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Month: January 2020

French-Monaco social security issues on the table

by: Staff Writer
22/01/2020

Health and security were the main topics discussed at the recent Franco-Monegasque Joint Social Security Commission, including health care for workers in Monaco, the implementation of telework and the sharing of electronic medical records.  
The commission met on Friday 17th January at the Ministry of State. The delegations were chaired by Monaco’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health Didier Gamerdinger and by François Brillanceau, Head of the Division of Community and International Affairs of the Directorate of Social Security France.
They discussed at length the process of making it easier for healthcare professionals in the Principality to deal with French insured patients, as well as access to Computerised Medical Records. Following on from ameeting held in November in Paris, the parties confirmed the need for close collaboration between France and the Principality to allow the two health systems to operate in together effectively, for the benefit of patients likely to be treated in the two territories.
Meanwhile, the practical implementation of teleworking was a hot topic, in particular the number of teleworking employees. Both agreed to continue to discuss this issue annually.
Finally, a renegotiation of the conventional provisions with regard to family benefits was also discussed and will be the subject of a dedicated working group. This is part of the reform initiated by the Prince’s Government in 2019, aimed at ensuring the equality of women and men in accessing social rights.
 
Photo: © Direction de la Communication / Manuel Vitali
 
 

MEB reveals rich program for 2020

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/01/2020

More than 350 economic players came together for the first MEB Members Meeting of the year, during which a full calendar of events for 2020 was unveiled.
MEB members gathered under the gilding of the Salle des Arts, a faithful reproduction of the ceremonial hall of the former Sporting d’Hiver, and in the ultra-contemporary spaces adjoining it.
The event was an opportunity for MEB Executive Director General Guillaume Rose to launch a major survey of the 540 member companies under the slogan ‘The Monaco Economic Board, at your service’. Featuring both multiple choice questions and more open questions, the survey aims to give members an opportunity to raise improvement points on the proposed actions, garner expectations (new types of operations, new destinations, etc.) and validate the objectives of the association. The results of this survey will be announced at the general assembly on 19th March.

MEB Executive Director Guillaume Rose

Mr Rose then presented the 2020 agenda, which includes an impressive number of overseas operations.
During the first semester, economic missions will be organised in Novosibirsk, the third largest city in Russia, with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo from 19th to 21st February, then in Versailles on 30th and 31st March for a performance by Cecilia Bartoli and the Musiciens du Prince – Monaco at the Opéra du château.
The MEB will then be in Rome and Florence on 26th and 27th May, followed by Montenegro, Saint Petersburg, Antibes and Budapest. At the end of the year, Toronto, Montreal, Milan, Tokyo and Amsterdam are on the program. As for the Monegasque pavilion at the Dubai International Expo, the MEB plans to make several targeted trips.
In terms of economic promotion, and in collaboration with AMAF, the MEB considers the United Kingdom, Benelux and Switzerland as preferred destinations, while the world of luxury yachting will be further explored in Singapore and Dubai. An operation will also be organised in Washington in collaboration with Monaco Private Label.
The MEB will continue to be very active in the Principality with economic conferences planned with leading speakers, including Chief Economist of Coface Julien Marcilly on 3rd March, in welcoming delegations, such as Austria on 26th March, and organising training and events with its partners.
“More than ever, driven by the will of the Prince’s Government, the Monaco Economic Board wishes to be in tune with the expectations and aspirations of the Principality’s economic forces,” said Mr Rose. “The constant development of its networks, the strengthening of its partnerships and the dedication of its team are all assets to succeed in its missions.”
Photos: Courtesy MEB
Read more:

The MEB and its missions

Interview: Justin Highman on the success of the China expo

 
 

Winter auction brings in over €6 million

by: Stephanie Horsman
21/01/2020

After three days of auctions at the Hôtel Hermitage, Artcurial has exceeded expectations with a grand total in excess of €6.1 million.  

The auctions, held from 14th to 16th January, were deemed a great success, with lots that included fine jewellery, elegant watches, and vintage Hermes handbags. Especially popular on the block were a collection of ladies’ watches called Le Temps est Feminin, which exceeded the anticipated performance.  

Master auctioneer François Tajan kicked off the bidding and between the two watch collections, brought in a total of €2.5 million, with four watches being sold for over €100,000 a piece.  

LOT N ° 806 PATEK PHILIPPE Ref. 3266/95 Circa 1959 Lady’s wristwatch with platinum secret (950) and diamonds Sold € 225,000 including fees © Artcurial

The biggest watch sales were for two Patek Philippe diamond and platinum timepieces sold to collectors from the Middle East for a staggering €225,000 each. Other high ticket sales went to a Rolex Comex at €110,500 followed by another Patek Philippe, a Nautilus, and a Royal Oak signed Audemars Piguet.  

Pocket watch sales from two private collections brought in over €400,000 and represented 20% of the overall sales figure.

The following day two jewellery sessions brought in €2.9 million, with exquisite pieces being snapped up by private collectors. Some of the most impressive were a Lalique signed neck plaque that went for €195,000, a large diamond-encrusted brooch by René Boivin that went for €50,700, and a stunner of a platinum ring featuring a 9.52 carat cushion cut diamond that was bought for €122,000.

Additionally, 80% of the lots that were part of Italian actress Ornella Muti’s showcase were sold.

LOT N ° 715 HERMÈS 2012 BIRKIN bag 30 Velvet calfskin Doblis Indian Rose Palladium silver metal trim Sold €54,000 including fees © Artcurial

 The Hermes Vintage and Fashion Arts lots ended the three day extravaganza and had 86 items up for grabs, with sales topping €650,000. The Birkin bags were the undisputed highlights and included a gorgeous Birkin 30 in Indian Rose suede that sold for more than seven times the estimated sale price, a Birkin 35 in estuary crocodile and a Birkin 30 in blue Mykonos ostrich.

Top photo: Artcurial auction at the Hermitage Hotel, courtesy Artcurial
Read also: Inside Artcurial’s winter auction
 
 

Monaco’s ‘Healthy School’ objective

by: Stephanie Horsman
21/01/2020

The government has revealed that Monegasque schools are conducting regular medical screenings of students with the aim of detecting certain disorders early enough to help make a difference.
The examinations, carried out by the Department of Health Action (DACA), have been found to be an effective way of identifying, and therefore managing, problems or disorders in school children. Children are not always able to explain or verbalise problems themselves, nor do they even always know a problem exists in the first place.
These exams are a stopgap for the school system to recognise certain issues in children from kindergarten all the way through secondary, including developmental, learning or medical, and are intended to help children have the most successful school experience possible.
If a problem is found, the Principality’s health promotion policy supports students who have specific physical or mental special needs.
“Early detection is essential, because school is often the first gateway to preventive medicine for the well-being of students,” said Didier Gamerdinger, Minister of Social Affairs and Health.
The routine checks include screenings for sight, hearing, dental and somatic issues, psychological or behavioural disorders, signs of mental distress, growth and development issues, vaccination records, detection of language disorders in kindergarten-aged students, monitoring of students with known disabilities, and the general collection of statistical data with regard the overall health of the school population.
In addition to the regularly scheduled check-ups, DACA provides links between families, teaching staff, school psycho-social workers and doctors, offering exams on request for students who they suspect may need extra care or assistance.
 
 

What to do with the kids this winter

by: Stephanie Horsman
21/01/2020

Wondering what to do to keep the kids amused on cold winter days? The Principality has a plethora of offerings to keep smiles on the little ones’ faces.

The Bibliothèque Princesse Caroline has a full programme all winter with fun things to do between now and the end of February. 

On Wednesday 22 January from 2pm to 3.30pm is the Magicians’ Secrets show starring Triton. This activity is for children aged 7 and over.
From 2pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 29 January is an Introduction to music class, hosted by Oxaï Roura for children over 5.
For football lovers, the Grand FIFA 2020 Tournament will be held on Wednesday 5 February from 2pm to 6pm. Kids 7 and older are welcome to join in.
On Wednesday 12 February from 2pm to 3pm, 6 and overs can join in on a wellness session, and again on Wednesday 26 February, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm for those 3+.
And on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 February from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, Benoît Perruchon hosts an aged 7+ chocolate workshop that even the parents will want to be a part of.
Thursday 20 February from 2.30pm to 5pm kids over 8 can show their skills at a video game tournament.
‘Read me a Story!’, a fun activity for the little ones, aged 3 and older, will be on Friday 21 February at 10am.
Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 February will feature a comic strip workshop from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Kids 8 and over are encouraged to join.
Kids 8 and older can come check out motorised Lego Technic models on Friday 28 February from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
The Ludothèque is offering a ‘four-hands workshop’ for parents and children on Wednesday 19 February and Wednesday 26 February from 10am to 11am is. Kids aged 3 and over are welcome.
The Bibliothèque Louis Notari has some a games evening on Friday 21 February, at 7pm for kids from 8 to 88.
Finally, the Sonothèque José Notari is hosting the Popcorn Cinema for Kids surprise movie on Thursday 27 February at 2.30pm for kids 6 and over.
For more information, call the Bibliothèque Princesse Caroline on +377 93 15 22 72/74, the Ludothèque on +377 93 15 22 72/74, the Bibliothèque Louis Notari on +377 93 15 29 40 and the Sonothèque José Notari on +377 93 30 64 48.

 

Father Dominique-Marie David, new Archbishop of Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
21/01/2020

Pope Francis has appointed Father Dominique-Marie David to succeed Bernard Barsi as Archbishop of Monaco.
The Vatican made the announcement on Tuesday 21st January a little after midday. Until then, it had remained a closely guarded secret.
Born 21st September 1963 in Beaupréau, in the Diocese of Angers, France, Father Dominique-Marie David attended the Catholic University of West Angers, where he obtained a BA in English Philology.
He was then an English teacher, before joining the Emmanuel community. Becoming a seminarian in the interdiocesan seminary of Saint-Paul de Louvain-la-Neuve, in Belgium, he obtained a baccalaureate in theology from the benches of the Catholic University of Louvain.
Ordained a priest on 29th June 1991 for the diocese of Nantes, he has had a rich career, which notably led him to occupy the function of rector of the Church of the Trinité-des-Monts in Rome from 2016 to 2019.
Bishop David’s episcopal ordination will take place on Sunday 8th March 2020 at 3.30pm in the Notre Dame Immaculate Cathedral of Monaco.