Guernsey 2,453 employing businesses. 19.6% work in the finance industry and median earnings were £31,215. Public services, such as water, wastewater, the two main harbours and the airport are still owned and controlled by the States of Guernsey. The electricity, and postal services have been commercialised by the States and are now operated by companies wholly owned by the States of Guernsey. Gas is supplied by an independent private company. In 1998, Guernsey and Jersey jointly formed the Channel Islands Electricity Grid to operate and manage the submarine cables between Europe and the Channel Islands. The installation of these cables provided
Maritime history of the Channel Islands promise they would be fed and clothed. Jean Martell from Jersey established in 1715 the Cognac manufacturer Martell and established trading links with Guernsey. The Islands had an involvement in the slavery trade. Guernsey has identified 11 sailings, mainly from the Gambia, between 1741 and 1761, with 2,118 slaves taken and 1,800 delivered. The wine trade was very important, in 1771 Guernsey merchant, Le Marchant recorded 8,000 tons of claret shipped from Bordeaux to Ireland, noting it was usual to mix with ¼ of Spanish wines to make it suitable for the Irish market. By controlling the brandy trade from