PR – Grenada is set to take a critical step toward modernizing its investment climate by hosting a two-day national stakeholder consultation to finalize the categorization of its needs assessment under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement.
The hybrid (both face-to-face and virtual) workshop, taking place from November 17 to 18, 2025, is a collaborative effort between the International Trade Centre (ITC), the OECS Commission and GIDC’s Investment Promotion Agency, in partnership with the WTO, and builds on previous work funded by the European Union (EU) through the Regional Integration Through Growth, Harmonisation and Technology (RIGHT) Programme.
A Cornerstone for Sustainable Investment
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is crucial to Grenada’s economic growth, but the need to adapt to challenges like market volatility and intense competition is paramount. The IFD Agreement offers a timely framework to address these issues by enhancing transparency, streamlining administrative procedures, and fostering stronger international cooperation to attract high-quality, sustainable investment.
This workshop marks the culmination of an extensive needs assessment conducted for Grenada and other OECS Member States to determine their implementation capacity for the IFD disciplines. The objective is to further revise, update, and finalize the categorization of various measures into Categories A, B, and C of the Agreement.
The Categorization Workshop aims to achieve two core objectives:
- Finalize WTO Notification: Agree on the definitive categorization of IFD provisions to formally notify the WTO.
- Unlock Capacity Building: Notification of the categorization is essential for Grenada to benefit from the special and differential treatment (S&DT) provisions and the capacity building opportunities provided under the Agreement.
High-Level Dialogue and Expert Facilitation
The two-day session will deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the Agreement’s benefits and its role in fostering a more efficient, predictable, and investor-friendly environment.
The opening session features addresses from Hon. Joseph Andall, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Grenada; Mondher Mimouni, Director, Division for Market Development, ITC; and Pamela Apaza, Legal Affairs Officer, Trade in Services and Investment Division, WTO, among other distinguished speakers. Experts from the WTO and ITC will facilitate working sessions to guide stakeholders through the assessment results and finalize the technical assistance required for Category C measures.
“Finalizing this categorization is a pivotal moment for Grenada,” commented Hon. Joseph Andall. “It not only signals our commitment to global best practices in investment facilitation but also secures the vital technical support and capacity building we need to effectively implement the IFD Agreement, ensuring it fully benefits our unique economic landscape.”
The consultation will be conducted from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on both days. The outcomes will directly inform Grenada’s national implementation strategy for modernizing its investment framework.
