(See Editorial)
Over the next 12 months [2012 – 13] the MDC is expected to deliver:
- a master plan that fully embraces environmental sustainability, sets the basis for environmentally and socially sustainable economic growth and builds climate change considerations into planning and infrastructure design;
- detailed conceptual designs of key infrastructure underpinning the masterplan to enable MDC to sell development of villas on Potato Hill to international investors by being sales ready;
- an effective sales and investment strategy to attract vital foreign and local private sector investment that will underpin the development of a tourism driven economy;
- a prospectus and marketing campaign that attracts investment expressions of interest in key components of the master plan – hotel, residences on the hill, commercial and retail space, marina, etc;
- a clearly defined land disposal policy with transparent and accountable processes that are supported by a robust legislative framework2.
- a compendium of infrastructure costs, including phasing, critical to the town and port investments;
- Critical design inputs vital to enhancing the design and justifications to support decisions on a new breakwater and harbour at Carr’s Bay to improve physical access to Montserrat, and maximise the returns on the town side investment;
- firm expressions of private sector interest by September 2012 and commitments by February 2013 that justify UKG public sector investments in the Port and Town;
- implementation of trade and investment promotion activities and the stimulation of local private sector development;
- a proposal to maintain UKG support for the MDC ahead of financial self-sufficiency.
