THE MEB HELD ITS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOLLOWED BY THE 40TH RENDEZ-VOUS' MEMBERS

13/04/2022

Monaco Economic Board (MEB) held its Annual General Meeting on Monday 11 April attended by Minister of State Pierre Dartout and other officials, and over 300 Monaco economy stakeholders who stayed on for the 40th Members Rendezvous that followed.

Presented jointly by Executive Director General Guillaume Rose and his deputy Justin Highman, the report on MEB activities in 2021 was again marked by the Covid pandemic, as evidenced by the many virtual and hybrid events. They included the eTrade Mission with India, a number of business destination focused MEBinars* in partnership with Monaco’s Diplomatic and Consular Corps, and also Africa with CEMA (Club des Entrepreneurs Monégasques en Afrique), and Monaco-centred topics like tourism recovery and the significance of women in business as leaders.

However, as health restrictions loosened many took place in person, namely:

Talks to better anticipate fall-out from upheavals in the global economy, with experts like Ludovic Subran (Allianz), Julien Marcilly (Coface), Christophe Barraud (Market Securities) and Jean-Pierre Petit (Cahiers Verts de l’Economie), and to obtain crucial information from a local perspective with a talk by partner IMSEE (statistics body);

Trade Missions that enabled dozens of Monaco companies to grow their international networks and seek out new opportunities in Florence and Antwerp;

Operations to promote Monaco’s appeal to prospects likely to settle or invest in the Principality, often coordinated with other Monegasque entities with a similar goal to boost Monaco’s influence abroad. These included trips to Dubai, Madrid, Milan, Naples and London, as well as events at home like the Monaco Yacht Show and CleanEquity;

Actions to foster exchanges between members like the Members Rendezvous and the Eco Club Awards, as well as a big presence at the Monaco Business fair and other events held in Monaco where networking sessions are automatically on the agenda.

MEB also continued working closely with the Interministerial Delegation for Digital Transition in helping to set up digital workshops and in-person events such as the Proptech conference.

On the communications side, press coverage and statistics from MEB’s website and social networks confirmed their significance in getting information out there and creating a virtual business community. Partnerships with Radio Monaco and Riviera Radio, showcasing MEB members via short interviews by Guillaume Rose and Justin Highman, proved very successful.

After approving the 2021 accounts, members present heard about what lies ahead in 2022.

First MEB continues to serve the local economy with talks lined up with IMSEE Director, Alexandre Bubbio (20 June) and Ludovic Subran, Chief Economist at Allianz (11 July). Delegations expected are coming from Vietnam (4 May), Djibouti (9 May) and all Small European States to a forum organised with the National Council as part of the Conference of Presidents of the Parliaments of the Small States of Europe** (13 June).

Trade Missions abroad will be in the second half-year, to Montréal and Toronto (18-24 Sept), then Madrid (13-15 October); London and Paris are also planned at the end of the year.

Their purpose is to help generate new opportunities for members to expand their businesses, an important aspect of MEB membership that passed the 550 bar this year, causing Chairman Michel Dotta to note: “It’s an exciting landmark for us and we’ll ensure we do everything in our power to keep up this momentum and confidence you have in us to convert it in the most tangible way possible for the prosperity of our country and yours”.

Closing the AGM, H.E. Mr Pierre Dartout highlighted three objectives the Principality needs to continue pursuing to retain its attraction: to innovate, diversify its economy and cultivate excellence. All are objectives in the service of which MEB is acting on through its actions.

It was in Yacht Club de Monaco’s stunning Ballroom that over 300 economy stakeholders gathered for the 40th Members Rendezvous. After MEB’s projects had been presented, there was a presentation by Claudia Batthyany, Project Manager of ‘Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting’ and one by Marc Lionel Gatto, Coordinator of myGlobalVillage & Francophone Village, an international network dedicated to innovation of which MEB is a member. Guests then made the most of this convivial networking session, a way to put into practice the collective ambition of Monaco businesses to combat global competition as evoked at the AGM.

*MEBinars: MEB webinars

** The Small States of Europe which have a parliament are: Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, San Marino and Monaco.

➢ Photos (credits MEB/ Carte Blanche)

AG01: Over 180 representatives of MEB member businesses attended the AGM.

AG02: Michel Dotta and Guillaume Rose with H.E. Mr Pierre Dartout and officials present.

RDV 01: Over 300 Monaco economy stakeholders were at the Members Rendezvous.

RDV 02: Speech by Claudia Batthyany, Project Manager Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting.

➢ Press contact: Benoît Ulrich / Delphine Quilichini – communication@meb.mc