Toronto, Canada -- Grenada's national debt has increased by five times its size of $372 million in 1995, but very little of the money has been invested in expanding the country's "productive capacity,'' says opposition Member of Parliament Nazim Burke.

He made the comment in response to a Toronto reporter's question about Grenada's economy and tax and fiscal policies of a future National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Burke, the NDC's Public Relations Officer, said the New National Party (NNP) of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell "ran amok'' when it won all 15 seats in the House of Representatives in 1995 and "out-leveraged the country as far as borrowing possibilities are concerned.''

"When this government came into office in 1995, Grenada's national debt was $372 million,'' said Burke, an economist. "Today, the national debt stands at $1.6 billion, which is five times what existed 12 years ago.''

The 51-year-old M.P., who is also a practising lawyer, added that "the harsh reality is we have so little to show for all these monies that have been spent".

"No monies were really employed in any productive economic activity, so that we are not realising any returns on the investments'', he added.

Burke, the parliamentary representative for St. George North-East, said much of the borrowed money was pumped into the construction sector.

"Some things were delivered in terms of infrastructural development,'' Burke admitted.

"But much of the money went into the construction sector largely because that sector, by its very nature, tends to facilitate the underhand, greasing of-the-hand kinds of transactions, which seem more amenable to that kind of engagement'', he said.

The NDC has long accused Dr. Mitchell and the NNP of engaging in unethical and corrupt practices in tendering contracts for major projects, including the construction of the first national stadium that was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Burke, who joined NDC leader Tillman Thomas and three others, on a just concluded tour of Toronto and New York, said an NDC government will strengthen the economy by developing an agro-industrial sector.

"There is a large demand inside Grenada, and there is a large demand inside the Caribbean region, for good fruits, good vegetables, natural juices, and organically produced items,'' he said.

Apart from meeting with the press, Burke and his colleague held public meetings in Toronto and New York. In Toronto, they also officiated at the launch of an NDC Support Group.

Members of the group say one of their immediate goals is mobilising funds and other resources to support the NDC in its next general election campaign.

"This is an historic occasion,'' Thomas told members of the Support Group. The NDC leader said his party has pledged itself to "restoring Grenada to a society we all can be proud of.''

Thomas said Grenadians abroad were "an integral part'' of the nation, whose challenge to rebuild requires "collective responsibility.''

"We see the Diaspora as part of our country and we believe Grenadians abroad should be part of the transformation of our society,'' said Thomas.

At the Toronto meeting, where the NDC outlined some of its development plans for Grenada, more than $1,100 was collected in donations for the party.

The plans include setting up a Department of Diaspora Affairs in the Grenada Foreign Ministry. It is estimated that there are 400,000 Grenadians living overseas.

"The department will enter into dialogue with Grenadians in the Diaspora to allow them to participate more fully in the country,'' said General Secretary David.

"I know several Grenadians who want to invest in Grenada but they are not given the opportunity.'' Senator Ingrid Rush promised that an NDC government will treat agriculture with priority.

"I believe that much more could be done for agriculture and agricultural workers,'' she said.

The NDC also proposes to establish a teaching facility for the hospitality arts and a school bus system to help ease the high transportation costs of student travel.

Deputy Political leader, George Prime said NDC also has a "sustainable plan for Carriacou and Petit Martinique,'' which would involve "some form of autonomy'' for the two sister islands, as well as the opening of a navigational school in Carriacou.

He said tourism and cultural enhancement will include the instituting of a string band festival in Carriacou.

Prime is expected to contest the Carriacou and Petit Martinique seat for the NDC in the next general election. He lost it in 2003 by six controversial votes to NNP's Elvin Nimrod, current Minister of Carriacou and Petit Martinique Affairs.