water.
The Prime Minister said he intends to reach out to the principles of that company, “because there is a reluctance on their part to sell it.”
The company has not returned since the passage of Hurricane Maria.
“I think they need to sell the property. If not, the government will acquire [it] in the public interest and pass [it] on to the foreign investor to redo the plant,” he stated. “That foreign investor has his markets in the global markets and he is very keen on this.”
Skerrit said he plans to meet with the principals of the company that owns the Loubiere property, this week.