New project aims to improve important Government services Media Contact:
In Washington: Stevan Jackson (202) 458 5054
Sjackson@worldbank.org  |  |
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA: — Prime Minister Keith Mitchell of Grenada and World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean Region, Caroline D. Anstey formally launched the Grenada Public Sector Modernization Project at the Spice Island Hotel, and are highly optimistic about its success.. The new project aims to improve government services and boost regional cooperation.
Addressing the launching ceremony, Prime Minister Mitchell said Government is committed to the Public Sector Reform process because of its obvious advantages including greater levels of efficiency, increased productivity, and more value for money, among others.
“Success in the reforming of the public service will enable our country to successfully overcome the multiple challenges we face,” said Prime Minister Keith Mitchell of Grenada during his opening remarks. “My government views public sector reform as a critical intervention for ensuring sustained growth and development and facilitating required levels of competitiveness in the global market,” he added.
The Project is an important step in the modernization of Grenada’s public sector and seeks to, among other things, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery in select government programs, boost regional cooperation, and enhance training opportunities for small and micro businesses.
“The modernization of the public sector is critical if Grenada is to realize further economic development and continue to compete in the global economy,” said Caroline Anstey in her opening remarks. “But public sector modernization is about more than boosting development, it is also about improving the delivery of services to the public, and reaping regional economies of scale. As they go about modernizing their public sectors, OECS countries should seek the full benefit of regional approaches, and this Project recognizes Grenada’s leadership role in this important area.”
Today’s launch was attended by several key senior government officials, and members of civil society including Permanent Secretary Lennox Andrews, Ministry of Finance and Development, and Beryl Isaac, Head, Department of Human Resources, as well as the staff of the Project Coordinating Unit, headed by Crispin Frederick. The Bank Team, led by Task Manager, Lisa L. Bhansali, was also in attendance.
The Public Sector Modernization Project has four key components: (1) Executive Agencies and Performance Management; (2) Strengthening the Grenada Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC); (3) Regional Pooled Procurement; and (4) Public Sector Reform Unit and Project Administration. Its objectives are to (i) improve service delivery in those agencies designated Executive Agencies; (ii) introduce modern human resource management principles into the public sector; (iii) build the capacity of the Government to lead and implement modernization efforts; (iv) encourage sub-regional cooperation through the procurement of select goods and services; and (v) strengthen the enabling environment for small and micro businesses.
“This new project marks an important step in the modernization of Grenada’s public sector, particularly improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery based on the experience and results of Executive Agencies in the Caribbean region and around the world,” said Lisa L. Bhansali, World Bank Sr. Public Sector Management Specialist and Task Team Leader for the project. Grenada forms part of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which is comprised of six independent member states: Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines; as well as (ii) three overseas territories of the United Kingdom: Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. As a regional institution, the OECS seeks to maximize the benefits of integration in order to better cope with the pressures of the global economy on the sub-region. The Grenada Public Sector Modernization Project Technical Assistance Credit is one of five World Bank projects in Grenada. The Bank’s currently has 18 projects, totaling a little more than US$107 million in active commitments for the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). - |
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