ARD convenes meeting with local contractors The Agency for Reconstruction and Development Inc. (ARD) Economic Recovery Department convened a Focus Group Meeting of local contractors today to address some of the constraints they face in the rebuilding process. We hope that this can mark the beginning of developments for the construction sector that will bring benefits for all, ARD Chief Executive Officer Richardson Andrews said in welcoming the contractors to the first in a series of Focus Group Meetings being organised by the ARD Economic Recovery Department. Director of the Department, Mrs. Promil Paul, said one of the goals in bringing contractors together is to facilitate the establishment of a cohesive representative body for everyone in the construction sector. The contractors agreed that such a body would be beneficial and requested that the ARD work with them to realize this. The contractors identified the following interventions for the ARD to pursue on their behalf: Training for more skilled labour in carpentry, masonry, joinery and other trades, including heavy equipment operators. It was agreed that the current construction demands require more locally skilled trades men and women, as well as importing workers. The need to attract more unemployed young men into the construction sector. It was pointed out that the response by women to the training opportunities available from USAID/Carana indicates that many young men are remaining on the block and there is a need to address the related social issues. Building materials should be screened at the Port to ensure that only materials that meet Grenadian standards are allowed into the Country. The traditional attitude of banks that the construction sector is high risk prevents contractors from accessing loans. There is need for more flexibility on the part of banks to accommodate contractors. Contractors should work together in bidding for large projects. It was noted that this was successfully accomplished in Phase One of the General Hospital. Contractors expressed the view that the requirements in applying for contracts through USAID/PADCO are excessive and costly. The need to enforce the regulations of the Grenada Building Code through the provision of qualified building inspectors. The need for storage facilities for local building suppliers to stock pile materials since so many suffered from looting immediately after Hurricane Ivan struck on September 7, 2004, in addition to the damages caused by the Hurricane. ARD Director of Economic Recovery Promil Paul expressed appreciation to the contractors for being so frank and providing the kind of details that the ARD requires in order to successfully collaborate with the sector to address the challenges they are dealing with on a daily basis. This Focus Group Meeting has been invaluable for the ARD. We plan to have ongoing dialogue through this format with other sectors, including manufacturing, wholesale and retails businesses, agriculture and agro-processing, as well as service providers, Mrs. Paul said. March 31, 2005 Agency for Reconstruction and Development Inc. Botanical Gardens, St. Georges, Grenada Tel: 473-439-5606/07/08; Fax: 473-439-5609; Email: ard@gov.gd