Governor General Sir Daniel Williams, in delivering the Throne Speech today at the ceremonial State opening of the Third Session of the Seventh Parliament of Grenada, credited the ARD for complementing and strengthening the works of Government Ministries, as well as providing timely expertise and consultancy services that would not have been available without greater expense and significant delays.

Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives were informed that the ARD will continue providing assistance to facilitate projects in housing, tourism, health, agriculture, community development, education and private sector development. Sir Daniel said the ARD is also responsible for preparing a 10-year National Strategic Development Plan to ensure that the reconstruction process reinforces the strategic development of the Country.

The scope of ARD work includes Social Recovery, Economic Recovery, Physical Infrastructure and the development of projects to seek international support. This focus will be maintained and intensified in 2006, with particular emphasis on training and skills development, human settlement, business reactivation and project preparation.

ARD Training initiatives will encompass skills development and certification of workers, with special needs of young people and women integrated into the training.

Social Recovery efforts will expand psycho-social counselling services, utilising the outcome and experience from the Community Caravan.

The Governor General told the two Houses of Parliament that the ARD’s role in the establishment of the Grenada Construction Association was intended to strengthen capacity and efficiency in the construction sector. He said the Agency will continue to work with the Association, the Physical Planning Unit, the Housing Authority of Grenada and other stakeholders to ensure that all buildings are constructed in adherence with the Grenada Building Code. Sir Daniel noted that the ARD motto of Build Back Better is gradually becoming the national theme for Grenada’s reconstruction process.