By Nicole Ray

After ringing the opening bell at the NYSE on Monday, Prime Minister Mitchell presented a gift to exchange president, Robert Britz.

Grenadian Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell and government officials, promoting the social and economic development of the Caribbean nation, met Sunday with a packed audience in Medgar Evers College auditorium. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Lamuel Stanislaus, Grenada’s Perma-nent Representative to the United Nations.

Immigrants from Grenada living in the tri-state area out in large numbers to hear Dr. Mitchell and his delegation, which included Elvin Nimrod, Min-ister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Senator Einstein Louison, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Dr. Mitchell’s New National Party was reelected — by an 8-7 majority — to a third term as Gre-nada’s ruling party last November. Dr. Mitchell func-tions not only as the Prime Minister but also as the Minister of National Security, Information, Human Resource Development, Youth Development, Business and Private Sector Development and Information Communication Technology.

Caribbean nationals, while waiting for the meeting to begin, were able to view a recorded version of Grenada’s 2004 Budget Debate project on a screen.

Dr. Mitchell signs the NYSE guest book.

"Sisters and brothers, I am extremely happy to see this massive turnout," said Dr. Mitchell when he took the podium after being introduced.

"I believe that we have an opportunity in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique today that we probably never had before in the sense that we have now laid a foundation for serious economic change," Dr. Mitchell said.

As stated in the government’s packet, which em-phasized development "through people’s participation," the nearly $600 million 2004 budget covers Agriculture, Tourism, Education and Human Resource Development, among others. The government expects to derive revenue from Customs, Property Tax, Per-sonal income tax (on salaries over $5,000 a month), control on spending and exportation of local products.

"We have the ingredients, sisters and brothers, for serious economic take-off," said Dr. Mitchell."So that our vision for educating healthy, productive and a prosperous society are starting to move in the positive direction. So with this, with the atmosphere of peace and stability which of course is crucial because we could have all the economic analysis you want, we could have all the infrastructure in place. If you do not have peace you cannot have economic development."

Senator Einstein Louison, Minister of State in the

Office of the Prime Minister responsible for Busi-ness and Private Sector Development, Information, and Information and Communication Technology, borrowing from American President Abraham Lin-coln, said, "It is a budget by the people, of the people and for the people."

Louison added that the new international airport opened Grenada to massive international recognition, foreign investment and also served nationals returning home who were hassled by having to go to airports in Trinidad or Barbados and then get a connecting flight. Another milestone, Louison said, was the construction of a new hospital and a national stadium.

"The health care of our nation is paramount," said Elvin Nimrod, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Legal Affairs and Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs. "This government has taken steps to make sure we pave the way so that

you can come home," Nimrod said as he attempted to assure nationals living within the United States that they can return home after retirement.

"Democracy is alive and well in our country," said Dr. Mitchell. "The voice of the people is the voice of God."

He also told the crowd that relative peace and calm thrive when there is true democracy, and in order to have true democracy, a viable and strong opposition is paramount. The Prime Minister added that it is important that people are involved in the decision-making process and to this end his government would initiate the formation of a Citizens Complaint Authority, a national Committee to name Sites and Monuments and the passing of an Integrity Legislation and a Professional Service Act.

As a cricket enthusiast, Prime Minister Mitchell told those present that Grenada is preparing to host World Cup 2007, "an opportunity to showcase our beautiful country and what it has to offer on a large scale."