GETS STATE OF THE ART HEALTH EQUIPMENT FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA....A MAJOR BOOST FOR HEALTH.

Government Information Service New Track and Field Stadium Nears Completion APRIL 2015 Grenada

Ministerial Complex,

Botanical Gardens,

Tanteen, St. George. ISSUE #003

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Information-Service- The New Track and Field Stadium under Construction in St. George’s Grenada

Follow us.. Grenada’s new state-of-the-art track and field Workmen are at the finishing stage and the stadium, funded by the Peoples Republic of China stadium, to be officially opened later this year, will and built by Grenadian and Chinese workers, is be the venue for next year’s CARIFTA Games. nearing completion. The stadium which is expected to host the The stadium, part of an original deal between a prestigious games next year is seen as a major previous Keith Mitchell Government and the PRC, boost for track and field in Grenada and officials are was brought back on the table after the Mitchell already talking about attracting top world athletes administration returned to Government over two including Jamaica’s Usain Botl and Grenada’s years ago. Kirani James.

Construction Begins at Silver Sands Over 300 Housing Construction is about to begin on Grenada’s newest hotel, the Silver Sands Hotel, on Grenada’s world famous Grand Anse Beach.

Scores of workers and contractors are expected Full Story on Page: 6 to find employment on the site as the first phase of work begins. Units Distributed! Graphic In This Issue... More Tourists Coming Grenada Surpasses IMF Targets design and layout This activity will further reduce the country’s Homeowners Get Keys Construction Begins at Silver Sands More Doctors at Princess Alice by unemployment which has fallen from 40% to 29% JetBlue Soars In Grenada Keville Frederick in the past two years. Grenada and IMF Reach US21.9M 3yr National Health Insurance..... Low Income Houses for Carriacou Deal and MORE. GIS Review Issue 003 April 2015 Over 100 Houses #Distributed!

Minister’s Jet Blue Soars In Grenada New Road Network Connects Grand Bacolet and Munich Editorial stage of the project. The Keith Mitchell administration has been Welcome We hope to complete all embarking on a deliberate strategy of reducing paving work and hand over expenditure through a number of measures Welcome to this edition of our the project by the required spearheaded by the work of an active Waste newsletter, The GIS Review. status,” said Burke. Reduction Committee; tasked with the goal of bringing non-personal expenditure down to 20 In this third edition we will focus The long awaited Grand percent. on the achievements of the Bacolet to Munich road has long been in the making The government’s campaign to control administration approaching this and residents have been expenditure has also been extended to mid-term stage. applauding its construction. statutory bodies as tighter measures have now been introduced for them to comply with. We have endeavoured to cover It runs for more than a Government in action through kilometer, at an estimated Rawle Titus This approach to keeping cost down has cost of 2 million dollars been working and has been twinned with a our many articles and pictures. New York based airline JetBlue has been cleared for landing GIS Director in Grenada following Government’s signing of a contract with the under the CCC project. concerted approach to general revenue and tax collection which has led to significant intake at Inland Revenue. However we hope you airline’s operators. Chief Technical officer appreciate that space would not A new road under Winston Gabriel says Therefore, the fiscal gap is narrowing from a high of 18 million allow us to be as comprehensive Tourism Minister Yolande Bain-Horsford broke the welcoming construction in the eastern the road bears major dollars, plummeting into low single digit zone as the economy makes as we would like to be. news after the carrier had fixed June 11 2015, as the date to part of Grenada, linking significance. a gradual climb out of the doldrums. Grand Bacolet to Munich is commence flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) “It links the eastern Needless to say we have to Grenada’s International Airport. nearing completion. The local private sector organization has publicly praised the main road and the road at administration for the strides made in managing the economy over included articles reflecting a Workmen are on the “We finally signed the contract with JetBlue coming here two Munich, St. Andrew’s,” said the past two years. turn-around in the economy, a reduction in unemployment, an verge of finishing the paving flights weekly in June of this year and this is a great thing for the Gabriel. ambitious drive to reduce expenditure and a robust effort to work on the road which The IMF itself has publicly praised the administration in hoteliers and everyone involved,” said Bain Horsford. passes through Mama “It is very important in St.George’s for consistently surpassing the targets set out under a attract foreign direct investment as well as boost small business. the event that it may have “It’s a joint venture. We have Sandals paying a portion, and Cannes. Home Grown Structural Adjustments Programme. The mid-term report reflects significant progress in government any traffic problems or also we have JetBlue and we have the Grenada part of it, so that is The tough assignments diversions along the main It is interesting to note that the IMF has even revised its economic since the return of the Keith Mitchell administration more than signed sealed and delivered and I think we are out for a good start of base course work and road; this road is a very growth projections for Grenada, pointing to two percent instead of the two years ago. in June”. drain construction have good loop that carries you over one percent as originally forecast. already been completed. straight into St. Andrew.” There has been movement on many fronts ranging from a drop JetBlue’s twice weekly service will be on Thursdays and The country’s national debt has just fallen again as debtors have in unemployment to record growth in tourists arrivals as figures Project Coordinator Despite the challenges agreed to a 50 percent haircut, a major coup for the administration Sundays to Grenada, the airline’s 90th destination and its 32nd Kelvon Burke says the road from the Barbados based Caribbean Tourism Organization of cost, road construction and its ability to continue managing the economy. destination in the Caribbean and Latin America. will be completed in days. remains a top priority of the would confirm. There is confidence that the drop in unemployment will continue The airline will serve the route with its spacious 150-seat “We are at the finishing Keith Mitchell government. as new projects pick up the pace in 2015. Indeed tourism has been a stand out sector with new airlines Airbus A320 aircraft featuring the most legroom in coach, free first- and cruise ships making their debut and returning and more run movies on flights to/from Grenada, and unlimited free snacks All eyes continue to be on the hotel and general service sector expansion in the fast growing yachting sector. and soft drinks. Delta Airlines Will Fly to which has been creating employment in Grenada. But from the get go, one of the areas given major attention “The people who have problems coming in they now have an Sandals have just gone live with their new Call Centre in Grenada was the need to put the fiscal house in order as the previous Grenada This Summer with a goal to employ more than 100 persons, the Silver Sands Project opportunity,” said Horsford. “Although we have American airlines is moving into gear, the Tyrell Bay Marina Project in Carriacou is well administration was embroiled in an escalating financial coming in but it’s coming in from Miami, JetBlue is coming straight Delta Airline has announced that it will be starting a new underway as well as the Clarkes Court Bay Marina Project, a potential nightmare. from New York so it’s a great thing for us. We are looking forward weekly service between Atlanta and Grenada this summer. game changer when completed. to this starting off in June”. Late and non-payments to a range of regional and international The United States based airline says the new service At the heart of all the major projects and initiatives is a strategy to bodies as well as the late paying of public servants salaries were In preparation for JetBlue’s inaugural flight to St.George’s, the will be operated on Saturdays starting June 6 and ending further reduce the country’s unemployment figures. August 15, 2015. manifestations of a fiscal carnival needed to be corrected. tourism minister met with top officials of the airports authority. About three thousand young persons have signed on to a paid News of the new service was first announced during internship Imani project and the government is now examining ways Both Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell and Foreign Trade Minister Grenada’s tourism industry has seen record growth last year, debate on the 2015 budget by former Tourism Minister outstripping countries in the region in arrivals with the forecast for that they can transition into continuous employment at the end of their Oliver Joseph as well as the International Monetary Fund have Alexandra Otway Noel. internship. more gains in 2015. been highlighting the progress made in restoring fiscal order. Delta says it’s using the new Saturday service from “Grenada has seen remarkable growth in tourism thanks to a The allocation to small business loans through the Grenada Please refer to the Director’s Editorial for a detailed overview on Atlanta to Grenada to decide if the flight will return for the Development Bank has been significantly increased. A number of Progress in Government. fresh marketing approach, an extraordinary new Sandals Resort winter 2015 peak period. new and growing businesses have blossomed from this initiative and a very resilient and committed tourism sector. Combine that The announcement will be good news for thousands impacting positively on unemployment figures. We are happy to make a copy of our newsletter available to you. with all the magnificent facets of our tr-island state and we have of Caribbean nationals and Grenadians alike who reside in Housing continues to be a top priority for the Keith Mitchell a winning formula,” said the Hon. Alexandra Otway-Noel, former Atlanta and have been seeking easier access to the region. government which has been introducing assistance programmes; tourism minister and now Minister of Implementation, Government The new service will be a further boost to Grenada’s covering home building and home repairs to support low income GarrawayW of Grenada. tourism industry which made significant strides in 2014 earners and locking down deals with Chinese companies for housing Winston Garraway (Sen.) “JetBlue is known to offer quality service and high standards, including achieving the highest growth in the region for for middle income earners. and is the perfect addition to our family. We are indeed very pleased arrivals. While the midterm report captured a significant turnaround in the Minister of State with responsibility for Information to welcome the inaugural flight on June 11th to Pure Grenada, the local economy the government would be the first to admit that a lot Spice of the Caribbean” more has to be done as Grenada forges ahead in a new challenging era. Homeowners Get Keys to New Chinese Houses NHI In 2016 Clarkes Court Bay Marina Project Picks Up Speed

The Grenada government says it is aiming to have a National Health In- surance Scheme fully up and running early next year. The Keith Mitchell led Government he onstruction site of the larkes ourt ay arina Health Minister Nikolas Steele an- T C C C B M delivered on its promise when it gave 38 nounced on Tuesday that a multi- families the keys to homes under the low sectorial task force is also being setup The first building is under construction as workers pick-up Already calls from around the world are coming in with income Chinese housing programme at Mt. to implement the scheme. the pace at the Clarkes Court Bay Boatyard and Marina project. queries ranging from an opening date to services to be provided. Rush, St. George’s. An Advisory Committee headed Nearly a hundred local workers are on site of the multimillion by trade union leader and senator, dollar project expected to be a major boost to the island’s General Manager Conor Holmes says Clarke’s Court Bay The hand over came months after the Chester Humphrey, has also recom- expanding yachting sector. Boatyard and Marina will be a game changer and more jobs People’s Republic of China presented the mended the setting up of a secretariat will come. Master Key to government officials. to spearhead the process. Implementation Minister Alexandra Otway Noel says she is “The committee has also recommend- pleased with the amount of work accomplished after a recent Officials say yachting is among the fastest growing sub- Minister for Housing, Hon. Delma ed a possible start date for a National visit to the site. sector in Grenada’s growing tourism industry. Thomas encouraged the recipients to care Health Insurance and that is at the for the units, and to above all, create a clean end of first quarter next year,” Minister and safe environment. Steele said. “That is dependent on being able to “We want to appeal to the families find the appropriate sources of fi- he piceisle ttracts ore ourists getting units here today and those who will nance between now and then and the T S A M T get in future, to cherish and care for it and An Excited Homeowner Receives the Symbolic Key Progress that is made but the most More tourists are expected to visit “We engaged some of the ships that its surroundings, keep this as a place that is optimistic date for them will be the end Grenada on cruise ships than originally While at the trade show Minister never came to Grenada before and they are clean and safe, a good environment to raise of first quarter”. projected for the next winter season. Horsford and her Grenada delegation looking seriously at coming to Grenada,” children,” she admonished. The Advisory committee, which began focused on promoting the purity and she said. authenticity of Grenada, and held talks with He said Government’s perseverance was its work more than a year ago, has That’s the forecast of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) the likes of Royal Caribbean, Carnival and a The Tourism Minister said the FCCA’s Minister Thomas said her Government the key ingredient in making this day possible. kicked off talks with the National Insur- which is projecting a 15 percent increase in number of other major cruise corporations President, Michele Paige, spoke very highly had been engaging in efforts to provide ance Scheme, the body targeted to arrivals for the season starting in September. in an effort to boost the country’s cruise of Grenada, in particular, the beauty of the housing for its people since the passage of “It’s a fine thing that the People’s Republic the run the National Health Insurance tourism market. island. Hurricane Ivan, and she is overjoyed to see would have done, and we recognise them Scheme. The FCCA’s prediction surpasses a those efforts come into fruition. for that” he said.“ But that didn’t come by “The most significant action taken 10 percent projection by tourism officials in “We had a very good discourse with “Prospects are very bright for Grenada the cruise executives as we displayed chance, it came simply because you have a from the report is that dialogue has Grenada. in moving forward with the cruise industry,” begun between the committee mem- Grenada’s tourism products,” the Minister Minister Horsford said. “When our government designed the government that has the capacity to negotiate said. bers and the National Insurance Speaking at a recent Post Cabinet concept for this project many years ago... and get those benefits, and for that we must briefing, Minister for Tourism and Civil the intention was always to help the most salute and be grateful.” Scheme’s board of directors to explore Aviation, Hon. Yolande Bain-Horsford, vulnerable among us, to help them make a the possibility as is recommended by said things are looking good for Grenada’s better day for themselves and their children. Hon. Tobias Clement, Parliamentary the committee for the National Insur- cruise industry. In that regard, we can say here today we Representative for St. George’s North East ance Scheme to be the manager of “It seems like we are going to have have delivered,” said Minister Thomas. said he is happy to see this moment finally the National Health Insurance,” the a 15 % growth of cruise lines coming to arrive and thanked the Government and Health Minister said. “It was felt that they have the skills set Grenada. We are on top of things and things Also, congratulating the Government of People of the People’s Republic of China for to manage a National Health Insur- are rolling very smoothly” said the Tourism Grenada on its achievement was President their contribution to enhancing the lives of Minister who recently met with the FCCA’s ance Scheme,”the Health Minister General of the Technical and Allied Workers Grenadians. President at the CSM Seatrade Conference said. Union, Chester Humphrey. and Trade Show in Miami. per cent projected at an No Fear From Falling Oil Prices Grenada and Exim Bank IMF Says Grenada Outperforms Targets earlier review. each greement oil prices that programme will be under R A “So many other people threat”. The Government of Grenada announced have been complimenting that it has concluded a comprehensive us because the international Oil under the PetroCaribe deal agreement to restructure its US$36.6 million institutions are seeing constitutes only 5 percent of Venezuelan’s (EC$98.8 million) indebtedness to the Grenada as a model for oil export . Export-Import Bank (EXIM) of Taiwan . what they believe …that Minister Joseph has also reported This landmark Agreement, which small economies that have positive development regarding Grenada’s reduces the principal outstanding on the been experiencing deficit arrangement with ALBA. loan by 50%, resolves Grenada’s decade- problem… how can they move to correct it and set a “So it’s a very small percentage and long dispute with EXIM and puts an end to path for sustained economic therefore the programme will continue the bank’s legal proceedings in the New and that was reiterated by the president, York Courts. development,” Dr. Mitchell pointed out. so we have no need to fear in Grenada Under the Terms of the Agreement, as long as the current government is in Grenada need not fear that falling the post-haircut balance on the loan will Venezuela,” said Joseph. After four years in world oil prices will result in the threat to the be repayable over 15 years–including a decline the Grenada PetroCaribe programme. “We are very happy because in our grace period of three and a half years–at an economy rebounded in 2013 budget a lot of the resources from social interest rate of 7%. In fact, the Venezuelan government has growing by 3.1 percent and programmes come from PetroCaribe assured Grenada and other PetroCaribe The Agreement also includes a 2.6 percent in 2014. funds. We will continue to get funding from member states that once it holds the reins of ‘hurricane clause’, which will allow Grenada ALBA. power, they will continue to benefit. to defer payments for a predetermined “So I think all the period should a natural disaster compromise barometers, all the “The arrangements are of great the Government’s ability to service debt in a measures, all the variables importance to all of you the people of timely manner in the future. have shown that we Grenada and a lot of concerns have been are heading in the right expressed,” said Minister for Economic Commenting on the development, P.S -Finance Timothy Antoine and IMF Team Brief the Local Media direction”. Development Hon. Oliver Joseph. Grenada’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. The Right Hon. Keith Mitchell, The two year old Keith adjustment programme. Development Bank (CDB) Dr. “So on the sixth of March, the president said “We are very pleased that with this new Mitchell government is being William Warren Smith. of Venezuela called a meeting of all the agreement we have now been able to work applauded for turning around Those heaping praise member states of PetroCaribe …to give out much more manageable terms to honour a sluggish economy and on the administration in The IMF is predicting us the assurance that the programme will our debts with EXIM bank.”. outperforming targets set St.George’s include the IMF and economic growth of 2 per cent continue. The concern was that with falling out in a three-year structural the president of the Caribbean this year compared to the 1.1

More Doctors At Princess Alice Hospital Carriacou Cleared For Chinese Low Income Housing Project Residents of St. Andrews and the staff Meanwhile although there are other In the year 2005, Grenada made a wise of the Princess Alice Hospital in Mirabeau minor challenges that are currently being decision to re-establish diplomatic relations Minister Nimrod said that feasibility have praised a decision by Health Minister addressed at the St. Andrew’s based with the People’s Republic of China. Nickolas Steele to increase the number of Hospital, the Ministry of Health has already studies like these are the very first step doctors serving the facility. completed the first phase of the project In that negotiation, the People’s taken before any form of development Republic of China had agreed to give and is very essential.He also added that Javan Williams, the Permanent known as the Princess Alice Hospital Diagnostic Services Project. Grenada two(2) thousand houses for low this is just the beginning of implementing Secretary with responsibility for community income persons amongst many other the promise of low income houses on health services and hospital operations - That project will see the return of supports. the sister-isle. Ministry of Health, says the decision is in line diagnostic services including X-ray and Though a definite figure have not yet with the Ministry’s mandate to provide 24hr Ultrasound services as well as some level Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of been assigned for construction, Minister services to persons using the hospital. of laboratory services at the Princess Alice Labor, Legal Affairs, Carriacou and Petite Nimrod said that he is positive that Hospital. Martinique Affairs and Local Government, He was addressing a ceremony at the Hon. Elvin Nimrod, led a delegation to approximately 100 low income houses Princess Alice Hospital in celebration of its the proposed low income housing site at will be constructed for the benefit of low That project is co-funded and executed 65th year of operation. Dumfries on the sister-isle of Carriacou. income persons on the sister-isle. by the Ministry of Health, the Roland “This is very clear in the Ministry’s Top Government Officials at Princess Alice MP. Nimrod, Chinese Ambassador Ou Boqian, Sen. Cox He expressed the Government’s and Nadia Benjamin Foundation and Members of the delegation included and Chinese Engineering Team visiting the proposed site mandate and it has manifested itself at the Hospital 65th Anniversary Celebrations GRENLEC. Chinese Ambassador for Grenada, H.E. concerns on job opportunities. beginning of this year when the Minister Ou Boqian and a feasibility studying group Chinese Ambassador for Grenada, H.E. Ou Therefore, the low income housing for Health took the decision to improve The facility serves more than 25,000 Work has already been completed on from China, Parliamentary Secretary in Boqian, said that her feasibility team is extremely project on the sister-isle is expected to the medical doctors quota serving the persons each year. On assuming the role the new building where theses services will the Ministry of Agriculture, Sen. Hon. satisfied thus far with the proposed site for create local employment. be provided. facility”, the PS told a large gathering at of Minister of Health in December of 2014, Simon Stiell, Parliamentary Secretary construction of the houses, and should see the Minister Nimrod thanked the the thanksgiving and award ceremony on Steele vowed to undertake a major overhaul for Carriacou and Petite Martinique beginning of construction very soon. People’s Republic of China for keeping Wednesday at the Hospital. of healthcare services to meet the growing Affairs, Sen. Hon. Norland Cox, and other their promise in ensuring that Carriacou technical workers in the Ministry of works H.E. Ou Boqian commended Hon. Elvin He added that historically there was one demand of the Grenadian people which is a gets its fair share of the low income goal of the Keith Mitchell Government. and Grenada Housing Authority. Nimrod for his dedication and hard work for the housing pie. doctor and then it was increased to two for a people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. very long period.