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.
Today, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, with Financial Services Minister Albert Isola at his side, announced the development of a new, locally owned bank for Gibraltar that will offer a full range of banking services. The policy formerly made an appearance in the 1996 GSLP manifesto and has continued to do so in successive manifestos. The Chief Minister noted during the announcement that plans for the Government owned Gibraltar International Bank (GIB) have been accelerated following Barclays Bank’s decision to reduce its retail and corporate services in Gibraltar.
The Chief Minister has not sent out any official Christmas cards this year. Instead, the cost of the cards and postage has been donated to the GBC Open Day appeal.