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Month: July 2020

Finding solutions at the CC Forum

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/07/2020

This September, the first ever CC Forum Monaco will be held, bringing together a selected group of HNWIs to discuss the most pressing issues facing our planet and to find possible solutions.
To understand more about the event, we speak to Max Studennikoff, CEO and Founder of the CC Forum.
What is the CC Forum and the philosophy behind the event?
Following three successful CC Forums in London, last year’s receiving a royal greeting by Queen Elizabeth, we decided to broaden the event to include Monaco.
The CC Forum is designed to bring a community of impact investors together, where they can redefine solutions for the world as we know it today. It is essentially an association of High-Net-Worth-Individuals (HNWIs) that are united in one mission: to make the world a better place. That manifests itself in a variety of topics, covering everything from climate change and renewable energies, to social inclusion, philanthropy, education and health care. It is a club of movers and shakers.
What differentiates this forum from others that are held in the Principality?
The vital thing is fighting climate change and finding solutions for that, so we are relying on the ultra HNWIs who are keen to make a change. We are very selective, so all of our delegates and speakers are hand-picked. We are bringing together 300 of the top decision makers who really want to make a change, while adhering to strict hygiene and social distancing measures of course.
You have received the backing of Prince Albert II of Monaco, how did that come about?
We approached HSH Prince Albert because he has been at the forefront of global sustainability and we got an immediate response. Not only has he granted his high patronage to the event, he will also hopefully hold a keynote. The Prince is deeply involved in the ideology of the CC Forum because he is so hugely aligned with our agenda.

What speakers will be attending?
Most of our keynote speakers will be coming from within the European Union and all are known for their commitment to sustainability. Hopefully by September, countries like the United States and Middle East will also be able to enter the EU. So far, among those confirmed are Her Royal Highness Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of the Democratic Republic of Kongo, Environmental Campaigner and Author Stanley Johnson, H.S.H. Prince Michael of Liechtenstein, and Member of the European Parliament Eva Kaili. Once finalised, the full list of speakers will be available on our website.
Some speakers will be ‘Zooming’ in from across the pond, while most will be at the forum in person.
Where is the forum taking place?
The forum will be hosted at the Fairmont Hotel Monte Carlo, while the black tie gala dinner is likely to be held at Villa Rothschild.
What’s on the agenda?
The three-day event will begin with an opening cocktail party on Wednesday 23rd September, followed by the main conference day on Thursday which will involve panel discussions, key notes and fireside chats on topics including ‘Rethinking the global paradigm: what are the ways of averting the disaster?’, ‘The new agenda: how to build a more environmentally responsible corporate capitalism?’, and ‘What strategies should governments adopt to make global economy sustainable?’. There will also be a Shark Tank session with global investors and selected start-ups.
The final day, Friday 25th September, will be dedicated to workshops, round tables and working lunches, and it will focus on topics such as ‘Amazonian rainforests: strategies and tactics of saving the lungs of the planet’, and ‘Healthcare: is the vaccine a panacea against pandemics?’.
So, we are covering all the issues that are pressing for humanity, and the idea is to get the right people to identify the avenues and solutions of how we can approach that. Of course, we understand that for these strategies to take place globally, a number of events like this must be held. But at least we can begin to find some solutions.
 
Photos: Top – Max Studennikoff, CEO and Founder of the CC Forum, courtesy CC Forum
 
 

Monaco contributes to creation of 1st MPA in Cambodia

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/07/2020

Enormous progress is being made in Cambodia’s first Marine Protected Area on the Koh Rong Archipelago, a project backed by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Fauna and Flora International (FFI) has been working on marine conservation in Cambodia since 2010, initiating a government request to help establish the country’s first marine protected area, known in Cambodia as a Marine Fisheries Management Area (MFMA), against a  threat of overfishing.
In June 2016, the site was formally designated and now supports sustainable fishing, biodiversity conservation and tourism.
Over the years, various actions have been achieved, including an inventory of the presence of plastic, the creation of two mangrove nurseries, and the establishment of a surveillance patrol… actions that help maintain the balance between nature and human activities.
Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the group has established strong local and national links with communities, fishers, local NGOs and government. “The strength of these relationships and the momentum created by the MFMA designation offers an unprecedented opportunity not only to make the site a model of best practice, but also to ignite significant change in the management and protection of Cambodia’s marine environment,” says FFI.
While continuing to work with community fisheries inside Cambodia’s new marine protected area, FFI is also now working with a new community fishery in the Koh Sdach Archipelago, adopting the same approach of using community-led resource management to drive better protection and management.
 
Photos: © Jeremy Holden & Kate West
 
 

What property features are HNW house hunters looking for?

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/07/2020

From waterfront views to private pools, in-house chefs to wine cellars, the world’s super-rich home buyers have a slightly different list of property requirements compared to the average buyer.
Research from leading high-net-worth (HNW) mortgage broker Enness Global has revealed which luxury property features have seen the biggest surge in popularity since the start of the year.
Most popular property features 
Wherever you are buying at the top end of the market, the same property features appear to hold the greatest interest amongst buyers.
New-builds, a spa, a furnished property, a garage, a garden, a good view and a waterfront property consistently ranked in the top five features across London, Monaco, Singapore, New York, Honk Kong and Dubai.
A new property was of the greatest interest to buyers in London, Singapore, New York and Hong Kong.
In Monaco, unsurprisingly with space at a premium, homebuyers searching for a property with a garage was by far the most sought-after requirement, even double that of the next most popular search term: ‘new’.
Biggest increases in interest
However, while these traditional property features will always hold a strong level of interest, a number of additional features have seen a sharp uplift in buyer search interest so far this year when compared to the same time last year.
Sea views, a library, private pools, upgraded and modern homes, home gyms, a wine cellar, a chef, security, a games room and a sauna are some of the most common features to have seen an increase.
In London, searches for properties with upgraded specifications above and beyond that of the regular home have seen the largest increase (+67%), along with wine cellars (+50%) and home gyms (+28%).

Interestingly, in Monaco, searches for a sauna have seen a surge (+122%), with both a sea view (+77%) and a view in general (+45%) also growing in popularity, perhaps due to the fact that people were confined to their properties for a number of months this year.
In Singapore, homes with a games rooms have seen the largest uplift in interest (+118%), while in New York private pools (+245%), home gyms (158%) and wine cellars (+42%) have increased in popularity.
In Hong Kong, searches for homes with a garage (+731%), sea view (+205%) and library (+113%) have increased the most, with a sea view (+368%) and a library (+184%) also increasing in popularity in Dubai, along with private pools (+166%).
“For most of us, an affordable asking price and a pleasant property are the biggest requirements when house hunting, but this certainly isn’t the case when it comes to the super-rich,” says Hugh Wade-Jones, managing director of Enness Global Mortgages. “That said, even at the very top end of the market, homebuyers tend to prioritise the same key features as most of us. A garage, a garden, perhaps some furnishings and a pleasant view are the foundations of most property searches.”
“But above and beyond these basic needs, it’s interesting to see what has now grown in popularity with current buyers when compared to this time last year,” adds Mr Wade-Jones. “With the current pandemic impacting all of us, features to enhance health and social wellbeing are rapidly growing in demand. Today’s high-end homebuyer wants a clean, new home, with modern features and appliances. They want an enhanced level of security and they want health and fitness outlets such as spas, gyms and pools. Throw in a fine wine cellar and a games room and you’re ticking almost every box.”
 
Photo: Spacious villa in Provençal countryside

 
 
 

Monaco's tick of approval for safety

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/07/2020

The government is hoping to lure visitors back to the Principality with its new ‘Monaco Safe’ label, a guarantee that businesses are following strict health measures set out by the State.
The Prince’s government launched the ‘Monaco Safe’ label on Wednesday 8th July in an effort to boost economic recovery amid the Covid-19 crisis.
The aim is for customers to feel reassured that businesses brandishing the label are complying with the strict health rules in force to fight against the spread of Covid-19 in Monaco.
The label will be awarded to shops, hotels, restaurants, congress centres and all places that welcome the public.
“This is an additional asset available to tourism professionals and traders: the Principality of Monaco is safe and attractive, and it will continue to be so,” said the Government in a statement.
In addition to promoting the ideal image of the Principality, it is hoped the label will serve to unify all companies with the common goal of contributing to the economic recovery of Monaco in complete safety.
The label can be obtained on a voluntary and free basis, quickly and easily via the website: https://teleservice.gouv.mc/monaco-safe/
The Department of Sanitary Action is responsible for conducting checks to confirm the issuing of labels.
Companies will then be able to use the ‘Monaco Safe’ logo in their own communication, while the campaign will be promoted by the State and various bodies including the Tourism and Congresses Department, the Welcome Office and the Monaco Economic Board, to ensure the ‘Monaco Safe’ label is recognised internationally.
 
Photo from left to right: Head of the Welcome Office and the Covid-19 Entreprises unit Laurence Garino, Minister of Social Affairs and Health Didier Gamerdinger, and Deborah Ouzemane of the Division of Health and Food Security © Communication Department / Michael Alesi
 
 

Time to rediscover Monaco-Ville

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/07/2020

Faced with a virtually non-existent tourist trade, merchants on the Rock are organising a series of festive evenings to encourage locals to visit Monaco’s historic heart and help support small businesses.
The Rock is traditionally one of the busiest areas of Monaco, a hotspot for tourists who flock to see the Palace, Cathedral and Oceanographic Museum, and to wander through the charming streets of the old town.
However, amidst the Covid-19 crisis and the cancellation of cruise ships into Monaco, visitor numbers are barely registering.
Now, the shopkeepers and restaurateurs have joined forces with UCAM (Union des Commercants et Artisans de Monaco) to organise festivities in an effort to attract locals and inject some money into small businesses.
The first edition of Jeudis du Rocher will take place on Thursday 16th July and feature entertainment from the Prince’s Carabinieri Orchestra trio. Shops will be open until 8pm and a happy hour will be offered from 6pm to 8pm.
In addition to reintroducing the Rock to locals, it is hoped the evenings will help boost morale among disheartened retailers and restaurateurs, as they wait anxiously for the tourists to return.
 

New startups to benefit from MonacoTech

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/07/2020

The MonacoTech startup incubator has unveiled five new projects it has selected to join its programme, two of which were established right here in the Principality.
MonacoTech is designed to help innovative, high-growth potential and social impact projects take off, gain traction and scale up. It was co-founded in 2017 by the Prince’s government, Monaco Telecom and Xavier Niel, and offers a tailor-made program, networking opportunities and the continuous support of mentors and key professional players.
Of the 38 applications from 13 nations received this year, the panel has made its decision. Five startups were chosen to join the MonacoTech programme – projects that must echo the Principality’s economic values ​​and strategies, and help position Monaco as a major player in certain sectors of innovation.
With these new additions, MonacoTech will now represent the following sectors: AdTech, Applications, Augmented Reality, BioTech, GreenTech and Transport, FinTech, MedTech, RegTech and Yachting.
The five selected projects are:
Air Ion
This company from Switzerland specialises in the design of military Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (RUAVs), otherwise known as drones, and 100% electric helicopters. www.airiontec.com
Carlo
This application is designed to develop local commerce through increased traffic and a cash back scheme for customers. As revealed in our interview with Carlo app creator Antoine Bahri, the app is currently available in Monaco and is being tested in Barcelona. www.carloapp.com
Mea Plant
Developed by Italian researchers, Mea Plant is an innovative soilless growing solution using a non-absorbent substrate. www.meaplant.com
PKS
This RegTech project was established in Monaco and is intended to create ad hoc solutions allowing different entities to be in compliance with the laws applicable to a specific activity.
Vizua 3D Entertainment
The French/North American startup takes augmented reality to a whole new level, offering a collaborative cloud platform for the visualisation and dissemination of 3D content for professional applications or the general public. www.vizua3d.com
Meanwhile, a sixth startup, offering innovative technology in the field of security and data management, could also join MonacoTech. The challenges and specificities linked to its activity, however, require an in-depth study, which is still ongoing.
The integration of the startups into MonacoTech is planned for August 2020, bringing the total number of startups currently incubated in the Principality to 20.
 
Top photo: 3D design by Vizua 3D Entertainment