CATEGORY:POLITICS ----------------------- INSIDE GRENADA Friday February 23,2007 EDITOR'S NOTE: This article represents the views, policies and vision of the New National Party (NNP) headed by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell. The NNP has been in office since 1995 - for three consecutive terms. In the last general election, the NNP won 8 of the 15 seats that were contested. The Government of Grenada humbly accepts the groundswell of compliments it has been receiving from nationals, visitors and observers from abroad, as well as admiring neighbours in the region for Grenada’s broad and far-reaching development – especially in a post-crisis period…And earnestly promises to continue to work tirelessly at keeping our eyes on the prize. Our achievements today are of small measure of what is yet to come…as time permits. Our reconstruction efforts have taken us a long way – beyond everyone’s expectations. The coordinated developmental work has taken less than two years, beating the projected reconstruction time-frame determined by international bodies by some twenty-eight 28 years. The rate of recovery is truly amazing but as a Christ-centered Government we see it as a blessing. For this we thank the People of Grenada and our friends in the region and well as those in the international community. Today, it is reported that our housing stock has surpassed our pre-hurricane Ivan numbers. And we have built back better. The Government has seen it fit to establish an umbrella group to organize ‘Hurricane Resistance Training” and a Contractor’s Association with the aid of ARD. There is training in building inspection, drafting, and other engineering disciplines. Our hotel room stock is approximately 96% reconstructed and significantly upgraded with increased room capacity. Our schools, hospitals and nursing stations, police stations, government facilities, community centres, recreational facilities, Agriculture and Fisheries sectors have all been significantly assisted and upgraded…and in many cases the process is ongoing. The Economic Reform Programme (2006 – 2008) has four (4) key elements: (!) Enhancing Growth. (2) Restoring fiscal and debt sustainability. (3) Reducing Vulnerabilities. (4) Poverty Alleviation. This reform programme has received enormous support from regional and international organizations. Grenada’s investment climate is the best it has ever been in recorded times. It is brimming with very dynamic investment opportunities that are led by the tourism sector. Local and international investors have been attracted to an environment led by a visionary and committed Government that saw the need to provide the necessary infrastructural framework; a reliable support service for investors; a society with a relatively low crime rate; an environment that is peaceful and stable; and an economy that has moved from stable to vibrant as it continues its growth pattern. You can go anywhere in the country and see a vibrant construction industry in action with the associated employment opportunities. There is a well balanced series of investment projects country-wide on stream with some soon to begin such as…………(list as noted in independence speech) The Government encourage our nationals to take advantage of the broad scope of investment opportunities such as: Light Manufacturing, Agri-business, Agriculture, Marine Yachting, Tourism and tourism related services, Information and Communication technologies, Telecommunication, International Financial Services, Professional Services, Business Services, Recreational, Cultural, Sporting Services, and Transportation Services. Those and many more opportunities are available to all. Today, the emphasis on productivity and the training of skilled labour could not be more relevant at a time when competitiveness is our Region’s only assurance for survival in the regional and global market place. The Government is encouraged to know that we have come a long way however we wish to give the assurance that we are also mindful that there is still much more work to be done. And as such, we will continue to meticulously examine the ways and means of moving this blessed country forward and is confident that the People of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are best served.