BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 16, 2010 - Grenada’s Ambassador to the European Union, Stephen Fletcher has been intensifying efforts in Europe aimed at mobilising much needed assistance for Grenada by holding a series of meetings with key banking and development organisations in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Over the past two weeks Ambassador Fletcher held important meetings with the ING Bank of Belgium, the Belgium Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg.
According to Ambassador Fletcher, “these meetings are a critical part of my function, as I seek to mobilise development assistance and promote the many investment opportunities, which are available in Grenada, additionally; these meetings also help in selling Grenada as the ideal tourist destination”.
“At a time when the Global economy is still in crisis, small economies like Grenada bears the disproportionate burden of the effects of the crisis, such as declining Foreign Direct Investment, declining revenues from tourism, increasing unemployment, etc. It therefore means that all of us who carry such national responsibility ought to intensify efforts in order to be heard and seen in the international space which we occupy,” said Ambassador Fletcher.
As a result Ambassador Fletcher has met with two representatives from the ING Bank of Belgium in Mr. Maximilien DeSutter and Aynur Sacan. The purpose of the meeting was to sensitise the bankers on the various investment opportunities which could be of interest to their clients who are seeking attractive and viable investment opportunities.
Following on the heels of the meeting with the bankers, Ambassador Fletcher met with Mr. Mostafa Ouezekhtl of the Belgian Investment Company (BIO), a Development Finance Institution. The Belgian Investment Company is financed by the Belgium Government, and is mandated by the Government of Belgium to foster private sector growth in developing and emerging countries in order to achieve sustainable economic growth and social prosperity.
The meeting focused on the type of financial and developmental institutions, which the Belgian Investment Company can partner with. It is anticipated that an investment mission could be mounted between the Belgian Investment Company and relevant Grenadian financial and development institutions in the near future.
The Ambassador also travelled to Luxembourg, where he met with three high level senior executives of the European Investment Bank - Mr. Sakellaris, Vice President responsible EIB activities in ACP countries, Mr. Heim, Head of Division, West Africa Sahel and Caribbean Division and Ms. Arévale Calsina , loan Officer for Grenada.
Among the issues discussed were funding for the Grenada Development Bank, an essential oil manufacturing project, possibilities funding for alternative energy projects and other development needs of the country.
Ambassador Fletcher described the meeting as inspiring and hopeful. The EIB is presently considering a US$ 6.0 million line of credit to the GDB. Since the 1980s the EIB has been a developmental partner with Grenada, providing approximately 16 million Euros to Grenada in such areas as electricity, small business financing through the Grenada Development Bank, waste management project, and a resort hotel.
Ambassador Fletcher is also Chairman of the ACP Sub-Committee on Investment and Private Sector.
2 comments:
My Name is Julian Simon-Parson,
I am 19 years old and I play football Heybridge Swifts in the Ryman League North division.
My grandmother was born in St George, Grenada which makes me available to play for the country.
I would love the chance to play international football but I don’t know how to become known to the Grenadian National manager.
If you need to football CV I would be glad to prepare on for you.
I look forwards to your response.
Kind regards,
Julian, I suggest you send an email to the Grenada Football Association, gfa@spiceisle.com
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