GSLP-Liberals-Manifesto-2019

ecent FATF recommendations require
policy thinking and solutions and we
are ready and able to provide these to
further strengthen our product.
DLT AT THE UNIVERSITY
We have also linked our DLT Operators
with the University of Gibraltar with
many of these firms seeking to join
the University in providing facilities
for courses, research and learning
in this fast growing technology and
application.
FURTHER DLT GROWTH
We have exciting plans for the
continued growth of this sector
including working with other
Jurisdictions to arrive at a set of
International standards appropriate
for this sector. This is an area where
Gibraltar has led the world, and this
Governments work in driving this
policy has resulted in business coming
here from Europe, North America,
South America, Asia and the Middle
East; all areas which have been covered
by the Gibraltar marketing campaign.
BANKING
The Gibraltar International Bank has
quickly becoming one of the leading
providers of retail banking services
in Gibraltar. IT is a real success story
of which the GSLP Liberals can be
justly proud. We are encouraged by
the decision of outside investors to
acquire Jyske Bank in Gibraltar and
continue its retail operations. We are
also pleased to see other acquisitions
which reflect consolidation in the
sector as technology has transformed
modern banking. We will work to
attract further banking operations to
Gibraltar to bolster the strong offering
in this regard.
E-GOVERNMENT
We will build on the foundations
of our work on eServices that have
already been delivered. This includes
eProcurement, Purchase to Pay and a
recently introduced cross Government
financial accounting system (ERP).
For the first time, this provides the
Government with a holistic view of
revenue and expenditure. Already in
progress is the implementation of new
administrative systems for Human
Resources, Payroll and the management
of Government expenses. This will
enable the Government to streamline
its processes and make the running of
public services more efficient.
DIGITAL GOVERNMENT
The introduction of Digital Services
has created new ways of working for
the Public Service. It allows interaction
with Government systems in ways that
have never before been available in
Gibraltar. The implementation of these
systems represents a significant leap
forward for Government, and we have
expert support in our implementation
team drawn from all corners of the
Public Service, including of course
ITLD. In the next 12 months, we will
complete the build and rollout the
initial scope of our Digital Services,
which will deliver online services to
businesses and citizens in key areas
such as Employment, Taxation and
Health. The next phase of departments
will include the Civil Status and
Registration Office, the Office of Fair
Trading, the Department of Education
and the Department of Environment.
We will implement a support system
to ensure that eGovernment users
can be guided and assisted when
accessing us online, and in addition
we will be creating a central hub to
deliver customer service to those that
are unable to access us online. Efficient
and competent customer service will
be provided centrally for each set of
eServices that are brought online.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE ACT
In order to facilitate what is called
“Image Presentation” (essentially
sending a scan of the cheque to the
branch of origin), the UK amended
their Cheques Act 1957 in July 2018
to allow image presentation. We
have already drafted an amendment
to our Bills of Exchange Act (the “Bills
of Exchange (Electronic Presentation
of Instruments) Act”) to allow Image
Presentation. We will pubilsh the
Bill within a month of the date of
the election if we are returned to
Government.
GAMING
We have worked with Her Majesty’s
Government to maintain access to the
United Kingdom market post Brexit.
This is of critical importance to all of
our Operators, many of whom regard
the UK as their most important market.
Despite Brexit, we have worked with
all of our firms to prepare for and
plan with them their Brexit strategies,
crucially maintaining their presence
in Gibraltar. We have also continued
our work to attract new business
to Gibraltar and to ensure existing
Operators are able to continue their
growth.
GAMING LEGISLATION
We have also already carried out
extensive work on new Gaming
Legislation. We will shortly be able to
complete this work having consulted
for a second time with professionals
and Operators to ensure the new
legislation is able to meet today’s
demands of this fast changing sector.
We will bring this Bill to Parliament
within the first six months of 2020.
TECHNOLOGY - REAL PRESENCE
We have reviewed and are
reconsidering our position on
technology. Firms operating in
Gibraltar must have real substance
and we will continue to work carefully
to ensure this balance is maintained.
This is a key aspect of how we ensure
that Gibraltar remains both a credible
jurisdiction and profitable for our
population.
NEW MARKETS
We are also considering different
markets and our ability to service them,
having regard to regulatory reach
and meeting our strict compliance
requirements.
BUSINESS & COMMERCE
THE OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING
We have completed our review of
the Fair Trading Act and will quickly
implement the changes we have
discussed and agreed with the
Chamber of Commerce and the GFSB.
The review has been extensive and
will result in a faster and more efficient
system of licensing. These include:
A simplified application process; the
OFT will advertise applications which
114 ...aspire to the best Gibraltar