Leader of Government Business in the Lower House Gregory Bowen has denied claims made by an opposition Parliamentarian about government not providing enough assistance to the manufacturing sector in the country.

Bowen, the Agriculture Minister was responding to comments made by Member of Parliament for the Town of St. George Peter David as it relates to government's assistance towards small business and light manufacturing sectors.

In his contribution to the amendment on the Brewery Act 2004, David accused government of "not doing enough" to assist small businesses in Grenada.

Last Tuesday the House of Representatives amended the Act extending the definition of beer to include malt. A beer is now defined as any product having more than 2% spirits.

The amendment now gives the Grenada Breweries Ltd duty free relief on raw material for the manufacture of brewed products. In the past concession was given to the Grenada Breweries Ltd on the importation of items for making beer.

A beer now includes products such as ale, porter, spruce beer and black beer as well as any other liquor which is made or sold as a description of beer.

David, an executive member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) pointed out that although he is supportive of the amendment, he will like to see it be extended to include light manufacturing.

He complained about an application that was made to Cabinet by the local beekeepers association for concession on the importation of materials that was turned down.

Sources told GRENADA TODAY that the Agency for Rural Transformation (ART) made the request to Cabinet on behalf of the local beekeepers.

She said that over the years the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has been importing the materials for the group and was selling it to them at a reduced price.

The source stated that due to Custom charges on the items, they had decided to approach government with a view to getting a reduction on the cost.

David believes that a similar courtesy should be extended to the local beekeepers association in order for their business to thrive.
The Leader of Government Business in the Upper House denied government deliberately turned down the beekeepers request for concession.

He told the sitting that when they reviewed the application for assistance they realised that it came from a certain Agency and so Cabinet decided to withhold the request.

Bowen questioned why that Agency had to make a request for the beekeepers since they were an independent organisation. He said that they had since inform them that they can make their own application for concession.