NDC TO LEVEL THE BUSINESS PLAYING FIELD

St. George, June 8, 2008 -- The National Democratic Congress believes in a strong and vibrant private sector and would swiftly enact legislation as government to further facilitate the development of the business community, says NDC leader Tillman Thomas.

He and a group of NDC executive members, who met recently with private sector representatives at the Flamboyant Hotel in Grand Anse, assured them that a National Democratic Congress administration will build partnerships with them.

"The NDC sees the need for a strong, vibrant, enterprising and innovative private sector in Grenada, and it is of the utmost importance that we have a partnership,'' said Thomas.  "We are quite aware of the substantial contribution that the private sector has made, and continues to make, towards our development in Grenada.''

The NDC leader added that although the business community is "preoccupied with economic activities,'' members still have helped to sustain local efforts related to issues such as sports, culture and education.

"We recognize the contribution you have been making,'' said Thomas.  "As a matter of fact, you have contributed substantially towards the recovery process in the aftermath of Hurricanes Ivan and Emily.  When you look at what the private sector did, you need to be commended for this.''

The NDC delegation to the meeting included Treasurer Glynis Roberts, General Secretary Peter David and Public Relations Officer, Nazim Burke.  They said the objective was to outline the party's position on private sector relations, with the aim of "building the country together to achieve prosperity for one and for all.''

Thomas said the NDC intends to avoid the "selective engagement'' which marked the New National Party's relations with the private sector.  He also promised a "fiscal incentive framework'' that would end the NNP's "ad hoc'' approach to development.

Thomas said: "We believe we ought to move swiftly to enact the Fiscal Incentive Act to create a level playing field, whereby you will know exactly what you have to do.  It's going to be a track that is predictable and both local and foreign investors would know exactly what the track is.''

The Fiscal Incentive Act, which is to "facilitate private sector development and private sector investment,'' and to create "better conditions for business to thrive,'' will be complemented by a "concrete and specific investment program,'' explained Burke.

"That particular program we would develop immediately because we see this as essential to the development of the country,'' he said.

Burke, an economist, said the NDC views the private sector as the "engine of growth'' in Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

"We recognize that the Grenada economy is led by the private sector,'' he said.  "We therefore expect that the private sector will continue to play a leading role in providing jobs, in generating public revenue, in earning foreign exchange and in generally assisting in financing the economic development of the country.''