NNP promising more buoyant economy despite global challenges

Leader of the New National Party (NNP), Dr. Keith Mitchell, is promising to establish an economy that will be more buoyant than the one experienced over the past four and half years if his party is elected to government next week Tuesday.

The main opposition, New National Party, on Monday launched its 72-page manifesto ahead of the February 19 General Elections, promising Grenadians “a new vision” for development over the next five years.

NNP supporters at last Sunday’s rally in Pearls.

“It is our view that when a government is elected to office, the expectation of all its citizens is that they must benefit and therefore government must provide leadership and good governance, which includes improving the quality of lives of all the people of the country,” the former Prime Minister said at the launch.

He stated the manifesto, when implemented, will allow Grenadians to effectively compete in a changing global environment.

“Our plans have examined these matters thoroughly ... and we believe with the nation’s support we can achieve major successes,” he told business leaders and journalists at the launch.


The NNP is promising to develop an economy that is “fuelled by an educated society capable of adjusting to changing circumstances” and that is part of and contributes meaningfully to the development and integration processes in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Economic Union, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Western hemisphere.

It says the new economy will promote and engender “green” businesses, industry and lifestyles committed to sustainable development.

The NNP said that job creation would be a major priority, given that the rate of unemployment has more than doubled between the period 2008 to 2012 with only the public sector registering any form of growth.

“The NNP understands the challenges of recession, but will not be distracted from attending to what matters most to Grenadians – a stable job which enables us to support our families and achieve our personal goals.”

It said it would reduce unemployment through policies that would stimulate private sector activities, improve fiscal incentives, revitalise key economic sectors and implement a genuine economic stimulus programme.

“Grenada’s ‘New Economy’ must provide job opportunities for those who wish to work; business opportunities for those who choose to invest; opportunity for wealth creation; and prosperity for those prepared to sacrifice and play the rules,” the NNP stated.

The party said it would also seek to restructure the tax regime to make it more transparent and equitable. It said there would also be an overhaul of the Value Added Tax (VAT) to improve efficiency and simplify its operations.

The document also lists the activities the party plans to implement if elected to office in areas of housing, tourism, health and foreign policy. (LS)