Thank you Mr. Chairman,
Ambassador Valeriano Diaz,
Fellow Cabinet Ministers Permanent Secretaries
Invited Guests,
The Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen
My first encounter with Ambassador Diaz was a few weeks ago when he and his senior staff were here in Grenada to conduct a review of the European Union funded projects in Grenada. In his courtesy call on me, I was further updated on the implementation status of all EDF funded projects. In particular, we spent some time discussing the allocation of the 10th EDF, and of the need to drawn down those funds as quickly as possible. I am therefore very happy that he is here again in Grenada for the signing of the Country Strategy Paper of the 10th EDF.
With this signing Grenada has begun the process to access 6 million Euro as part of an indicative programme of EC aid to Grenada. Another 3.3 million Euros have been set aside for emergency use. This gives a total of 9.3 million Euros allocated to Grenada for the period 2008 to 2013.
We have agreed with the European Commission that 84% of the indicative 6 million Euros is for Human Settlement. This decision is in keeping with our thrust to relocate low income households living in vulnerable areas such as along beachfronts to areas which are less susceptible to storm surges, thereby ensuring their safety during a natural hazard.
We have also agreed with the European Commission that approximately 8% will be allocated to provide technical assistance to the Office of the National Authorizing Officer to ensure the efficient management and coordination of EC funds.
I must add that a key feature of this 10th EDF is that up to 8% of the resources have been allocated to support Non-State Actors in our country so that they have can have a contribution in ensuring the effective allocation of EC resources. In fulfillment of this objective I wish to call on the non-state actors to organize themselves in a panel through which they can make full use of the approximately EC$2m available to them under this 10th EDF.
I also wish to point out that notwithstanding the resources to become available under the 10th EDF, over the years, Grenada has been benefiting from substantial grant from the European Union. Only last month, the Government of Grenada received a grant of EC$14million from the European Commission, in fulfillment of the conditions related to the disbursement of the first tranche of the General Budget Support. As Prime Minister I would like to indicate to you Ambassador that that grant came at a time when the country is facing tight fiscal constraints, and that the money will be used to finance the country’s development programme as well as to meet government social expenditure needs.
I should also indicate to you Ambassador that the Government of Grenada remains committed to the continued implementation of the PRGF programme with the IMF as it serves as the basis for the country achieving macroeconomic stability and growth, and for the disbursement of the remaining second and third tranches of the General Budget Support.
In addition to the budgetary support, under the 8th EDF 6M euros (EC$24m) were allocated to improve the quality and supply of water in the Southern part of the island where our Tourism belt lies. I understand that this project is to get started in the first quarter of 2009. And under the 9th EDF over 11M euros were provided to rehabilitate twelve schools following the passage of Hurricane Ivan. Moreover there has been substantial assistance to the Agricultural sector and the Ministry of Agriculture through the different SFA projects since 1999.
Finally, before I close I wish to emphasize to you Ambassador that the Government of Grenada remains fully committed to the implementation of the EPA, and we have already started the process of sensitizing the population on the importance and benefit of the EPA to the region and to Grenada in particular.
Your regular presence here in Grenada is a clear demonstration of your commitment to the social and economic transformation of Grenada; and that is a motivation for my government to continue working diligently, to ensure the strengthening of the economic cooperation and partnership between Grenada and the European Commission.
On behalf of the Government and People of Grenada let me once again say thanks to the European Commission for the many assistance rendered to the Government and People of Grenada especially in our time of need.
