GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2008

UNCLAS GRENADA 000145 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN PGOV SOCI GJ SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 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. Grenada Gets Budgetary Help from the EU: According to The Grenadian Voice, Grenada will receive six million Euros (US$7.56 million) through the European Union's Tenth European Development program to assist with Grenada's human settlement plan. The new grant is to assist the GOG connect to the grid housing developments promised by the Venezuelans and Chinese in 2004 after Hurricane Ivan ripped through country. The Venezuelan homes are built but the GOG has refused to accept them because of shoddy workmanship. The Chinese are only just starting construction. b. Amnesty for delinquent taxpayers: The Government of Grenada has declared a four-month amnesty for taxpayers in arrears to settle their accounts. From November 17, 2008 through the end of March 2009 anyone owing taxes through December 2007 is eligible for a 100 percent waiver of fees and penalties if they settle all outstanding taxes owed. Approximately EC$7 million (US$2.6 million) is owed the government by delinquent taxpayers. The Ministry is hoping the payment of taxes owed will help the government bridge an expected shortfall in revenues when the 3 percent national reconstruction levy expires on December 31, 2008. c. Grenada gets new GG: Grenada's Governor General of 12 years, Sir Daniel Williams, will demit office on November 18. Mr. Carlyle Glean, a former Minister for Education under the 1990-1995 NDC government, and was also a university lecturer, will be Grenada's fifth Governor General since independence in 1974. d. Establishment of Drug Regulation Proposed: At a national workshop on combating counterfeit medicines, jointly organized by the Ministry of Health and the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Services, Grenada's Junior Minister for Health called for the establishment of a National Drug Regulatory Authority to advise the government on policies on drugs and other health-related issues. MCISAAC