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Month: November 2020

Monaco remembers Armistice Day

by: Cassandra Tanti
11/11/2020

The 102nd Armistice anniversary was commemorated in Monaco on Wednesday in the presence of Monsignor Dominique-Marie David and Monegasque authorities.
Armistice Day is remembered every year on 11th November to mark the armistice signed in France between the allies of World War I and Germany, which took effect at 11am in the morning – the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11thmonth” of 1918.
The date is a national holiday in France and many other allied nations, and while it is not marked as a public holiday in Monaco it is still commemorated.
Ceremonies included the laying of a wreath at the foot of the Belgian King Albert I monument, before a gathering at the War Memorial.
Monaco and France suffered heavy losses in the war, with 1.4 million civilians and 1.7 million soldiers killed.
Monegasque citizens voluntarily went to war following the example of Hereditary Prince Louis II, who served in the French Army and eventually reached the rank of Brigadier General.
 
Click on the photo gallery below to enlarge…


 
Photos by Diocese of Monaco 
 
 
 

Strong GDP growth

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/11/2020

Monaco’s gross domestic product (GDP) saw a rise in 2019 to €6.63 billion compared to €6.09 billion the previous year, exhibiting a strong 7.5% growth in volume, adjusted for inflation.

In a year when the rest of the world recorded the weakest growth in a decade, 2019 was a good year for the Principality. The global GDP had a weak showing, rising by only 2.3% and the world volume of trade fell by 0.1%, the first contraction since the financial crisis of 2008. In Monaco, by contrast, all components of GDP grew, with the gross operating surplus increasing the most dramatically at 13.8%.

According to the latest report by IMSEE, employment growth was on the rise in 2019 as well, in both the public and private sectors, equating to 1,564 new hires in December – a 2.8% gain. Monaco’s wage bill increased by 4.6%, representing almost half the GDP (44.8%) less subsidies. These numbers correspond with the redistribution in the form of salaries and contributions created each year.

Taxes paid on products increased quite sharply by 5.8%. This contribution was 12.4% of the wealth produced. It is mainly through the increase of VAT collected, but also – to a lesser extent – that of transfer duties that explains this increase.

The amount of subsidies continued to grow (1.5%) and was almost at the same rate as in 2018 (1.7%). Sectoral economic performance shows, as every year, some disparities according to activity. Eight out of 12 sectors saw growth in 2019, with two standouts: administration, education, health and social action and financial and insurance activities.

Monaco’s four most important sectors in terms of GDP were scientific and technical activities, administrative and support services, financial and insurance activities, and construction. These account for 44.4% of the wealth produced.

Per capita GDP comes out at to €75,942, growing by 5.8% in volume. GDP per employee, an indicator of productivity, also increased by 4.6% to €114,600.

According to IMSEE, the strong growth in 2019 is not expected to have carried on into 2020 in light of the pandemic and the resulting economic fallout. Many sectors in Monaco have suffered, and will continue to do so into 2021.

 

Photo by Monaco Life, all rights reserved
 
 

New tourism strategy in the making

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/11/2020

The Tourist and Convention Authority is set to launch phase one of its eco-responsible tourism scheme called Livre Blanc, or white book.   

As an arm of the government, the Tourist and Convention Authority is committed to protecting the environment and perpetuating strong eco-friendly practices amongst tourists, businesses and the population-at-large.

In order to meet the expectations of today’s environmentally savvy clientele and residents, the organisation has created a clear-cut strategy with specialist firm François Tourisme Consultants.

Together they will launch the first phase by conducting a survey, as well as offering an online questionnaire. The survey is intended for those involved in the tourist and hospitality industries, whereas the questionnaire is designed to get feedback from residents and visitors.

In addition, the Tourist and Convention Authority, with the Mission for the Energy Transition’s support, will hold a workshop in November for “committed partners and stakeholders”.

Results of the programme will be available by early 2021.

Monaco already boasts several certified hotels and signatories of the Energy Pact who are working to lessen their waste and footprints through a number of ways, such as transitioning to paper-free work environments, lessening food waste, offering local and organic produce, and encouraging transportation options, like ridesharing, using public transport and cycling to work, all thing that lower the impact on the environment.

The Principality is committed to cutting greenhouse emissions by half by 2030 and achieving a carbon neutral state by 2050 and the Monaco Tourism and Congress Authority has been active for more than a decade in helping in those efforts.

 

ISM officially certified as 'safe'

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/11/2020

The International School of Monaco (ISM) has been awarded the Monaco Safe label, the first school in the Principality to receive one.
On Tuesday, 9th November, the International School of Monaco became the first learning establishment in the Principality to earn the health distinction.
The school shared the news proudly on its Twitter account saying, “We are delighted to be awarded this #covidsafe badge by the Monaco government. Thanks to efforts by whole community and stringent protocols!”


Despite the badge not originally being intended for schools, ISM applied nonetheless and was granted the honour. The school has been vigilant in keeping in line with the current health regulations and has even gone so far as to create its own masks, which also reflect the school’s partnership with King’s College school in the UK.
Monaco Safe was launched in July as a way to ensure visitors that shopkeepers, restauranteurs and hoteliers were in compliance with health and safety protocols as well as being a way to entice clientele back after the spring lockdowns.
In order to be considered, applicants must have precise measures in place with regard to social distancing, mask wearing and hygiene. Once accepted, the establishments are submitted to random spot checks to ensure they continue compliance.
 
Photo of new school masks provided by ISM
 
 
 

Limited edition ‘Monegasque’ red noses

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/11/2020

Red Nose Day will take on a patriotic tone this year, as local charity Les Enfants de Frankie releases a limited number of red and white ‘noses’ as part of its popular fundraising campaign.

From now until 6th December, the cheerful foam balls that represent the Red Nose Day movement will be adorning the cars, bikes and even scooters of those who are supporting the cause.

The Monaco version was started 16 years ago by Les Enfants de Frankie, a local association that works with sick, disabled or underprivileged kids in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region. With their partners EFG Private Banking and Smiley World, who supply the balls, they have sold over 90,000 red noses since 2004.

This year, for the first time, white and red balls in the colours of the Principality will be on offer. They can be picked up at newsagents, in pharmacies, post offices and at Carrefour in Fontvieille. The noses are €2 and only a limited number – 7,500 – of the special edition dual-coloured balls will be available.

“Our humanitarian action is fundamental in these difficult times because it will allow the association to carry out its projects for children in the months to come,” Les Enfants de Frankie said in a statement to the press. “A ‘nose’ equals a symbolic €2 but everyone’s participation makes the difference.”

The actual Red Nose Day in Monaco is 6th December, which coincides with Saint Nicholas’s day as the Patron Saint of children.

Police step up checks on masks, curfew, social distancing

by: Stephanie Horsman
10/11/2020

In its latest public assessment of the Covid situation in Monaco, the government says that current containment measures are working however controls will be stepped up to ensure everyone is abiding by the rules.
One week after the implementation of the new curfew measures, Minister of State Pierre Dartout and members of the government joined Director of the Princess Grace Hospital Benoîte de Sevelinges to update the press on the health situation in the Principality.
It was revealed that the incidence rate in Monaco has reached over 315 – derived from the number of positive cases over the past week per 100,000 inhabitants.
The Minister of State said that whilst not ideal, the situation in Monaco is better than in neighbouring France and Italy, where incidence rates are far higher.
“This rate has increased significantly,” he said, “but it remains lower than that of the Alpes-Maritimes, in the order of 367, and of the whole of France, with 457.6.”
He added: “For its part, the positivity rate is 8.75 versus 20.3 in France. Very clearly, despite these figures, we do not plan to move on to the lockdown stage because the measures taken appear to be adapted to Monegasque specificities.”
Overall, said the minister, there’s been a majority compliance with the rules with around 85% of people wearing masks in Monaco. However, there were over 140 fines handed out on the weekend as authorities stepped up controls, with around 90 people reprimanded for not wearing a mask, 25 for not respecting social distancing rules and 26 for being out after curfew.
“The battle will only be won if everyone shows responsibility,” said Mr Dartout. “There cannot be a security guard behind every person. But if everyone is mobilised, we will have a chance of winning the battle.”
With regards to screening, the government revealed that 1,800 to 1,900 people are being tested each week. PCR tests are still the most used and the most effective, but people are also encouraged to use the other methods at their disposal such as the new antigen tests now available.
According to Director of the Princess Grace Hospital Benoîte de Sevelinges, the hospital is currently utilising less than 50% of the facilities dedicated to Covid patients and the expected rise in hospitalisations over the weekend did not materialise. However, she warned that vigilance should be maintained as it is possible the peak has not yet been reached.
 
Photo: Centre Minister of State Pierre Dartout, Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario, Minister of Health and Social Affairs Didier Gamerdinger, Director of the Princess Grace Hospital Benoîte de Sevelinges,  © Communication Department of the Monaco Government / Michael Alesi