Former Government Minister is Dominica’s Ambassador to Cuba

Ian Douglas, the long-serving former government minister and Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth Constituency, is Dominica’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba.

“Cuba continues to be a very close and meaningful ally to Dominica along its pathway to development. In many respects, Cuba is our first country of reference in times of need. Mr. Douglas shall be entrusted and supported in strengthening relations with this cherished friendly state and ally of the Commonwealth of Dominica,” Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said Monday during a live broadcast to announce the composition of his Cabinet, following the December 6 general elections.

Douglas was, most recently, the Minister for Trade, Commerce, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Business and Export Development in the Dominica government.

An Attorney-At-Law and Notary Public, he previously served as State Attorney attached to the Inland Revenue Division and was Director of Public Prosecutions for a brief period from 1999-2000. He entered electoral politics in 2000, winning the Portsmouth seat, long held by the Dominica Labour Party.

In 2005, he was appointed Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs and Immigration. Douglas later held the portfolios of Tourism and Legal Affairs; and Trade, Energy and Employment.

Douglas has been credited for his contribution to the development of Dominica’s Geothermal Energy Project as well as for playing a lead role on trade matters at the regional and international levels.

He was also instrumental in providing policy direction for the implementation of the National Employment Programme.