In 2018, Fréderic Genta was appointed to the post of Secretary of Digital Transformation by HSH Prince Albert II. In 2023, he expanded his portfolio and became the Secretary of Attractiveness, Economic Development and Digital Transformation.

NEWS.MC asked him to what extent these responsibilities are linked.

The two subjects are closely connected. In a post-covid world that is rapidly evolving and highly competitive, Monaco has swiftly adapted. Our country has always had significant advantages, including a stable regime, sound public finances, globally recognised security, an appreciable quality of life, and firmly-rooted European values.

This includes the excellence of the education system and the quality of healthcare services. However, in the face of competition from city-states like Dubai or Singapore, Monaco had to place attractiveness at the core of its economic development strategy to better attract, welcome, and integrate residents, investors, employees, and tourists.

Furthermore, digitalisation is a fundamental pillar of this modernisation strategy. The Extended Monaco programme, launched by HSH Prince Albert II in April 2019 and under my leadership since then, has turned the digital transformation of Monaco into a reality.

Innovation and digital technologies have made significant strides, making Monaco a pioneer in today’s resolutely digital world. We now have essential digital infrastructures, among the most advanced globally, at a time when many European countries still lack Sovereign Cloud, digital identity, or a single portal for digitised administrative services. An attractive Monaco on all fronts is one that attracts talents from around the world.

To date, what have been the achievements of your Office?

Together, we have accomplished significant milestones for the modernisation and attractiveness of the country. This collaborative effort involved my Delegation working with all Departments of the Prince’s Government, institutions, concessions, organisations, federations, and private partners.

in the first four years, we focused on establishing essential infrastructure for the Principality, introducing 5G, Fibre, sovereign digital identity, and sovereign cloud, ahead of many European counterparts. These infrastructures offer new prospects for our businesses and an unprecedented scope for talents worldwide.

In response to the challenges posed by the health crisis, we provided concrete solutions to our businesses through digital tools and financial support (via the Blue Fund) to enhance their competitiveness and attractiveness. We also implemented practical solutions for the daily lives of Monaco’s residents, such as advances in education, healthcare, soft mobility options, and streamlined digital processes.

At the heart of this transformation are the key players in various sectors: teachers, students, healthcare professionals, government officials, workers, and the men, women, and children of Monaco. We have collaborated with them in all aspects of daily life.

Our mission can be summarised as simplifying their lives by offering easily accessible and effective services, with digital technology proving to be a valuable asset in meeting this challenge. Below are some examples:

  • The integration of digital dimensions in educational practices: We have worked on developing new ways of teaching and learning in Monaco by incorporating digital elements into our pedagogical approaches.
  • A health portal, called Monaco Santé, designed to streamline and facilitate the relationship between healthcare professionals, establishments, and patients, covering everything from appointment scheduling to tele consultation and diagnosis.
  • Soft mobility solutions, providing easily accessible options for sustainable and pleasant transportation, contributing to making Monaco an even more enjoyable city to live in.
  • Daily dematerialised processes, simplifying routine tasks with digital solutions that are easier, faster, and available without time constraints. Our digital service counter, MonGuichet.mc, serves as a unified access point to all online services offered by the Administration, currently featuring nearly 140 online procedures. It will continue to evolve in the coming years to enhance the relationship with the public service.

Regarding attractiveness, the Attractiveness Unit aims at maintaining or enhancing the image, reputation, quality of life, and economic health of our country. Over the last 18 months, we have strengthened our team, aligned public and private teams, and conducted various initiatives resulting in tangible outcomes: missions abroad in partnerships with SBM, AMAF, MPL and the Monaco Economic Board, in Brussels, London, Stockholm and Davos, as well as promotional activities during events like the F1 Grand Prix, the Monaco Yacht Show, and the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, all of which have contributed to showcasing Monaco to potential investors and entrepreneurs.

In the coming months, we plan to launch a showcase website highlighting Monaco’s strengths and guiding candidates in their relocation to the Principality.

Has there been institutional resistance to digital transition within the Administration?

User-centricity is a priority in our policies and the evolution of public services. We strive to place users at the centre of our Administration’s transformation, focusing on the excellence of service to significantly contribute to our attractiveness.

We emphasise that the transition to digital is not imposed forcefully on either users or state officials. All state services are trained by our dedicated teams, fostering a gradual and well-supported transition. We acknowledge the indispensability of human contact, viewing digitalisation as an opportunity rather than a threat.