Grenada Facts
Longitude), just 83.8 miles north of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the most southerly of the Windward Islands, 1623 miles southeast of Miami and 160 miles from Barbados. Area The main island Grenada is 120 sq. miles, while the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique are 13 sq. miles collectively. Topography Grenada’s volcanic origin has produced topography of great beauty and environmental variety, ranging from mountainous rain forest to dry lowlands and coastal mangroves. The highest point is Mount St. Catherine at 2,757 ft. and ancient volcanic craters can be found in the central areas. Climate Due to its location 12 degrees north of the equator, Grenada enjoys a tropical climate with cooler conditions high in the hills. The average temperature is in the low 80°F which is made tolerable by the trade winds. September is usually the hottest month while the dry season is normally between January - May. Health Profile Grenada offers access to numerous doctors and clinics (both private and public) located throughout the islands. There is the General Hospital and two (2) smaller hospitals, one in the parish of St. Andrew’s and the other on the island of Carriacou) and three (3) private hospitals. There are also many qualified and experienced private medical doctors, dentists and optometrist. Public Hospitals: 3 Private Hospitals: 3 Population per physician: 1,150 Population per hospital bed: 170 Political Profile Grenada gained independence from Britain in 1974 and is now an independent nation within the Commonwealth. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State and is represented locally by the Governor General, who is appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister. Grenada has a Westminster Style Parliamentary form of government. The Parliament which exercises legislative power consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Executive power lies with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. General elections are held every five (5) years. Religious Profile Numerous denominations are represented on the island. Among these are: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Christian, Scientist, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah’s Witness, Mennonite, Pentecostal, Evangelical, Islamic Education Profile Grenada’s educational system is modeled largely on the British educational system. Education is free and compulsory from ages 5 to 16. Grenada has both public schools and private schools, although there may be only one choice in rural areas. Classes are taught in English, and high school students also learn French and Spanish. Students in public and some private schools wear uniforms. Approximately 2000 students graduate from secondary school every year. Adult literacy rate is at an estimated 96%. There are three post secondary school institutions in Grenada that include T.A . Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) an affiliate of the University of the West Indies), Grenada National College which offers technical and vocational training and the Teacher Training College. The St. George’s University (Medical School), a private US institution founded in 1977, provides veterinary training, medical training, arts and services for students from other countries, the majority from entrepreneurship and skills development programme Technical assistance support to facilitate easier access to credit, capital, domestic and export market opportunities. Institutional strengthening of business support organizations to improve service offerings. Trade Policy The trade policy has evolved over time as a result of Grenada’s participation in international, regional and bi-lateral trade agreements and also as a result of an evolution in the government basic economic policies toward a more free market, private enterprise system. The change in trade policies reflects a shift from import substitution to a more liberalized trading system that is oriented toward the global economy. The ongoing process of liberalization and globalization, of the world’s economy has had a strong influence on Grenada’s trade policy. Human Resource Development (HRD) It has been noted that the education system is too oriented toward classical academics and does not prepare its graduates with the skills needed in the private business sector job market. Government recognizes that human resource development is vital to the development of Grenada’s economy, society, and culture. It has also been recognized that human resource development has multiple dimensions, covering educational attainment, workforce skills, population health and employment policies that connect people to business enterprises with appropriate skills and the ability to adapt quickly to new challenges. Recognizing that each of these areas is a key driver in creating a favorable environment for investment and cannot be framed in isolation, the HRD policy takes full account of these policy links and Grenada’s implementation capacity. Special emphasis has been attached to the flexibility of the policy framework to respond to new skill needs created by changing technologies and economic structures and in this regard government has fostered close cooperation between policy makers and the main stakeholders of investors and labor. Emphasis will be placed on the following: Enhance the skills training programme at TAMCC and the Business Development Unit. Increase scholarships available through the St George’s University, UAS, Cuba, China and Commonwealth countries. Undertake an audit of locally available skills and identification of the skills requirement of the business sector to inform the development and design of additional training programs. Increase the collaboration between the government, trade unions and the private sector in respect of the provision of training for industry. Provide tax credits to encourage private sector investment in skills training.
The change in trade policies reflects a shift from import substitution to a more liberalized trading system the U.S.
Industrial Profile Small & Medium Enterprise Development Small & Medium Enterprises can play a significant role in the development of the country by presenting a range of self employment opportunities to enterprising, independent persons, encouraging the utilization of local resources, stimulating personal savings, improving rural well being and facilitating a more equitable distribution of income. Government envisage a modern small business sector capable of adapting readily to changes in technology and markets and utilizing current managerial and production techniques, competing effectively not only on the domestic market but also on the international market. In this regard it is the policy of the Government (GOG) to provide the required impetus and allocate financial and technical resources to foster the creation of an enlightened and dynamic small enterprise sector. This will be done through the following policy measures Investment incentives for qualifying small businesses Legislation designed to strengthen the development of cooperatives. The design and implementation of
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