European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, together with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, met in Brussels earlier today.
The Convent is aware of reports of an incident yesterday evening around 7pm. Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron challenged the unlawful incursion by Guardia Civil vessel Rio Cedena around the Western Beach area and the vessel departed BGTW.
This is my tenth budget session as a member of this Parliament and second budget address as Chief Minister and I now have the honour to present the Government’s revenue and expenditure estimates for the year ending 31st March 2014.
Mr Speaker, this debate on the second reading of the Appropriation Bill has traditionally also been not just about economics, it is also a State of the Nation address touching areas beyond the numbers in the schedule to the Bill.
This is a summary of the state of the economy as set out more extensively in the Chief Minister's full address to Parliament and of the budget measures contained therein.
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
• Record Budget Surplus – highest ever at £37.174m.
• GDP growth of 7.8% (£1.137bn to £1.226bn).
• On target to meet or exceed GDP of £1.65bn by 2015/16.
Speaking at this morning’s 2013 Budget speech, held in Parliament, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo congratulated and thanked those involved in the televising and live streaming of parliament proceedings for their hard work. The initiative, which was a Government manifesto commitment, was launched during today’s meeting. The stream can be seen on Yourgibraltartv.com.
Announcing the figures for this financial year, the Chief Minister explained that Gibraltar’s Gross Domestic Product had risen from £1.05 billion in 2010 – 2011, to £1.137 billion in 2011-2012, this year’s GDP has come in at £1.5 billion, surpassing the Government’s expectation of £1.2 billion.