Prime Minister Mitchell meets EU delegation
The European Union (EU) says it is impressed with the way its funds are being utilized in Grenada and has given a commitment to foster closer cooperation with the Government in the years ahead in addressing development issues.
Following a visit to several EU-funded Projects over the past thirty-six hours, two EU high-level Officials met and held discussion with Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, on Thursday 24th April, 2008, seeking to advance the development thrust. Heading the two-member EU delegation is Mr. Stefano Manservisi, the Director General of Development for the European Commission in Brussels and he was accompanied by the EU’s Ambassador to the OECS, Mr. Valeriano Diaz.
Dr. Mitchell was accompanied by Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Ministry, Ms. Lana Mc Phail and Mr. Lennox Andrew of the Ministry of Finance. In Grenada’s recovery after hurricanes Ivan and Emily, the EU provided immeasurable support to the education sector, especially as it concerned the reconstruction of schools.
Messrs Manservisi and Diaz paid a visit to the schools undergoing reconstruction with funds from the EU. Among them are the Presentation Brothers College and Happy Hill Secondary School which have already been completed and Anglican High School which is now under construction. Calliste Government School is also earmarked for EU reconstruction.
The EU representatives noted that Grenada’s recovery from hurricanes Ivan and Emily was impressively rapid and that it could serve as a model country to the World for the manner in which it responded to a disaster. Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for EU assistance in the aftermath of the hurricanes. He spoke specifically about the development of the education sector, supported by the EU and the need for additional support as it relates to rehabilitation of schools, and the broadening of the curriculum to include technical subjects and the training of out-of-school youth in employable skills.
Dr. Mitchell indicated that this was necessary for young people in particular who needed to be properly prepared to take advantage of the opportunities now being created by new multimillion-dollar investments.
Mentioning Government youth development initiatives like GTEP and IMANI, Dr. Mitchell told the EU representatives that the potential for the country’s economy looks bright, since some 6,000 jobs would be made available in skilled areas over the next five years. He expressed the view that the job market of tomorrow will require today’s young people to be trained in appropriate skills. “This is a very important factor in Grenada today that would take care of the country’s young people as they seek to position themselves for the future.”
Grenada is also seeking a one-year extension of the financing agreement to facilitate completion of work under the Special Framework Agreement with the EU for 1999, which had suffered delays due to administrative and systematic arrangements externally. Funding under this programme would go towards the rehabilitation of the Boluogne Road, a diversification study under an agricultural revitalization scheme and irrigation.
A request was made for budgetary support under the 2007 programme which would allow for the first disbursement of under a 10 million Euro allocation, based on the fact that the IMF has completed its first review of the Reform programme. The Government has also made a request for support under the 2008 Special Framework Agreement for greater research to be conducted in the Nutmeg Industry, so as to create new nutmeg plantlet breeding stations, one in Laura and the other at Ashenden in St. David’s.
The EU delegation indicated that Grenada was in a good position to receive additional funds, given the good implementation record and the recent positive IMF report, which noted that Grenada has met all IMF conditions.
The EU representatives also spoke of providing additional financing for projects in human settlement and energy. It will also consider financing a national adaptation programme in energy with a view to reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, promoting the use of renewable energy and generally diversifying the country’;s energy resources. The Prime minister, in his meeting with the EU delegation, also made mention of the need to address the problems faced by people whose livelihood was destroyed by the hurricanes, including farmers and people who were employed by commodity boards prior to the disaster.
The EU Representatives advised that the organization would give support to the regional integration process, through tangible projects. Responding favourably, Prime Minister Mitchell explained that Grenada would soon be taking up the Chairmanship of the sub-regional organization and would be in a position to advance the integration movement. Dr. Mitchell further reiterated his Government’s satisfaction with EU copntribution and his desire for the further strengthening of relations.
