St. George’s, January 14, 2010 (GIS) – Grenadians will find out on Friday, January 15, what the government’s plans are for nationals seeking jobs, even as the country and the world remain in the grip of the global economic and financial crisis.
 
 Finance Minister Hon. Nazim Burke will present the government’s 2010 Budget at 10 O’clock Friday morning at the Trade Centre in Morne Rouge.
 
 A Ministry of Finance source told the Government Information Service (GIS) that Mr. Burke – who is also Minister responsible for Planning and the Economy – will focus on employment-creation, poverty reduction and the strengthening of social safety nets.
 
 Other priority areas in the presentation of Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure will include tourism development, agriculture and fisheries, education and human resource development, health care, housing and youth empowerment.
 
 GIS also understands that government is also planning to give even greater attention to Carriacou and Petite Martinique, strengthening economic management, improving the local business climate, enhancing environmental and energy sustainability, and restoring government building – including some that were severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
 
 The presentation of the Budget follows a series of nationwide consultations in which Finance Minister Burke and the government sought public input on key questions, such as suggestions on measures for stimulating the economy and creating jobs.
 
 Mr. Burke has indicated that the economic outlook for Grenada remains very difficult, with projections that the economy will grow by about 0.9 percent this year.
 
 Among revenue-generating measures expected to be formally announced in the Budget are the introduction of a Value Added Tax (VAT) on certain items.
 
 VAT will replace the General Consumption Tax, the Airline Ticket Tax and the Motor Vehicle Tax.
 
 This is the second Budget of the National Democratic Congress Government, which took office in July 2008.