The Monaco Monitor

Robert Gaines-Cooper, a British multi-millionaire who claimed residency in the Seychelles, is reported to be facing tax bills going back to 1993, in a court decision which could impact on the status of UK millionaires in Monaco. The case centers on how British tax authorities determine residence and domicile status for the purposes of paying tax. Currently, a British citizen can claim non-residency, and have the right not to pay tax to Britain, provided they do not spend more than 183 days in any single year in the UK or an average of 90 days a year over a period of four years. However, because days of entry and departure have not counted, many wealthy businessmen have been able to fly to the UK early Monday morning and be back late Wednesday night, having done effectively three days work which only represented one day out of the permissible 90. HM Revenue & Customs, which took the case to court, appears to have ignored its own guidelines to pursue Mr. Gaines-Cooper, arguing that despite the fact he was within the 90-day ruling he had very close links to his homeland. His wife reportedly spends most of her time in the UK and their son is at school there. HM Revenue & Customs wanted to count every night spent in the UK – not just the days – and the Special Commissioners, who hear tax disputes before they go to the High Court, upheld that aim. 
Mr. Gaines-Cooper plans to appeal, but the ruling will have sent shivers down the backs of Monaco’s Millionaires - and their wives.

Prince Albert II of Monaco has been approached by Nice and the leading cultural towns of the Côte d’Azur to join forces with them to put in a bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2013. Cannes, Grasse, Menton and Saint Tropez are all reported to be behind this initiative. Monaco has numerous cultural assets to bring to the party, namely the recently restored Salle Garnier of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte-Carlo and the Ballets de Monte-Carlo company.

SBM employees and others protest yesterday. Monaco was on strike, as state employees took to the streets to protest about their working hours and minimum wage levels. The strike has been called by the Union des Syndicats and includes bus drives so expect a skeleton service last afternoon from 1.30pm to about 6pm. Hospital staff at the Princess Grace Hospital were also participating. 

York Regional Police join celebrations with Prince Albert II. The pipes and drums band of the York Regional Police from Ontario, Canada, are in Monaco. They are taking part in activities to celebrate Monaco’s National Day on November 19th which culminates this weekend. (more…)

Regular commuters into and out of Monaco at the Cap d’Ail (western) end will have noticed the major road works going on and apartment buildings that have sprung up along this road. These are all part of a massive programme to exploit the land left behind by the old railway tracks and station, and to create more accommodation for Monégasque nationals. Details on progress have emerged from the department involved with urban planning. The road works are part of a project for the voie rapide (in a bigger city this would translate as a by-pass) which is being extended to link the east with the west. (more…)

The Kenyan Wilfried Cheresek romped to victory in the 10th Marathon of Monaco and the Rivieras, beating the Russian Andrei Brygalov by a mere 29 seconds. Third, fourth and fifth places were all taken by Kenyans – Jacob Kitur, Simon Ripis and W Mnangat Pius. (more…)

It was with a great deal of emotion on last November 9th evening that a videoconference via satellite direct from the Antarctic was held, bringing together HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco and the head of the SEDNA IV mission, biologist and filmmaker Jean Lemire. (more…)

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco has been invited to Queensland in an attempt to secure a top athletics competition for the state. Premier Peter Beattie, on a 12-day trade mission to Europe and the Middle East, is in Monaco to support Queensland’s bid for the 2011 World Athletics Championships. (more…)

The fight against cancer is one of the strong axes of the medical project of the Hospital complex Princess Grace (CHPG) of Monaco. That is why it was decided to reinforce the offer of the hospital by proposing from now on a specific axis of treatment of the centre by the carcinological surgery mammary and the plastic surgery aesthetic reconstructive.

 

2006, the Foundation commemorated its founder Prince Albert 1st, pioneer of French oceanography, instigator and scientific Maecenas, whose ideas of diffusion and popularization are always of topicality. Press conference, exposure and works, marked this birthday.