For the first time in its history, the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GICI) would be led by a female.
At elections held Tuesday, Yvonne Gellineau-Simon, head of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Grenada and former President of the Rotary Club of Grenada was voted in as the first ever female President after more than eighty years of existence. She replaces outgoing President, Nigel John who did not seek re-election.
According to a GCIC release, the delegates attending the meeting reviewed the work of the organisation during the preceding year and identified areas of advocacy to be pursued by the new Board of Directors.
In this regard, special note was taken of the positive mediatory role played by the Chamber in maintaining social calm during the crisis related to the National Reconstruction Levy (NRL) in the early part of 2006, as well as the successful negotiations conducted by the GCIC to resolve the customs valuations matter in December 2006.
Delegates encouraged the new Board of Directors to continue making representation on the Private Sector's behalf in a range of issues, including the implementation of the Value Added Tax, (VAT), the Investment Climate, the country's Credit Rating, the proper supervision of Insurance, ethical standards in schools and the need to protect Grenada's environmental assets.
With regard to the matter of protecting Grenada's environment there was specific concern expressed over the implications of the National Parks Amendment Act, which has already been passed in both houses of Parliament.
Delegates gave a mandate to the new leadership of the Chamber to engage Government and other stakeholders on this issue.
Concerns were also registered regarding the possible negative environmental impact and social damage that can result from some projects currently being implemented.
Outgoing President, Nigel John, in his farewell speech, thanked the members of the Chamber for the support they gave him during his three years in the office of President.
He appealed to businesses to be more forthcoming in releasing information about their operations, as this was essential in facilitating their own development.
John recommended that businesses go back to basics and concentrate on the production of quality goods and services.
