​(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) My fellow Community nationals of Grenada, today I share with you a great sense of achievement.

The launch of the Grenada Coalition of Service Industries represents a feat in perseverance, and focused and positive tenacity in the face of severe economic and social challenges. You have stayed the regional course in the pursuit of long-term national, economic and social sustainability.

Given the challenges confronting the Region at this time, this achievement should be mounted on a hill for all throughout the Region, including those who claim that the CSME is a floundering experiment, so that they may see that the regional integration movement, despite its many challenges, is meeting agreed targets and achieving milestones in its development.

As Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Services in the CSME, I congratulate you all. I am aware that you have great expectations in the area of Services. I assure you that the regional team and I are working hard to live up to your expectations. The year 2012 offers many opportunities for all of us in this Sector, especially the national coalitions. Your journey has just begun. I wish you a successful and impacting Coalition.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL