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Committee of the Association of Caribbean States, the Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, the IOPC Funds, the IMO and the Organization of American States Committee on Ports. As well as working with international organisations and local ports to promote better regional commerce and improved relations, the Authority plays a key role at home, in particular in public sector investment. Working with the Ministry of Finance, it draws up projects to develop the port and the environment, especially the coastal zone. The GPA is actively involved in an outreach programme involving the local community. In recent years it has organised and sponsored a Coastal Zone Management Competition for primary schools. The Ports Authority has also sponsored the Carriacou Regatta Festival and has assisted young members of the Grenada Swimming Association. It also continues to support the Grenada Community Development Agency and the School for Special Education. In addition, the GPA is represented on the national Sustainable Development Council, which considers matters pertinent to the nation’s long term sustainable development.
CRUISE TERMINAL The past decade has seen big changes in the country’s fortunes and these have been matched by the GPA’s vision in developing its range of port services.
The initial phase of expanding the main port in the Carenage was followed by the adventurous development of the Melville Street Cruise Terminal. In parallel with the new cruise terminal – and in a departure from the core business of the Port Authority – the GPA was heavily involved in the financing and operation of the Melville Street Bus Terminus as part of the wider Melville Street development. Opened in 2005, the Terminus provides parking for 250 buses and was designed to ease
traffic congestion in St George’s. About US$ 4.0 million has been invested in this project.
FUTURE VISION The future looks bright for Grenada – thanks in no small part to the GPA’s efforts over the past 25 years in building the economy for the benefit of all islanders. Whatever the future holds for Grenada, one thing is certain – the GPA will be leading from the front.