Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GRENADA11
2009-02-19 21:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Grenada
Cable title:
GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT: FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2009
how-toVZCZCXRO7280 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHGR #0011 0502115 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 192115Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY GRENADA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0534 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0615
UNCLAS GRENADA 000011
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ELAB SOCI ECON GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT: FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2009
UNCLAS GRENADA 000011
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ELAB SOCI ECON GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT: FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2009
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 Ranked 84th in Ease of Doing Business
Grenada has dropped from 63rd place in 2006 to 84th in the
latest ranking in the World Bank's ranking of ease of doing
business report. A visiting World Bank team drew attention to
the drop in a February 10 presentation during a public "Doing
Business Reform" meeting at the Grenada National Cricket
stadium. The WB recommended a number of steps the government
could take to improve ease of doing business in Grenada,
including an overloaded and understaffed legal system and poor
case management within the ministries.
b. Finance Minister Proposes an Unemployment Benefit Program
Nazim Burke announced that the government wants to institute an
aggressive strategy of providing training opportunities to deal
with projected unemployment of 30 percent. Burke also suggested
that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) tap into the over
US$222 million it holds to provide short-term unemployment
benefits to laid off workers. Chester Humphrey, Senator for
Labor, immediately condemned the idea.
c. A Difficult Summer Ahead
According to the Senate representative for the private sector,
Senator Christopher DeAlli, the summer will be a difficult
period as the economic crisis continues, with tourist arrivals
continuing their downward trend, remittances decline, and
foreign direct investment dries up.
Nearly all foreign investment projects in Grenada have already
been halted. Retail and construction spending has dropped as
the purchasing power of the average Grenadian has dropped.
Grenada's hotel sector is feeling the pinch as well with some
hotels report good occupancy rates and others report little or
none at all.
d. Break Dance Controversy Continues
Grenada's breakdancing police corporal continues to generate
controversy. Church and civic organizations strongly condemned
the star turn as inappropriate for the solemn celebration of
independence and performing, as well as being "foreign". Locals
have also accused the police band for performing "non-Grenadian"
pieces.
End text.
MCISAAC
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ELAB SOCI ECON GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT: FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2009
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 Ranked 84th in Ease of Doing Business
Grenada has dropped from 63rd place in 2006 to 84th in the
latest ranking in the World Bank's ranking of ease of doing
business report. A visiting World Bank team drew attention to
the drop in a February 10 presentation during a public "Doing
Business Reform" meeting at the Grenada National Cricket
stadium. The WB recommended a number of steps the government
could take to improve ease of doing business in Grenada,
including an overloaded and understaffed legal system and poor
case management within the ministries.
b. Finance Minister Proposes an Unemployment Benefit Program
Nazim Burke announced that the government wants to institute an
aggressive strategy of providing training opportunities to deal
with projected unemployment of 30 percent. Burke also suggested
that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) tap into the over
US$222 million it holds to provide short-term unemployment
benefits to laid off workers. Chester Humphrey, Senator for
Labor, immediately condemned the idea.
c. A Difficult Summer Ahead
According to the Senate representative for the private sector,
Senator Christopher DeAlli, the summer will be a difficult
period as the economic crisis continues, with tourist arrivals
continuing their downward trend, remittances decline, and
foreign direct investment dries up.
Nearly all foreign investment projects in Grenada have already
been halted. Retail and construction spending has dropped as
the purchasing power of the average Grenadian has dropped.
Grenada's hotel sector is feeling the pinch as well with some
hotels report good occupancy rates and others report little or
none at all.
d. Break Dance Controversy Continues
Grenada's breakdancing police corporal continues to generate
controversy. Church and civic organizations strongly condemned
the star turn as inappropriate for the solemn celebration of
independence and performing, as well as being "foreign". Locals
have also accused the police band for performing "non-Grenadian"
pieces.
End text.
MCISAAC