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Day: 4 August 2023

Saudi Red Sea Authority signs sustainable coastal tourism agreements with Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/08/2023
Saudi Red Sea monaco

The Fondation Prince Albert II and Yacht Club de Monaco have together hosted representatives from the Saudi Red Sea Authority, who were in the Principality to sign two memorandums of understanding on sustainable coastal tourism.  

The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) is the regulator of marine tourism activities in the Kingdom’s Red Sea area, and also has the mandate for the development of a “prosperous local tourism economy along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline, while preserving and protecting the sea’s pristine environment”.  

The acting CEO of SRSA, Mohammed Al-Asiri, met recently with Olivier Wenden, the CEO of the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco (FPA2), and Bernard D’Alessandri, CEO of the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM), to sign two memorandums of understanding on sustainable coastal tourism. 

TWO FACETS 

The first agreement, with the FPA2, was created to “promote cooperation in developing human capital and future leaders; hosting joint events; exchanging knowledge and experiences in areas of mutual interest, initiatives and research projects to explore new solutions to global challenges; and raising awareness of important issues and promoting positive change through joint awareness campaigns”, according to a statement made by the FPA2.  

The second memorandum, this time specifically with the YCM, aims to encourage cooperation via joint events on topics such as environmental initiatives, sustainable practice awareness in the Red Sea, and research. It also lays out plans for the deployment of the marine professionals, who will deliver courses on navigation, safety and environmental stewardship. For its part, the YCM will promote tourism in the Red Sea.  

Al-Asiri described the two agreements “strategic partnerships”. 

“The two memorandums of understanding aim to improve cooperation with global maritime entities in order to achieve our goals in developing the maritime sectors, ensuring the protection of the natural environment, and encouraging coastal tourism in the Kingdom, including developing it economically.”  

 

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Photo via fp2a.org 

Twiga continues to energise Monaco nights this August with eclectic schedule and tantalising cuisine

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/08/2023

Twiga – where the best of Italian of hospitality meets the extravagance of Monaco, and dinner entertainment morphs into club nights for the ultimate summer fun.

Twiga, the famous restaurant and bar founded by Italian entrepreneur Flavio Briatore in the Grimaldi Forum, underwent a large renovation last year. The new-look venue now combines an eclectic mix of African, Asian and Italian styles, all meshing to create a fun, elegant and exuberant ambience.

The packed summer artistic programme includes a slew of renowned DJs, while Thursdays are dedicated to the good old times, with the legendary Alessandro Ristori and the Portofinos on stage, as well as other live music bands.

24-hour slow cooked Wagyu short rib burgers served with home made bao buns

Indulge in the delectable flavours of Italian and New-Asian cuisine

The restaurant’s menu draws on this unlikely marriage of continents, positioning, for example, a very Italian dish of beef carpaccio on a crisp filo pastry and topping it with the Asiatic vibrance of wasabi mayo. Similarly, the mini beef burgers scream luxurious indulgence; 24-hour slow cooked Wagyu short ribs are delivered in homemade bao buns topped with tangy sweet chilli soy sauce.

The entire menu here impresses with the excellence of its execution. Among the other highlights: spicy wasabi mayo prawns with sticky mango and passionfruit sauce; prawns and black cod gyoza; and red king prawns gnocchetti.

There’s also sushi, ceviche and caviar on the menu to satisfy the summer palate.

The dessert platter is as deliciously over the top as Twiga itself, with a veritable rotating smorgasbord featuring five desserts and a mountain of fresh fruit and sorbets among the options.

Alessandro Ristori and the Portofinos performing at Twiga Monte-Carlo

Live music that energises the soul

As the plates keep coming to the table – and we suggest you keep them coming – the evening kicks up a gear when a live band takes to the stage.

Briatore’s favourite performer Alessandro Ristori spins and hip thrusts his way through a high-performance set of classic 70s and 80s disco, together with his band The Portofinos.

The epitome of “Italianness”, Alessandro Ristori, with his low-buttoned silk shirts, dark chest hair, retro haute couture and large smile, is as fantastically flamboyant as the location in which he performs.

Summer nights at Twiga

Prepare to dance the night away

As the night rolls on, the dinner tables are lowered and the whole restaurant turns into the very playful and sophistigated Twiga club, where renowned DJs take over and quality cocktails flow.

This August, the DJ line-up includes the legendary Marco Carola, the sensational Themba, the dynamic duo Camelphat, the iconic Bob Sinclair, the electrifying Joseph Capriati and the incredible Layla Benitez.

Meanwhile, Twiga’s resident DJs continue to captivate with their signature sounds: DJ Cruz, Nicolas Monier, DJ Magnum, and Francis Key curate exhilarating sets that blend different genres, ensuring everyone is up on the dance floor.

Twiga Monte-Carlo is open every day from 8pm until late. Menu delivery is available between 7pm and 10pm.

See more in our Instagram video below. Can’t see the post? Click here. 

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Indosuez Wealth Management to acquire majority stake in Belgium’s Bank Degroof Petercam

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/08/2023

Indosuez Wealth Management has announced an agreement with a view to acquiring a majority stake in Bank Degroof Petercam and a long-term partnership with CLdN, one of its core shareholders.

Indosuez Wealth Management Group, a subsidiary of the Crédit Agricole group, on Friday 4th August revealed that it has signed the agreement to acquire a majority stake in Degroof Petercam, a Belgium-based wealth management institution with an international presence and client base.

The proposed acquisition is being carried out in partnership with the CLdN group, Degroof Petercam’s core shareholder, which will retain a stake of around 20%, “reflecting the desire to preserve its roots and domestic presence in Belgium, in line with the Crédit Agricole group’s partnership culture”, said CFM Indosuez in a statement.

Degroof Petercam is an independent family group whose origins go back more than 150 years. It is a diversified bank with client assets totalling 71 billion euros.

The group has positions in Belgium, Luxembourg and France in private banking, and internationally in asset management, investment banking and asset services.

According to CFM Indosuez, over the past few years, in line with its raison d’être of creating collective and responsible prosperity, the bank has strengthened its risk control and management procedures, particularly in terms of compliance, and has made major investments in its operating systems.

“We are delighted to have reached this agreement with the shareholders of Degroof Petercam, a long-standing leader in wealth management,” says Jacques Prost, Chief Executive Officer of Indosuez Wealth Management. “This proposed alliance will be an important step in our development in Europe, in line with our strategic plan, and will make Belgium our second domestic market. We look forward to working with the Degroof Petercam team.”

Indosuez Wealth Management Group says it will work closely with Degroof Petercam teams to facilitate the transaction for the benefit of clients and employees.

Completion of the agreement between CA Indosuez Wealth (Europe) and Degroof Petercam is subject to the approval from the relevant regulatory and competition authorities. The transaction is expected to be completed in 2024.

Following the acquisition of a majority stake, a Voluntary tender offer will be launched with Degroof Petercam’s minority shareholders, with the intention for CA Indosuez Wealth (Europe) to acquire the remaining capital on the same terms as those for the acquisition of the majority stake.

“The proposed alliance with Indosuez Wealth Management will provide us with a stable shareholder, backed by a leading global player,” says Hugo Lasat, CEO of Degroof Petercam. “It is also a solid strategic partner who will support the Degroof Petercam brand and who knows our activities inside out. This project will enable us to benefit from the strength of an organisation such as the Indosuez Group, while retaining our agility and entrepreneurial spirit in the interests of our clients.”

 

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Photo credit: Scott Graham, Unsplash

 

 

Les Perles de Monaco: the Principality’s only locally grown oysters

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/08/2023
les perles de monaco

Oysters growing in Monaco? A generation ago, that would have sounded preposterous, but today, with the help of two biologists, Les Perles de Monaco oysters are not only a reality, but a thriving business as well.  

In 2008, a virus ran through the juvenile oyster population of France. This was in conjunction with the arrival of a deadly bacteria that was also killing adult oysters, all but decimating the industry.  

That could have been the end to the story, except that two biologists, Frédéric Rouxeville from Saint Malo and Brice Cachia from Cannes, were working at the Monaco marine hatchery and made an incredible discovery.  

THE START 

Whilst raising sea bass and sea bream there in 2011, they noticed that the small local oysters were blocking the filters in their ponds. Aside from being a bit of a nuisance, the duo noted that the species was, in fact, thriving.  

This led Rouxeville and Cachia to the idea of raising oysters in a protected environment locally. It was an entirely new concept for Monaco and this stretch of the Mediterranean coast.  

les perles de monaco
Locally grown oysters sit alongside premium seafood at Les Perles de Monaco’s eponymous restaurant

The pair began working with oyster larvae from Brittany, developing them in a closed-circuit hatchery fed on three different types of phytoplankton. They were then sent home to Brittany to mature before being brought back to the Principality to spend two to three weeks “ripening” in water pumped up from 12 metres down, which gave them a special something like no other oysters “farmed” elsewhere.  

Refining in the Mediterranean gives them a unique taste that is described as having an essence of hazelnut with a balanced taste and texture. In terms of eco credentials, they are organic and raised with respect for nature and the environment, with the aim of quality over quantity.  

TODAY  

These days, the duo get their oysters from Normandy as well as Brittany, and refine them on site at their “farm”, using much the same techniques. Their employees are former professional aqua-culturalists who have a deep understanding of the technical and biological processes needed to maintain the high standards set in the early days.  

Les Perles de Monaco has also expanded its operation to include a fantastic restaurant at the end of the pier in Fontvieille, where seafood of all types, including lobster, sea urchin, fish, clams and gambas, is served simply and tastily at plain wooden tables. This casual setting is a nice change from many other local eateries and adds a certain rustic charm to the overall experience. They also do take away, for those who prefer to enjoy their oysters and more at home.  

For more information, hours of operation or to make a reservation, visit the website here. 

Click on the images below to see more and check out our Instagram video…

 

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Photo source: Les Perles de Monaco 

 

 

Saint Jazz Cap Ferrat to pay homage to “gypsy jazz” great Django Reinhardt

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/08/2023
saint jazz cap ferrat

The Saint Jazz Cap Ferrat festival is returning this summer for three nights of unbeatable music in an unparalleled setting. 

For over a decade now, the Saint Jazz Cap Ferrat festival on the stunning peninsular of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat has offered music lovers a truly exceptional experience that combines fantastic performances with a beautiful locale.  

This summer, the festival is paying tribute to “gypsy jazz” and the subgenre’s iconic Django Reinhardt on the 70th anniversary of his death. The Romani-Belgian jazz guitarist and composer is credited with being one of Europe’s first major jazz stars.  

Nestled under pine trees and facing the Mediterranean, the venue, the Jardin de la Paix, has also become a popular destination for international artists, who love its intimacy and special outdoor setting. This year, the programme will feature such talents as André Ceccarelli, Jacky Terrasson, Rhoda Scott, Manu Dibango, Stacey Kent, Didier Lockwood, Jean-Jacques Milteau, Thomas Enhco, Richard Galliano, Robin McKelle, Biréli Lagrène, Manu Katché, Youn Sun Nah, Eric Legnini, Erik Truffaz, Vincent Perani and Stefano Di Battista, to name but a few.  

The Saint Jazz Cap Ferrat Festival runs from 10th to 12th August, with tickets starting at €35 for adults and €30 for under 18s. Doors open at 7.30pm and food is available on site.  

For more information or to book tickets, please click here.  

 

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Photo source: Romain Gal, Unsplash

Traffic disruption on Boulevard du Larvotto set for coming weeks

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/08/2023

Geotechnical surveys are being carried out on boulevard du Larvotto over the next month for the new Larvotto Supérieur housing project, leading to traffic disruptions for motorists.

In a statement Thursday, the government said it is “taking advantage of the reduction in traffic flows during the month of August” to conduct the analytical work on the Dorsale, at 19 boulevard du Larvotto.

It is the next phase of preparatory works for the Larvotto Supérieur real estate operation, which is part of the National Plan for the housing of Monegasques, the first phase of which was initiated in November 2022.

The works will be carried out from 7th August to 8th September between 9am and 12:30pm and then 2pm and 6pm. Traffic flow will be controlled manually by workers during these hours, and traffic lights outside these hours.

The Larvotto Supérieur real estate operation will consist of a 35-apartment residential building on the plot located between 17 and 21 boulevard du Larvotto.

 

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Photo credit: M.Strīķis, CC BY-SA 3.0