Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, in addressing the Pearls Awards Ceremony in London on Saturday, outlined several areas of progress Grenada has achieved in recent years. The Prime Ministers referred to: 1.Massive infrastructural developments, including our road network,the distribution of water and the provision of telecommunications and electricity services throughout Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, 2.The general modernisation of our society, 3.The provision of educational and skills training opportunities, 4.The facilitation of investments in the agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and services sectors, 5.The application of sound fiscal policies and informed economic strategies, and most importantly, 6.The empowerment of our people to realise their potential as productive, patriotic, independent citizens. “These, among other initiatives, have placed our Nation on a strong footing to, in the words of our theme, “explore new frontiers.” One of those frontiers is that of Knowledge Enhancement. “On December 31, 1999, I declared the first decade of the new millennium the Knowledge Enhancement Decade for Grenada. Since then, we have made significant progress in this regard, with many of our young people fully aware and prepared for the challenges of the ever-advancing Information Communication Technology era,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister also referred to the ongoing liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, which has been achieved in collaboration with Grenada’s Eastern Caribbean neighbours. “Indeed, the Government of Grenada is fully cognisant of the fact that the ability to access, distribute and create knowledge has become a major source of competitive advantage and a viable means of reducing poverty,” he said. Prime Minister Mitchell told the London audience that: “the journey to nationhood has no end. The Government of Grenada is very mindful of the fact that this journey, in today’s global village, has a relatively different set of circumstances than those faced by our forefathers three decades ago.” “Substantial reductions in international aid and increased expectations by our citizens with respect to health care, education, public assistance and other social services from Government are the order of the day. At the same time, we must contend with trade liberalisation and a fiercely competitive international market place. While Government invests more heavily in the provision of social services, we cannot ignore the advent of global terrorism, cross border crimes and the enormous costs of security,” he said. Following are the winners of the various categories: 1.Category A: For contribution in the development of and promotion of culture in the Grenadian Community in the United Kingdom Awarded to: Mr. Kenneth Julien 2.Category B: For outstanding contribution towards the development of the Health Services in Grenada Awarded to: Mr. Eric Cato 3.Category C: For contribution in the promotion of Travel and Tourism for Grenada Awarded to: Mr. Clifton Peter James (Caribjet) 4.Category D: For outstanding contribution in Voluntary Work for the betterment of the Grenadian Community in the UK Awarded to: Mr. Ethelbert Munro-Baptiste 5.Category E: For outstanding contribution in Voluntary Work in the interest of Grenada Awarded to: Ms. Ceclyn Peters 6.Category F:Special Award: For achieving Grenada’s Gold at the Chelsea Flower Show Awarded to: Mrs. Suzanne Gaywood 7.Category G: For contribution in Fashion and Industry and the promotion of Grenada’s interest among the UK Community Awarded to: Ms. Carol Graham 8.Category H: For contribution in Education in the United Kingdom and Grenada Awarded to: Dr. Roselle Antoine 9.Category I: Special Award: Business (British companies who have done business in Grenada and contributed to its development since Independence) Awarded to: Cable & Wireless plc Awarded to: The Geest Line 10.Category J: Special Award: Tourism (British Tour Operators who have contributed significantly to the growth of the tourism sector in Grenada) Awarded to: Gerry Copsey (Just Grenada) Awarded to: Nigel Felton and Allan Lamb (Grenada Sports Ltd) 11.Category K: Special Award: Health (British Institution which has contributed to the Development of the Health Services in Grenada) Awarded to: Homerton Hospital, Hackney SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER