PM Thomas seeks trade and investment opportunities

NEW YORK, June 20, 2011 - Prime Minister Tillman Thomas believes that Grenada could benefit in economic and technical areas from New York City.

The Grenadian leader expressed these sentiments as he held discussions on Monday in New York with City Comptroller John Liu and his Deputy Eric Eve.

Prime Minister Thomas, who was accompanied by Consul General Derrick James and President of the New York-based Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Grenadian-born Dr Roy Hastick, discussed areas of cooperation between New York City and Grenada including agriculture, education, health, technology, tourism, trade and alternative sources of energy.

“Government is continuing to explore new opportunities with investors especially in the productive sectors,” said Prime Minister Thomas.

The Prime Minister spoke about the initiative by the Grenada Southern Fishermen’s Association to launch its all-natural, smoked fish product, Bacon of the Sea. He suggested similar investments in these areas as well as markets for local products, especially among West Indians in the New York Diaspora.

“Investments like these especially in the productive sector provide sustainable jobs for the population and government will continue to create the enabling environment,” he told Comptroller Liu.

Comptroller Liu, in noting the delegation’s request for technical assistance, said that the discussions are not open-ended and his office will examine specific investment opportunities.

The two delegations also discussed assistance for Grenada in cancer screening and research and possible twinning arrangements between Grenada and Brooklyn, noting the cultural and historical ties between both places.

“The Caribbean, like other parts of the world, has provided New York with an abundance of gifted personalities in various areas and we now need to find avenues to re-invest some of these talents into the region,” said Dr Hastick.

The Prime Minister suggested that a New York Trade and Investment mission to visit Grenada where potential investors could meet and discuss with Grenadian officials. He said that the mission could be a collaborative effort involving the Office of the City Comptroller, the Grenada Consulate in New York and CACCI.

The meeting between Prime Minister Thomas and Comptroller Liu was coordinated by Councilman Jumaane Williams, whose parents are Grenadians and Dr Hastick of CACCI.

Comptroller Liu is the first Asian American to be elected to a city-wide office in New York City and has been credited for making government more efficient and accountable after only a few months in office.