Consultations in preparation for Budget 2009 continue this week with consultations scheduled for various constituencies throughout the island. The first consultation for this week took place yesterday, Monday October 20 at the St. Patrick’s Anglican school in Sauteurs, for residents of St. Patrick’s. The schedule continues as follows: Tuesday October 21, the team moves to the GBSS Auditorium where consultations will be held with residents of the town of St. George’s and other areas of the parish of St. George’s , at 6:00 pm. On Thursday October 23, the consultations move to the Bonaire Government School for the residents of St. Mark’s, at 6:00 pm. On Friday October 24, the team moves to Carriacou where consultations will be held at the Hillsborough Secondary School at 6:00 pm. Apart from these parish consultations, there will also be Budget Consultations for representatives of the Private Sector and the Trade Union Council on Tuesday October 21 and Wednesday October 22 respectively, at the Media Centre of the National Stadium, both commencing at 10:00 am. These consultations are being held in order to provide the public with an opportunity to make an input into Grenada ’s Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure 2009 and to positively influence national development. These consultations commenced last week and already consultations have been held with all teachers on the mainland, with the exception of St. Patrick’s, and with residents of St. John’s and St. David’s. The Finance Ministry is pleased with the response so far, which has been very positive and encouraging. Residents and those concerned in the other areas are urged to attend these consultations and make their contribution in the development of the 2009 Budget. Contact: Petra Charles-Joseph Ministry of Finance, Planning, Economy, Foreign Trade, Energy & Cooperatives 435-0057;440-2731/4 ext 1108 finance@gov.gd