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BUSINESS ROUND UP
UK and Gibraltar Brexit negotiations Ministers from the Government of Gibraltar and the Government of the United Kingdom met in December, in London, for the first formal engagement between the two countries under the structure of the new Joint Ministerial Council (Gibraltar EU Negotiations).
This is the framework within which theUnitedKingdomandGibraltar are developing plans for the negotiations for leaving the European Union.
The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, and Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia, met with Robin Walker, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Sir Alan
Duncan, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas.
The two hour meeting centred on the detail of the report about “Gibraltar and Brexit” that was submitted by the Gibraltar Government to the United Kingdom in September.
During the course of the meeting, Mr Walker expressed the
full support of the United Kingdom Government for Gibraltar, and he updated those present on the state of play at this time.
After the meeting, the Chief Ministercommented: “Robin Walker has a clear affinity with Gibraltar and he understands the issues that are relevant to us as we gear up to form part of the UK’s negotiations to exit the EU. We have been able to go through thoroughly the issues that matter and we will be meeting regularly now to ensure we are able to work in close
partnership. Sir Alan Duncan is a keen supporter of Gibraltar and he remains the FCO Ministerial lead, as Minister for Europe and the Americas. We have been grateful for his contribution to the debate. All in all, I can assure Gibraltar that this first official meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee has been very fruitful and successful and we look forward to continuing this process going forward.”
Gibraltar Port reports another year of growth The Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) ispleasedtoannounceanotheryear of growth across most areas of activity, following its performance review for 2016.
Against the backdrop of a slowdown in global economic activity, overcapacity in shipping across the world, and stiff regional competition, the GPA reported for the second consecutive year, an
increase in both the number of vessels calling at Gibraltar for bunkers and in the quantity of fuel delivered. This positive trend is reflected more widely in the total number of all vessels calling, including cruise ships and superyachts. An increasing number of superyachts have also taken advantage of the new berths at the recently commissioned Mid Harbour Marina, to extend their stay on the Rock.
CEO and Captain of the GPA, Bob Sanguinetti, commented: “After hosting a hugely successful, high profile international bunker convention in Gibraltar last November, it is very pleasing to reinforce our status as a premier maritime hub in the Mediterranean, with such positive annual results.
28 Gibraltar International www.gibraltarinternational.com