Manx Telecom has supplied smartphone SIM packs to delegates visiting the Island to take part in the Small Countries Financial Management Programme. The programme is organised by the Small Countries Financial Management Centre (SCFMC) which is a charity established in 2009 to promote the growth and prosperity of small developing countries. The SCFMC achieves this by organising education programmes conducted by practitioners and academics to improve skills, develop a deeper understanding and best practice around financial regulation, risk management, and broader management of government financial activities. Tim Cullen, Small Countries Financial Management Programme Executive Director, said:

“The participants in the Small Countries Financial Management Programme, who this year will come from 22 different countries, are used to relying heavily on their mobile phones when they are back home. In the early days of running the programme in the Isle of Man we found that they were frustrated that they couldn't call each other while they were here. The gift of SIM cards from Manx Telecom addresses this problem very effectively. From our point of view, managing the programme, there are two benefits. We have a happier group of visitors and we also have a means of contacting them via mobile. We are very grateful for this support from such a key member of the Island's business community.”

The 12-day programme, which runs from July 14 to July 26, is provided by the Small Countries Financial Management Centre and designed by faculty from Oxford University's Said Business School with extensive input from several regulatory and standard setting bodies. The first week of the programme will be held in the Isle of Man with the second week taking place in Oxford.