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Day: 16 October 2020

Monaco-owned port in Italy opens for business

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/10/2020

The highly-anticipated Cala del Forte port in Ventimiglia, intended to handle overflow from the Principality, is now officially open, marking a new era for the Italian seaside town and Monaco.
The historic moment was marked by a sailing of the Monaco Yacht Club’s flagship yacht, the Tuiga, from the Principality to the brand new Molo d’Onore berth at Cala del Forte on Thursday 15th October.
Though the official inauguration won’t take place until June or July 2021, the port is now ready for business, which comes as an enormous relief to the Italian town after receiving a one-two punch from Storm Alex and the Covid health crisis.

The new port is located only 7.9 nautical miles from the Principality and will be a godsend for yachts looking for an alternative to the saturated ports of Monaco.
Acting as an extension of Monaco, the port will have all the bells and whistles expected for a new top-of-the-line facility, including 178 berths, 39 shops, 577 car park spaces, 24/7 security and mooring assistance, and a shuttle service that ferries owners and their guests to Monaco.

The Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco (SEPM), the agency that deals with technical and commercial management of Monaco’s ports, is optimistic the new port will be the solution to the current over congestion problem in Monaco.
“This is a very important moment for us, because we absolutely needed this port and additional berths,” Aleco Keusseoglou, SEPM’s President-Delegate, told Primala Riviera. “It is also an important moment for Ventimiglia. This is a project that the city has been waiting for a long time and we are very happy to see it finally come to fruition.”
 
Photos courtesy Saverio Chiappalone for Cala del Forte
 
 

Monaco secures digital identity through new partnership

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/10/2020

The Principality is moving ahead with its plan to give residents a digital identity from 2021, bringing onboard IN Groupe for the design and security of its digital ID programme.
IN Groupe will create new Monegasque identity cards, residency permits and biometric passports in line with the government’s expectations, and every person living in the Principality will be issued these new documents, designed to streamline many processes.
IN Groupe is a global specialist in identity and digital security services, integrating electronic, optic and biometric systems. The company has been in the security game for a very long time, boasting a partnership with the French government spanning back almost 500 years and currently has 28 partner governments on their roster.
“We are honoured to support the Principality of Monaco in its mission of sovereignty by supporting its ambition in terms of digital transition,” said Chairman and CEO of IN Groupe Didier Trutt. “More than ever, in this context, the issue of identity security, whether physical or digital, remains paramount. Our teams work hand in hand with the Prince’s Government to guarantee Monegasque citizens a simpler, more reliable and smarter daily life.”
Citizens and residents will be able to use these upgraded forms of identification for authentication purposes, without the need for the usual raft of supporting documents. It will also be compatible with many European electronic identification systems outside of Monaco.
The first round of cards are expected to be issued in early 2021 and can be used for things such as obtaining civil status documents, signing dematerialised contracts, multiple e-services and declarations of honour – all of which will be done online.
“The level of confidence in our digital solutions is essential to ensure their proper deployment and optimal use by Monegasques and residents of the Principality,” said Julien Dejanovic, Director of Digital Services for the government. “Security is a pillar of our digital identity project, whether for the digital part or the physical support of the cards. We must guarantee the highest safety standards in this area and this is one of the reasons that led us to choose IN Groupe for this project. ”
Monaco’s digital transition programme, Extended Monaco, has already introduced several projects including the Sovereign Cloud, 5G capabilities, e-Health and the Security Token Offering.
 
 
 

Monaco protecting native plant from extinction

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/10/2020

The Nivéole de Nice, a native plant known for its small drooping white flowers that resemble snowflakes, is in danger of extinction. Now Monaco is helping the little plant fight for its survival.

The Nivéole de Nice (Acis nicaeensis) is a rare herbaceous plant found almost uniquely in the Principality and the Alpes-Maritimes that blooms between March and May. It is small in stature, growing only between five to 12 centimetres, and is found naturally in three areas in particular: the Rocher from Glacis up to the Major ramp, along the Tour de l’Eperon and in the cliffs of the Sainte-Dévote valley. Nivéole are particularly adapted to the conditions of the region and are often found in rocky hollows, scrub land or small grassy slopes. The plant thrives in the calcareous soil of the area and flourishes in cracked rocks. But sadly, the Nivéole de Nice is on the verge of extinction.

The general decline of the Nivéole population has been going on for decades, with observers noting urbanisation and invasive alien species as the main culprits. To combat the total eradication of the plant, the government started a plan to conserve and repopulate the Nivéole in the Principality.

The programme had three main objectives including improving knowledge of the plant, restoring its natural habitats and strengthening its population. Since 2019, the Department of the Environment has been involved in a programme, along with the Conservatory National Botanical Mediterranean of Porquerolles (CBNMed), to grow more than 1,500 Nivéole seeds into seedlings to be replanted.

Upward of 900 plants have now moved to their new homes in Monaco at the Glacis de Palais and at the Jardin Saint-Martin. Several participants were involved in this vast operation – the Régie et des Jardins du Palais, the Department of Urban Planning, the Jardin Exotique, CBNMed and the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Ecology.

The sites will be looked after and monitored on a regular basis. If successful, similar repopulation efforts will be made in the coming years, and the Nivéole will be saved for future generations to admire and enjoy.

 
Photo © V. Gaglio
 
 

Familyfest 2020

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/10/2020

It’s that time of year again to get out the dirndls and lederhosen and head to the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo for an indulgent week of Bavarian food and folk entertainment.
The celebratory week in Monte-Carlo, now known as Family Oktoberfest, or Familyfest, is a favourite not only among guests of the iconic Café de Paris, but also Prince Albert II of Monaco, who happily attends each annual event and will be there for opening night again this year.
From Friday 23rd to Saturday 31st October, guests will be able to enjoy Bavarian-inspired décor – either with family or in small groups – created in partnership with the Munich-based Weihenstephan brewery.
A number of delicacies will be sourced straight from the region itself, for an event that is set to prove once again just how sophisticated and innovative Bavarian cuisine can be.
 
Photo courtesy SBM, made before the implementation of sanitary measures and does not display the safety features enforced in SBM establishments.