Gibraltar’s World Class WTC
Jersey has been struggling for a decade to build an International Finance Centre, but in less than three years Gibraltar has opened the “Category A” World Trade Center Gibraltar. It’s a coup for the Rock and the 170,000 sq ft building, which was built entirely by the private sector, is the largest building on Gibraltar.
World Trade Centre Gibraltar
The WTC Gibraltar as it is to be known, claims to be “the signature corporate address” and clearly businesses believe this, because back in June of this year it had already let two-thirds of its office space, which the developers put down to the perceived stability of Gibraltar’s role in the financial world and positive developments in the private finance sector.
Peppermint’s Relationship with Gibraltar
Peppermint has had a long and fruitful relationship with some of Gibraltar’s best known firms and entertainment destinations including: Triay & Triay, Ibex Insurance, The Caleta Hotel and Casino Sunborn. We also work with Masbro Insurance and for many years have produced all the marketing materials for the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival, which the Financial Times has called “the strongest and best-organised event of its kind in the world.” So, we’re delighted to see the WTC Gibraltar opening up new possibilities for all of Gibraltar’s business community, as well as the injection of national pride it gives to all Gibraltarians.
The Gibraltar Buzz
There has certainly been a noticeable buzz in the air this summer and we’ve all enjoyed the various cultural events including the totally ‘rocking the Rock’ music festival and the European Show Dance Championship, plus the arrival of La Sala restaurant on the Sunborn Super Yacht Hotel. And there’s lots more happening in the near future we hear on the grapevine.
Gibraltar Government Initiatives
The government, led by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, has been instrumental in the successful development of WTC Gibraltar. It has implemented policies “that create and sustain a stable environment promoting increased levels of business activity and investor confidence.” The Rock also benefits from being a low tax jurisdiction and having an excellent professional structure in place that’s fully compliant with EU standards of regulations.
WTC Gibraltar boosts the economy
Pete Burgess, the WTC Sales and Marketing Director told a reporter from the rather envious Jersey press that “There’s no doubt that WTC Gibraltar has already provided a significant boost to the economy and not just through the build process. ” He also added, “It has already attracted enormous interest from companies already based in Gibraltar but most importantly, also from companies looking to move to the Rock for the first time.”
Many of the new clients moving in are in the sectors of asset management, financial services and technology. For example, it’s great to read that many of the WTC tenants new and old are calling it a “world-class environment for business” and Alan Dickinson of Cube said it is bound to become “a hub for Gibraltar’s business community.” It’s also connected to the new Europe–India fibre-optic cable that delivers data speeds of 3.2 Tb per second. This has enabled the WTC to promote both WTC Gibraltar and the jurisdiction itself as an e-business centre for the future.
It’s exciting times ahead for Gibraltar and we’re delighted to be part of this new era of business success for our clients and friends in this unique and lovely British overseas territory.
We’re offering all Gibraltar businesses, from legal services and wealth management to cafes, bars and restaurants, social media packages to help raise your profile on Facebook and Twitter and help you to even more success. Email jade@peppermintcreate.com or call us on +34 951 316 553.