OPEC’S FID APPROVES GRENADA’S LOAN APPLICATION

BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 29, 2010 – Grenada's application for a US$8.5 million loan to finance the second phase of the agricultural feeder roads project has been approved by the OPEC Fund for International Development.

The approval, by the governing board of the fund last week, paves the way for the start of work on over 25 feeder roads across the country and would provide jobs for hundreds of workers.

Additionally, the approval of this OPEC loan would have a positive influence on related loan applications which are pending with other institutions, such as the Kuwaiti Fund.

The approval of other

New National Party Saddened by devasting fire

St. George's, Grenada, June 28th 2010: The New National Party is deeply saddened to learn about the devastating fire which occurred last night at the Grenville Vendors' Market.

The leadership of the NNP understands the difficulty that this incident has brought upon so many families at this very difficult economic period in our country. We sincerely empathize with all the vendors and persons who are adversely affected by this tragedy. Words certainly cannot express the severe trauma and intense heartache that they are going through at this time.

Many of these vendors have numerous financial obligations in the face of today's austere economic challenges and their

GULP Political Leader met with Potential Investors in New York

The GULP Political Leader was well received on his return from New York. The GULP Political Leader, Collin Francis traveled to New York to organize the Diaspora in New York. He met with party supporters and well wishers in New York and formed a party support group headed by prominent Grenadians. This group is mandated to help raise funds and work cohesively with the current executive. Despite his youth, the Political Leader made many inroads and was able to gain the confidence of many Grenadians abroad and set the sail for the unification and healing of the GULP chapter in New York.

Apart from meeting with members and well wishers, Collin Francis, a brave and talented young man met with investors who are looking at Grenada as virgin territory for business opportunities. The Political Leader has high on his agenda, job creation for Grenadians and working on a plan to alleviate the poverty situation in Grenada. Some of these investors who have businesses in other Caribbean Islands like the Bahamas indicated that Grenada can do a lot more to attract foreign investment but also highlighted that more Grenadians living abroad should be encouraged to invest in Grenada. There were a number of investment opportunities Mr. Francis focused on, in his discussions with potential investors: exploring the possibility of exporting cocoa not as a raw material, which we buy back as chocolate or other products but as derivative products including: roasted cocoa beans, cream or cocoa powder. The Political Leader indicated to investors that Grenada should have the richest chocolate beverage because we have the best cocoa in the world, rich and healthy and under his watch as Prime Minister such would be a major undertaking.  From a rough estimate one pound of roasted

Simi Finalist named for Vincy Carnival

The following Calypsonians have been selected from the Calypso Preliminaries to compete in the Calypso Semi Finals scheduled for Friday June 18th at the Victoria Park commencing at 8:00 pm.  They are:

Dynamite Calypso Tent

Exposer Bro Don Striker

 

On Tour Calypso Tent

Vibrating Scakes Ipa Patches Zion I Struggler Man zangy Ranking Bash Sherikah Soharo

 

Graduates Calypso Tent

Bo Salt Black Messenger Lexi Sunny Banks Jah Burke Bump- I Sulle Tajo

Upstage

Bro. Ebony GC

Bands

Nex Level Akcess

These Calypsonians along with the Band leaders of Nex Level and Akcess are invited to meet with representatives of the CDC on Monday 7th June at the CDC's Office commencing at 5:00 pm.

 Yours sincerely,

CARNIVAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

__________________

Ashford Wood

Chief Executive Officer

Source: Spiceislander.com - News & Information from Grenada

Smith and Fletcher hit centuries to lead strong reply by West Indies A

Andre Fletcher and Devon Smith hit centuries to help West Indies A hit back after the Indians posted a mammoth 543. Both Fletcher and Smith were not considered for the West Indies test team currently struggling in their home series vs South Africa.

Resuming at 12 for 1, West Indies lost the wicket of Omar Phillips, bowled by Jaskaran Singh, with the score on 54. From then on, it was hard work for the Indians as Fletcher and Smith built a strong partnership. Fletcher hit 20 fours in his 123 before he was dismissed by Jaidev Unadkat. Smith remained unbeaten

Sites named for new parliament & Hall of Justice

St. George's, June 18, 2010 (GIS) – The speculation about the future location of Grenada's parliament building has ended.

Officials of the ministry of Works, Physical Development and Public Utilities have announced that the new building, to be financed by the Australian Government, will be constructed at Mt. Wheldale, St. George's.

Minister Joseph Gilbert and Cecil Harris, the Chief Technical Officer in the ministry, made the announcement Thursday, June 17.

They said the Mt. Wheldale site will be expanded and York House – where the old parliament building was located until 2004 – is going to be "refurbished and brought back to its former glory.''

However, a decision has not yet been made on the use of York House after it is

WICB and ESPN reach agreement for broadcast of Caribbean T20

ESPN and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have reached an agreement for the broadcast of the inaugural Caribbean T20 Tournament, July 22 to 31, 2010. The tournament, which will form part of the annual WICB calendar, will have the first phase played in Barbados (July 22 to 25) with the second phase in Trinidad (July 28 to 31).

In the Caribbean, fans will be able to view all the matches LIVE on the two ESPN Caribbean networks ESPN and ESPN2, while highlights will be available the following day on Caribbean Media Corporation stations. The ground-breaking agreement also includes unprecedented

Working in the interest of Grenadian people

Enjoy the best Caribbean Music on Spiceislander Radio

St. George's, June 15, 2010 (GIS) – Finance Minister Nazim Burke has reiterated government's confidence in measures adopted to assist Grenadians and keep the economy afloat in the face of the global economic and financial crisis.

The administration of the National Democratic Congress, led by Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, will continue to do what's in the best interest of the Grenadian people, said Hon. Burke, who is also Minister of Planning, Economy, Energy and Cooperatives.

"The biggest tax break ever enjoyed in the history of Grenada by Grenadians is a tax break that we gave within six months of coming into office,'' Finance Minister Burke said.

"We got into office in July and by December, we had put into place a tax amnesty where we

Wireless Internet now available at Tanteen Playground

St. George's, June 13 (2010) – A newly opened playing facility in St. George's has been equipped with wireless Internet.

The Tanteen Children's Playground, also known as "The Swing,'' was officially opened Sunday afternoon. The ceremony, which included live entertainment from LIME Commancheroes and Republic Bank Angel Harps, was attended by children and parents. Also present were Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister Patrick Simmons; Town of St. George MP Peter David; and officials of telecommunications' provider, LIME, which refurbished the playground at a cost of more than EC$120,000.

"This playground holds many nostalgic memories for me, growing up as a young boy on the swings. 

Venezuelan Ambassador Perez unaware of opposition claims

St. George's, June 11, 2010 (GIS) – Venezuela's top diplomat in Grenada has said there is no arrangement under which Grenada provides accommodation for the Venezuelan ambassador based in St. George's.

According to His Excellency Carlos Perez, neither does Venezuela provide accommodation for Grenada's ambassador in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital.

Ambassador Perez made the comment Friday following recent public statements from Opposition Leader, Keith Mitchell, who alleged that government was wasting money by paying housing allowance for Grenada's ambassador in Venezuela.

Dr. Mitchell claimed that his administration, which was voted out of office in 2008, had an agreement in which Venezuela picked up the accommodation cost

Minister receives GBN complaints, OCM expresses network commitment

St. George's, June 10, 2010 (GIS) – Minister with responsibility for Culture and Information, Senator Arley Gill, has said that government is taking note of complaints being received about GBN programming and on the physical state of the network's headquarters in St. George's.

In one of the most vocal complaints, Senator Chester Humphrey called on government to consider reacquiring majority shares in the Grenada Broadcasting Network.

The majority shares in GBN – 60 percent – are owned by the Caribbean Communications Network, a subsidiary of One Caribbean Media (OCM) Limited.

Senator Humphrey, President General of the Technical and Allied Workers Union, charged that GBN has failed in its promises as a national communications' provider.

He has accused management of performing poorly in respect of improving GBN's physical facility, and of subjecting staff to what he

CONSUL GENERAL DERRICK JAMES AND OFFICE OF DIASPORA AFFAIRS PRAISED FOR SWIFT RESPONSE

June 9, 2010: St George's: The effectiveness of Grenada's representatives abroad and the role they play in national development were again highlighted on Tuesday, June 8. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lana Mc Phail, handed over supplies valued at over US$16,000 to two other ministries. They were the Ministries of Sports and Social Development.

More than 21 boxes of pillows, bedspreads, sheets, shower curtains and linens for senior citizens nationwide were donated to the Social Development Ministry headed by Hon. Sylvester Quarless.

Among items donated to the Sports Ministry for the nation's athletes were four boxes of

Grenadian Minister on panel for regional tourism discussion

St. George's, June 8, 2010 (GIS) – Grenada Tourism Minister, Hon. Glynis Roberts, is a member of a panel chosen by the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) to discuss the future of the tourist sector in the region.

The discussion – called a "Diaspora Forum'' – will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm, at the New York Helmsley Hotel, 212 East 42nd Street, New York City. It's part of the celebration of Caribbean Week in New York.

In an invitation to Minister Roberts, CTO Communications Specialist Johnson JohnRose, said she was being invited on the panel to share her "continued

Environment Minister leads national cleanup drive

St. George's, June 6, 2010 (GIS) – Environment Minister Michael Church led by example as Grenada joined the international community in observing World Environment Day. The theme of the day, which was marked on June 5 by United Nation member-countries, was: "Many Species. One Planet. One Future."

The Environment Ministry used the weekend – June 5 and 6 – to spearhead a national cleanup drive. Hundreds, including government ministers, responded to the Ministry of the Environment's appeal to "join the groups within your community to participate in the cleanup on the days identified.''

Hon. Church, who is also MP for St. John, visited many communities –

West Indies named team for first test

The West Indies Cricket Board's selection panel named the following players for the first Digicel Test Match against South Africa at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad. The match will be played from Thursday June 10 to Monday June 14.

SQUAD
Chris Gayle (Captain)
Dwayne Bravo (Vice Captain)
Sulieman Benn
Darren Bravo
Shiv Chanderpaul
Narsingh Deonarine
Travis Dowlin
Brendan Nash
Nelon Pascal
Denesh Ramdin
Ravi Rampaul
Kemar Roach
Darren Sammy
Shane Shillingford
NOTE: Jerome Taylor is unavailable for selection due to a hip injury. He has returned to Jamaica to continue his rehabilitation.

Management Staff: Joel Garner (Manager), Ottis Gibson (Head Coach),

Government urged to reacquire control of “failing’’’ broadcast network

St. George's, June 3, 2010 (GIS) – Growing public concern is being expressed by Grenadians on whether the nation is being short changed by the Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN).

Among those who have openly criticised GBN is Senator Chester Humphrey, President General of the Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU). The union represents staff at GBN.

Employees at GBN's San Souci headquarters in St. George's, backed by their union, recently refused to work on the grounds that rain-soaked electrical equipment and other problems made the workplace unsafe.

According to the GBN staff, their health and safety were also being jeopardised by "dangerous and faulty'' electrical outlets, "rat infestation'' in the studios and with work stations "littered with rat faeces.''

The San Souci building, which is owned by GBN, was severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The facility is still being used in its dilapidated condition, with GBN renting two other premises to carry on operations.

Mr.

Taking carnival to the people

St. George's, June 2, 2010 (GIS) – One of the pillars of Grenada's carnival is getting a major makeover this year. The traditional Pageant of costumed bands on Carnival Monday, usually judged indoors at Queen's Park, is moving to the streets. Discussions are also ongoing with officials of the Grenada Steelbands' Association (GSA) on their participation in Spicemas 2010.

This was among several issues discussed at a news conference Tuesday hosted by Grenada Carnival Committee (GCC) chairman, Colin Dowe, and Senator Arley Gill – the Minister of State with Responsibility for Culture.

Attendance at the Pageant has been on a steady decline, and has been