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Day: 29 January 2020

Real estate and digital to mark 2020: Serge Telle

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/01/2020

In his annual address to the press, Minister of State Serge Telle has outlined a number of subjects that are set to make headlines in 2020, including the creation of two new real estate projects and the Principality’s advances in digital technology.
Serge Telle presented his traditional good wishes to the press on Tuesday night at the Yacht Club of Monaco, saying: “The press, for me, is a political requirement, a daily pleasure and an institutional issue.” The Minister of State went on to present the merits of Monaco’s prosperity, highlighting a budget of €1.5 billion, projected revenues increasing by €160 million this year, 59,740 jobs in the private sector in the third quarter of 2019 – 3% more than in 2018 – and employment increases on average from 1,200 to 1,550 jobs per year.
On the topic of housing, Mr Telle presented the Grand Ida and Palais Honoria projects, which will create 712 apartments for Monegasques with a net balance of 639 by 2023 – as was the commitment of Prince Albert II in March with the National Housing Plan. Eventually, the Principality will provide 1,831 state apartments within the space of 15 years. The Grand Ida and Palais Honoria projects will also provide 70 new creche places, around 460 parking spaces, and new office spaces.
With regards to mobility, the minister said that new rules for using MonaBikes and electric scooters will soon be announced, while in March, the Public Safety Preservation Unit will be set up.
The digital transition was also touched on, with Mr Telle saying: “After the achievements of 2019, the €45 million in the 2020 budget will allow us to go faster and further.”
Meanwhile, referring to the coronavirus and the announcement that France has reported its fourth case, the minister confirmed that there were no cases of coronavirus in Monaco and that the authorities were vigilant and mobilised.
 
 
 

MEB in Mexico

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/01/2020

The Monaco Economic Board (MEB) has been establishing business links in Mexico City, as partners of the Monaco Private Label event.
During the gala evening in mid-January, Michel Bouquier, the main instigator, brought together more than 100 high-level Mexican economic players at the select Club de Industrials. Justin Highman, Director of Invest Monaco, had the opportunity to present the assets of the economy of the Principality of Monaco and make some important business contacts.
During this trip, Mr Highman also met relevant economic actors and counterparts from the business world, notably those with ties to Monaco. Meetings were held with the leaders of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of Mexico and the Franco-Mexican Chamber of Commerce. “Constructive discussions which point to future operations in Mexico City and / or in the Principality in order to develop trade relations between the two countries,” said the MEB in a statement.
 

Bishop Barsi bids farewell

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/01/2020

After 20 years as Archbishop of Monaco, Bernard Barsi has stepped down following a moving farewell from the pulpit during the Mass of Saint Devoté.
Monday’s mass for the patron saint of the Principality was bittersweet as, with HSH Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene and many members of the ecclesiastical community in attendance, Archbishop Barsi said his adieus to his flock.
The Archbishop delivered an emotional speech before the blessing, where he remembered first being appointed and spoke directly to the Sovereign Prince, saying: “Monseigneur, the late Prince Rainier III, your father, welcomed me in October 2000, having appointed me by sovereign ordinance as Grand Chaplain of his Palace. It has made me even closer to your family, whom I have accompanied in their moments of pain and joy.”
Later, at a reception held at the Oceanographic Museum, HSH Prince Albert II had his chance to tell the Archbishop: “Thank you with all my heart, in my personal name and in the name of my family, and of the whole Christian community of Monaco, for these 20 years of episcopal priesthood.”
Bishop Barsi will continue his ministry until his successor, Monseigneur Dominique-Marie David, takes his place. “We will meet here on March 8, 2020, in a delicate and significant gesture from the apostolic succession, Mgr David asked me to ordain him bishop.”
This year marks a half century of Bishop Barsi’s position as a priest. Born in Nice, he started his career in the Upper Tinée Valley before being appointed to the Vocations Service of the Foyer de Saint Paul de Nice, where for a decade he was in the service of the church helping young people. He went on to become parish priest in the Paillon Valley, then Vicar General in the diocese of Nice. In May of 2000, he was appointed Archbishop of Monaco, serving for the past 20 years.
 

PHOTO: ©Michael Alesi- Communication Department

 
Read also:

Father Dominique-Marie David, new Archbishop of Monaco

 
 

American basketball legend remembered in Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/01/2020

The Roca Team and the Ministry of State paid tribute to basketball great Kobe Bryant during a luncheon on Tuesday.
Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario, President of AS Monaco Louis Biancheri and the President of the Monaco Basketball Federation Roland Biancheri joined the Roca Team for a lunch earlier this week to celebrate a communications partnership agreement recently forged between the Prince’s government and the AS Monaco Basketball team.
The team, ranked 2nd in the Jeep Elite and 3rd in the Euro cup standings, signed the agreement at the start of the 2109-2020 season.
At the lunch, Minister of State Serge Telle expressed his support of the Roca Team and joined them in mourning the loss of Bryant.
“I am very happy to welcome you all and to spend this moment with you. Very moved too, because this lunch comes at a particular time for basketball, with the death of the huge basketball player and the great man that was Kobe Bryant. This news touched the whole world. It affects us all. This tragic accident also reminds us of how fragile everything is and encourages us to take better advantage of the beautiful moments we have. Going to see you play and supporting you whenever I can is one of those great moments. Seeing you winning and wearing the colours of Monaco in France and in Europe is one of these beautiful moments. And having lunch with you today is one of those beautiful moments. Monaco is more than ever proud to have you and proud to support you,” he said in his speech.
Kobe Byrant was the five-time NBA winning champion shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2016. He earned the title of NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008, was an NBA Finals MVP twice in 2009 and 2010, and was the youngest player, at age 34, to reach an astounding 30,000 points in his career. He also was a two time Olympic gold medal recipient and an Academy Award winner for his 2018 animated short Dear Basketball.
He was killed last Sunday in a helicopter crash that also claimed eight others, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
 
PHOTO: ©Manuel Vitali- Department of Communication
 

AS Monaco out of French Cup

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/01/2020

The Red and Whites had a double blow Tuesday night, losing both to St Etienne at home 0-1 and getting knocked out of the final rounds of the Coup de France.

On a blustery night in the Principality, the winds were the only thing that weren’t slow at the outset of the match between AS Monaco and St Etienne.

Despite the brief stoppage of play only five minutes in when Jean-Eudes Aholou, who is on loan to St Etienne from Monaco, pummelled Adrien Silva, who is on loan to Monaco from Leicester City, there wasn’t a lot to see in the first quarter hour of play.

Things started moving though, and Monaco made three consecutive set ups at the 17th, 20th and 23rd minute marks, but were thwarted each time by the Stéphanois defence. 

At 25 minutes in, Bouanga caught a pass from Debuchy and slid one in past Lecompte, opening the scoring for the match. The Red and Whites reacted and made a valiant attempt in the 27th when Baldé made a play for the goal, but sadly was not able to convert. Ben Yedder made another try at the 38th, but again, no go.

After the halftime break, Monaco started with a free kick opportunity, but Ben Yedder went wide, and they monopolised the ball for much of the half but were simply unable to get past St Etienne’s Ruffier.

Coach Robert Moreno sees the third loss with his new team, surely not matching the expectations of his bosses after replacing Leonardo Jardim at the midseason break. The Coupe de France may be over for Monaco, but they still have reason to continue the fight. Next Saturday, they play Nîmes for the 22nd matchday of Ligue 1 action.

 
Photo courtesy: AS Monaco
 
 

The European Scout Foundation in Monaco

by: Staff Writer
29/01/2020

When Lord Baden-Powell published ‘Scouting for Boys’ in 1907, he could not have foreseen that his idea about non-formal education would start a movement that today involves more than 40 million girls and boys throughout 200 countries and territories, all participating in weekly outdoor activities while learning values, team spirit and new practical skills.
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On Monaco 27th January, the European Scout Foundation visited Monaco for the first time to welcome new members to the foundation. The event took place at the new headquarters of the Association des Guides et Scouts de Monaco in Fontvieille.
The European Scout Foundation is an international charity organisation linked to the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM), whose mission is to provide financial support for the development of Scouting in Europe, with a main emphasis on projects of National Scout Organisations in Central and Eastern Europe. The foundation raises money to support various children and their leaders by facilitating tents, cooking material, first aid kits, camping and transport facilities for their activities.
Former scouts and guides living in the Principality were given information on the current projects that the European Scout Foundation is supporting in Lithuania, Montenegro and North Macedonia. Among the new members who joined the foundation are the Association des Guides et Scouts de Monaco, Marc Kerauden, Michelle Lucas, Peter and Christel Grut, Lauren Coles, José Semerdjan, and many more.
The first scouts and guides activities in Monaco started in the decade of 1920 with the support of the French Scouts and Guides. In 1963, the Guides de Monaco became full members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). In 1992 the Scouts and the Guides merged into the current co-educative Association des Guides et Scouts de Monaco (AGSM), and in 2014 the World Organisation of the Scout Movement also granted full membership status to the local organisation.
Nowadays, more than one hundred children and adult volunteers participate in the regular activities. The Monegasque organisation is under the Royal Patronage of H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover, a former guide.
 
 
 
 
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