My first encounter with Ambassador Diaz was a few weeks ago when he and
his senior staff were here in Grenada to conduct a review of the
European Union funded projects in Grenada. In his courtesy call on me,
I was further updated on the implementation status of all EDF funded
projects. In particular, we spent some time discussing the allocation
of the 10th EDF, and of the need to draw down those funds as quickly as
possible. I am therefore very happy that he is here again in Grenada
for the signing of the Country Strategy Paper of the 10th EDF.
With this signing, Grenada has begun the process to access 6 million
Euro as part of an indicative programme of EC aid to Grenada. Another
3.3 million Euros have been set aside for emergency use. This gives a
total of 9.3 million Euros allocated to Grenada for the period 2008 to
2013.
We have agreed with the European Commission that 84% of the indicative
6 million Euros is for Human Settlement. This decision is in keeping
with our thrust to relocate low income households living in vulnerable
areas such as along beachfronts to areas which are less susceptible to
storm surges, thereby ensuring their safety during a natural hazard.
We have also agreed with the European Commission that approximately 8%
will be allocated to provide technical assistance to the Office of the
National Authorizing Officer to ensure the efficient management and
coordination of EC funds.
I must add that a key feature of this 10th EDF is that up to 8% of the
resources have been allocated to support Non-State Actors in our
country so that they can have a contribution in ensuring the effective
allocation of EC resources. In fulfillment of this objective I wish to
call on the non-state actors to organize themselves in a panel through
which they can make full use of the approximately EC$2m available to
them under this 10th EDF.
I also wish to point out that notwithstanding the resources to become
available under the 10th EDF, over the years, Grenada has been
benefiting from substantial grants from the European Union. Only last
month, the Government of Grenada received a grant of EC$14million from
the European Commission, in fulfillment of the conditions related to
the disbursement of the first tranche of the General Budget Support.
As Prime Minister I would like to indicate to you Ambassador that that
grant came at a time when the country is facing tight fiscal
constraints, and that the money will be used to finance the country’s
development programme as well as to meet government social expenditure
needs.
I should also indicate to you Ambassador that the Government of Grenada
remains committed to the continued implementation of the PRGF programme
with the IMF as it serves as the basis for the country achieving
macroeconomic stability and growth, and for the disbursement of the
remaining second and third tranches of the General Budget Support.
In addition to the budgetary support, under the 8th EDF, 6M euros
(EC$24m) were allocated to improve the quality and supply of water in
the Southern part of the island where our Tourism belt lies. I
understand that this project is to get started in the first quarter of
2009. And, under the 9th EDF, over 11M euros were provided to
rehabilitate twelve schools following the passage of Hurricane Ivan.
Moreover there has been substantial assistance to the Agricultural
sector and the Ministry of Agriculture through the different SFA
projects since 1999.
Finally, before I close I wish to emphasize to you, Ambassador, that
the Government of Grenada remains fully committed to the implementation
of the EPA, and we have already started the process of sensitizing the
population on the importance and benefit of the EPA to the region and
to Grenada in particular.
Your regular presence here in Grenada is a clear demonstration of your
commitment to the social and economic transformation of Grenada; and
that is a motivation for my government to continue working diligently,
to ensure the strengthening of the economic cooperation and partnership
between Grenada and the European Commission.
On behalf of the Government and People of Grenada let me once again say
thanks to the European Commission for the assistance rendered to the
Government and People of Grenada especially in our time of need.
AUDIO FROM SIGNING CEREMONY
Ambassador Valeriano Diaz
Prime Minister Tillman Thomas
