HM Government of Gibraltar yesterday hosted two successful sector-specific Town Hall meetings at Ince's Hall as part of its ongoing work to support businesses in preparing for the implementation of the new arrangements under the UK-EU Treaty in respect of Gibraltar.
The meetings focused on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products, and on Special Customs Procedures, including Bonded Warehouses.
The sessions were hosted by the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia CMG MP, the Minister for Business, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez MP, the Attorney General and HM Customs officials.
The Town Halls provided affected businesses with an opportunity to engage directly with Ministers and officials, receive practical and technical guidance, and raise sector-specific questions on how the new arrangements will operate in practice.
The Town Halls did not conclude until all questions were asked, ensuring that all those present had the opportunity to raise their queries and receive detailed responses.
HMGoG will shortly host further Town Hall meetings for members of the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses and the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce. The Government is currently liaising with both organisations to agree an appropriate date and time.
A further announcement will be made shortly.
The Minister for Business, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “I was very pleased with the level of engagement at yesterday’s Town Halls. Businesses came prepared with detailed and practical questions, and the Government stayed until every question had been answered.
“This is precisely the kind of direct engagement that we are committed to provide. The guidance published by the Government is necessarily technical, and these sessions are designed to ensure that businesses are supported and able to understand what the changes will mean in practice for their sectors.
“We will continue to work closely with the business community throughout this process.”
The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia CMG MP, said: “These Town Hall meetings form part of the Government’s continued commitment to provide clear and direct engagement with businesses as we move from negotiation to implementation of the Treaty.
“Having formed part of the team which negotiated the Treaty, I know how important it is that we now take forward its implementation carefully and practically. These Town Halls are an important step in that process, allowing businesses to understand directly how the new arrangements will work in practice.
“The three-hour long discussions were constructive and detailed, and I am grateful to all those who attended and contributed. It is important that businesses continue to have the opportunity to ask questions directly of those involved in the technical work, and that is exactly what these sessions provided.”
