Above: St George’s Grenada (CJ Photo)
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Grenada’s government will deliver its budget in the next two to three weeks ahead of the April 30 deadline, according to Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell.
The Prime Minister recently led a consultation last week involving Members of Parliament, financial officials and Cabinet Secretary Nadica McIntyre, saying that the country will need to take some “bold measures” on the economy.
Grenada’s budget must address private sector development, tourism and youth and education, he said.
The Prime Minister also said that the state of public finances were in a worse situation than his ruling New National Party had perceived after taking power in a 15-0 sweep of the country’s elections last month.
The manifesto of the NNP has promised “significant job opportunities and investment projects” in its first 100 days in office.
“Clearly the jobs expected must come from the construction sector — roads including Phase 2 of the Kuwait Project, some stimulus for the Construction Industry, Tourism and Manufacturing,” he said. “In addition, the budget must address less recurrent expenditure in several ministries and a serious reduction in non-personal expenditure, which include debt restructuring activities.”
Mitchell said the government would also emphasize the creation of a “safety net” programme for the most vulnerable in the country, along with the establishment of a National Health Insurance scheme.
“While some others talk about accountability, integrity and good governance, we have to walk the talk — in fact, talk less and walk a lot more,” he said.