To + gerund instead of infinitive

[Deepurple]

Could any teachers tell me why it is so in grammatical perspective?

Domestically, the new leader will need to give more time and attention to (towards) strengthening [rather than to(in order to) strengthen] the island's economic development and less to (towards) stirring [rather than to (in order to) stir] up ethnic divisions for political purposes.

Thanks a lot.

 

[David L.]

Think about the meaning of the two forms, rather than grammar:
The new leader will need to give more time and attention in order to strengthen the island's economy
If he gives more time and attention to WHAT? His rose garden, or his game of golf? Otherwise, it would seem, pure meditation itself will somehow have this positive effect on the economy.

The new leader will need to give more time and attention to strengthening island's economy.
Ah! So now, the sentence tells us that time and attention need to be directed at strengthening something - and specifically, foreign ties/the economy etc.

Not a Teacher.