CATEGORY:ECONOMIC FORUM --------------------------- INSIDE GRENADA WEDNESDAY July 18,2007 by Wallace J.A GRENADA: On Friday 13th July 2007, The Parliamentary Opposition in Grenada – through the initiative of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) - held a National Conference on the Economy at the Grenada Trade Centre, in Grand Anse, St. George’s. This exercise was conducted under the theme “Making the economy work for all.” The main objective of the conference was to engage a wide cross-section of stakeholders / social partners in a national consultation on the state of the Grenadian economy, the socio-economic challenges facing the island and the way forward. Over 200 persons attended the economic forum, and although the organizers were somewhat disappointed that there was not an IMF presence at the conference, the exercise could still be described as a great success. Opposition Leader and Parliamentary Representative for St. Patrick East, Hon. Tillman Thomas, delivered the opening remarks at the conference. Those in attendance also heard from Mr. George Brizan, former Prime Minister of Grenada under the reign of the NDC. He underscored the need for Grenada to develop its agro-processing capacity, using models from some of the more developed countries. Hon. Nazim Burke, an economist, presented a macro-economic profile of the country and highlighted some of the major challenges that lie ahead. Other speakers at the forum were Mrs. Yvonne Gellineau-Simon, President of the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce, who spoke about the Private Sector and the Economy; Mr. Colin Francis of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP), who spoke on the Youth and the Economy; Sen. Chester Humphrey, who spoke about Organized Labour and the Economy and Sen. George Prime, who outlined an approach to the search for the way forward. The organizers of the forum claim that Friday’s session has enabled them to develop a plan which, when implemented, will re-structure, transform and bring growth to the Grenadian economy.