Speaking at the Chamber of Commerce lunch yesterday, Deputy Neil Inder revealed the projects and workstreams which his Committee for Economic Development will be tackling over the coming months, with key priorities identified as improving air connectivity and digital connectivity and enhancing the marketing and promotion of Guernsey, both as a place to do business and as a visitor destination.
Last agreed by the States in December 2018, the air connectivity objectives need to be looked at now because, Deputy Inder told the audience, “the world had changed since then. Reviewing these now will feed into the air policy framework that is being finalised by the Policy & Resources Committee, and enable the Committee to understand if policies such as quasi-open skies help or hinder the delivery of our objectives.”
As part of preparing for the day when travel returned to normal and the visitor economy was able to reopen, the Committee was about to begin the process of overhauling how the island was marketed as a visitor destination, Deputy Inder said. This includes recommending that as part of economic recovery States money was invested in the tourism product, the island’s visitor accommodation was enhanced and to investigate whether VisitGuernsey should be turned into a public-private partnership or an LBG.
Deputy Inder outlined that the Committee would support Guernsey Finance as the promotional agency for the local finance sector, and a proposal for increased funding would be with the Committee soon.
The Committee for Economic Development will work with a number of other Committees on a variety of important areas. Working with the Policy and Resources Committee, the Committee will bring plans to the States about how to invest in digital connectivity and meetings with all three telecoms companies have been scheduled.
A plan for the blue economy will be developed with the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure, and with Deputy Prow and the Committee for Home Affairs to ensure the approach to population management supports the economy and the work of Locate Guernsey. The Committee will also closely liaise with the Development and Planning Authority.
Deputy Inder also talked about the importance of localisation, ensuring that when the taxpayer is funding a project big or small, as much of that funding goes to local employers and local workers. “That is essential for recovery. We must do this. The Committee will work closely with the States’ procurement team and local businesses to achieve this. Prioritising investment in our economy and our businesses is one of the most effective actions this government can take.”
The Committee has also provided funding to establish a Guernsey Retail Group and will work closely with the construction industry and States Procurement to focus investment decisions local companies, where possible, allowing for more Guernsey money staying on island benefitting Guernsey businesses.
