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Month: February 2017

Appeal almost certain in murder case

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/02/2017
Wojciech Janowski Photo: Padasnieg
Wojciech Janowski Photo: Padasnieg

Wojciech Janowski’s lawyers will appeal against the indictment pronounced by the investigating judge Christophe Perruaux in the Pastor case. Almost three years after the assassination of Hélène Pastor, 77, and her driver Mohamed Darwich, ten defendants have been sent to the Bouches-du-Rhône assize court.

In addition to the two presumed killers, eight persons will be tried as accomplices, intermediaries, or for false testimony and interference with witnesses. Janowski, the common-law son-in-law of Hélène Pastor, originally confessed to be the sponsor of the double assassination, before retracting his evidence.

Once an appeal is lodged, it will take four months for a decision. The trial itself is likely to take place at the end of this year. Janowski, the one-time honorary consul of Poland, and his sports coach, Pascal Dauriac, blame each other for the crime that took place May 6, 2014, in front of L’Archet hospital in Nice, which shocked the Principality.

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Tourists look further east, Monaco’s GoFast reports

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/02/2017

tourismoffice

Monaco’s Tourism Office reports in its GoFast newsletter of major tourism news that the number of tourist overnight stays in the European Union were slightly up, by two percent, in 2016. A Eurostat report states that the first destination was Spain with 454 million overnight stays, up 7.8 percent compared with 2015.

The second destination was France with 395 million, a decrease of 4.6 percent – largely due to security issues and strikes – and third place Italy with 395 million overnight stays, an increase of 0.5 percent. A shift towards more tourist visits to central and eastern European countries was a noticeable trend in 2016. The European countries with the highest growth in tourist overnight stays were Bulgaria + 17.9 percent, Slovakia + 16 percent and Poland + 11.8 percent.

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French recovery continues to surprise

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/02/2017

economyFrance’s business activity was far above predictions in February, reaching close to a six-year high just two months before presidential elections. Services were particularly strong, according to the latest data. IHS Markit said its preliminary composite purchasing managers index jumped to 56.2 in February from 54.1 in January, the highest level since May 2011.

The increase beat economists’ expectations and marked the eight consecutive month that the index has been above the 50-point threshold, dividing an expansion from a contraction in activity.

“It’s a big surprise to see growth accelerate this markedly, especially in the run-up to a general election,” IHS Markit chief economist, Chris Williamson, said. “Expectations about the outlook are picking up with very few instances of companies saying they were worried about the election result on the economy.”

Economic growth of 0.6 percent in the first quarter would be the best quarterly rate in a year. The service sector index jumped to 56.7 from 54.1 in January against expectations for a slight dip to 53.8.

 

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Barclays reinforces its Private Banking business in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/02/2017
Joanne Chappell, newly-appointed Director Barclays Private Banking division in Monaco
Joanne Chappell, newly-appointed Director Barclays Private Banking division in Monaco

Barclays announced the appointment of Joanne Chappell as Director in its Private Banking division in the Principality of Monaco. 
The appointment underscores Barclays’ firm commitment to growing its private banking business in general and in Monaco in particular, further building on Barclays’ track record of providing financial services in Monaco for over 100 years.

Commenting on Barclays’ new hire, Francesco Grosoli, Head of the Private Bank for EMEA, said: “This appointment further cements our commitment to grow the Monaco Business. We will continue to strengthen our teams as we offer clients world class service and advice, bespoke innovative financial solutions, and access to Barclays’ global capabilities.”

Ms Chappell joins Barclays from Schroder & Co Banque SA in Geneva, where she was a Senior Private Banker for more than 8 years. During her tenure she focused on UK Resident non-domiciled and Eastern European clients. Prior to Schroder, she was head of the UK team at Lloyds International Private Bank in Geneva. She also worked at Lloyds’ Mayfair office in Grosvenor Street, London where she spent 5 years as a senior Private Banker.

Ms Chappell holds the Securities Institute Diploma, the CFA Investment Management Certificate and a CII Financial Planning Diploma (AFPC).

 

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MEB offers mission places to non-members

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/02/2017
Photo: Tec_estromberg
Photo: Tec_estromberg

Monaco’s chamber of commerce, the Monaco Economic Board, has issued an invitation to Monaco-registered companies to take part in two upcoming economic missions. At the very beginning of May, from May 1 until May 3, the MEB is organising an economic mission to Slovakia, one of central Europe’s most successful economies, and from May 3 until May 5 the Board is conducting the same type of mission to Chisinau, the capital of Moldova.

While Slovakia has a highly-skilled workforce and the world’s highest output of cars per capita, Moldova is very reliant on agriculture, particularly winemaking. The country has launched seven free economic zones that could provide good opportunities for investors, the MEB says.

Companies that are interested in participating in the missions do not have to be members of MEB, said Michel Dotta, President of the Board. The cost of participation in the economic mission to Slovakia is €1,900 for non-members of MEB, €1,400 for members, and for both missions €2,700 or €2,200. Flights, transfers, hotels and bilateral meeting arrangements are included in the cost.

 

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Monaco gets own social network

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/02/2017
Photo: Jason Howie
Photo: Jason Howie

Thanks to an original idea by Krissy Pesciglione-Cuni, a young entrepreneur of Italian origin, the first social network dedicated to the Principality of Monaco has made its online debut.

Despite being a brand new startup, the company owning Opportunity is fully-funded by its founding members. Thanks to the significant resources involved, the social network has been able to position itself as a proven reality that brings together a growing number of users and key accounts interested in the only local platform able to promote activities and events related to Monte Carlo and the Côte d’Azur through a social network.

Opportunity is open to users all over the world who are looking for an alternative to the current universe of social networking offerings. The network deals with contents mainly related to Monte Carlo, and also stands out for its very glamorous, sporting and enterprising side, while offering maximum confidentiality and security.

Added to the service, the specially designed algorithm that monitors interactions between users in order to give each action a specific virtual value and triggers a particularly attractive mechanism that pushes users to insert contents that could be considered as interesting and quality.

In order to tangibly recognise the importance of the time users spend on the social network and to encourage its users to discover the Principality of Monaco, Opportunity offers the free use of its Community.

 

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