by Linda Straker
- US$100 million to be combination of grants and loans
- Funding to assist with Climate Smart infrastructure projects
- Tourism minister seeking Caricom support of Kingdom hosting World Expo 2030
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has disclosed that Grenada will receive US$100 million from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to assist the island with its Climate Smart infrastructure projects, including saving the Grand Anse Beach and resuscitation of The Carenage.
The announcement was made on Thursday, 25 May 2023, after the Prime Minister, and Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall, along with other senior government officials, held discussions with Ahmed Al Khateeb, Tourism Minister and Head of the Saudi Development Fund, in St George’s.
“We have been in discussions with them, and I must say for the record that we inherited those discussions in relation to a US$100 million climate-smart infrastructure project. The concept was previously called Climate Smart Cities, but it is really more than just about the City of St George’s or about the town of Grenville. It is about the resilience of our infrastructure,” the Prime Minister said in an interview with the Government Information Service (GIS), disseminated to media houses. “So, the discussions were about furthering and coming to an agreement to them funding this project. The project has a number of components, some of which includes the resuscitation of the Carenage or the saving of it, as you are aware it is susceptible to sea level rise.”
He explained that another component is the saving of Grand Anse Beach. “And when I say saving of Grand Anse beach, the beach needs to be saved. We have projections that show that by 2050 there may longer be a Grand Anse beach, and so obviously that is our pride and gem, and we have to take much care to ensure that we have it around for many more decades to come,” he said.
Sharing more details about the projects, he said that Grenville, which suffers significantly from flooding, also benefits from funding. “So, we have to take measures to address that,” said the Prime Minister.
The legal agreement for the funding is yet to be finalised, but the Prime Minister disclosed that it would be a combination of grants and loans. The announcement from Saudi Arabia happened while its tourism minister is on a Caribbean tour seeking the support of Caricom members to vote in support of the Kingdom hosting World Expo 2030 in the City of Riyadh from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031, under the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.”
What is the interest rate? Saudi Arabia does not charge interest. Let me work out your deals with the Arab nations for Grenada. I lived in Riyadh and Doha for many years. Saudi people are the kindest humble loving people who when they shake your hands at the end of deal that’s it. Let me teach you guys on how to do business in the middle east. Make sure that you keep your end of the bargain. Left during the war but still kept my friends there. Remember to say Salam Alakum with a gentle tone. When greeted you must respond with Alakum Salam. A Saudi will give you the shirt off their back once they trust you but if you deceive them they are done with you . Remember when the deal is done it is done. I can pledge for the Saudi people.
Get out of here with that b.s. The Caribbean is not trying tonlearn your language or religion. This is exactly why people are skeptical about any dealings from that region. You havnt even touch ground but ordering how to great and talk. Should Grenada build a mosque also to make the deal go through?
There is nothing free or easy. Grants my foot. Think about our children/young generation and the cost of will be to them having to pay back what the elders now didn’t consider. Please count the cost. What is it REALLY going to cost the people?
ill be watching and taking notes
Where will we find the money to pay back the loan? Exactly how much is loan anyway? Thats not clear.
fix the roads instead