Currently, the media profile of Gibraltar is at the highest it has been for nearly thirty years. This gives us all a chance to review how Gib is seen by the outside world and how it can capitalise on its truly refreshed image.
In the war of words with Spain that have raged since mid-summer the prevailing thought of the majority is that Gibraltar has emerged a clear winner.
Previously regarded as a sleepy backwater of the British Empire, this vibrant and proactive community built on various religious faiths and a healthy slice of enterprise is experiencing a boost to its international profile.
We've all heard the rhetoric from the Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo concerning the same old chestnuts of the disputed borders and "Fiscal Paradise" - oh and with a new element thrown in - a disputed artificial reef.
Margallo's hare-brained notion of levying a €50.00 fee for those crossing the frontier on foot or by car is simply laughable and would not stand up to the slightest testing before the European Courts - so its back to the drawing board on that one.
The Madrid Administration was told in a TV interview by a Spaniard, the head of the local La Linea workers union - whose members comprise part of the nearly 5000 Spaniards who live over the border but are gainfully employed in Gibraltar - to "back off". So no friends there Mr Margallo!
The simple counters to these time-worn-thin arguments are that the Gibraltarian tax regime has just been given a clean bill of health by Brussels' Eurocrats and, following National Day (10th September) whilst the sovereignty issue continues to be a thorn in Madrid's side, the Right of Self-Determination for the 30,000 or so residents of the Rock is a sine qua non....and has been for as long as anyone can remember. So there's an end to that, Spain.
With the added and very vocal support for the people of Gibraltar from Queen Elizabeth and David Cameron, this writer is wondering whether the attempts by Madrid to shift local media's attention away from a deeper assessment of the villainous goings on of the current Spanish administration, with its comprehensive disclosure of cash bungs at the highest possible level, actually worked. Not sure it did.
I leaned an interesting fact last week from the Self-Determination for Gibraltar Group who want Gibraltar declassified as a Protectorate to allow it a full place at the UK's table a la the Isle of Man, thus permanently silencing Spanish claims. Around the time of the negotiations of the Treaty of Paris 1783 that ended the American Revolutionary War, Spain was tempted by certain concessions that included East and West Florida and the Isle of Menorca. It seems they were also offered Gibraltar. Guess what Spain chose ....yes and it wasn't Gibraltar. Bit late now don't you think.
So what are the current images of Gibraltar in the wider, non-Spanish world?
For the cruise ship tourists its the chocolate box top views of the Apes, cheap booze and fags, a stroll up Main Street and trip in the cable car to see the view. That hasn't changed and won't.
For those keen to consider Gib as their potential new home - and not just the location of a brass plate - the Rock is continuing to modernise and transforming itself into a welcoming and attractive Mediterranean community that compares very favourably with other locations, such as Monaco and the Channel Islands.
If you are considering whether you'd like to call Gibraltar "home" then we should line up a on-line chat about the potential benefits.
As with such matters there is never a one size fits all solution and we at GeeBeeZed.com have identified a series of strategic partners, law firms, accountants, company and trust managers and finance professionals who benefit from a wealth of experience in delivering their professional services that will be marshalled to your benefit.
My professional experience is that of a Non-Practising Solicitor but my personal experience is that I've done it. We moved to Gibraltar and now very proudly call the Rock our home.
Over the next few months we'll share our experiences and seek to provide those also willing to take the plunge with some practical pointers to make the transformation not only easy but a pleasure!
It really is time to see Gibraltar in a new light, a lot has already changed and there are fantastic plans to revolutionise the Rock, without damaging its heart.
Below you'll see some refreshingly updated views of new Gibraltar.
Will Gib feature in your planning? We do hope so.
Please call or e-mail in the strictest confidence: Mark FR Wilkins mark@therightsgroup.com or phone +35020069014 or Mobile +34600343917.
In the war of words with Spain that have raged since mid-summer the prevailing thought of the majority is that Gibraltar has emerged a clear winner.
Previously regarded as a sleepy backwater of the British Empire, this vibrant and proactive community built on various religious faiths and a healthy slice of enterprise is experiencing a boost to its international profile.
We've all heard the rhetoric from the Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo concerning the same old chestnuts of the disputed borders and "Fiscal Paradise" - oh and with a new element thrown in - a disputed artificial reef.
Margallo's hare-brained notion of levying a €50.00 fee for those crossing the frontier on foot or by car is simply laughable and would not stand up to the slightest testing before the European Courts - so its back to the drawing board on that one.
The Madrid Administration was told in a TV interview by a Spaniard, the head of the local La Linea workers union - whose members comprise part of the nearly 5000 Spaniards who live over the border but are gainfully employed in Gibraltar - to "back off". So no friends there Mr Margallo!
The simple counters to these time-worn-thin arguments are that the Gibraltarian tax regime has just been given a clean bill of health by Brussels' Eurocrats and, following National Day (10th September) whilst the sovereignty issue continues to be a thorn in Madrid's side, the Right of Self-Determination for the 30,000 or so residents of the Rock is a sine qua non....and has been for as long as anyone can remember. So there's an end to that, Spain.
With the added and very vocal support for the people of Gibraltar from Queen Elizabeth and David Cameron, this writer is wondering whether the attempts by Madrid to shift local media's attention away from a deeper assessment of the villainous goings on of the current Spanish administration, with its comprehensive disclosure of cash bungs at the highest possible level, actually worked. Not sure it did.
I leaned an interesting fact last week from the Self-Determination for Gibraltar Group who want Gibraltar declassified as a Protectorate to allow it a full place at the UK's table a la the Isle of Man, thus permanently silencing Spanish claims. Around the time of the negotiations of the Treaty of Paris 1783 that ended the American Revolutionary War, Spain was tempted by certain concessions that included East and West Florida and the Isle of Menorca. It seems they were also offered Gibraltar. Guess what Spain chose ....yes and it wasn't Gibraltar. Bit late now don't you think.
So what are the current images of Gibraltar in the wider, non-Spanish world?
For the cruise ship tourists its the chocolate box top views of the Apes, cheap booze and fags, a stroll up Main Street and trip in the cable car to see the view. That hasn't changed and won't.
For those keen to consider Gib as their potential new home - and not just the location of a brass plate - the Rock is continuing to modernise and transforming itself into a welcoming and attractive Mediterranean community that compares very favourably with other locations, such as Monaco and the Channel Islands.
If you are considering whether you'd like to call Gibraltar "home" then we should line up a on-line chat about the potential benefits.
As with such matters there is never a one size fits all solution and we at GeeBeeZed.com have identified a series of strategic partners, law firms, accountants, company and trust managers and finance professionals who benefit from a wealth of experience in delivering their professional services that will be marshalled to your benefit.
My professional experience is that of a Non-Practising Solicitor but my personal experience is that I've done it. We moved to Gibraltar and now very proudly call the Rock our home.
Over the next few months we'll share our experiences and seek to provide those also willing to take the plunge with some practical pointers to make the transformation not only easy but a pleasure!
It really is time to see Gibraltar in a new light, a lot has already changed and there are fantastic plans to revolutionise the Rock, without damaging its heart.
Below you'll see some refreshingly updated views of new Gibraltar.
Will Gib feature in your planning? We do hope so.
Please call or e-mail in the strictest confidence: Mark FR Wilkins mark@therightsgroup.com or phone +35020069014 or Mobile +34600343917.
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