Local newspaper Monaco Matin interviews Michel Roger about his first budget as Minister of State.

As members of the Conseil National decide whether to vote for or against the 2011 provisional budget, Michel Roger spoke to the press about the Government's agenda for next year.

Explaining the reasons behind the optimistic budget, Roger said it was more a question of confidence. After seeing revenue growth in the past 6 months, the Government is emphasizing a dynamic, positive vision, which it wants to share with the Conseil National and so engender confidence for the year ahead. Although the budget debates have been sometimes heated and passionate, Roger says he was struck by the common desire to find a consensus.

Speaking of 2011, the Minister of State confirmed that the new hospital project was a priority. As for forthcoming legislation, the two important white papers deal with property transactions, and new types of company. Roger also explained that the Government's one-stop-shop service for entrepreneurs had been set up, with offices and employees organized. It opens for business in the New Year, along with planned improvements to shorten registration procedures. Two other new institutions will be launched in 2011, the Institut Monegasque de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques (statistical institute), and the Conseil Strategique pour l'Attractivite (strategic council for attractiveness).

The Minister of State wouldn't be drawn on the question of which Government counselors might leave their posts in January, explaining that this was the Prince's concern.

Michel Roger : "asserting a positive vision"