NEWS RELEASE

Ministry of Economic Development & Planning

Engages Business Community in St. Patrick’s

Tuesday, July 10, 2007, St. George’s: On Friday, June 22, 2007, the Minister of Economic Development and Planning, Hon. Anthony Boatswain, the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Economic Development and Planning and the Business Development Manager of the Grenada Industrial Corporation (GIDC) visited the Business Community in St. Patrick’s, namely Kalico Shopping Centre, E & F Supplies, Everett Frazer Furniture, Sherman Alexis Furniture Company, Mc Leish Furniture, Grenada Chocolate Company, Glenelg Natural Spring Water, River Antoine Distillery and Belmont Estate.

The main objectives of the visit were to determine the issues affecting business development, assess the effects of the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) on business operations, discuss any policy changes that can be recommended to enhance doing business in Grenada as well as ascertain the business support services or technical assistance required to improve business operations.

The visits yielded positive results with many outlining the business support services that can be delivered to improve their competitiveness. The business community also cited their understanding as it relates to the imposition of the VAT as a means of generating revenue.

The Ministry for Economic Development and Planning and the GIDC would continue to meet with the business community in other parishes to provide them with the opportunity outline the issues impeding business growth and the different technical assistance that can be undertaken with the assistance of the GIDC to improve their operations

Ministry of Economic Development and Planning

(473)435-0057