By: Staff Writer
June 28, 2022
The developer of the Kimpton Kawana Bay project in Grenada has “no choice” but to continue World Bank arbitration for the project, despite the major stumbling block of the previous Dr Keith Mitchell administration being removed from power.
Warren Newfield, principal of True Blue Development, told Caribbean Magazine Plus that he is “delighted” that there was a government change in Grenada and he understands that Grenada now has a “competent leader” who has the country’s best interest at heart.
The spat with the former Dr Keith Mitchell administration boiled over last year when Mr Newfield alleged that Dr Mitchell’s New National Party (NNP) government was intentionally trying to “choke” his Kawana Bay project to death, something Dr Mitchell had denied and said that it was the developer who was in the wrong for not disclosing that the project was to be used as a Citizenship by Investment project instead.
A project being developed with CBI money, its principals must disclose its sources of funding and must submit that up front before approval. Mr Newfield alleges that there was no such rule blocking him from developing Kawana Bay with CBI funds and the matter spilled over into World Bank arbitration last June.
Arbitration can take several months or several years depending on the scope and complexity of the dispute but Mr Newfield said he is committed to following through with the arbitration despite the new Dickon Mitchell led National Democratic Congress (NDC) winning last week’s elections in Grenada.
Mr Newfield also said: “As we need to protect our purchases and investors interests we have no choice but to continue with the arbitration, but we are always open to reaching a mutually beneficial resolution.”
A source told Caribbean Magazine Plus that Mr Newfield, who was a former ambassador/consul general for Grenada in Miami, Florida under the Dr Keith Mitchell NNP administration before their falling out, had supported the NDC to their recent election win.
Mr Newfield also said that despite the “gross incompetence and personal agendas of Dr Keith Mitchell’s leadership,” hampering foreign direct investment into the country, he acknowledged that: “I have a lot of confidence in the NDC leadership. I have no doubt that they understand what is necessary to do to get the country back on track.
“It is therefore going to take a lot of work by the NDC to restore investor confidence. That said, I believe they are up to the task.”
Mr Newfield also praised the CBI programme in Grenada, saying, “CBI is vital to the economy of Grenada and a well-run programme with professional management can go a long way to helping Grenada succeed economically.”