“The Spice Isle of the Caribbean, embracing a rich heritage that nurtures community and family values, with a united, educated, spiritual and hospitable people, thriving in a peaceful democratic environment, transformed by innovation, creativity, enterprise and equal opportunity for a better quality of life.”

This Statement came about following a series of Visioning Workshops convened between January and May 2006 by the ARD under the guidance of Macro Economic Planner Dr. Sylvia Charles through the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC).

The ARD has been mandated by Government to formulate a 10-year National Strategic Development Plan for the Country, which is being facilitated with assistance from the CFTC. The Workshops marked the first phase of the planning process, and participants included representatives from the Public Service, statutory bodies, trade unions, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, political parties, the Grenada Conference of Churches, the Economic Advisory Council and Parliamentarians.

The Workshops engaged participants in discussion groups, the presentation of group findings and a synthesis of outcomes. Each Workshop built on what was produced from the preceding, so that by the end of the fifth Workshop, substantial progress had been made towards the development of a draft Plan.

In addition to a Visioning Statement for Grenada, the Workshops produced comprehensive documentation of the Country’s strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats, as well as relevant recommendations. The documentation has been synthesized by a Core Group, consisting of personnel of Government Ministries, the Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organisations and the ARD.

Preparation of the first draft of the Plan is in progress. A total of 12 goals have been identified, as follows:

1. An economically transformed country and people-centred development;
2. A socially strengthened and cohesive society supported by an educated, trained and creative human resource;
3. A culturally aware society with synergies between culture and economy;
4. Improved governance and a democratic environment conducive to peace and security;
5. A developed youth sector capable of participating in and benefiting from national development;
6. Gender equity is ensured to promote human rights and inclusiveness;
7. Environmental and physical development considerations integrally linked to national development;
8. An enhanced tourism sector optimizing its contribution to the country’s socio-economic development;
9. An enhanced contribution of the agricultural sector to the national economy and to livelihoods;
10. An improved contribution of agro-industries to national development;
11. A more efficient construction sector capable of responding to the requirements of reconstruction and national development;
12. An enhanced economic infrastructure sector supporting the Country’s development.

The Core Group is identifying activities in keeping with these goals.

The Core Group comprises the following:

Mrs. Pauline Finlay, Ministry of Education,
Mrs. Merina Jessamy, Cabinet Secretariat,
Mrs. Lima Frederick, Ministry of Tourism (on study leave),
Dr. Angus Friday, Private Sector,
Mr. Allan Bierzynski, Private Sector,
Dr. Cecile La Grenade, Private Sector,
Mr. Garvey Louison, Economic Advisory Council and Private Sector,
Mrs. Elaine Henry-McQueen, NGO,
Mrs. Gloria Payne-Banfield, NGO,
Mr. Richardson Andrews, ARD,
Dr. lincoln douglas, ARD,
Mrs. Elizabeth Charles-Soomer, CFTC/ARD,
Mr. Ivan Laughlin, ARD,
Miss Georgia Wilson (on study leave),
Mr. Gregory Delsol, ARD,
Dr Sylvia Charles, CFTC/ARD.