Lower Thirds: 

0:03 	Report by Markus Böhnisch
0:26	Alfredo Valencia, Commuter
1:01	Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar
1:44 	John Isola, Retailer
2:13 	Nigel Birrel, Businessman
2:33	Juan Franco,  La Línea Mayor
3:11	Miguel Ángel Lozano Paniagua, Developer

((info: For centuries, Spain and British exclave Gibraltar shared a strictly controlled border with customs checks on both sides and regular wait times of several hours. During the Franco dictatorship, the crossing was closed for 13 years. As of Wednesday, the border is open - similar to borders between other European Union countries, even though Gibraltar is not actually part of the bloc. A special agreement makes this possible, but it comes at a price.))

Script: 

Gibraltar and Spain share a turbulent history. After a period of significant tension, the British Overseas Territory is now moving closer to Spain. July 15th is set to go down in history. Alfredo Valencia is one of approximately 15,000 Spanish commuters entering Gibraltar daily. The 56-year-old crosses here every morning; for him, the opening marks a special moment.

+++00:26-00:44 SOT Alfredo Valencia, Commuter+++
“It’s mental relief. It used to take half an hour, 45 minutes, or even up to three or four hours just to get out. That was such a waste of time, and it was a source of despair. We’re coming home from work; we want to eat, we need to relax.”

Alfredo Valencia put up with this for years because he earns more in Gibraltar than on the Spanish side. In any case, the Rock is booming - every square meter is being developed, and the Chief Minister intends for this trend to continue.

+++01:01-01:18 SOT Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar+++
“This will bring certainty to businesses, to people, and to the world - assurance that one can travel back and forth between Gibraltar, Spain, and the rest of the Schengen area without having to worry about bureaucratic procedures that previously stood in the way and held people up.”

+++GRAFIK REIN+++

Gibraltar, with its 37,000 inhabitants, is located at the southernmost tip of Spain, next to the town of La Línea de la Concepción and just 15 kilometers from the coast of Africa.

+++GRAFIK RAUS+++

More than 6 million tourists visit Gibraltar annually - many for the cheap alcohol. However, one condition the EU and Great Britain agreed upon to open the border will be higher taxes.

+++01:44-02:02 SOT John Isola, Spirits retailer+++
“It's a significant increase, and I believe that any trader or retailer in Gibraltar will face challenges, as their competitiveness will be hampered by the higher taxes.”

But Gibraltar is also known for its service providers, such as online betting companies. Opening the border could facilitate their expansion plans.

+++02:13-02:24 SOT Nigel Birrel, CEO Lottoland+++
“Obviously, office space and housing, and everything else in Gibraltar are in rather short supply. A wider range of options would be good for both, companies and people.”

Many in the Spanish border region are optimistic: more jobs, more tax revenue. And more than just this new shopping center near the border.

+++02:33-02:54 SOT Juan Franco, Mayor of La Línea+++
“I truly believe we have a historic opportunity here. There are companies based in Gibraltar that would like to establish a presence in the European Union - and La Línea is part of the European Union.”

The relatively poor border town has plenty of space for newcomers. What's still missing is the political will in Madrid. The housing market has been feeling the effects of the border opening for months. Prices are up 20 percent. Local real estate developers can't keep up with demand and are sounding the alarm.

+++03:11-03:31 SOT Miguel Ángel Lozano Paniagua, Real estate developer+++
“My customers come from my local area. That is my target demographic, and given current prices, it's difficult for them to afford an apartment. It's all because of the opening of the border and the investments made over the past few months.”

Long lines at the border are a thing of the past. However, new challenges await the area.

3:41