French business connections develop

Tourism and trade with France could be significantly developed if Jersey takes advantage of France’s transport infrastructure, the Minister for Economic Development, Trade, Sport, and Culture believes. 

Deputy Kirsten Morel spent two days in France last week viewing key transport hubs in Brittany as the guest of the TransManche Development Group (TMDG). He met representatives from Rennes’ high-speed rail hub and new business quarter, Euro-Rennes; Rennes Airport; and St Malo port.

The number of people passing through Rennes’ high-speed rail hub has recently doubled to two million people a year as a result of regional investment.

Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Deputy Kirsten Morel said: “I have made improving our Island’s economic ties to our closest neighbours one of my top Ministerial priorities and am pleased to have undertaken my second visit to Brittany as Minister. What I found particularly interesting on this fact-finding visit was to discuss the potential that we have on our doorstep for regular passenger and air freight flights between Rennes and Jersey, and enhanced freight links to Europe via the port of St Malo”.

“At St Malo I saw how the €155 million investment has transformed the ferry and cruise ship terminals. If Jersey can attract just a fraction of the business which passes through the area, and if Island businesses can use the French hubs to reach the rest of Europe, then we will unlock significant opportunities for local businesses”.