On Friday January 144h, 2005, the Minister of Finance and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, updated representatives of the business community on the present state of the local economy. The meeting covered a wide range of economic issues with particular focus on post Hurricane Ivan levels of economic activity and the major challenges facing the Country. Much discussion centered on the Grenada reconstruction programme with particular emphasis on: Revenue generation to fill Government’s financing gap Housing Restructuring of the Public Debt Improving Productivity Diversification of the economy Management of Government Capital Projects Upgrading of the Construction Sector National management policies Over the next few weeks, the Ministry of Finance intends to make similar presentations to various stakeholders including the National Council for Reconstruction & Development, the business community, the Sustainable Development Council, public officers and the insurance and banking sectors. These meetings will also be used an opportunity for stakeholders consultations on the National Budget, which will be presented in late March. A schedule of these meetings will be publicized shortly