Hotel Developer Resigns From Grenadian Diplomatic Post Over Anti-Business Policies
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – The developer behind the Kiwana Bay Project, Warren Newfield, has resigned as an Ambassador-at-Large for Trade and Investment and Consul General of Grenada in Miami, citing anti-business policies as the reason for his decision.
Warren Newfield“It is with great sorrow, but with absolute conviction of no other options, that I write this letter to tender my official resignation as Ambassador-at-Large and Consul General to Florida on behalf of Grenada,” stated his May 20, 2021 resignation letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Oliver Joseph.
Providing details about his decision, Newfield said that conditions in Grenada had changed drastically in the past few years. He said while leadership had previously been welcoming to foreign investment and economic development, there is now an anti-business regime.
Citing an International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) award of US$65 million against the government for breaching its agreement with the controlling shareholder of Grenada Electricity Services Company Limited (GRENLEC), he said: “It is little wonder that in the 2020 survey by the World Bank assessing ease of doing business in countries globally, Grenada ranked number 146th out of 190 nations.
“I have seen this deterioration firsthand. My own business interests are hardly the only ones to be damaged by the regime’s disregard for investor rights. The government has breached agreements with other businesses. Other than the recent fiasco with GRENLEC, one only needs to look at the government’s attempt to expropriate the Rex Hotel,” the letter added.
Calling for a change in the business landscape, Warren wrote: “I hope you and others will take this action as it is intended – as an appeal to restore reason and the rule of law to the government and bring us back to a place where progress is possible in Grenada. I wish nothing more than a level and rational playing field for those who wish to do business, create jobs and grow the economy in-order to ensure a bright future for the youth of our wonderful country.”
Newfield said it had been “an honor and privilege to serve the people of Grenada these past six years without pay or other compensation, in helping attract several foreign investors to the island as well as major hospitality, leisure and other businesses”.
“From my office in Miami, I have had the privilege of heading one of only three missions to officially represent our island in the United States. Our efforts were paying off in the form of significant new tourism development projects and real estate investment, among other areas… I have undertaken my duties with a strong sense of responsibility to help advance economic growth, business opportunity and investment to our island,” stated the letter, which claimed that those efforts have resulted in the creation of several hundred jobs.
“I am proud of the spirit with which we began our mission and of the progress we made in getting world-class investors and brands to see the best in Grenada. However, my position as both Ambassador and Consul General has become untenable. I can no longer serve in good conscience as Grenada’s business and diplomatic representative abroad,” Newfield added.
Efforts to reach Joseph for comment on the resignation have so far been unsuccessful.
