ST.GEORGE’S, GRENADA, 14th JANUARY, 2009_ Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas left Grenada this morning to attend a joint meeting of the OECS Heads of Government and the East Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). The Prime Minister leads a three member delegation, which includes Finance Minister Nazim Burke and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Timothy Antoine. The St. Kitts meeting will discuss a common strategic approach to help the sub-region minimize the impact of the global financial crisis on the member states of the OECS. The single strategy will be based on presentations from the Finance ministers of the respective countries. Some of the issues at the forefront of the discussions are related to the high cost of fuel and its attendant impact on travel and tourism. One of the recommendations to be discussed will be a two pronged approach to the sector, with short-term measures to ensure the survival of the industry through the traditional peak period up to April 2009, and medium to long-term measures that will help transform the industry and bolster resilience by improving competitiveness, service efficiency and product quality. The two day meeting comes at a time when the OECS territories have stepped up activity on the creation of a single economic space. “The economic difficulties we are facing now makes it critical that we find ways of working together and deepening our relationship. We have been talking about it for a long time but I believe we now have a group of leaders who have the political will to commit and implement that movement to work closer together,” the Prime Minister said. In giving his support to the deepening of the integration process, the Prime Minister said no effort should be spared to ensure that the lives of the people of the OECS are enhanced. The Grenada delegation returns on Friday evening. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Peter David is the acting Prime Minister. INSIDE GRENADA NEWS