THE ISLAND OF JERSEY FOR INTERNATIONAL E-BUSINESS

The Internet dream for business was that companies could base themselves wherever in the world was most beneficial for them - with regard to staffing, resource management, potential investment and taxes. Reliable communication links, both electronic and 'real world', would mean that potential customers could also come from anywhere on the planet and the two would always find each other. Because of this, many e-businesses are discovering what other companies have known for years - if you have the opportunity, offshore is the place to be.

Regarded as one of the world's best regulated international financial centres for over 40 years, Jersey is an island 9 miles by 5 in the English Channel between the UK and France. After building an economy through the centuries on world renowned farming, tourism and finance industries, Jersey, is now turning her experience and her highly-skilled infrastructure to add e-business to her list of international successes.

With English as a first language and a GMT time zone, Jersey has all the advantages of home for UK businesses. The Island has its own parliament, legislature and sets its own taxes, which are historically low, through an independent economic structure. Add to this the extra advantages of a jurisdiction that is not part of Britain or the EU and not subject to European or UK Government Directives, all enshrined in Royal Charter.

Jersey's history has meant that her population is very skilled. Of around 88,000 people, there are over 10,000 highly-trained professionals in essential fields such as the law, accountancy, all aspects of finance business, telecoms, IT and marketing. This provides an outstanding infrastructure for all types of business, which is further supported by longstanding political, economic and fiscally stability and a political and community will to encourage e-business to the Island.

Jersey's e-business initiative is embodied in the Jersey Information Society Commission (JISC). Founded by Jersey's government, JISC's remit is to advise on the implementation, regulation and promotion of e-business. Its main tasks include bringing in e-business from abroad; improving e-business services such as introducing a competitive telecoms environment and opening up the process of government through the web. JISC has also championed a 'Lifelong Learning' programme for Islanders of all ages to increase their IT and e-business skills to the level they wish, and also within local business to assist them make the best use of technology to grow their own businesses.

With a mature skilled infrastructure and the advantages of offshore finance, Jersey is an ideal base for e-businesses both large and small.

The Jersey Information Society Commission has a reference portal dedicated to the process of setting up an e-business in the Island - www.e-team.je with full backup from a team of trained advisers available to answer more specific questions. More information on the JISC itself can be found at www.jerseyisc.org.