Home › Travel Guides › Europe Travel Guide › United Kingdom › Channel Islands › Jersey › Doing business & staying in touch

Doing business & staying in touch

Businesspeople are generally expected to dress smartly (suits are usual apart from Fridays when office workers generally 'dress down'). Appointments should be made and the exchange of business cards is customary. A knowledge of English is essential.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900/0930-1700/1730.

Economy: 

Although agriculture is still important as a source of employment and prestige (Jersey cows are renowned throughout the world) offshore banking and tourism are the mainstays of the economy: the former because of the island's exemption from the UK tax system and the latter through continental influence and a benign climate.

In 2005, finance and banking accounted for half of the GDP and were largely responsible for Jersey's 2006 unemployment rate of just 2.2%. New and highly regulated legislation designed to tighten up some of the less salubrious aspects of Jersey's financial environment should serve to strengthen its reputation in an era when offshore finance is coming under growing political pressure through its implication in money-laundering. In the last few years, Jersey has signed up to several international initiatives designed to tackle the problem while improving financial transparency.
Jersey plays host each year to a large number of conferences and has a variety of venues; the main period is from October to May.

GDP: 

US$5.1 billion (2005).

Main exports: 

Food, textiles, light industrial and electrical goods.

Main imports: 

Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, mineral fuels and chemicals.

Main trading partners: 

UK.

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Many 'Pay As You Go' phones will not work in Jersey.

Internet: 

There are a number of Internet cafés, particularly in St Helier. Internet service is also available at some libraries.

Post: 

There is a standard one-price rate to the UK, which is, in general, as good as a first-class UK service, although the prices are lower than UK first class. There is also one rate for internal mail. UK stamps are not valid in Jersey. The main post office is in Broad Street, St Helier.

Post office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1730, Sat 0900-1230.

Media: 

British media are free and able to report on all subjects. The variety of publications reflects the full spectrum of political opinion. Newspapers published in Jersey are the Jersey Evening Post and the Jersey Weekly Post. Jersey has two local TV stations, Channel TV and Spotlight Channel Islands. Cable and satellite channels are available.

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Africa, the way it should be seen
We´re cutting the cost of Africa overland trips by up to a whopping 40%. 25% off many trips departing by 30/6/12.
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.