Islands' business leaders seek closer collaboration

Business leaders have called for the Channel Islands' politicians and organisations to work more closely together to address joint issues.

They were speaking at an event in St Helier, organised by Jersey's Chambers of Commerce.

Those in attendance considered how the islands could boost collaboration, enhance their economies, and reduce public spending.

Jersey's Minister for Sustainable Economic Development Deputy Kirsten Morel, who addressed the meeting, said the Channel Islands' authorities "should" commit to more joint projects, while also being prepared to speak up when "the interests don't align".

The executive director of Guernsey's Chamber of Commerce, Alice Gill, said each island spent about 30% of its annual budget on health, and working together could benefit taxpayers.

She said business communities in both islands were also seeking closer cross-collaboration.

"I think people forget some of the positive things that we are working together, so external relations, cybersecurity, we're already importing electricity together from France," she said.

"There's a huge amount that we are doing but there's always room for improvement.

"I think businesses want to see a move of some of the friction of doing business across the island - so is that around skills?

"Is it around people? Is it around aligning some of our rules and legislation?

"Some of the stuff that adds, you know, time and effort - where you've got to do it twice - what can we do to smooth that over, that makes it an easier place to do business?"

Lee Madden, president of Jersey's Chamber of Commerce, said "historically" there had always been "an intent for the islands to work together".

He said: "I think governments have worked well together in the past on some projects and not so well on other projects.

"As the joint chambers, we feel that by coming together we can set an example, shine a light for how working together can really benefit both islands."

He added: "Good communication and openness creates trust, and with trust, we can create momentum, and with the momentum we can do things better and maybe drive more economic benefits to both islands."

Morel added the islands were "competitors" but "friends as well".

"Of course we can work together," he said.

"Everything from the Channel Islands Lottery to the financial services ombudsman to telecom security - we are working together.

"We should do that more. But when the interests don't align, as I think happened with the ferries, we need to say, 'actually, this isn't going to work'."

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