Coconut water factory progressing well

(Dominica Chronicle, 8-13-04)

After two years of operation, the coconut water bottling plant in Wesley is reported to be progressing well. That's according to Managing Director, Gail Defoe who says she is satisfied with the rapid pace of development being realised so far. "Despite Dominica's struggling economy, we've been able to showcase our products and that really has given us a spring board to perform," Mrs. Defoe expressed. The factory, according to her, produces some 1200 bottles monthly with some forty distributors contracted to the business.

The Coconut Water Bottling Plant is the brainchild of Gail's husband, Bonti Patrick Defoe who had already gained a wealth of experience in manufacturing and agro-processing in Jamaica, where he worked for several years. After carefully studying Dominica's position with regards to lack of agro-processing businesses, the couple discussed the matter and decided to initiate the establishment of the first ever Coconut Water Bottling Factory in Wesley in October 2002. "It all began while we were on vacation in Wesley two years ago and we were told Wesley had an unemployment situation facing the people. So my husband and I decided to set up this plant here and that itself, like everything else, is a challenge," Defoe noted. The project was funded with the retirement income of the Defoes who got able support from the AID Bank, the Women's Bureau and the SMAD of the OECS, which provided assistance in marketing and exposure to various trade shows within the region.

According to Mrs. Defoe, the factory needs to focus on outside markets since Dominica's population is too small to sustain the project. She says there are plans to expand the business into other areas such as the processing of fruit juices, as well as developing a craft industry utilising banana fibre. But for this to become a reality, efforts are being made to get technological assistance from the Japanese who are reported to be interested in the expansion of this potentially viable industry.

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