With those words, Mr. Richardson Andrews, Chief Executive Officer of the Agency for Reconstruction and Development Inc. (ARD), set the stage for representatives of the private sector to ensure their aspirations and goals are part of Grenada’s National Strategic Development Plan.

With limited natural resources, much of Grenada’s future prosperity and quality of life will depend on the development of its human resources, Mr. Andrews said.

These sentiments were echoed by private sector representative Dr. Angus Friday, who said it is important that Grenada builds on its assets, one of which is its people who are recognised internationally for their hospitality and friendliness.

Dr. Friday said the private sector has a responsibility to demonstrate leadership to the Government and he commended the ARD for bringing together such a high level of private sector representatives for the Visioning Workshop.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Business and Private Sector Development, Senator Einstein Louison, referred to the “vital link” between Government and the private sector.

“Government considers the private sector as a valuable partner in bringing about lasting change and development,” Senator Louison said, noting that between 1995 and 2005 the largest share of capital
expenditure was allocated to physical infrastructure “in a deliberate policy to provide the economic infrastructure necessary for private sector development.”

Senator Louison urged the business men and women in attendance to develop strategies for meeting the global socio-economic challenges, suggest priorities for future development goals, and identify areas the private sector can contribute, as well as ways by which the Government can enhance the environment for sustained private sector development.

The Workshop was attended by approximately 25 private sector representatives, including the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Construction Association of Grenada, as well as Public Officers from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Ministry of Communication, Works and Transport, the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Culture and the Performing Arts and the Ministry of Education.

Wednesday’s Visioning Workshop was the third in a series organised by the ARD as part of its mandate from Cabinet to formulate Grenada’s National Strategic Development Plan.