Since the new 350 international dialing code came into effect in mid-February this year the Chamber has been contacted by a number of members who report that overseas companies have been having trouble phoning Gibraltar from abroad. We do not know the extent of the problem and the Chamber has been in contact with Gibtelecom to try and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Gibtelecom has conducted an extensive communications campaign informing all major service providers that the code has changed. A quick Google search using the criteria “international dialing codes” reveals that the top ten sites listed all have the new 350 code as the Gibraltar dialing code.

The problem seems to be among the smaller 2nd, 3rd and 4th tier service providers who are much harder to reach. These providers may be unaware of the changes to the dialing code and are still routing calls through Spain on the old + 34 9567 dialing code.

The advice we have received from Gibtelecom is as follows:

1. All members should remind their overseas contacts (if they have not done so already) that the code has changed and that any telephone equipment such as phones, faxes and mobile handsets which have the old numbers stored in their memory on a speed dial number need to be reset with the 350 number.

2. If overseas contacts are still having problems getting through to Gibraltar then they should contact the telephone service provider in their own country directly. It could well be that their local provider is unaware of the code change and is still trying to route calls via Spain on the old code.

The Chamber would ask any member whose overseas contacts have experienced difficulties getting through to Gibraltar to call or email the Chamber on info@gibraltarchamberofcommerce.com or 78376 and give details of the country and city from which the call originates and also the name of their local telecoms provider (i.e. the company that sends them their phone bill).

It will take some time for all overseas phone providers to use the new 350 code. If each member could help by reporting connection problems to the Chamber then hopefully we can get things fixed as soon as possible.

Contact the Chamber 78376 for more details.

Free accommodation for Chamber members on Malaysian trade mission

The Chamber has received details of a promotion being run by MATRADE, the London office of the Malaysian Government’s export promotion agency. It invites Chamber members to meet suppliers of Malaysian goods and services in Kuala Lumpur later this year.

An international trade exhibition is being held in the Malaysian capital from 11-15 November where MATRADE will facilitate one-to-one business meetings as part of the INTRADE MALAYSIA TRADE FAIR.

INTRADE MALAYSIA 2007 will be an effective venue for Gibraltar importers, distributors and retailers to source a wide range of high quality Malaysian products and services.

Gibraltar companies attending the business meetings in Kuala Lumpur will be entitled to free accommodation (up to a maximum of 5 days and 4 nights stay - from November 11 -15, 2007) and airport transfers. The costs of accommodation and transfers will be covered by MATRADE’s London office. Companies will need to arrive in Kuala Lumpur by November 11, 2007.

Members who are interested in attending this event should contact the Gibraltar Chamber for further details.

Contact the Chamber 78376 for more details.

The beginning of May saw the launch of the new Chamber of Commerce web site. With a more dynamic clean “look and feel” the site hosts a new on line poll, as well as extensive information about Gibraltar.

The new site, which was developed by The Chamber in conjunction with Copywrite E-Commerce has a fully search able database of members and a news section. The site will provide the local membership, as well as potential new arrivals, with an excellent information portal.

www.gibraltarchamberofcommerce.com

Since last summer a company called Costa Networking has been publishing an English language quarterly magazine in Spain called B2BEspana. A number of copies of the magazine are also circulated in Gibraltar.

The Chamber informed the publishers last year that B2B is the name of the quarterly magazine published by the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce and that the Chamber has been publishing the magazine for the last seven years. Costa Networking’s response was that the choice of title name was entirely coincidental.

The Chamber would like to ensure that members do not confuse the two publications. Please also note that Costa Networking is not a member of the Chamber, nor is it registered in Gibraltar and its publication has no connection with the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce.

The Government has revamped the Vocational Training Scheme to make the scheme more attractive to employers and employees alike.

In November last year the Department of Education and Training revamped its Vocational Training Scheme. Many local employers have tapped into this scheme in the past as it offered them a low cost way to find and train potential employees. Some of the drawbacks of the old scheme have been done away with and the increased monthly allowance makes it more attractive for recruits as well. This has been enabled by assistance from the EU Social Funds, which helps to cover the cost of the monthly allowance payable to the trainee.

For those not intending to go on to further education the scheme offers both employers and those new to the world of work a way to engage each other in a low-risk but worthwhile manner.

Employers do not pay an allowance but need to commit to providing a structured programme for trainees for the duration of the placement. Employers do not pay tax or social insurance for the trainees either as the trainee is effectively participating in an educational project sponsored by the Government. Employers would need to keep a record of the trainee’s attendance. The Training Unit also allocates a programme monitor to liaise with companies taking part in the scheme and to ensure that the trainee is acquiring a number of useful skills.

There are very few restrictions on the type of companies that qualify for the scheme. However it is hoped that many smaller companies will look at utilising the new scheme to find and train new staff. Typical placements in the past have included general office and clerical work, messenger and administrative duties, hotel and catering, tourism, manual labour and retail sales.

The scheme is open to people aged between 16-25 years and employers should complete the application form (From VTS Company App) before engaging a new trainee. Placements last for up to a year and there is no obligation for the employer to offer a trainee a permanent position at the end of the placement.

The trainee gets to work in a real world work environment not only gaining valuable experience, but also getting paid a decent monthly allowance with the possibility of securing a post at the end of the trainee period.

Benefits for the employer:
• Long term placement gives time for trainee to learn a series of skills
• No cost to the employer during the placement: no income tax or social insurance contributions payable
• Low risk way of assessing ability of potential new recruits

Benefits for the employee:
• Structured training scheme in a real-work environment