GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - SEPTEMBER 21 - 27, 2008

UNCLAS GRENADA 000134 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN EAID SOCI SENV GJ XL SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - SEPTEMBER 21 - 27, 2008 ¶1. Embassy Grenada's weekly report (GWAR) provides a little detail about events of interest that do not merit longer reporting at this time. ¶2. Begin GWAR text: a. IMF Predicts Low Growth for Grenadian Economy The IMF's staff mission predicted a 1.6 per cent increase in economic growth for Grenada in 2008 due to weakened global demand and temporary disruptions in airlift capacity to the island, depressing tourism receipts. The IMF blamed excessive spending in the run up to the July 8 general elections for serious fiscal slippages and accumulation of unpaid claims. The mission agreed with the new government on the importance of fiscal consolidation to achieve the objectives of fiscal responsibility and debt sustainability. The mission also welcomed the planned (date unspecified) introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT). b. GOG Hurricane Relief Fund for Haiti and Cuba The Government of Grenada recently announced GOG donations of US$15,000 hurricane relief for Haiti and US$20,000 in relief for Cuba. In addition, the government set up an account in a local bank into which Grenadians can deposit contributions. c. PAHO Training Health Workers Officials from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO),and host country Grenada joined more than fifty medical practitioners from around the region in a two day workshop to introduce the updated and user-friendly computerized Perinatal Information Systems - (SIP). An attempt ten years ago to institute the program at the Obstetric Unit of the General Hospital failed as a result of a lack of computer skills among the health professionals and the complexity of the program. As part of an initiative organized by PAHO, two Public Health Nurses (PHN) attached to the Ministry of Health in Grenada, have been sent on a two week assignment to the Turks and Caicos Islands to render assistance to the Government and People of that country, following its devastation by Hurricane Ike earlier this month. These two Grenadian nurses will join a number of public health nurses, from across the region as part of this special assignment. d. Resort Scales Back Project for Dove Developers of the Four Seasons resort in Grenada announced that in consultation with the GOG, environmentalists, and dove experts, they have scaled back the Mt. Hartman project significantly to facilitate the survival of the Grenada Dove, a critically endangered bird found only in Grenada. The project incorporates maintenance of the dove sanctuary it abuts as part of its design. Ironically, without the resort project, which has taken the dove sanctuary under its wing, the doves' habitat likely would disappear quite rapidly as locals ignore government requests to respect the sanctuary and continue to tie their cows, goats, and sheep in the middle of the area and use it for off road vehicles, destroying the bushes the doves use for food and shelter. MCISAAC