The Government of Montserrat is moving forward with its long-term development agenda after completing a major stakeholder engagement process for the island’s Sustainable Development Strategy and National Development Plan.

The government said on August 4 that residents and stakeholders had played an important role in shaping the documents, which are intended to guide Montserrat’s development priorities and policy decisions over the coming years.

The planning process places greater emphasis on creating a development framework that reflects the needs of communities, businesses and other stakeholders while supporting Montserrat’s long-term resilience.

The initiative comes under the administration of Premier Reuben T. Meade, whose government has made sustainable development and improved governance central themes of its programme.

The new strategy could become an important policy roadmap for decisions involving infrastructure, economic development, public services and environmental sustainability.

Government’s latest move also gives residents an opportunity to see how public feedback is translated into longer-term national priorities.