By Trevor Thwaites (St.George's correspondent)

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr Keith Mitchell, who is presently in India with other regional cricket officials to launch the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, will take the opportunity to touch base with his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh. Discussion will focus on India’s support to Grenada in the rebuilding and reconstruction of the country, following the destruction caused by Hurricanes Ivan and Emily.

India is said to be keen to help Grenada develop its Information Telecommunications (IT) Network and provide technical support for the revival of the Nutmeg Industry. It has provided two IT personnel who are working here at this time and have also provided some financial support, following the two hurricanes. “We are going to be seeking additional help in the IT sector and also for technical help to aid in the development of the country,” Dr Mitchell told Spice Isle Review.

Prime Minister Mitchell will also be meeting with business officials in India, who are also keen to help the country develop a strong Information Telecommunications Network. India is also interested in helping the country revive its battered Nutmeg Industry. Grenada and Indonesia are known to be world’s largest producers of Nutmegs. However India is said to possess a thriving Nutmeg Industry. Its products are not exported; but are used to satisfy the needs of it large population.

Grenada is also seeking assistance from India in the area of Technology.
India is said to have the Technology that will make the Nutmeg crop mature several years quicker than those that were destroyed by Hurricane Ivan. Local Nutmegs took over 10 years to mature, but India is said to have developed some new and modern species that will see the crop maturing between five and seven years. Agriculture Officials are seeking the assistance from India is t this regard.

Experts are contending that that one of the reasons why the Nutmeg Industry suffered dearly at the hands of Hurricane Ivan was because the tree roots did not run deep enough into the ground. The Government is also looking to India for support in the provision of new technology that will drive the tree roots deeper into the earth, making them stronger and less vulnerable to storms and hurricanes like Ivan. These are said to be very crucial in the revival of industry, which accounts for the country’s largest exports.