The Honorable V. Nazim Burke, Minister of Finance, Planning, Economy and Energy, and Foreign Trade and Cooperatives, addressed nationals at a Town Hall meeting at the Embassy of Grenada in Washington, DC on Monday, October 13, 2008. The Minister, who is in Washington DC, as Head of Grenada’s delegation to the Annual World Bank meetings, addressed nationals on a range of topics including the financial situation his government inherited following the July 8th general elections, challenges currently facing the nation, progress made since his government took office, and plans for the way forward. In his address Minister Burke spoke of the urgent need to reduce the rising cost of living, improve and revitalize the agricultural sector, with emphasis on redevelopment of the nutmeg industry. He cited as high priority the implementation of new legislations such as investment laws to improve the business climate in order to encourage foreign direct investment while improving the level of fiscal management. According to Minister Burke, there is a greater need for developing the quality of education and the country’s human resource capacity, as well as ensuring that quality health care becomes more accessible. “We are in an era when the application of science and technology must play a greater role in the efficient delivery of services; therefore, we are engaged in establishing an e-government program in collaboration with the World Bank. The Minister went on to share that “the Government gives high priority to food processing and the production of secondary products from our agricultural produce”, the Minister said. Nationals in the Washington metropolitan area seemed appreciative of the opportunity to interface with the Minister and eagerly asked questions on issues including the current financial state of the country, programs highlighted by the Minister, regional integration, food security and poverty reduction. One of the outcomes of the meeting was the acceptance of the Minister’s challenge to compile a database of nationals by profession, availability and expertise, so that the Diaspora can become more meaningfully engaged with government in a number of programs and initiatives to foster development and the exchange of knowledge. Two members of the community volunteered to compile that database in collaboration with the Washington Mission. Of significance to the Diaspora is the Government’s new emphasis on partnering with the Diaspora through volunteerism. Already an office of Diaspora Affairs has been set up in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Inside Grenada News