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