The New National Party has observed the statements made by the NDC, regarding a proposed economic forum.

We would like to point out to the people of Grenada firstly, that contrary to their claims, this forum is not and will not be endorsed by the IMF. While we agree that collectively we all need to work together to build this country, we are surprised that the NDC has taken so long to realise that.

This NNP Government has always said we need to "Build Back Better," in fact we adopted this as our post Hurricane Ivan theme. However, although the large majority of hard working and God-fearing Grenadians recognised this, sadly the NDC did not.

In fact, the NDC made it clear that they would only support the Government's rebuilding effort if they were allowed joint leadership.
The calls now for an economic forum can be only described as a political stunt by a party which is feeling increasing pressure from the general population to abandon their obsession with power and negativity.

It is also an attempt to make themselves look like a credible alternative by momentarily diverting from their usual truthless attacks and lies. The NDC has consistently opposed everything good which has happened in this country since Hurricane Ivan.
The NDC has never before joined the Government in helping to develop anything which will advance and improve the lives of poor people.

 The following list of NDC travesties supports this:

*The Opposition leader travelled to Trinidad to tell the donor community not to give any money to the Government of Grenada after Hurricane Ivan.

*They opposed the Trinidad soft loan to bring 15  million US dollars to build houses for our poorest and most vulnerable people

*They said we should not build the stadium. They said we should not host the World Cup and said it would be a disaster. What are they saying now that we have delivered and have met our financial targets?

*They have raised strong objection to the investment projects which will bring thousands of jobs and opportunities for Grenadians.

We must never forget that they told the squatters in Mt. Panday and Belmont not to move so that a billion dollar development could take place. And that they tried to stop one of the biggest developments to ever come to this country by scaring people into believing that the Grenada Dove would be threatened.  

They ran out of parliament during of all things the BUDGET DEBATE. Why are they interested in talking about the economy now? Why when you had the opportunity to make serious contributions to the budget debate YOU WALKED OUT WITHOUT YOUR so-called LEADER

All of this shows that the NDC has a track record of not supporting anything which will contribute to economic prosperity. On the contrary they fully supported and endorsed TAWU's economic programme which recommended the following disastrous proposals

* A shut down of the country in protest of the National Reconstruction Levy

* A 10 percent increase on cell phone cards

*A 7 % increase IN GCT

* A 3% increase on Gross sales of businessesŠ.yes gross sales.  This means that whether or not a business made profit they would have to contribute 3% of their takings in tax.

*An increase of 2 and a half percent on port duty

*And a 15% percent capital gains tax.

The Government and people of Grenada want to continue to enjoy the benefits that we have achieved together. The business community wants to continue to enjoy the liberal environment which we have worked together to create.

Our senior citizens want to continue to enjoy peace stability and security, and they most certainly deserve it! Our sons and daughters want us to continue to provide more scholarships and opportunities for them.

We have no time for political games by the NDC. We have no time for NDC lies.Today we as a Grenadian people see a bright future ahead of us.

(Submitted by the New National Party)