The Minister for Health, Care and Business, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, addressed the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses Annual Dinner at the Sunborn last night, setting out the Government’s priorities for supporting businesses as Gibraltar prepares for implementation of the UK-EU Treaty.

Minister Arias-Vasquez, who served as Chair of the GFSB for six years before entering Government, highlighted the Federation’s important role in providing Gibraltar’s small businesses with a strong and credible voice.

Minister Arias-Vasquez said Gibraltar was now moving from Treaty negotiation to implementation. She referred to the customs guidance published yesterday on special customs procedures and transit arrangements and confirmed that an extensive list of frequently asked questions will be published on the Government’s Treaty website later this week.

Further Town Halls are also being arranged, expected to take place next week, at which the Attorney General and HM Customs will brief businesses and answer practical questions.

HM Customs will shortly establish a testing platform allowing local businesses to test the new forms for exporting goods from Gibraltar. The platform will initially be tested through the Trade Facilitation Committee, which includes frequent users of ASYCUDA and representatives of the GFSB and Chamber of Commerce. Other regular exporters will also be offered access.

Subject to successful testing, the platform is expected to become operational by the end of June. HM Customs has also established a dedicated helpdesk, which businesses can contact at ncts@hmcustoms.gov.gi.

The Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to the beautification of Main Street, Casemates and Chatham Counterguard, funded through revenue generated by the Transaction Tax. She also highlighted the strengthened CCTV and monitoring infrastructure already installed in key commercial areas, with further cameras due to be installed across Gibraltar.

Minister Arias-Vasquez also previewed the Government’s new residence criteria, which she will announce jointly with the Chief Minister later today. The framework will ensure that Gibraltar remains open and pro-business while managing growth responsibly and protecting housing, public services and long-term sustainability. It will be based on genuine economic contribution, real employment and business activity, suitable accommodation and regulatory compliance.

The Government will also organise business events in the United Kingdom and southern Spain to promote Gibraltar to investors, entrepreneurs and professional advisers. Minister Arias-Vasquez also confirmed that the Chief Minister will announce further support for businesses during the forthcoming Budget debate.

Minister Arias-Vasquez announced that the Government has appointed a state aid expert within the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority to independently regulate compliance with the new framework and advise on how support can continue to be provided to businesses within the applicable legal parameters.

Consultation with the GFSB and Chamber of Commerce on a new Business Act will begin next week. The consultation, to be circulated by the CEO of Business, John Paul Fa, will run until the end of September.

The proposed legislation will bring business registration and licensing together within a clearer framework, with a single online entry point, streamlined application and renewal processes and stronger enforcement against businesses operating without the necessary registration or licences.

Minister Arias-Vasquez said:

“Small businesses do not ask Government for special treatment. They ask for fairness, a level playing field and systems that allow them to get on with running their businesses. I know this because these are the same things I asked of Government when I was Chair of the GFSB.

“As we prepare for Treaty implementation, we will continue to listen and work practically with the business community. The Town Halls which I announced last night will give businesses the opportunity to, once again, hear directly from the Attorney General and HM Customs, to ask questions and to understand how the new arrangements will operate in practice.

“I also want to thank everyone across Government who is working flat out to ensure that Gibraltar is Treaty-ready. An enormous amount of detailed and complex work is taking place behind the scenes, and I am extremely grateful to the Attorney General, HM Customs and all the officials involved for their work.

“The Treaty provides the framework for future opportunity, but this next chapter will be defined by what we do with it. By working together, we can ensure that Gibraltar remains open, competitive and one of the best places in which to establish and grow a business.”