Earlier this year, Senator John Le Fondré handed over responsibility for the finance industry to External Relations Minister Ian Gorst, who was responsible for it during his tenure as Chief Minister of the previous government.
And now Senator Le Fondré has signed a ministerial decision passing authority for the digital sector – a target area of growth – to Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham.
The report accompanying the decision says: ‘Since the formation of the new government in 2018, a number of changes have been announced to ministerial responsibilities to support the Council of Ministers in delivering on its priorities.
‘These changes have included the transfer of political responsibility for digital economy, communications, data protection, and related policy responsibilities including our Island’s cyber security policy, to the Economic Development Minister.
‘This was done to support a focus on economic growth – recognising the increasing importance of digital technology, including safeguarding the public and organisations in relation to data, and with reference to cyber security.
‘This is a crucial part of the overall delivery of a programme of economic improvements for the future, supporting long-term economic sustainability and resilience and sitting alongside the internal/organisational digital focus of Assistant Chief Minister [Scott] Wickenden.’
Senator Farnham recently said that he believed development of digital technology in Jersey, in particular artificial intelligence, could help control population growth because it would boost the Island’s economy without the need to bring more workers to the Island.
