The Government of Dominica has signed an agreement with the UAE-based Montreal Management Consultants Establishment (MMCE) for the construction and development of a new international airport in the country.

The agreement was signed in a ceremony attended by Members of Cabinet, MMCE representatives and other stakeholders.

The new airport project will be funded entirely by the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme and is expected to be completed by 2025.

Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit said: “Today the government that I have had the honour to lead has delivered the first tangible and visible step towards making the international airport a reality in Dominica. Today, we see the evidence of its substance about to take shape in Dominica.

“After today, the airport will begin to rise out of the ground, then from the ground to the air, and I give you the solemn assurance that planes will land here direct from Europe and the US in 2025.”

The construction work for the airport has already commenced at the proposed site in Wesley village.

In addition, the government has started building new houses at Jo Burton site for Wesley residents who will be impacted by the airport construction works.

The new airport is expected to boost tourism in the country. Additionally, the international airport will also help the Caribbean island nation to further diversify its economy benefitting farming and fisheries sectors.

MMCE CEO Dr Anthony Haiden said: “This international airport is the biggest contracted undertaking not only in the history of Dominica, but also in the history of the region.

“The most sophisticated methods developed in the construction industry will be applied and the result will be the best airport in the region, its successful completion and subsequent operation will have a transcending effect on the country and will literally reshape the future of Dominica.”