The States of Guernsey’s strategic vision for stimulating the island’s economy post-Covid-19 has been published under the title of ‘Revive and Thrive’.
The strategy sets out how the States plan to recover Guernsey’s economy within the next three years and build it beyond predicted pre-pandemic levels.
Setting out a high-level framework, the strategy details how the States need to work together with the community, business and the third sector to develop three action plans which will form the central core of the strategy. These plans are:
-The Sustainable Economy Plan
-The Health and Care Plan
-The Community Plan
IoD Guernsey Chair John Clacy said: “We welcome the States of Guernsey’s Revive and Thrive Strategy and will be giving the States full support in developing the action plans going forward.”
“There is still a lot of work to be done and we reiterate that now is the time to be bold and make significant decisions to rejuvenate our economy, both now and in the longer term. To enable the Bailiwick to truly thrive, it is critical to support projects that have the greatest economic multiplier effect and the States need to truly be bold in their ambition.”
The IoD is keen to work in partnership with the States to help restore Guernsey’s economic prosperity, build on its inclusive community values and capitalise on the many strengths Guernsey has to make it a safe haven based on sustaining health, wealth and community.
John Clacy continued: “Our members strongly support the States investing in key infrastructure projects to stimulate the local economy through employment and business to future-proof the island’s long-term needs.”
“Key infrastructure projects highlighted by members as priorities included rolling out fibre broadband on an island-wide basis and a relaxation of Guernsey’s population laws, helping make the island an attractive place to work. Members also supported investing in our transport infrastructure and maximising Guernsey’s potential with energy-efficient sources.”
“Having the right plan and the funds to deploy this strategy still isn’t enough if we don’t have the right mechanisms and governance structures in place to ensure it is deployed effectively and efficiently. Governance structures and processes will be key. We need to see more of the focused Covid-19 response mechanisms and less of the indecisive, flip-flop decisions that have marred this House’s term.”
“The States should focus on facilitating co-investment by the private sector and business – for key infrastructure spends. This could not only help spread the financial burden but, more importantly, could also allow business expertise and process to help drive these developments forward.”
“A key short-term issue facing our members is the uncertainty of timing and how our borders will open up. This should be a clear short-term focus and consideration should be given to bifurcating solutions for differing visitor circumstances.”
The strategy is looking to build a more sustainable economy, looking at developing new sectors and addressing the island’s social and environmental issues. It says it will deliver improved infrastructure through major investment, in turn supporting industry locally.
With its strapline Our Strategy for Guernsey Together, the strategy concludes that it wants to build on the strong sense of community already present and shown during the last few months.
“Building on the uniqueness of the island and #GuernseyTogether, being bold in terms of selective infrastructure spend and investment in the future under a fit-for-purpose governance structure is exactly what the IoD has been calling for over the last few years. Let’s make this happen,” said John Clacy.
The States of Guernsey will debate the strategy during their June meeting.
You can read the full strategy here.
You can read the full results of the IoD Guernsey survey here.