1

ContentsMessage From The Political Leader of The NDC ........................................................................ 2“Making Grenada Work For All” ................................................................................................... 4The High Cost Of Living ................................................................................................................ 5A Roof Over Your Head ................................................................................................................. 6Strengthening The Family ............................................................................................................. 6Providing Relevant Education ...................................................................................................... 7Better Health Care ......................................................................................................................... 8Investing In Our Youth .................................................................................................................. 9Empowering Women ................................................................................................................... 10Caring For Our Senior Citizens ................................................................................................... 11Sports For All ............................................................................................................................... 12Preserving The Community ........................................................................................................ 13Putting Carraicou And Petite Martinique On The Map .............................................................. 14Social Security ............................................................................................................................. 15The Prerequisites for Social And Economic Development ....................................................... 16Quality Leadership ....................................................................................................................... 16Good Governance........................................................................................................................ 16A New Value System ................................................................................................................... 17Your NDC Team ........................................................................................................................... 18Fiscal Incentives .......................................................................................................................... 20An Efficient Infrastructure ........................................................................................................... 21Roads ........................................................................................................................................... 21Water Supply ................................................................................................................................ 21Electricity ...................................................................................................................................... 21Transportation ............................................................................................................................. 21Telecommunication ..................................................................................................................... 22An Efficient And Effective Civil Service ...................................................................................... 22National Security ......................................................................................................................... 23An Enlightened Foreign Policy ................................................................................................... 23Economic Development .............................................................................................................. 24The Macro-economic Framework ............................................................................................... 24NDC Economic Policy ................................................................................................................. 25Stimulating Agriculture ................................................................................................................ 27Fishing .......................................................................................................................................... 28Making Tourism Work For All ..................................................................................................... 29Technologically-based Services ................................................................................................. 30A New Energy Policy ................................................................................................................... 31Preserving The Environment ...................................................................................................... 32Developing A Culture Of Enterprise, Innovation And Productivity ........................................... 32The National Export Sector Strategy .......................................................................................... 33Partnership For Economic Development ................................................................................... 33New Economy For Carriacou And Petite Martinique ................................................................ 34Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 36

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MESSAGE FROM THE

My Brothers and Sisters,

I have lived through every single political administration in Grenadasince Independence. I have seen many promising leaders emerge,showing a profound understanding of the hopes and dreams of thepeople, their fears and anxieties, their needs and their wants. How-ever, the longer they stay in office, and the more they are allowed toremove the political checks and balances, the more they becomeintoxicated with power and begin to behave like “maximum leaders”.Soon they start making serious political blunders that bring nothingbut shame and suffering to those who elected them.

This cycle has led to three disasters in Grenada’s short post-Indepen-dence history. Grenada is currently in the throes of the third disaster,which began in 1995. When a High Street Bank collapses bringingruin to hundreds of poor Grenadian citizens, when our police force isused to invade the privacy of citizens and law abiding organizations,we know that total disaster is near.

While these discredited leaders become more and more preoccupiedwith their political survival, there is gross mismanagement of thenation’s affairs. Hence the living standards of the majority of citizenshave been falling dramatically, made worse by natural calamities.There is a mounting sense of frustration and loss of hope each addi-tional day the people of our beloved country have to wait for changeto come.

It is for these reasons that I have always made a stand against creep-ing dictatorship. During the 1980’s I stood up for free speech and wasimprisoned for it. I have subsequently learnt to resist authoritarianrule through established institutions, such as the legislature, thejudiciary and an enlightened political party.

I have also made a resolution to dedicate my life to the principles andpractice of Good Governance. As you know, Good Governance de-mands transparency, accountability, respect for the law, honesty andhumility. Good Governance is a pre-condition for economic and socialdevelopment.

It is at times like this that I say “Thank God for Democracy”. We inGrenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique can avert tragedy by voting

OF THE NDC

3

POLITICAL LEADER

Tillman Thomas

Political Leader of theNational DemocraticCongress

the NNP Administration out of office andushering in the change that our countryneeds and which the people are yearningfor. The National Democratic Congress isbringing that change. It will, with yourvote, restore integrity, renew hope,

and build our country together.

I have a vision for my country. It is avision of a nation that is free, a land ofequal opportunity, a land of tolerance, fairplay and prosperity. This is our country andwe want to make it a place where we can

live, work, bring up our children and enjoy the fruits of ourlabour in peace and harmony.

In pursuit of this vision I became a founder member of theNDC in 1987. Since then I have helped to build this great Partyon the foundations of Good Governance. I have recruited ateam of competent, caring and committed political leaders.They represent a wide cross section of the people of Grenada,Carriacou and Petite Martinique. They include past revolution-aries simply because they, like thousands of other Grenadians,were products of their age and deserve to participate in all themainstream institutions of their country.

I have also introduced a style of leadership that allows leadersin their own right to grow and develop, while at the same timeputting a brake on any tendency towards authoritarian rule.This kind of teamwork is what the people want and that iswhat the NDC is offering.

We have done our homework and we are ready to return thiscountry to a state of respectability, Good Governance and rapiddevelopment. We are ready and able to tackle the issues thatwill enable us to realize our vision for Grenada, Carriacou andPetite Martinique.

Fellow citizens: “All that is required for evil to prevail is

Tillman Thomas

for good men to do noth-ing”. So said Edmund Burkeduring the war-torn years ofthe 18th century; and so say Ito you today. This is thereforea call to action. It is a wake-up call for all those who wantto do something about themany perils our country isfacing. We can no longer sitback and do nothing. We darenot let evil prevail. This coun-try needs new energy andnew blood in its veins. Onlythe NDC with a strong andloving heart can pump newlife into Grenada, Carriacouand Petite Martinique. Join theNDC campaign now.

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The challenge before us is to make Grenada, Carriacouand Petite Martinique - our country - work for the bet-terment of all its citizens and residents. This can onlyhappen if we RESTORE INTEGRITY, RENEW HOPE

AND BUILD OUR COUNTRY TOGETHER. This is theprecondition for realizing the vision of a nation that isfree, a land of equal opportunity, a land of tolerance, fairplay and prosperity. As such it challenges everyGrenadian to act resolutely and decisively to reclaim ourheritage, our traditional values, our dignity and self-respect. This vision of change is what our people de-serve. It is informed by the need to quickly address themany challenges our country is now facing, which in-clude:

� The significant increases in the cost of living

� The reckless mismanagement of our country’sresources

� The lack of inclusiveness� The availability of limited opportunities and privi-

leges, but only for the few� Increasing levels of poverty� Insufficient and inappropriate education and train-

ing� Poor housing� Reduced access to proper health care� High levels of unemployment and underemploy-

ment� The erosion of moral standards� The collapse of democratic institutions� A growing unsustainable debt� The disenfranchisement and alienation of our

people� The loss of hope.

These problems are directly related to the current ap-proach to governance, which has stymied our country’sperformance over the past thirteen years.

The critical issue, however, is about your choice of a newpath. The NDC offers a new path towards rebuildingtrust, instilling confidence, and inspiring hope by pursu-ing the following strategic actions together.

MAKING GRENADAWORK FOR ALL

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(A) PUTTING PEOPLE AT THEHEART OF DEVELOPMENT

The real catalyst for development ispeople. A people who are hurting frominjustice, who are suffering because theybelieve that obstacles are willfully placed inthe way of their progress, a people whohave lost hope, cannot successfully over-come the challenges of development. TheNDC has been listening to the cries of thepeople of Grenada, Carriacou and PetiteMartinique and realize that developmentmust start with addressing the most press-ing issues that confront them now.

(1) THE HIGH COST OF LIVINGThe escalating cost of living is currentlyone of the most worrying and debilitatingissues confronting Grenadians. People whocannot afford the basic necessities of lifeare liable to resort to anti-social behaviour,and are certainly less productive.

The NDC will start to address this issue bycreating real jobs. We shall also signifi-cantly reduce import duties, and the levieson a select basket of essential goods so asto make these goods more accessible to thepoor and disadvantaged. In addition to thiswe shall drastically reduce governmentwaste by relieving the public of the burdenof expenses that provide no tangible ormeasurable service or benefit to the stateand its citizens.

In particular the NDC will:� Provide support for our importers to

find cheaper sources of imports;� Initiate, with the assistance of our

farmers and the Marketing Board, anemergency agricultural food produc-tion support programme to increasedomestic food production and con-sumption;

� Embark upon a new and genuineFood Security campaign, encourag-ing small scale farming and backyard gardening;

� Launch a national campaign to teachour citizens prudent money manage-ment, and personal financial planning.

Most important, we will kick-start the neweconomy (as shown below) that will providequality, paying jobs that will allow our citizensto afford a higher standard of living.

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(2) A ROOF OVER YOUR HEADDecent, affordable housing is essential fornormal family life. In contemporaryGrenada, access to land and adequate hous-ing is a critical need. This issue has becomeacute for many following the passage ofhurricanes Ivan and Emily. The situation hasbecome even more problematic given thecurrent trend of “real estate tourism” whichhas significantly forced up the price of landpushing it beyond the reaches of manyGrenadians desirous of getting their firsthome.

Given the limited supply of land due to oursmall size, a national policy is absolutelynecessary if we are to address this funda-mental aspiration of Grenadians of owningland and a home. As a result, the NDC will:

� Reactivate and expand the activities ofthe National Housing Authority by pro-viding it with the necessary financial,technical and human resources;

� Identify suitable land in every parish forthe establishment of housing projects;

� Encourage communities to use themaroon system and housing brigades tobuild their own houses;

� Solve the housing problems of at least150 citizens a year;

� Eradicate the squatting problem byproviding affordable land and housingfor all;

� Launch a campaign, in collaboration withall the stakeholders, to get more housesinsured;

� Secure concessionary rates for groups ofpeople seeking house insurance.

(3) STRENGTHENING THE FAMILYThe Grenadian family is in crisis. Social analyststrace the anti-social behaviour of children andyoung people back to dysfunctional families. Eventhough the family should not be blamed for allthe social ills of Grenada, it is beyond doubt thatthis vital social institution needs support. Poor,isolated, single parent families cannot cope withthe challenges of socializing children in an age ofcultural penetration, crime and violence.

The NDC fully appreciates that families are thefoundations of society. Children receive their earlyeducation, their primary values and their initialsense of worth within families. If families get itright in the formative pre-school years, success atschool, at work and in life is more likely.

Government accepts responsibility for strengthen-ing families in Grenada. In pursuit of this objec-tive, the new NDC Administration will therefore:� Upgrade the Ministry responsible for Fam-

ily Affairs� Provide child development services such as

nurseries, after-school play groups, andcommunity projects to help poor familiesraise children

� Improve the systems for collecting mainte-nance from absent fathers

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� Provide education on Gender Relationsto young people

� Provide counselling services to parents� Strengthen the legislation on domestic

violence� Collaborate with NGO’s and churches

in the implementation of supportiveprogrammes.

(4) PROVIDING RELEVANT EDUCATIONGrenada’s human resource constitutes aprimary national asset which must be devel-oped and maximized if we are to achieve ourfull potential and be the beneficiaries ofeconomic and technical opportunities in thenational, regional and global marketplaces.Hence, our human resource developmentstrategy must facilitate the attainment of ourvision to be a modern, prosperous and highlyproductive society.

Educational ReformAn important policy issue that confronts us inthe field of HRD is educational reform. Westart with the conviction that all children havea right to education as made clear in the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child. As aresult, the NDC will protect this fundamentalright of children and foster responsibilityamong them.

The NDC will use education as a major toolfor development. It will increase the percent-age of government expenditure on educationto 15% in its first year in office. It will guar-antee all our children and young peopleaccess to decent, relevant education thatprepares them for happy and productivelives. Among other things it will:

� Provide early childhood education� Introduce social skills, a foreign lan-

guage, Health and Family Life Educa-tion from the primary school level

� Strengthen the Primary School Systemby ensuring that there is a reservoir ofwell trained teachers, appropriateteaching aids and other resources

� Abolish the Common Entrance exami-nation and replace it with continuousassessment for selecting children toattend secondary schools according totheir aptitude

� Revise the curriculum for secondaryschools to include life skills, ethics,civics, technical and technologicaleducation, agriculture and culturalactivities such as music, art and drama

� Provide assistance to children withrespect to text books and transport toschool

� Ensure that no child leaves schoolwithout a qualification

� Improve and make available tertiarylevel education and vocational trainingto all students

� Facilitate access to St. George’s Univer-sity for those students who attain therequired qualifications

� Offer a minimum of 10 island scholar-ships annually.

A Training Awards Policy and an IndependentAgency will be formulated to give everyGrenadian an equal opportunity to accessscholarships.

Lifelong EducationThe NDC is committed to life long trainingand learning for all of our citizens regardlessof age. In that regard we shall implement aseries of ongoing training and human learninginitiatives aimed at providing our citizens withglobally sought after skills. Specifically weshall:� Establish “Learning Centres” in every

parish� Provide training opportunities in infor-

8

mation technology for all citizens� Hold special classes for adults, espe-

cially senior citizens in computer andinternet use.

The NDC will focus on enhancing the skills ofworkers in the Public Sector. It will there-fore:

� Provide training opportunities forMiddle and Senior Management up tothe Masters’ degree level in specifiedareas of management.

� Provide training opportunities in rel-evant subjects for all Public Sectorworkers.

In addition to making specialized trainingavailable to the Private Sector, the NDCwill offer incentives for entry into potentialgrowth areas, such as Food Technologies,Events Management, Art and Music.

In order to finance this Human ResourceDevelopment Plan, the NDC will:

� Increase the percentage of the nationalbudget, for both compulsory andvoluntary education and training

� Introduce tax rebate schemes to theprivate sector for investment in train-ing

� Seek external grants and resourcesthrough bi-lateral co-operation agree-ments

� Introduce an entertainment levy forHRD.

(5) BETTER HEALTH CAREGood health is a basic human right and a

vehicle for economic growth and social develop-ment. The NDC Government is committed toimproving the quality of health of all citizens ofGrenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique irre-spective of their political, religious, ethnic affili-ation or class. An NDC Government will en-hance the quality and delivery of Health Ser-vices in the State of Grenada by focusing onPreventative, Curative and Rehabilitative HealthServices through Health Reforms. It willstrengthen and re-organize systems and ratio-nalize existing facilities together with continuoustraining of all categories of health care provid-ers. The focus of the new strategy will be on:

� Health promotion and disease prevention� On-going training for health care provid-

ers� Quality management of health care

systems� Provision of primary health care� Creating and preserving a healthy envi-

ronment� Health care legislation and financing� Private/public sector partnership� Exploring the feasibility of a National

Health Insurance Scheme� Achieving the Millennium development

goals as they relate to child mortality,maternal health, HIV/AIDS, malaria andother lifestyle diseases.

9

As a matter of urgency, the incoming NDCGovernment will:

� Work to provide Free Health care forall children under the age of 18 andsenior citizens over 60 years withinits term in office.

� Reduce the waiting time in the Acci-dent and Emergency department.

� Introduce a comprehensive SchoolHealth Programme to offer servicessuch as routine screening for vision,hearing disorders, autism, dentalcare, psychological disorders, chronicdiseases etc.

� Introduce specialist outpatient clinicsthroughout the country.

� Upgrade Grand Bras and Sauteursmedical station to provide a widerange of services.

� Establish a patient relation depart-ment at the General Hospital.

� Provide support services for nurses,doctors and other health care provid-ers such as counseling, occupationalhealth & safety training.

� Introduce a Decompression Chamberto save the lives of our fishermen.

The NDC is mindful of the need for HumanResource Development in the manage-ment of the Health Service. It will thereforedraw up and implement a comprehensivehuman resource development plan for thehealth sector and provide scholarships fornurses in specialized areas such as oncologyand bio-medical technology.

As part of its policy of taking services to thepeople, the new NDC Administration willupgrade both the Princess Alice Hospitalin St. Andrew and the Princess Royal

Hospital in Carriacou. They will be pro-vided with adequate staffing, equipment andsupplies to offer the full range of servicesinclusive of minor operations, physio-therapy, diagnostic facilities such as X-rayand laboratory services to avoid many of the

difficulties which presently exist in sendingspecimens to St George’s and retrieving results.The NDC will also up-grade the Health Centre inPetit Martinique to provide a wide range ofservices.The NDC is mindful of the costs involved inimproving health care. However, because of thehigh priority given to health it will develop afive-year strategic plan for Hospital Serviceswith emphasis on cost recovery, maintenance ofstandards and disaster mitigation and manage-ment.

(6) INVESTING IN OUR YOUTHThe most effective way of ensuring our country’ssuccessful future is through the engagement andinvolvement of our youth. That future would beuncertain and unpredictable unless we act re-sponsibly and with resolve to ensure that ouryoung people are shaped by the right values andinfluences. Our policies must anchor and guidetheir personal, social, spiritual and economicdevelopment. The NDC is committed to thepurposeful engagement of the youth in a sup-portive environment so that their talents andenergies could be maximized.

The NDC will introduce a special programmecalled THE GRENADA YOUTH UPLIFTMENT

PROGRAMME. It is based on the principle

that “Every Youth Has Value, Every YouthCan Earn, Every Youth Must Contribute To

Nation Building”.

10

The Programme objectives include:� Recognizing youth as important, valued

stakeholders in the development of ournation

� Providing short–term work experiencefor all unemployed youth

� Laying the foundations for long-termemployment through skill development

� Enabling young people to contribute toand benefit from social well-beingthrough family support and communityservice.

The programme will be developed by both theprivate, NGO, and public sectors as a jointenterprise. This will ensure, among otherthings, a sense of joint ownership, thus rein-forcing its non-political character.

Programme implementation will be the respon-sibility of an independent Agency managed bya Board of Directors. The programme willinclude the following features:

� Exposure of all young people to oppor-tunities to inculcate positive values

� A thorough induction to the world ofwork based on acceptable values andhabits

� Introduction to high technology, withopportunities to proceed to furtherstudies

� Exposure to a National Cultural Projectsand a National Sports Programme

� Access to learning new methods offarming

� Training for niche farming and agro-business

The NDC is mindful of the expectations raisedamong young people by the IMANI

Programme. The new Youth UpliftmentProgramme will therefore absorb ALL THETRAINEES and the best practices of theImani Programme. No trainee on the ImaniProgramme will be sent home. The existingImani Programme will be improved by:

� Developing and maintaining a culturethat values youth

� Refusing idle or demeaning jobplacements

� Cutting out political criteria for selec-tion

� Encouraging public sector, privatesector and NGO partnerships

� Providing opportunities for youngpeople to receive training overseas

� Establishing a youth EnterpriseProgramme to provide training,advice and financing for businessdevelopment

� Establishing an annual Youth andStudents Science & Technology Exhi-bition

� Providing support for the formationof a National Youth & Student Orga-nization, which will seek to promoteand protect the rights and privilegesof young people

� Developing comprehensive and com-petitive cultural and sportsprogramme for young people.

This package of measures will lay the basisfor a qualitative change in the lives of ouryoung people. Our programme is one ofhope and empowerment that providesopportunities for our young people to bewhatever they want to be in life.

(7) EMPOWERING WOMENThe NDC readily admits that women are thebackbone of Grenadian society. They aremore than half the workforce, the electorateand household heads. Even though womenhave made considerable progress in educa-tion and in employment, there is still a glassceiling operating at the work place.

11

The NDC is mindful of the triple burden thatwomen face. They produce, they reproduceand they manage households. More than55% of all households in Grenada havefemale heads. The agreed strategy of theNDC is to invest heavily in women so that theknowledge, attitudes and skills they acquirecan be passed on to succeeding generationsof children. An NDC Government will bringrelief to working and unemployed mothersby:

� Improving community facilities tocater to the needs of children, youngpeople and families

� Undertaking a public educationprogramme to enlighten the nation,particularly their male counterparts,on the role of women in develop-ment.

(8) CARING FOR OUR SENIORCITIZENSThe people of Grenada, as in most Carib-bean countries are living longer. The num-ber of people over 60 years is rising fasterthan countries can cope. As a result there isinsufficient provision for people in theirgolden years after retirement.

The NDC believes that senior citizens havelaid the foundations for the development ofGrenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.As the embodiments of wholesomeGrenadian values, they deserve a morepronounced role in developing Grenada onfirm foundations. The NDC Administrationwill:

� Enhance the Senior Citizen’s portfolioin the Ministry responsible for Fami-lies

� Updating Minimum Wage legislation� Ensuring that there is equal pay for

equal work� Strengthening the legislation and

enforcement mechanisms to combatdomestic violence and sexual harass-ment at work

� Providing skills training tied to em-ployment opportunities in “non-tradi-tional areas” for women – which arebetter paid

� Providing child development facilitiesfor working mothers, starting withthose in key government positions

� Encouraging the private sector toprovide similar facilities for theirfemale employees

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� Acknowledge the contributions thatsenior citizens can make to develop-ment and involve them in the pro-ductive process

� Involve senior citizens more fully inthe dispensing of services in commu-nities

� Raise the old age pension from $130per month to a more acceptablefigure and review pensions on aregular basis to enable senior citizensto cope with the rising cost of living

� Review the discrepancy in pensionbenefits accruing to those peoplewho were employed before 1983and after 1983 when the NationalInsurance Scheme was introduced.

(9) SPORTS FOR ALLSport is a major contributor to a healthy andproductive society. It is a core component ofyouth and national development. It is also asource of national pride and identity. Throughsports, our citizens have an opportunity toperform on the world stage and in the processwin recognition for our nation. The NDC’svision for sports includes entire families andcommunities benefiting socially, culturally andeconomically from the opportunities that sportsoffer.

The primary objective is to ensure that allGrenadians can participate in sports either forfun, health and fitness, social relationshipsand/or employment. This will be achievedthrough four (5) main policy initiatives:

(i) The first objective is to put existingfacilities to good use. Detailed plans will bedrawn up to ensure that valuable assets whichare in great demand are used on a regularbasis.

13

(ii) The second objective is to invest in

the Physical Infrastructure for Sports.

These will include the construction of majorfacilities to promote important and non-tradi-tional sporting disciplines such as lawn tennis,swimming, water polo, basketball, baseballand squash. Sporting facilities will be taken tothe people wherever they are, including therural parishes.(iii) The third objective is the institu-

tional strengthening of existing organi-

zations and the creation of a body to

govern sports. The NDC will establish aNational Sports Council. This body will fullyrepresentative and serve as the suprememanagement authority for sports in Grenada.Its primary functions will be to formulate anational sports policy and to ensure that thedifferent club structures, sporting disciplinesand physical facilities are properly managed,developed and maintained.(iv) The fourth objective is to establishan Incentives and Rewards System. Ourapproach will be to provide suitable compen-sation to sports people who represent Grenadain various disciplines. This will range fromfinancial packages to employment offers, andassistance in cases of injury and sickness. TheNDC will invite the private sector to contributetowards this cause.(v) The fifth objective is to develop theSports Tourism sector. The Current SportsTourism Programme will be expanded toinclude other disciplines such as Football,Basketball, Swimming, Netball and Boxing.

(10) PRESERVING THE COMMUNITYGrenada is still a rural society, with only30.6% of its population classified as urbanby the United Nations in 2004. The vastmajority of Grenadians live in traditionalcommunities in the countryside. In recentyears however, the living standards of ruralGrenadians has fallen due to the neglect ofagriculture. The situation would have beenworse had it not been for the communityspirit and that of sharing.

The NDC believes that our communitiesand our traditional community spirit areworth preserving. It will do so by means ofthe following measures:

� Strengthen the capacity of commu-nity organizations to solve prob-lems and generally to meet theneeds of people in their ownneighbourhoods;

� Take services – such as post of-fices, schools, health centres - towhere the people are;

� Give maximum support to agricul -ture to prevent massive migrationfrom the countryside;

� Improve roads and transportsystems to enable rural people tomove around the country moreeasily;

� Introduce a form of Local Govern-ment.

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(11) PUTTING CARRAICOU AND PETITEMARTINIQUE ON THE MAPThe NDC recognizes that Carriacou and PetiteMartinique constitute a unique and inseparable partof our nation. This uniqueness creates special needs,challenges, advantages and disadvantages for boththe citizen and the state. Historically these sisterislands have been neglected. In keeping with ourprinciples of Good Governance and our respect forthe rights of all citizens, our development strategies

for the sister isles will reflect their unique-ness and special circumstances.

Hence, every effort will be made to inte-grate Carriacou and Petite Martinique fullyinto the mainstream of national life. The

NDC will demonstrate its commit-

ment to the social and economic

development of Carriacou and Petite

Martinique by enacting Local Govern-

ment legislation and, in accordance

with the Constitution, institute the

Council for Carriacou and Petite

Martinique within 100 days of enter-

ing office.

As shown later, it will build a neweconomy in these islands based on thecomparative advantages they enjoy.

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(12) SOCIAL SECURITY

The NDC is crystal clear that the condi-tion of the Grenadian society must beimproved in order that every citizencould enjoy life in its fullness. Existingconditions involving poverty, jobless-ness, weak family structures, poor socialskills, crime and violence only serve toundermine the stability of our country.

Government, community agencies,churches, NGOs working together aspartners, can transform this society andimprove the conditions under whichpeople live. Important reforms in educa-tion, human resource development,capacity building and productivity will bethe means by which we work to realizeour vision of a better Grenada. However,there can be no social transformation ofsociety unless there is strengthening ofour faith in GOD.

The new NDC Administration will intro-duce the following measures:

(a) A safety net will be put in place toensure that all citizens will haveaccess to resources to preventthem from falling through thecracks to absolute destitution.

(b) NDC will establish a Social Devel-opment Agency to spearhead ourefforts to shift the focus fromwelfare to genuine developmentwithout political patronage.

(c) Legislation will be introduced toback up our policy of zero toler-ance for violence against womenand child abuse.

(d) A special Spiritual AccessProgramme will be introduced bywhich all faith-based organiza-tions will be supported in theirevangelization and social outreachactivities.

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(B) THE PREREQUISITES

The mandate under which most democratic governments takeoffice is to aid the development of their country. But developmentis a complex process, in which many factors play a part. Hence acountry does not develop because it has an abundance of naturalresources, or a large population, or strong leadership or largeforeign reserves. It is the result of the interplay of many variables.The National Democratic Congress has identified a number ofessential requirements that have to be put in place before Grenadacan take off on the road to a brighter future.

(1) QUALITY LEADERSHIPA recent opinion poll carriedout in Grenada, found that theelectorate expect their leadersto be (a) Morally upright; (b)Competent; (c) Genuine andTrustworthy: (d) Democratic;(e) Statesmanlike; and (f)Conciliatory.

These are the qualities expected of those seeking public office.The National Democratic Congress has gone to great lengths toensure that each and every candidate for the forthcoming electionsatisfied these criteria. It therefore has a team of outstandingfarmers, lawyers, pastors, social workers, engineers, teachers,business persons and community leaders. Moreover it has as itsleader a competent lawyer who is the embodiment of all thevirtues listed above.

(2) GOOD GOVERNANCEGood Governance is universally accepted as a precondition fordevelopment. Bad governance is generally regarded as one of theroot causes of stagnation. Bad governance hinders developmentand is responsible for the failure of nation states. Bad governance,often associated with corruption in high places is theft from thepeople. Hence major donors and international financial institutionsare increasingly basing their aid and loans on the condition thatreforms, which ensure Good Governance, are undertaken. Basi-cally, if we want to attract legitimate investments we

have to institute Good Governance.

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FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTGood Governance has 8 major characteristics.It is based on the principles of (1) accountabil-ity, (2) transparency, (3) responsiveness, (4)effectiveness and efficiency, (5) participation,(6) consensus, (7) equity and inclusion and (8)the rule of law. It assures that corruption isminimized, the views of minorities are takeninto account and that the voices of the mostvulnerable members of society are heard indecision-making. It is through Good Gover-nance that all stakeholders in the developmentprocess are given a sense of ownership ofimportant national initiatives. Whereas badgovernance is incestuous, Good Governance isabout healthy and sustainable development.Good Governance will be the guiding principleof the new NDC Administration. One of the firsttasks of our Government will be to implementthe Integrity in Public Life Act and theAnti-Corruption Act, both of which werepassed by our Parliament several months ago,but now lie dormant. The Grenadian peoplecan confidently rely upon us to:

� Show zero tolerance for unethical con-duct

� Promote and preserve the independenceof the judiciary

� Encourage and respect a free press andfreedom of expression

� Pass Freedom of Information legislation� Demonstrate that the core purpose of

government is to look after the welfareof the people

� Respect the fact that “power” belongs tothe people

� Put in place community structures toenable everyone to participate in thedecision making processes that affecttheir lives

� Be a government of inclusion and con-sultation, with opportunity for all

� Insist on the equitable distribution ofpublic goods and services, with specialconsideration for the poor and othervulnerable groups.

(3) A NEW VALUE SYSTEMIn recent years a new value system hasemerged in Grenada. Aided by cultural pen-etration and legitimated by greedy leaders, ithas firmly taken root in Grenada, Carriacouand Petite Martinique. These values that putless emphasis on production than consump-tion, run counter to those required to build acountry. Instead they foster corruption andcrime.

The foundations of Grenadian society werebuilt on values such as honesty, decency,respectability, hard work and thrift. Thesevalues are embedded in Grenadianculture. Our culture is the way of life of theGrenadian people and is a priceless nationalasset. It is owned by the people and it is thesource of national pride and patriotism.Government has an obligation to promoteand protect our cultural identity not only as asource of values but also to advance theeconomic benefits that culture has to offer.

The NDC is anxious to put a halt to the creep-ing culture of corruption, greed and crime. Asa result the incoming NDC Administration willundertake the following initiatives. We shall:

� Formulate a National Cultural Policy,based on widespread consultation withstakeholders

� Organize major investments in thedevelopment of authentic Grenadianculture

� Assert Grenadian culture and integrateit into our educational and economicproduction sectors.

(4) A PROBLEM SOLVING APPROACHThe NDC recognizes that as we move relent-lessly towards becoming a global village inwhich survival will depend on innovation,Grenada has to become more competitive.The school curriculum will be reformed to

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inculcate a problem solving approach to life.In particular, Grenadians will be encouragedto use Science and Technology to address thedevelopmental problems that confront us.Currently, Grenada lags behind mostCARICOM countries in the application ofScience and Technology for sustainable devel-opment and economic growth. Hence, anambitious strategy for the strengthening ofScience, Technological Innovation and Re-search across all sectors of the economy andthe educational system will be developed bythe NDC. These measures will include:� The establishment of a National Com-

mission for Science, Technology andInnovation;

� Putting more emphasis on Technicaland Vocational Education;

� The establishment of a Science andTechnology Fund to finance researchand development;

� Reinforcement of the capacity of indus-tries to conduct research in their areasof specialization.

The New NDC Government will target particu-lar areas for research and development.These include agricultural productivity, man-aging marine resources and alternative en-ergy sources.

(5) FISCAL INCENTIVESOne of the most critical facilities for businessdevelopment is the fiscal incentives frame-work. Grenada’s fiscal incentives frameworkhas been ad hoc and unpredictable, and attimes even restricting to local and foreignentrepreneurship.

The current fiscal regime is characterized by ahigh degree of micro-management, inequalitybetween foreign and local investors in the

granting of concessions, and uncertainty aboutpriorities for investment.

The new NDC Administration will as a matter ofurgency:� Finalize and enact into legislation the

New Fiscal Incentives Act� Give foreign and local investors an

equal and predictable fiscal tract to

run on.

(6) AN EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTUREThe NDC knows that Grenada’s social and eco-nomic life depends on the quality of the physicalinfrastructure. It is the Government’s responsibilityto provide these public goods. The NDC will re-introduce the Public Works Department to ensurethat:� Maintenance capability is preserved� Technical competence is maintained to

facilitate proper costing of projects� Internal audit is conducted on an on-

going basis.

As a matter of urgency, the NDC will provide thenecessary resources to implement the followingimproved pieces of legislation to bring goodgovernance to the provision of essential infrastruc-ture:� An Audit Act� Public Finance Management Act� Public Procurement and Administration

Act.

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RoadsThe NDC government will invest in roadinfrastructure not only by up-grading theprincipal road networks but also improvingthe condition of roads in the rural and agri-cultural communities. An NDC governmentwill reverse the years of neglect of thecountry’s Farm and Feeder road networkthrough a programme of upgrading andmaintenance – with direct community in-volvement.

DrainageAn NDC government will implement strate-gies for maintenance and improvement ofdrainage, flood mitigation works, and theprevention of landslides and rockfalls. Areasfor priority consideration would includeGrenville, River Road, Town of St. Georgeand Grand Anse.

Water SupplyAn NDC government will implement strate-gies to:� Ensure that every household has a

reliable, affordable drinking watersupply

� Safeguard Grenada’s watersheds andwater resources

� Encourage conservation and rainwaterharvesting.

SewerageAn NDC government will implement strategiesto expand the public sewerage system to otherurban centres, including Grenville and Gouyave.

ElectricityAn NDC government will implement strategiesto:� Seek to reduce the overall cost of

electricity� Promote renewable energy including

solar and wind.

Human SettlementsAn NDC government will seek to develop andimplement a Human Settlements Policy, whichwould improve the housing conditions of themost disadvantaged groups. It will alsostrengthen the overall management of Statelands.

TransportationNDC is appalled at the state of public transpor-tation. An NDC government will:� Improve the public transportation service

– in consultation with the Bus DriversAssociation;

� Provide transport for workers who carryout essential work after hours;

� Provide a comprehensive programme toassist the transportation of needy stu-dents.

Regional TransportRegional air transport for the movement ofpeople and goods is essential for national andregional development. The recent hike in theprice of airline tickets has undermined any realprospects for export-led Private Sector growthin Grenada and the OECS sub-region, which arealready suffering from the disadvantages ofsmall-scale production.

The incoming NDC Government will therefore:� Open negotiations with regional govern-

ments and the private sector to solveGrenada’s air transport problem.

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� Partner with the OECS and CARICOM ininvestigating the feasibility of maritimetransport.

TelecommunicationsHigh mobile telephone rates and inadequatebandwidth constitute obstacles in the way oflocal businesses cashing in on the windfall ofcost reducing and time reducing benefits thatthe ICT revolution is making available to theinternational private sector.

An NDC administration will work in partner-ship with the private sector to bring freshapproaches to effectively tackle these externalconstraints to the competitiveness. Theseapproaches will include:

� The full liberalization of the telecommu-nications sector

� The use and development of technologyin the schools

� A regional approach to ICT� The expansion of joint procurement

practices.

(7) AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE CIVILSERVICEThe NDC is mindful of the attitudes of serviceproviders in both the public and private sector.Research has shown that providers of serviceconfuse service with servitude. Since Govern-ment is the largest employer, it will set anexample by creating an efficient and effectivecivil service.

The NDC is mindful of the vital role that thecivil service plays in developing a country. Civilservants can become an army of occupation

that is manipulated to pursue the interestsof a given political party and end up sti-fling growth. On the other hand they canbecome professional servants of thepeople, who dispense services and dis-charge their responsibilities in an efficientand professional manner. The NDC canassure the people of Grenada that it willspare no effort in developing a modernand efficient civil service.

The NDC will therefore embark on a PublicSector Reform programme that will trans-form the Grenadian civil service. We shall:

� Run a campaign to sensitize govern-ment employees to the inconve-nience and humiliation clients sufferfrom poor service;

� Draw up a code of conduct for civilservants;

� Design a system for rewarding goodcustomer relations practices;

� Carry out a job classification andevaluation exercise in order toreview the remuneration of differentcategories of government workers;

� Formulate and implement a HumanResource Development Policy forthe public service;

� Encourage and support civil servantsto enable them to pursue furthereducation and training at all levels;

� Strengthen the capacity of the PublicService Commission to manage thepublic service more effectively;

� Embark on a programme to fullycomputerize all Ministries, Divisionsand Departments;

� Improve the physical conditionsunder which all public servantswork;

� Review the package of benefits thatcan be used to motivate publicworkers - such as pensions, loansfor consumer goods.

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(8) NATIONAL SECURITYThe protection of the Grenadian people andour national assets and interests is of para-mount importance. NDC is committed toimproving our national security systems toensure a peaceful and safe environment forall our citizens, visitors and investors. As aresult the NDC will focus on effective andefficient law enforcement; effective crimeprevention; and accountability and servicedelivery by the institutions of safety andsecurity.

Key actions to achieve the above in-

clude:� Improving the investigative capacity of

the Royal Grenada Police Force� Ensuring fairness and equity within the

RGPF� Strengthening the Criminal Investiga-

tion Department� Improving the forensic and record

keeping capacity of the RPGF

(9) AN ENLIGHTENED FOREIGN POLICYIn a rapidly changing global environment,active engagement with the global communityis inevitable, strategic and prudent. As such theNDC will pursue a foreign policy that will en-sure that the interests of Grenadians at homeand abroad are protected and maximized. In sodoing, NDC will pursue a consistent foreignpolicy that is cognizant of the needs of othernation states. Key elements of our policy willinclude:

� Strengthening the Special Branch,Traffic Branch and Prosecution Depart-ments

� Enhancing the level of training andopportunities for personal develop-ment of members of the RPGF

� Introducing performance indicators tomeasure and guide improved stan-dards.

The NDC is committed to rewarding profes-sional behaviour and raising morale within theRoyal Grenada Police Force. It will thereforeintroduce a system for bringing greater satis-faction and security to Police Officers whohave to act as the front line in halting thespread of crime and violence in Grenada.Among other things, it will make land avail-able to the Police Welfare Association to bedeveloped as housing solutions for deservingPolice Officers.

� The promotion of Grenada as an excit-ing, safe tourist destination

� The promotion of Grenada as attractivefor higher levels of investments

� Seeking extended market access forGrenada’s goods and services

� Effective representation of the commoninterests of small states

� Promotion and deepening of the OECSand CARICOM integration movement

� Advocacy for a coordinated regionalforeign policy among OECS andCARICOM states.

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(C) ECONOMIC

(1) THE MACRO-ECONOMICFRAMEWORKAt present, Grenada remains locked in aneconomic crisis. This crisis manifests itself inthe following general trends:

� A dramatic decline in the key produc-tive sectors, namely Agriculture andLight Manufacturing;

� A significant drop in Constructionactivity;

� A rapid decline in the Tourism sectorafter Hurricanes Ivan and Emily;

� A rapid reversal of the expansion inthe Service sector, especially in theOffshore and Informatics sectors;

� A marked reduction in the volume ofretail trade and in activities at the St.George’s Port;

� A sluggish increase in Governmentrevenues in the face of mountingrecurrent expenditures;

� A marked increase in indirect taxes,levies, duties and fees in an effort tobolster Government revenues.

The negative macroeconomic fallout of thesetrends is substantial and manifests itself inthe following features:

� A massive loss of jobs especiallyamong the women employed in thetourism, textile, retail, offshore andinformatics industries;

� Mounting unemployment among first-time job seekers, especially youngpersons recently completing second-ary education;

� Marked increases in the cost of living;� Increased poverty, begging and desti-

tution;

� A developing crisis in the financial sectorwith increasing defaults on loans leadingto repossession and sale of real propertyand goods;

� An emerging fiscal crisis, in which theexisting fiscal regime is unable to gener-ate the revenues it requires to meet theongoing financial commitments of thegovernment.

This situation has arisen because of the follow-ing basic policies pursued by the NNP adminis-tration:

a. Excessive and reckless borrowing on thepart of Government in the wake of thefavourable credit worthiness of Grenadain 1995.

b. A failed investment policy that focusedentirely on infrastructural projects whichhad no long term prospects of providingsustainable employment or generatingany income.

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DEVELOPMENTc. A policy of neglect of the productive

sectors of the economy - in particu-lar agriculture, tourism and lightmanufacturing which, in contrast toinfrastructure, has the potential toprovide sustainable employmentand generate income that would, inthe process strengthen the tax base.

d. The failure of the government todevelop and implement a NationalExport Strategy.

e. Failure to institute proper tax ad-ministration arrangements espe-cially at a time when the ceiling onpersonal income tax was placed at$60,000.00 per year.

f. The increasing dependence onindirect taxes.

g. The increased tax burden placed onthe average person by these indirecttaxes effectively reducing incomelevels and consumer spending,thereby retarding economic growthand expansion.

h. The failure of the administration toenact a relevant Investment Codeand to institute a package of fiscalincentives aimed at attracting inves-tors - both local and foreign.

As a result of continuing economic difficul-ties, Government was forced to buy intothe IMF Structural Adjustment Programme(Poverty Reduction Strategy) but has beenfailing to meet its commitments under thatprogramme.

NDC ECONOMIC POLICYThe overwhelming macro-economic chal-lenges facing our country today are how toreinvigorate and sustain economic growthwhile at the same time reducing highunemployment and poverty rates. Otherchallenges include restoring fiscal balance

and debt sustainability as well as securing a moresustainable external position in an increasinglycompetitive global environment.

In order to successfully confront these challengesour economic policies and programmes shalltherefore revolve around the following strategicaims:

� Expand the productive sectors of theeconomy - especially Agriculture, Agro-industries, Fisheries and Light Manufactur-ing - so as to create long term sustainableemployment and income and a strongrevenue base for public finance.

� Raising the levels of labour productivity inour society.

� Vigourously exploring and exploiting ourOil and Gas reserves while simultaneouslybut seriously pursuing alternative sourcesof energy.

� Concluding Grenada’s maritime boundaryagreement with Venezuela and Trinidad.

� Removing the self-imposed constraints tothe development of our Tourism industry.

� Restoring and developing our offshoreFinancial Services sector.

� Developing a full range of services aimedat creating a knowledge-based exportservices sector.

� In cooperation with the private sector,consciously and in a disciplined manner,implementing an export promotion strat-egy aimed at identifying and promotingniche products and services, and specifictarget markets for these products andservices.

� Developing a programme, together withthe necessary supporting institutional andlogistical arrangements, to carefully man-age the country’s debt.

� Undertaking measures aimed at restoringconfidence in Grenada’s financial sector.

� Strengthening the climate and institutionalframework for national economic perfor-

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the Private Sector, organized labour repre-sented by the Trade Unions and other repre-sentatives of Civil Society.

An NDC Government will project the state’sprimary role as the protector of the nationalinterest and work to ensure that the statedischarges its responsibilities to the peopleand the communities. In pursuing our eco-nomic programme, we are, and shall becommitted to the philosophical choice of amixed economy led by the private sector withthe responsibility falling upon the governmentto create the enabling conditions.

STRENGTHENING THE PRIVATE SECTORThe National Democratic Congress believesthat a strong, dynamic and enterprisingPrivate Sector is a strategic necessity fornational development and an integral part ofGrenada’s New Economy. That new economymust be a Private Sector-led Economy. NDCtherefore expects that the Private Sector willcontinue to lead the way in providing jobs,generating public revenue, and earning for-eign exchange to drive economic develop-ment in Grenada.

mance by fostering a genuine partner-ship with civil society.

� Overhauling the fiscal architecture ofGrenada - especially as it relates to adhoc concessions and incentives, li-censes, levies and fees.

� Simplifying and rendering more effec-tive, the bureaucratic process for thegranting of incentives to investors andmaking the process more transparentand predictable

� Overhauling the taxation system.� Developing and maintaining a package

of poverty alleviation measures aimedat cushioning the impact of the in-creased cost of living and reducing theincidence of poverty.

� Implementing a Loan Guaranteeprogramme for local entrepreneurs.

� Putting more emphasis on Researchand Development.

� Make Grenada more attractive toforeign investors.

PARTNERSHIPSThe realization of these strategic aims wouldrequire, at the outset, a deep appreciation ofthe fact that the achievement of nationalgoals will necessarily involve the building of asocial and economic partnership in which allstakeholders feel they have a genuine stakeand, after full participation in its delibera-tions, can take ownership of its decisions andactions. In this regard, the role of the state,the private sector, the labour movement, civilsociety and all other agents of economic andsocial transformation must be clearly definedand fully understood by all. Indeed the cor-nerstone of the NDC economic policy is ameaningful Partnership between Government,

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Over 80% of Grenada’s GDP of$EC1.1 billion in 2006 was accountedfor by the Service Sector, largelycomposed of Tourism, Financial Ser-vices, Retail Trade, Utilities and Trans-port. Most of this represented PrivateSector activity. So were the othersectors such as Manufacturing, Agro-industries, Fisheries and Construction.The Private Sector is also Grenada’smain employer. Of the labour force ofabout 40,000 over 85 % is accountedfor by the Private Sector.

During the last two decades economicgrowth in Grenada has been driven byPrivate Sector activity. At the policylevel the Private Sector has beenassigned the role of ‘Engine ofGrowth’ by the ruling NNP administra-tion. However the Private Sector hasbeen deprived of the required institu-tional environment to play that role.

On taking office, the NDC will imme-diately reverse this trend and givemaximum support to the PrivateSector.

(2) STIMULATING AGRICULTUREThe NDC agricultural policy will be geared towardsbringing hope to the thousands of farmers and theirfamilies, attracting young persons into agriculture andstimulating the rural economy. We will move Agricul-ture from the back burner to its rightful place in thenational economy with structural and economic link-ages to Tourism and other sectors.

Our farmers and fisher folk will be given the supportand motivation they need to feed the nation, reducethe rising food import bill, which is now over $140m,and to improve the quality of life of our impoverishedrural communities.

Specifically an NDC Administration will:

� Seek to achieve food security through aprogramme of incentives for Grenada toachieve greater self-sufficiency in vegetables,root crops, fish, poultry, pork, lamb, beef,honey and fruit. “Eat local and buyGrenada” campaigns will be promoted.

� Work towards increased private sector involve-ment in Agriculture.

� Implement programmes with the appropriateincentives to attract young persons intomodern commercial agriculture.

� Provide the necessary framework and policyinitiatives for the introduction of crop insur-ance to our farmers for protection in the eventof hurricanes, floods and other natural disas-ters.

� Establish a Farming Systems Extension

Service with the capacity to provide compre-hensive advice and training to farmers.

� Completely reorganize the Marketing

Board to enhance its market intelligencecapability and to adequately market all farmers’produce.

� Develop and implement a comprehensive landuse policy.

� Restore Mirabeau Agricultural Training

School as a premier learning institution for theteaching of both the business and the scienceof agriculture to our youth.

� Work towards the capitalization of the Nut-meg Association, the merger of GCNA and

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GCA and the rejuvenation of both the cocoaand nutmeg sub-sectors into commer-cially viable industries.

� Give priority to rehabilitating our farm

and feeder roads. Farmers need toget to their fields.

� Expand the use of local fruit juices

and fruits in the school feedingprogramme.

� Arrest the spread of the BlackSigatoka disease that is destroyingbanana fields all over the island.

� Ensure that Farmers are affordedequal level concessions as enjoyedby other sectors.

� Support and promote the agro-pro-cessing sub-sector to bring moremoney to our farmers and in-crease our foreign exchangeearnings.

� Redevelop the state-owned estates ofBelle Vie and Grand Bras as com-mercial and demonstration farms.

� Develop the fruit tree orchards forthe domestic and export market.

� Strengthen and enforce the legislationdealing with praedial larceny.

� Establish a system for the issuingof receipts, the registration of allfarmers and vendors of agricul-

tural produce.

� Support farmer’s organizations andestablish an annual celebration offarmer’s week with exhibitions, eco-nomic, social and recreational activi-ties.

� Construct a major agro-processing

plant in St. Andrew’s to add valueto our agricultural produce such asnutmeg and fruits.

� Support the horticultural industry to

take advantage of the growing market.

Since Hurricanes Ivan and Emily farmershave used their ingenuity to diversify theircrops. As a result cocoa production hasincreased significantly with an increasingamount of cocoa being exported in its rawstate. The NDC as a matter of urgency will:

� Give maximum support to cocoagrowers

� Introduce a cocoa processing plant toenable cocoa farmers to add value totheir exports.

FISHINGSpecial attention will be paid to the fishingsub-sector. The NDC will modernize thefishing industry by means of:� Scientific fish breeding in hatcheries

and nurseries� Introducing fish stocking and stock

analysis techniques� Managing multi-species fisheries� Carrying out research work on such

species as lobster, lambi, crab andshrimp

� Fish farming� Cultivation of sea moss and sea eggs� Acquiring a decompression chamber

to meet the needs of divers.

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The NDC will ensure that Gouyave andother fish centers have adequate storagefacilities. It will also explore the feasibilityof establishing a fish processing plant.

(3) MAKING TOURISM WORK FORALLTourism is the fastest growing sector inthe region and the world. Because of itsnatural and cultural assets, Grenada canbenefit tremendously from Tourism in themedium term. Appreciating the impor-tance of this fact, the NDC will providepolicy leadership, negotiating skill, man-agement expertise and resource commit-ments to ensure the continued growth ofthe sector for the benefit of all Grenadiansand those foreign investors who areparticipating in the industry.The primary concern of the NDC is thecreation of opportunities in the followingareas:� Investment by local entrepreneurs

and foreign investors� Expansion of Tourism’s share of the

Gross Domestic Product� Higher government revenues� Human Resource Development by

which young Grenadians will be trainedto take up the best-paying jobs in thesector

� Increased production of high value agri-cultural products

� Production and marketing of an excitingrange of cultural products

� Increased economic and financial viabilityof a number of utilities, especially theGrenada Airports Authority, GRENLEC

� Small business expansion and a host ofdown-stream services

� Employment generation, poverty reduc-tion and a higher standard of living

� Community-based economic activities� National heritage and cultural preserva-

tion.

In order to achieve these national goals, theNDC will position Grenada as a high quality,competitive stay-over and cruise tourism desti-nation. A sustained effort will be made to estab-lish Grenada as the diving capital of the EasternCaribbean.

Further support will be provided by increasedmarketing activities to win business in the wed-ding and honeymoon, conferences and sportstourism niches as well as intra-Caribbean tour-ism.

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The new NDC Administration will therefore:� Introduce legislation to enhance the

tourism product by setting standards,encouraging physical planning, certifi-cation, environmental management,and the preservation of our culturalheritage.

� Set aside EC$15 million initially formarketing Grenada abroad.

� Draw up a Strategic Plan for Tourismin consultation with the private sector.

� Upgrade and expand facilities for theCruise Tourism sector.

� Support locally owned hotels andguesthouses, which do not operate atthe high end of the market.

� Make Grenada the DIVE capital of theCaribbean

Based on the formulation and imple-mentation of a National Cultural Policy,the NDC Administration will make ourculture work for us, by linking it to ourflagship industry, Tourism. Hence itwill:

� Provide grants for the performing Arts,to aid production

� Offer financial, technical and manage-rial support for all national culturalevents on Grenada and Carriacou toensure the highest quality culturalproducts including food, entertain-ment, theatre productions

� Establish a National Cultural Centre� Introduce cultural education

programmes in schools� Establish a School of Culture at TAMCC� Create heritage banks in each parish� Build proper steel band houses

throughout Grenada� Organize an annual National Arts Festival� Introduce a National Music Project� Introduce a String Band Festival on

Carriacou� Stimulate a cultural fashion industry

The new NDC Government will use the annualCarnival as a showcase for Grenadian culture. Itwill promote this event as a major tourist at-traction. Towards this end, it will establish aCarnival Promotion Agency, with Governmentsupport but without Government interference.

(4) TECHNOLOGICALLY-BASED SERVICESThere is no doubt whatsoever that moderneconomic development is being driven by thetechnological revolution. Countries ignore it attheir own peril.

An NDC Government will lead from the front.The NDC can now make the following commit-ments. It will…….� Conduct a survey to establish the extent

and use of ICT in the education systemin Grenada.

� Launch a public awareness programmeto promote ICT literacy.

� Strengthen computer studies in second-ary schools.

� By the end of year 2010, at least 75% ofall schools will have a computer labora-tory with easy access for all students.

� These laboratories will be available foruse by the community on a structuredbasis outside of normal school hourswhere feasible.

� Provide advanced ICT skills training inthe vocational schools.

� Establish a Public Sector TrainingAgency, which will ensure that the publicservice establishes and develops a poolof skilled, in-house ICT professionals.

� Initiate a comprehensive computer lit-eracy programme to ensure that allpublic sector employees have access tocomputers and learn how to use them intheir work.

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� Encourage distance learning based onthe internet.

We shall draw up and implement a projectproposal for the development of electronicgovernment, including the electronic storageof all laws and regulations, as a mechanismto improve transparency and enhance servicedelivery in Government. Similarly the privatesector will be encouraged to provide educa-tional training and retraining at all levels.

Once there is a computer literate workforce,the NDC Government will seize the opportuni-ties to establish Financial Services and e-commerce as pillars of the new Grenadianeconomy.

(5) A NEW ENERGY POLICYThe high cost of energy severely restricts theprospects of competitive manufacturing,including the development of agro-industries.With oil at over US$110 a barrel, the NDC is

forced to explore the feasibility of developingalternative sources of energy. It will:� Embark on a public education

programme to reduce domestic energyconsumption.

� Install solar generation systems in allschools and government buildings toreduce the amount spent on electricity.

� Sell excess capacity to Grenlec.� Offer incentives to individuals and

corporate bodies to use alternativeenergy systems.

� Make energy efficient appliances, light-ing, etc. more price competitive byreducing the import duties and taxes.

� Revise the taxation on vehicles toencourage the importation of vehiclesthat utilize more fuel-efficient engines.

� Support the implementation of a waste-to-energy process at the PerseveranceLandfill.

� Consider wave energy as part of apackage that includes the desalinationof sea water.

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(6) PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT

The NDC believes that the social and eco-nomic development of the country shouldbe carried out in a sustainable way, thatis, to meet the needs of the present popula-tion without compromising the ability offuture generations to meet their own needs.

An NDC government will ensure that carefulenvironmental management is an essentialpart of all national development policies,plans, programmes and projects. An NDCgovernment will faithfully honor the St.George’s Declaration of Principles for Envi-ronmental Sustainability to which all OECScountries signed in 2001. It will ensure thesustainable use of Grenada’s natural re-sources as follows:

� Manage and control the utilization ofcoral reefs and other marine ecosys-tems by the tourism industry.

� Implement measures to manage andcontrol the collection of sand frombeaches.

� Implement measures to protect andreplant mangroves.

� Develop and enforce a Land UsePolicy.

� Develop and implement a re-affores-tation programme to replant theforests that were destroyed by Hurri-cane Ivan and to encourage theplanting of trees and the creation ofgreen spaces.

� Promote integrated watershed man-agement by the agricultural sector.

� Repeal the amendments to the Na-tional Parks and Protected Areas Act.

(7) DEVELOPING A CULTURE OFENTERPRISE, INNOVATION ANDPRODUCTIVITYThe World Bank has established that Grenadalags behind most of its CARICOM neighboursin creating an environment that is conduciveto doing business. Moreover, the World Bankstudy has also shown that Grenada’s rankinghas slipped in comparison with that of therest of the world. This is a matter of graveconcern as this ranking is critical in determin-ing Grenada’s ability to attract foreign invest-ment.

The NDC welcomes close collaboration withthe Private Sector to rapidly improveGrenada’s Doing Business profile.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTNDC fully understands the strong concernwithin the Grenada Private Sector that theeducational institutions are not putting outthe Human Resources that are ready for theworld of work or for business enterprise.The NDC will therefore:

� Create mutually beneficial partnershipswith businesses and the educationsector to customize education andtraining to meet the Human Resourcedemands of the Private Sector.

� Give tax breaks to businesses thatengage in training in priority areas orprovide financial resources for such.

� Work creatively with the Private Sectorto modernize the Business Culture.

� Sensitize the Fiscal Incentives frame-work to this objective.

� Provided for the introduction of newtechnology.

� Develop modern systems of ownershipand management that will help busi-nesses to break out of their traditionalfamily-operated mould, which restricttheir ability to attract capital.

� In partnership with NDC, help theGrenada Business community to

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PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTPartnership will constitute a pillar of governance ofthe new NDC administration. This partnership willbe developed around the following agenda:

� Deciding on development projects and facili-tating initiatives for the institutional strength-ening of the Private Sector Advocacy Groups.

� The joint identification of new growth sectorsin the economy, the setting of targets forthese growth sectors, and the determinationof required institutional support for thesesectors.

� The crafting of fiscal and tax policy.� The development of trade policy.� The raising of productivity standards.

� We shall establish a National Social and Eco-nomic Council that will serve as a multipartiteinstrument of Governance involving represen-tatives of Government, the opposition, theprivate sector organizations, the trade unionmovement, the conference of churches andother non-governmental and civil societyorganizations. Thus through the creation ofthis genuine multipartite arrangement - builton trust and good faith – we shall seek toestablish a Memorandum of Understanding.This will set out the points of commonalitybetween the parties.

In addition to this, the NDC will:� Assemble a team of persons with economic,

accounting, business, banking, insurance,legal, labour and NGO expertise to serve as aNational Advisory Council to the Cabinet.

� Develop a 3-5 year economic plan forGrenada setting out a strategic vision for theeconomy.

� Develop and make readily accessible aninvestment code for Grenada that wouldestablish the institutional and regulatoryframework within which both foreign andlocal investors will invest in Grenada.

� Develop a national investment programmeespecially around the lead sectors focusing onbuilding Grenada’s image as an attractive,safe and profitable place to do business.

evolve into a robust, competitivePrivate Sector responding effec-tively to the changes in thebusiness and trading environ-ment.

The NDC is also committed to expand-ing the private sector by facilitatingaccess by potential entrepreneurs.Specialized agencies will be encour-aged to provide education and othermeans of support to those wanting tostart their own businesses. The criticalvariables and stages of developingbusinesses will be dealt with thor-oughly and incentives given to entre-preneurs.

PRODUCTIVITYImproved and sustained economicgrowth requires an improvement in therate of productivity. The issue of pro-ductivity and the productive sectorsmust therefore be placed at the centreof our economic agenda and dialogue.We shall, among other things, createavenues through which, in a Grenadiancontext, the concept of productivity canbe fully explored and defined, bothwith respect to goods and services.The units and standards of measure-ment can be agreed upon and produc-tivity benchmarks established for eachsector of our economy.

THE NATIONAL EXPORT SECTORSTRATEGYThe NDC administration will takeownership of the National ExportSector Strategy that was developed bythe local Export Sector Strategy Com-mittee with the help of the Common-wealth Secretariat. Within six monthsof assuming office the National ExportCouncil will be created to guide theprocess of implementing the ExportStrategy.

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� Reorganize and refocus the GIDC as astreamlined, re-equipped one-stopshop that will be staffed by personswith expertise disciplines that arerelevant to business development.

� Undertake a comprehensive review ofthe tax and customs regimes.

� Undertake a decisive and disciplinedfiscal adjustment programme so as toreduce the national debt and interestpayments.

� Endeavour to keep our taxation ratesfair, stable and reasonable, while ap-propriately rewarding those who dem-onstrate the true spirit of enterprise.

� Pledge that we shall not increase thetax burden on ordinary Grenadians.

� Re-organize and refocus the GrenadaBureau of Standards so as to betterequip that organization to understandand apply international norms andstandards in the preparation, packag-ing, storage, preservation and trans-portation of goods and the delivery ofservices.

� Reconstitute and refocus the Depart-ment of Statistics as National StatisticalOffice – a statutory body independentof the Ministry of Finance or any otherMinistry or department so as to affordthat office independence of action anddecision making, thereby protectingthe integrity of the information pub-lished.

� Develop a framework for providingongoing institutional support to theprivate sector organizations.

� Embark on a state-sponsored publiceducation programme to better pre-pare our people for the advent of theCSME.

(8) THE NEW ECONOMYIn essence, an NDC Government shall build aNew Economy in Grenada - an economythat not only strengthens and consolidatesthe traditional economy, but which alsoproduces and delivers new and improvedgoods and services; utilizing new productionand service delivery systems, methods andtechniques; generating new sources of in-come and employment, based on the mostcompetitive levels of knowledge, skill andproductivity in our labour force.

The aim of the NDC is to be able to modern-ize our economy and society, finance ourdevelopment and bring Grenada fully into themodern international economy.The creation of THE NEW ECONOMY will bedriven by creativity and innovation and ap-plied to:

� High–end Tourism products such asadventure tourism, nature-basedtourism, cultural tourism, meetings,conferences and community tourism

� High value agriculture - including thefood industry, agro-processing andconfectionary

� Cosmetics� Offshore financial services� Offshore medical health and wellness

services� Cultural products� Entertainment� Art, painting and photography� ICT services� ICT-enabled products and services� The Fashion industry� The Music industry� Tertiary Education

A NEW ECONOMY FOR CARRIACOU ANDPETITE MARTINIQUEThis New Economy would fully embraceCarriacou and Petite Martinique, which, for allintents and purposes do not have aneconomy and have been treated as only

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entitled to the occasional patching of theroads. As shown above, the NDC will putCarriacou and Petite Martinique on themap. This will be augmented by buildingan economy in Carriacou and Petite

Martinique.

With respect to Agriculture, the NDC

will:

� Promote the production of staplesfor food security. In addition to thetraditional crops we will introducenew crops suited to the arid condi-tions such as mauby bark, tamarindand onions.

� Invest in pond rehabilitation andconstruction, which is necessary toassist farmers.

� Provide the technical training andother support necessary to enablethe development of a viable live-stock industry.

� Modernize the fishing industry to thesame standards that will be reachedin Grenada.

With respect to Tourism, the relevantproduct strengths of Carriacou and PetiteMartinique are in the areas of yachting,dive and cultural tourism. The develop-ment task for this sector would requiregovernment to facilitate investment in

marina services and a decompression chamber. Inorder to survive in the competitive Grenadinesmarket, the Carriacou and Petite Martiniqueproduct must be of higher value and lower cost.Our administration will therefore allocate re-sources to specifically market Carriacou and PetiteMartinique.

Given the geography of our country, governmenthas a responsibility to assist in making access toand from Carriacou and Petite Martinique asavailable and affordable as possible.

On forming the next Government NDC will:� Implement a ferry transportation subsidy

for seniors, students and the sick.� Provide berthing terminals for the inter-

island ferry with adequate facilities in bothCarriacou and Grenada.

� Upgrade the existing Queen’s jetty.

Grenada-based technical resources in the area ofpublic services must be made available to addressthe needs and problems of the citizens onCarriacou and Petite Martinique. As shown above,a form of Local Government will be introduced inCarriacou and Petite Martinique within 100 daysof taking office.

Young people in CARRIACOU and PetiteMartinique will have full and equal access toopportunities under the GRENADA YOUTHUPLIFTMENT PROGRAMME and the HRDPROGRAMME. Essentially, the objective is to trainfor employment and the establishment of smallbusinesses. In light of the islands’ sea-faringtradition, special training for jobs in the fishing,shipping and cruise ship industries will be pur-sued.

Community centres will be built in Windward,Harvey Vale and Mt. Pleasant. From such bases,the NDC shall spare no effort to promote villagemaroon festivals, regatta, big drum andShakespeare. The NDC will address the develop-ment of string band music and promote Carriacouand Petite Martinique as entertainment centres byestablishing a regional string band music festivalthere.

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DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND SENSIBLE.VOTE FOR REAL AND LASTING CHANGE.

CONCLUSIONThe NDC is in the business of the sustainable developing Grenada, Carriacou and PetiteMartinique. We are in for the long haul. Hence we have looked at short term, medium term andlong term measures to restore integrity, renew hope and build Grenada.

In this Manifesto we have devoted considerable effort and space to meeting the pressing needs ofour people, inclusive of:

� Relief of the high cost of living� Improving housing, health care, education and training� Strengthening the family� Equipping our youth for a challenging future� Empowering and protecting our women and our senior citizens� Making sports available to all� Preserving our community and providing a safety net for all Grenadians� Fully embracing and developing Carriacou and Petite Martinique

We have also looked carefully of the prerequisites of social and economic development, clearlyoutlining the role of Government and all the other stakeholders in national development. We havestressed the importance of Good Governance.

We have shown how we shall build a new economy for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

All we need now is your support to implement these policies and programmes.

In the meantime the other Party has been trumpeting its spurious achievements and advocatingquick fixes to the serious problems this country faces. The choice is now left to the electorate ofthis country. On Election Day, 8th July - Liberation Day, you can either vote for the failed policiesof the NNP that have taken us to the brink of disaster and disgrace or you can vote for change. Inthis Manifesto we have shown that when you vote for change you are not doing so just for thesake of change…..but for a better Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

(9) CREATING ONE NATIONThe National Democratic Congress is commit-ted to a policy of inclusion regardless of politi-cal affiliation, gender, economic or socialcircumstances, geographical location or his-tory. Whether you were born here, becamenaturalized, or are a permanent resident, you

have a role to play in developing this nation.We have to do this together, for if we practiceany form of exclusion or insularity, we shallfail. Our recent history has clearly demon-strated the need for reconciliation and unity ifwe are to move forward as a nation fullymaximizing the talents of all. We thereforebelieve that those who have been previouslyostracized, including people living in the sisterislands, or distant parishes or who have beenbranded as Revolutionaries should enjoy theirhuman and Constitutional rights in the newdispensation.