Issue 26 – December 2016
06
cover story
the importance of corporate
events
Jonathan Pace tells us just why
TIPICO events are significant, relevant
to the company and employees
14
16
22
INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
Accomplishing the Entrepreneurial Drive
Interview with Nikolai Livori, CEO of Yobetit
christmas narrative Papa Panov’s Special Christmas
A wonderful Christmas tale by Leo Tolstoy
mANAGEMENT Why I love Entrepreneurship
An inspiring story about entrepreneurship by Sir Richard Branson
Newspaper Post
Malta Business Review
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Malta Business Review
lta Financial Services Authority.
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Malta Business Review
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14
PuBLisher
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ContriButors
Jane Addams; Viktor Almquist, Press Officer,
LIBE Press release, Justice and home affairs, EP;
Richard Branson; George Carol; Laura Daly;
Jonathan Pace; Giulia Paravicini; Martin Vella;
James Vella Clark; Leo Tolstoy
sPeCiaL thanks
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26
COVER STORY
6 The Importance of Corporate Events
Jonathan Pace tells us just why TIPICO events are significant, relevant to the
company and employees
PERSPECTIVES
10 Italy Referendum Latest…
From demolition man to demolished- Renzi’s plebiscite gambleECIAL
INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
14 Accomplishing the Entrepreneurial Drive
MBR Editor goes head-to-head with Nikolai Livori, CEO of Yobetit
CHRISTMAS NARRATIVE
18 Good to Great
Exceptional Interview with Nikolay Dobrovolskiy, the vice-president of Parallels
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
22 Why I love Entrepreneurship
An inspiring story about entrepreneurship by Sir Richard Branson
OUR GOLD PARTNERS
quote of the month
The people who are crazy enough to think they
can change the world are the ones who do.
Steve Jobs
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your perfect atmosphere
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4
Malta Business Review
CONTENTS
SPECIAL FEATURE:
MALTA’S BEST IN BUSINESS AWARDS
24 Chance Favours the Prepared Mind
MBR Talks with Dr Vincent Micallef and Dr Andy Ellul, Partners
Micallef & Ellul Advocates
26 Leading Through Innovation
MBIBA Interview with Martin Vella, Managing Director, HALMANN
28 Drive and Motivation
Dean Gera Haircare Ltd pick up Malta’s Best-in-Business Small to
Medium Size Business Award
30 Integrity, Trust and Professionalism
BILOM Group get recognised and rewarded for excellence in
project delivery
34 Committed to making work-life
Balance a reality employees
Interview with Sylvana Brannon, Director, Stem Cells Malta Ltd.
36 The Power of Innovation
David Abela, Managing Director is interviewed by the Malta
Business Review
38 Then. Now. Forever GINAPULA VILLAGE
Matthew Degiorgio, Managing Director, GIANPULA VILLAGE
EDITORIAL
2016 is drawing to a fast end. And what
a year it has been! It has been one of
the most fastest transient year I have
ever experienced. The Oxford English
Dictionary may have made post-truth its
word of the year, but the events of 2016
were not a rejection of knowledge. Are
we now living in a post-truth, post-factual
society? Is 2016 set to become known
as the year when authorities, and the
evidence they wield, were sent packing?
Admittedly it looks that way. The UK’s
former justice secretary Michael Gove
attempted to play the crowd in the last
days of June’s EU referendum campaigning, with the retort that “people in this
country have had enough of experts.” His contention was widely challenged, as
were the misleading claims about an extra £350m (€410m; $440m) a week for
the NHS that would be saved by exiting the EU, and the wave of immigration
that would be prompted by Turkey’s fictitious EU membership plan. Then the
proponents of these statements triumphed in the referendum. And in December
2015, Donald Trump won the US fact-checking organisation Politifact’s Lie of the
Year, cited among other things for claiming “whites killed by blacks–81%” (it’s
16%); less than a year later he won the presidential election!
Cue much handwringing and demoralisation among people who advocate
for better use of evidence in public life. They fear that we have entered a
world where everyone has their own reality, the truth has little purchase, and
demagogues and soundbite writers rule. But horrifying as it may be to witness
the appeal of people who trade in prejudices and make things up, to see lies and
misinformation exposed but still seemingly embraced, it is wrong to conclude
that the public doesn’t care for truth. We should not rush to this diagnosis for
three reasons.
In the first place, the place of expertise and evidence in recent events was
limited— too small a part of the picture to conclude that people have rejected
them. Many people in public life have learnt this year what clinicians have long
appreciated: that facts can be close to useless if you don’t engage with context
and lived experiences, whether to challenge them or to appreciate them, or
both.
Which brings me to the second reason why evidence advocates should not be
packing their bags. In so far as experts and evidence have played a role in these
debates, it has looked like an alternative to engaging with people. It seemed in
Malta, for example, that pro-debate politicians on the Panama Papers, fearing
they couldn’t manage a sensible discussion about the realities of institutionalised
corruption and the best ways to handle it, instead produced expert statements
about many other issues, other than the issue itself! Certainly, we need public
discussion to account for the facts, for evidence, even for expert opinion when
it’s not over-reaching, and we should insist on it.
28
34
So here is the third and vital reason. Evidence, expertise, truthfulness, facts,
knowledge… these are public goods. We should not forget that other events
this year have been defined by the public’s quest for truth and a cry for more
transparency and justice. Evidence and expertise have too often looked like
counsel to the knowing, rather than what we could be making them: the means
by which the less powerful can call the world to account.
So as the year dithers to its end, I wish all our readers, advertisers, supporters
and partners all the best which Christmas may bring with it, peace, fraternity,
solidarity and a better, prosperous 2017.
Enjoy the read.
36
38
Martin Vella
Malta Business Review’s editorial opinions are decided by its Editor,
and besides reflecting the Editor’s opinion, are written to represent a
fair and impartial representation of facts, events and provide a correct
analysis of local and international news.
Agents for:
www.maltabusinessreview.net
5
Malta Business Review
COVER STORY OF THE MONTH
The Importance
of Corporate
Events
by Jonathan Pace
Tipico is known to be a pioneer
within the online gaming industry
and is now well renowned for
investing in employees throughout
the year. The company invests in training
and development, benefits, good salaries
and more. However, the company invests
also on corporate events to align the
team behind Tipico & Partners with one
mission and vision, together with fun and
corporate social responsibility events in
December.
Tipico invests time and money to produce
an annual Tipico and Partners Conference,
where colleagues from foreign offices are
also invited to Malta. The objectives behind
the conference are quite a few. Sharpening
the saw (your skills) is always of utmost
importance, coming out with new ideas
and approaches, creating effectiveness
and efficiency at work. Uniting the team
from foreign offices is a sought after
approach for this event. Furthermore, new
tips and tactics are given to employees,
strengthening decision making situations
at work. The conference is also there to
show the progression achieved over the
previous year and to present the plans
for the upcoming year, which continues
to show consistency levels for improved
progression.
Tipico and Partners left the conference
with a fruitful day and was followed
by the Christmas Party in a brand new
venue having Mdina, the old capital
city, as a background setting. The venue
was carefully decorated to detail inside
and out, creating a sense of belonging
to Tipico for everyone. With a twist
approach compared to the day event,
everyone is engaged in a fun way through
entertainment, projections, band, DJs, a
Volkswagen Beetle as a photo booth in the
middle of the dance floor and much more.
This was complemented with mouthwatering
food stations, sweets sections
and fine beverages all night.
The marathon didn’t stop there; it was
then time to give away some of everyone’s
time to community work and collect funds
through corporate social responsibility
events. Over ten CSR events were chosen,
varying from sports related activities,
maintenance works in various places, tree
planting, helping elderly people for the
day among others.
The trip for the employees from foreign
offices and the series of activities for
all ended with two activities; Poker
tournament and Tipico Song Contest.
Following a delicious dinner in a 5 star
6
COVER STORY OF THE MONTH
Malta Business Review
From top left to right corporate events:
Christmas Party 2016, CSR – ZAK Maintenance, CSR – Bingo, CSR - Football, CSR - Cat Sanctuary, CSR – Tree Planting
venue, everyone was led to their respective
chosen activity. Poker tournament, having
over 200 players, lasted overnight with
attractive prizes for those who lasted,
while the Tipico Song Contest brought out
the natural talent of a few who tend to
keep their voices closed in silence the rest
of the year!
Events are highly important for Tipico as
they are a key factor in improving employee
moral, a critical piece of the marketing
strategy, reaffirm values and transform
employees into agents of its brand. The
team strives to continue improving on
such events, making them more engaging,
worth while, relevant to the company and
employees, together with leaving a nice
brightful memory chipped to everyone’s
mind.
Tipico would like to wish everyone a
wonderful Christmas and a Happy New
Year!
MBR
www.maltabusinessreview.net
7
Malta Business Review
debate
The Cost of Division
by Jane Addams
Erodes Trust
Builds Barriers
Decreases Collaboration
Limits Growth
Keeps People Up at Night
Retaliation and revenge are powerful
motivators. We want to right the
real or perceived wrong. Swiss
researchers discovered that the mere
act of contemplating revenge triggered
the portion of our brain that processes
rewards. No wonder there’s the concept
that revenge is sweet. However, giving
in to the negative feelings doesn’t end
the matter. Behavioral scientists have
found that indulging the desire to get
even creates a cycle of retaliation that
perpetuates the downward spiral of
hostility and distrust. Payback doesn’t pay.
Ann Macaskill, professor at Sheffield
Hallam University, explains how we think
about revenge, “When individuals are
attacked in some way that feels unjust, they
go through three psychological stages: a
shock phase, an adjustment phase and
a reaction phase. In the reaction phase,
they will either decide to forgive, hold
a grudge but do nothing, or take or plot
revenge. Those able to forgive rather than
seek revenge are, it would seem, better
developed than most.”
So how can we as leaders be “better
developed” and do the wicked, hard work
of rising above the desire to fight back?
As much as I love the paradoxical “power
of and,” I see the work of supplanting
discord with tolerance and acceptance as
an either/or scenario: either we surrender
to intolerance, or we decide to create
environments where people feel valued.
Intolerance isn’t acceptable; maximising
and leveraging differences is. To accept
that different is merely different, not
wrong, leaders must lead themselves.
Leaders have to be self-aware enough to
making people feel valued, respected, and
part of “we” is a foundational element
Issues grow in magnitude,
year after year and decade
after decade...
Destroying Lives,
Organisations, Communities
& Nations
for building tolerance and acceptance
and for rejecting divisiveness. There’s an
extraordinary snowball effect at play—
people who feel respected are more
likely to show respect, be tolerant, be
willing to participate, and be less willing
to punish or disparage others. Tolerance
is not the absence of prejudice but
rather emphasizes forbearance and not
begrudging other people their own ways.
~Maykel Verkuyten, professor Utrecht
University.
Behavioural scientists point to the
existence of four conditions required for
people to feel that they are treated fairly.
Firstly, People must have the opportunity
for real and meaningful participation.
They want a voice and want to know that
their voice matters. Secondly, believe
the decision making process is fair, open,
and interactive. Stanford professor John
Ousterhout notes, “If a collection of smart
people all look at the same problem with
the same information, and if they have
the same goals, then they are likely to
reach the same conclusion. A decision
with strong consensus is more valuable
than one without consensus: it is more
likely to be right, and it is more likely to
get implemented effectively because
everyone believes in it.” Thirdly, have
no doubt that they will be treated with
dignity, and fourth accept that those in
authority are trustworthy. All we have to
do is appreciate the validity of differing
points of view.
“Peace does not mean an absence of
conflicts; differences will always be there.
Peace means solving these differences
through peaceful means; through
dialogue, education, knowledge; and
through humane ways.” ~Dalai Lama XIV
When leaders are self-aware and do these
four things, we are enabling ourselves—
and others—to transcend finger pointing
and friction, move past the limitations
of who is right and who’s wrong, and to
focus on the greater good. The good we
secure for ourselves is precarious and
uncertain until it is secured for all of us and
incorporated into our common life. MBR
Sources: LinkedIn; Wikipedia
EDITOR’S
Note
Jane Addams (September
6, 1860 – May 21, 1935)
was a pioneer American
settlement activist/
reformer, social worker, public philosopher,
sociologist, author, and leader in women’s
suffrage and world peace. She co-founded,
with Ellen Gates Starr, the first settlement
house in the United States, Chicago’s Hull
House. In an era when presidents such as
Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson
identified themselves as reformers and
social activists, Addams was one of the most
prominent reformers of the Progressive Era.
She helped America to address and focus on
issues that were of concern to mothers, such as
the needs of children, local public health, and
world peace.
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Malta Business Review
PERSPECTIVE
ITALY REFERENDUM LATEST …
From demolition man to demolished, by Giulia Paravicini
Matteo Renzi announces his resignation during a press conference
| Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images[Frontex]
Resigning as PM is not enough for some
members of his party.
ROME — After Matteo Renzi announced
his resignation as prime minister of Italy,
following voters’ rejection of his proposed
constitutional changes, many — even
within his own ranks — now wonder if he’s
still fit to lead the center Left.
By calling the referendum, Renzi hoped to
consolidate power and heal a split that’s
bedeviled the Democratic Party (PD) since
its inception in 2007. Instead, he has
further fractured the party, which isn’t
even able to agree on whether he should
keep the reins or resign as chairman.
The outcome of Sunday’s vote, widely seen
as a referendum on Renzi’s government,
suggests that the prime minister and
his party have lost voters to the antiestablishment
5Star Movement as well as
minor parties on both the Right and Left.
Renzi’s opponents won 60 percent of the
vote and 17 out of Italy’s 20 regions. High
voter turnout of more than 68.5 percent
made it an even more conclusive defeat
for the former mayor of Florence.
The Democratic Party of Renzi
Renzi may be paying the price for an original
sin: hijacking the PD as an outsider. Several
party elders, who openly campaigned
against Renzi, are now demanding his
resignation as head of the PD, accusing
him of having fomented divisions.
“First of all Renzi needs to resign as party
secretary and allow the PD to choose
its new leadership,” Luigi Manconi, a
PD senator, told POLITICO. “Then the
Democratic Party will have to rethink
its position and its political and cultural
identity. Because of him, we lost teachers,
blue-collar workers and trade unions
along the way.”
Several critics within the party say Renzi
surrendered core PD values, such as
social justice and defending workingclass
interests, to pursue his own political
agenda. They even have a term for it:
“PDR, the Democratic Party of Renzi.”
“He transformed a referendum into a
plebiscite, and tragically damaged the
party in so doing,” said Paolo Corsini, a PD
member. “But the truth is he lost, not the
party. And so he has to go.”
MEANWHILE…
Italian President Sergio Mattarella on
Monday asked Matteo Renzi to delay
his resignation as prime minister until
the country’s 2017 budget has been
adopted.
ITALY REFERENDUM REACTIONS …
European Greens: “Not a vote against
Europe but against Renzi.”
Marine Le Pen said the result was a
rejection of the “absurd politics of
ultra-austerity.” (Renzi argues against
austerity, in fact).
Eurogroup: No sympathy from finance
ministers, who insisted that Italy
isn’t doing enough to meet its deficit
reduction commitments.
Markets: Italy’s ailing Monte dei Paschi
bank is staring down the barrel of a €5
billion “precautionary” recapitalization,
for which it currently lacks an anchor
investor, reports POLITICO’s Morning
Exchange. The bottom line: the bank is
still at risk of failing.
EUROPE’S BLURRED LINES BETWEEN
POPULISM AND MAINSTREAM:
Normally it’s populists who want
radical change and cast themselves as
outsiders. But in Austria, the populist,
far-right Freedom Party has been at
the center of political debate for 60
years. Matthew Karnitschnig on the
increasingly upside-down world of
European politics.
This is a hammer blow to the euro
and the pro-EU establishment
Responding to Italian referendum result
and resignation of Mr Renzi, UKIP MEP
UKIP MEP Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage said:
“This is a hammer blow to the euro and
the pro-EU establishment who have
given the Italian people more poverty,
unemployment and less security
because of mass immigration.
The EU is lurching from one crisis to
another.
Quick elections look necessary so
that the Italian people would have
the opportunity to get rid of their
pro-EU establishment.” MBR
Creditline: POLITICO SPRL; EU/EP; UKIP
10
Corporate Interview
Malta Business Review
Leading by Example
The Malta Business Review interviews Colin Gregory, Managing Director at Equiom Malta Limited
By Martin Vella
MBR: How do you think Equiom fits in
with Malta’s economic model?
CG: I think Equiom and Malta really
complement each other. Working in an
agile economy has enabled Equiom Malta
to expand beyond trusts, foundations and
corporate services and introduce soughtafter
specialist services including property,
eBusiness, family office, Maltese yacht
leasing, Tax and VAT as well as residency,
immigration and citizenship advisory
services. Malta is an ideal location for
Equiom and has been since we opened
our office in 2012. I’m proud to bring over
20 years’ financial services experience to
the table, enabling me to steer Equiom
Malta forward and drive the growth of
the business.
Our culture is focused on
building long - standing
trusting relationships with
our clients
MBR: Malta has gone from something that
was typically offshore in its nature, where
there was a lot of work done with nonresidents,
to a very modern and vibrant
international finance centre within the
EU. Where do you see further growth in
Malta’s economy and opportunities for
Equiom?
CG: We are constantly identifying areas
of growth for our Malta office and it
certainly helps to operate in such a proenterprise
environment with a progressive
government and approachable regulator
that recognises and supports growing
industries. With Brexit on the horizon,
we anticipate that there will be increased
interest from certain territories that will be
exiting the EU and looking to move some
of their structures to an EU jurisdiction –
and Malta is very well placed to take this
business on.
From an Equiom perspective, we are keen
to further grow the funds and pension areas
of the business. As we expand globally and
add new service lines as a result of our
acquisitive strategy, we are able to introduce
new services and expertise across all our
offices, and this directly benefits clients of
the Malta office.
MBR: What does leadership look like
today in the trust and financial services,
where trust (faith) has been so badly
damaged?
CG: Equiom has spent a long time
establishing a reputable position within the
industry. As a business, we have decades of
experience and when you combine a leading
reputation with hard working people, trust
amongst your peers comes naturally. Our
culture is focused on building long-standing
trusting relationships with our clients - this
has always been our approach to business
and it ensures we stand head and shoulders
above our competitors.
MBR: What is Equiom’s growth strategy?
CG: Equiom has a twin track approach
incorporating growth through acquisition
and solid year-on-year organic growth.
We’ve worked hard to establish a leading
reputation and this is a driving force behind
our organic growth. Acquisitive growth has
seen Equiom expand substantially recently
and we now have a presence in nine
jurisdictions – the British Virgin Islands,
Guernsey, Hong Kong, the Isle of Man,
Jersey, Malta, the State of Qatar, Singapore
and the United Arab Emirates.
Across all these locations, we have people
on the ground with the relevant expertise.
As a business we recognise you’re only ever
as good as your people – and good people
are at the heart of Equiom.
In terms of our global growth goals, we aim
to be operating at the top level of trust and
corporate service providers within all our
jurisdictions and we plan to have an even
split across Asia, Europe, the Isle of Man
and the Channel Islands.
MBR: What’s your personal approach to
leadership?
CG: Leading by example is always the
best approach to management. Career
progression is a key focus across the
business and I personally ensure our
Malta staff are given the confidence to
reach their potential. Regular, structured
appraisals allow me to highlight areas of
personal development within the team and
this in turn helps me to create the ideal
environment for individuals to succeed in.
I am also a keen advocate of empowerment
and coaching rather than applying an
authoritarian-style of management.
Empowerment is about trusting employees
to make decisions in certain situations,
which in turn makes employees gain a
stronger sense of ownership and worth
when entrusted to make important
decisions. This results in staff feeling
more productive in their roles, and helps
them grow within the business, ultimately
benefiting our clients. MBR
All rights reserved / Copyright 2016
EDITOR’S
Note
Colin Gregory is responsible
for the overall operation
and performance of
Equiom (Malta) Limited and for ensuring that
business performance is in line with group
strategy. With a seat on the Equiom (Malta)
Limited Board, Colin has full responsibility
for the business, focusing on building and
maintaining client relationships as well as coordinating
day-to-day office management for
Equiom’s Malta office.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
11
Malta Business Review
Analysis
Mandatory checks at EU external borders:
deal done by MEPs and ministers
By Special Correspondent
All EU citizens and third country nationals entering or leaving the EU will be checked
against databases, e.g. of lost and stolen documents, under a draft law informally
agreed by MEPs and EU ministers recently.
A Frontex operation at sea. [Frontex]
Background
The draft regulation is a response to the
rise in terrorist threats in Europe, such
as the attacks in Paris, Copenhagen and
Brussels in recent years. It also aims
to combat terrorist “foreign fighters”,
many of whom are EU citizens, irregular
migration and human trafficking.
This initiative to amend the Schengen
Borders Code (SBC) was presented by
the European Commission in December
2015. The amendment will also align
member states’ existing obligations
to do systematic exit checks on third
country nationals, to ensure that they
do not present a threat to public policy
and internal security.
These checks, designed to improve
security inside the EU, would be
mandatory for everyone. A key goal for
Parliament’s negotiators was also to
make it possible to ease the new rules
at airports, should they slow the flow of
traffic there too much.
Parliament’s rapporteur Monica Macovei
(ECR, RO) said: “Terrorism is hate without
limits, and destroying human life is at
the core of hate. Every person has a
right to life and every democracy has the
right to its values. We want security in a
changing world.”
”Crises such as the terrorist threat require
a rapid and coordinated crisis response.
Securing the external borders of the EU
can stop the movement of terrorists,
weapons and substances of mass
destruction. We must do our outmost”,
she added.
The agreement still needs to be formally
endorsed by the full Parliament and
the Council.
EU-wide databases
MEPs and ministers struck a compromise
on using EU-wide databases as much
as possible when doing border checks,
in particular the Schengen Information
System, the Interpol database on stolen
or lost travel documents and other
European databases.
Nevertheless, the agreement still allows
member states to consult national
information systems and Interpol´s other
databases if they wish.
Relaxing checks at airports
The EU Commission proposal says that if
systematic checks cause too lengthy border
delays, sample checks could be introduced
at EU land and sea borders instead.
MEPs managed to include airports too, by
granting national authorities a transitional
period of up to six months to adjust
their air border infrastructure, plus, if
necessary, an additional 18 months under
exceptional circumstances. Thereafter,
the checks should be systematic.
According to the agreed text, member
states wishing to ease airport checks
would have to demonstrate that this
would not lead to risks for internal
security, public policy, international
relations or public health.
Next steps
The informal deal will be put to a
confirmation vote in the Civil Liberties
Committee on a date to be decided later.
If approved in committee, the deal will be
put to a vote by Parliament as a whole and
the Council of Ministers. All dates for these
votes will also be decided later. MBR
Creditline: Viktor Almquist, Press Officer, LIBE Press
release, Justice and home affairs, EP
12
FEATURE INTERVIEW
Malta Business Review
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Malta Business Review
INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
Accomplishing the Entrepreneurial Drive
By Martin Vella
All businesses are
built on relationships;
of course they have
to be relevant ones with
key stakeholders - providers,
employees, customers, regulatory
bodies - people of power, people
of knowledge like experts. Nikolai
Livori, CEO of Yobetit, believes that
every relationship has value. Let’s
find out why he personally
values knowledge over
power.
MBR: You are known as an
iGaming veteran, how did it all
start?
NL: My education background
is in maths and computer
science, particularly focused
on A.I. After venturing into the
iGaming world over a decade
ago, I have worked with a variety
of well known international
companies eventually leading
to positions in executive management.
Through MathEPIC, I am heavily involved
in start-ups; my own and those of others. I
am working on setting up an ecosystem to
facilitate mentoring, financing and general
early stage support.
I was an employee myself, and was given
opportunities to advance in my career. I
have the support of those that believe in my
ideas. I too believe in people; in investing in
them, their passions and their ideas. I want
to give that same opportunity to others that
show tenacity, passion and entrepreneurial
spirit. That is part of my long-term strategy.
MBR: Looking back, are you surprised
by how much sports have been a part of
your life?
NL: The real surprise is probably that I am
not a football and sports fanatic, I don’t
even have a favourite team. I approach the
sports betting industry with the mind-set
of a mathematician; focusing on numbers,
mathematical models, algorithms.
It is a misconception that iGaming and
sports are two sides of the same coin. In
content, you may be betting on sports
events, but the concept of gambling can
be applied to almost anything. Sports
feeds into my business, it fuels its engine
however I could just as easily apply the
models and proprietary technology to
other types of trading industries such as
forex or commodities
Transparency and sharing
your ideas at an early stage
really is key
I also have ties with game development
companies and we do not like to blur the
lines between pure entertainment games
and gambling. As such, I believe that the
term iGaming is misleading and should
be named iGambling. You can find more
information on my LinkedIn.
MBR: Would you discuss the importance
of communicating your vision to
the people at Yobetit early on and
having them understand the broader
opportunities?
NL: A vision cannot become reality
without the buy-in from key players and
employees. And I have come to understand
that it is not enough to have a compelling
vision, because oftentimes people have
to buy into the leader before they are
willing to buy into the vision itself. You
must engage with them, have one-on-one
conversations, and listen, to create energy
around the concept. Everyone wants to
belong, they want to contribute and fit
into the bigger picture. Transparency and
sharing your ideas at an early stage really is
key. That way, one can provide just enough
14
INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
Malta Business Review
boundaries for creativity to thrive and flow
without losing sight of the ultimate goal.
MBR: How hard is it to make a longterm
investments when there is so much
pressure for short-term results?
NL: As a Managing Director, I have the
privilege of being able to instill a solid
balance between long-term investments
and short-term results. I am also able
to better direct any efforts that are
undertaken for the ultimate success of the
company. I have seen countless examples
of the bottom line being the only KPI for
success or failure in a business. Racing
against time to produce good short-term
results while losing the overview may
jeopardise the capability for survival in the
longer term. And even more importantly,
without the right people with the right
skills in the right positions, you are not
going to be making profit for long.
MBR: It seems you like to fix and drive
growth. Do you enjoy the process as
you’re building?
NL: Being an entrepreneur is a calling, a
vocation if you will. It can be a blessing and
a curse at times, because there is a sense
of urgency in everything you do. Inactivity
will make you feel restless however it is a
process and one has to set clear goals and
pursue them tirelessly. Seeing a business
come to life, from idea generation to
incorporation, to growth stage is very
satisfying. Once you have started one
company, you will want to start more. You
crave being involved in the early stages.
You are compelled to create again and
again - and so I run and am involved in
multiple projects and businesses, and help
others to realise their entrepreneurial
vision and dreams.
As an entrepreneur, you work for yourself.
You build your businesses around your
strengths and compensate for your
weaknesses by surrounding yourself with
the right people. You chart your own
path and when you have a setback, you
regroup and reimagine. I consider an
entrepreneurial drive a personal asset;
you plan, you strategise, you solve, and
you work with alternatives - your goal is to
always find a way.
MBR: Can you tell us the significance
of market movements within sports
betting?
NL: As a bettor, understanding the
significance of market movements is
a strategy for those hoping to predict
winning outcomes. The flow of money can
be a pretty accurate way of determining an
outcome of a future event. As a business,
our automated engine monitors these
market movements and takes a position in
the market at set intervals. It allows us to
offer surebets as well as highly competitive
Last Minute Bets prices.
I find that the best way
to respond to anything
threatening your business
model or goals is to be open
to new opportunities
There are a number of bookmakers to
watch to understand the betting market
sentiment. We always look to sharp
bookmakers as they operate with high
volumes and low margins, and therefore
their prices are very close to the “fair” or
actual market price. Additionally, they are
the first to move their prices, initiating
general movement within the market.
MBR: Would you say there is a
tremendous opportunity for innovation
in iGaming both on the product side and
across the industry?
NL: Although I do believe that there is
tremendous opportunity for innovation
in iGaming, it would seem as if we have
reached a plateau in recent years. Overall,
I feel that there is a sense of complacency
on the part of industry giants, but I am
from the school of thought that we should
always embrace curiosity and question the
status quo. I do appreciate that demand is
the driver, however I feel that efforts and
progress, or lack thereof, is being driven
mainly by industry providers and operators.
If we were to be curious about what
the customers want, they may welcome
something entirely different. Many iGaming
start-ups and fairly new companies embrace
this to a larger extent. Yobetit Surebets is
for me the epitome of wanting to bring
about change and innovate. It enabled
me to bring together mathematics, data
mining and iGaming. The concept of
surebetting is nothing new but it had not
yet been applied in a bookmaking fashion.
This innovative product appeals to a niche
audience, which makes me certain there
are more niches to explore. No one size
fits all, it is a matter of having the courage
to do things a little differently.
Recently, there has been a lot of attention
on the MGA licensing regime from an EU
perspective. It presents both threats and
opportunities, but as an entrepreneur you
need the determination to find alternatives.
I find that the best way to respond to
anything threatening your business model
or goals is to be open to new opportunities.
This particular threat has made me look to
Asia for new ideas and possibilities, as well
as branching out of the industry altogether.
MBR: For somebody who is known to get
deep into the business operations, do
you find it harder to get as engaged as
you would like?
NL: I certainly have a tendency to get deeply
involved into the mathematics, technical
and research parts of the businesses, so I
have to constantly work to find a balance
in my involvement. I engage with the
teams; I am aware of their victories and
their shortcomings. As a leader, one needs
to know when to take charge and when
to follow. Surrounding myself with people
I trust personally and professionally has
taught me to occasionally give up the reins
before it becomes detrimental to business
and health.
MBR: What are the key priorities in
your role and how will you measure the
success of your efforts?
NL: The key priority in my role is driving
growth; creating forward movement. There
is no finish line. It is my responsibility to
search for change and improvement, figure
out how to respond to it and use it to create
opportunities for my team and businesses.
I believe that the success of my efforts
is measured by the level of passion and
motivation in my team, and by how people
respond to my businesses or ideas. If they
are either excited or incredulous about it, I
know I am doing something right. MBR
All rights reserved / Copyright 2016
EDITOR’S
Note
Nikolai Livori is a
successful Maltese
entrepreneur within
the IT, online casual
games and iGaming industries. Through
a solid educational background in
mathematics, computer science and AI, as
well as business acumen, he has dived into
different areas such as game development,
e-learning and iGaming as well as data
mining and gamification for marketing
and innovation purposes. As a director,
investor and mentor, Nikolai is involved
in multiple local and international startups
and ventures.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
15
Malta Business Review
Christmas Narrative
Papa Panov’s Special
Christmas
By Leo Tolstoy
Over the years, Christmas has inspired many authors to write about its spirit and significance. The spirit
that embodies charity, forgiveness, friendship, unselfish love and generosity. In the stories that follow, you
will find many examples of what makes the Christmas Spirit so unique and special. Though most of these
stories have been written for children, readers of all ages will enjoy these skillfully told tales.
Old Papa Panov, the village
shoemaker, stepped outside
his shop to take one last
look around. The sounds of
happiness, the bright lights and the faint
but delicious smells of Christmas cooking
reminded him of past Christmas times
when his wife had still been alive and his
own children little. Now they had gone.
His usually cheerful face, with the little
laughter wrinkles behind the round steel
spectacles, looked sad now. But he went
back indoors with a firm step, put up the
shutters and set a pot of coffee to heat on
the charcoal stove. Then, with a sigh, he
settled in his big armchair.
Papa Panov did not often read, but tonight
he pulled down the big old family Bible
and, slowly tracing the lines with one
forefinger, he read again the Christmas
story. He read how Mary and Joseph, tired
by their journey to Bethlehem, found no
room for them at the inn, so that Mary’s
little baby was born in the cowshed.
Bless my soul! said Papa
Panov. It’s Christmas Day!
“Oh, dear, oh, dear!” exclaimed Papa
Panov, “if only they had come here! I
would have given them my bed and I could
have covered the baby with my patchwork
quilt to keep him warm.”
He read on about the wise men who had
come to see the baby Jesus, bringing him
splendid gifts.
Papa Panov’s face fell. “I have no gift that I
could give him,” he thought sadly.
Then his face brightened. He put down
the Bible, got up and stretched his long
arms t the shelf high up in his little room.
He took down a small, dusty box and
opened it. Inside was a perfect pair of tiny
leather shoes.
Papa Panov smiled with satisfaction. Yes,
they were as good as he had rememberedthe
best shoes he had ever made. “I should
give him those,” he decided, as he gently
put them away and sat down again.
He was feeling tired now, and the further
16
Christmas Narrative
Malta Business Review
he read the sleeper he became. The print
began to dance before his eyes so that he
closed them, just for a minute. In no time
at all Papa Panov was fast asleep.
And as he slept he dreamed. He dreamed
that someone was in his room and he
know at once, as one does in dreams, who
the person was. It was Jesus.
“You have been wishing that you could see
me, Papa Panov.” he said kindly, “then look
for me tomorrow. It will be Christmas Day
and I will visit you. But look carefully, for I
shall not tell you who I am.”
When at last Papa Panov awoke, the bells
were ringing out and a thin light was
filtering through the shutters. wHe stood
up and stretched himself for he was rather
stiff. Then his face filled with happiness as
he remembered his dream. This would be
a very special Christmas after all, for Jesus
was coming to visit him. How would he
look? Would he be a little baby, as at that
first Christmas? Would he be a grown man,
a carpenter- or the great King that he is,
God’s Son? He must watch carefully the
whole day through so that he recognized
him however he came.
Papa Panov put on a special pot of coffee
for his Christmas breakfast, took down the
shutters and looked out of the window. The
street was deserted, no one was stirring
yet. No one except the road sweeper. He
looked as miserable and dirty as ever, and
well he might! Whoever wanted to work
on Christmas Day - and in the raw cold and
bitter freezing mist of such a morning?
Papa Panov opened the shop door, letting
in a thin stream of cold air. “Come in!” he
shouted across the street cheerily. “Come
in and have some hot coffee to keep out
the cold!”
The sweeper looked up, scarcely able to
believe his ears. He was only too glad to put
down his broom and come into the warm
room. His old clothes steamed gently in the
heat of the stove and he clasped both red
hands round the comforting warm mug as
he drank.
Papa Panov watched him with satisfaction,
but every now and them his eyes strayed
to the window. It would
never do to miss his
special visitor.
“Expecting someone?”
the sweeper asked at
last. So Papa Panov told
him about his dream.
“Well, I hope he
comes,” the sweeper
said, “you’ve given
me a bit of Christmas
cheer I never expected
to have. I’d say you
deserve to have your
dream come true.” And
he actually smiled.
When he had gone,
Papa Panov put on
cabbage soup for his
dinner, then went
Leo Tolstoy - Yasnaya Polyana estate in May 1908.
to the door again,
by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky
scanning the street.
He saw no one. But he was mistaken.
Someone was coming.
The girl walked so slowly and quietly,
hugging the walls of shops and houses,
Sudden thought flashed through Papa
Panov’s mind. He remembered the little
shoes he had looked at last night. But
he had been keeping those for Jesus. He
that it was a while before he noticed her.
looked again at the cold little feet and
She looked very tired and she was carrying
made up his mind. MBR
something. As she drew nearer he could
see that it was a baby, wrapped in a thin
shawl. There was such sadness in her face
EDITOR’S
and in the pinched little face of the baby,
Note
that Papa Panov’s heart went out to them.
“Won’t you come in,” he called, stepping
Leo Tolstoy, or Count
outside to meet them. “You both need a
Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy
warm by the fire and a rest.”
(September 9 1828 –
November 20 1910), was a Russian writer
The young mother let him shepherd her
widely regarded as among the greatest of
indoors and to the comfort of the armchair.
novelists. Tolstoy’s further talents as essayist,
She gave a big sigh of relief.
dramatist, and educational reformer made
“I’ll warm some milk for the baby,” Papa
Panov said, “I’ve had children of my own-
I can feed her for you.” He took the milk
from the stove and carefully fed the baby
from a spoon, warming her tiny feet by the
stove at the same time.
“She needs shoes,” the cobbler said.
him the most influential member of the
aristocratic Tolstoy family. Papa Panov’s
Special Christmas was originally written
in French by Ruben Saillens, and then
translated into English by Tolstoy. This is a
very thoughtful story, based on the Bible text
‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was
thirsty and you gave me water’ which Jesus
used to make us understand how we should
But the girl replied, “I can’t afford shoes,
serve him by serving each other. The story of
I’ve got no husband to bring home money.
Papa Panov is an excellent way to introduce
I’m on my way to the next village to get
young chldren to the principles of kindness.
work.”
www.maltabusinessreview.net
17
Malta Business Review
IT Interview of the Month
Good to Great
By George Carol
When you start a new business or create an innovative product, you are very often faced with the choice to move
direction. And if you don’t copy someone’s idea doing something really new and unique, you should rely only on your
own intuition. In his interview for Malta Business Review, Nikolay Dobrovolskiy, the vice-president of Parallels, spoke
about avoiding mistakes while making the first steps.
Thea Saliba, Lawyer & TV Personality Show Host, presenting an award to Nick during MBIBA 2016
MBR: Your company became worldknown
about ten years ago. Can we say
that the appearance of your key product,
Parallels Desktop for Mac, is a simple
luck?
ND: The great American swimmer Michael
Phelps was once asked how many of his
victories were influenced by luck. He
answered that the more he trained, the
more often he was lucky to win. In our case,
everything is the same. Before becoming a
world leader in software production, we
worked on our Parallels Desktop project
for more than five years. Sometimes, there
were cases when the whole Team didn’t
receive any salary for several months.
MBR: What is the secret of success?
Why have you succeeded in making a
world-class project, while hundreds of
thousands of other programmers have
not?
ND: In my opinion, the main components
of any successful startup are a clear vision,
a good team and a focus on the product.
Initially I got a feeling that
there would be no deal
while we were talking to
Philip Schiller
MBR: Do you think that others don’t
have them?
ND: Quite often I see the picture of a
young team or a startup being united by
an interesting idea. People begin to do
something, but one or two years later
they abandon it without achieving results
and start a new project. Then the story
repeats itself. Finally, 10-15 years later,
those people find themselves in the same
situation as the one they started with.
Time, efforts and energy are lost, but the
result is absent. If you believe in your idea,
you shouldn’t give up after the first failure.
MBR: How important is the idea?
ND: In my opinion, people overestimate
the importance of their ideas. Some people
think that everyone wants to steal their
invented unique know-how. But it is much
more important to implement the idea
than just to invent it. Did social networks
exist before Facebook? Yes, of course. Still,
only Mark Zuckerberg managed to make
his project really global, uniting billions of
people on the planet.
MBR: How important for your success
was your meeting with Steve Jobs?
ND: Such meetings can be categorized
as amazing ones. We met him at Apple
headquarters in 2007. Being already
known around the world, we wanted to
18
IT Interview of the Month
Malta Business Review
The Parallels Team led by Nick during Malta’s Best in Business Awards 2016
put Parallels Desktop into the Apple’s
business channel. Initially I got a feeling
that there would be no deal while we were
talking to Philip Schiller (Apple’s senior vice
president of Worldwide Marketing) and
Bertrand Serlet (The “Father” of macOS
and Senior Vice President of Software
Engineering at Apple). They gave very
vague answers to our direct questions.
Suddenly, Steve Jobs walked in. He asked
us to introduce ourselves and tell him
about our ideas. Further, he asked several
clarifying questions and told his reports
to do it. After that our conversation
continued in an absolutely different way.
By the way, our products are still available
in all Apple shops and corporate channel
worldwide.
the main components of any
successful startup are a clear
vision, a good team and a
focus on the product
MBR: Let us return to the topic of
choosing the right path and successful
development. What is more important
for the company, presence of a captain
like Steve Jobs or the ability to make
right decisions collectively?
ND: A lot of things depend on corporate
culture specifics. In Parallels, many issues
are resolved in the team. We are used to
being interested in everyone’s opinion.
The employees are greatly involved in
achieving common results. Generally, we
are like a big family. Of course, if we have
no consensus, it is necessary to make the
decision personally, but usually everyone
is motivated by the opportunity to be a
part of our common future.
MBR: But it is impossible to create
a common vision for the company
consisting of hundreds and even
thousands of people, isn’t it?
ND: In fact, it is possible. In the case of
Parallels, we know that the programs
created by us must meet our users’ needs.
Our products must be intuitively clear,
simple and convenient. It is no accident
that one of the key metrics for us is NPS
(Net Promoter Score). The probability of
our users recommending our software
determines the correctness of our chosen
way and the future development of our
company. We understand that if we do
not hear and listen to the users, our future
will be foggy. Another component of our
development is constant improvement.
MBR: What do you mean? It is impossible
to re-invent the bicycle, isn’t it?
ND: Did you see electric motorized
bicycles? Gyroscooters? Tesla cars? You
may agree that their basic functions are
the same, but the technologies used in
each of them made revolutionary steps
forward. I consider the history of Nokia,
Polaroid and Siemens Mobile. These giants
seemed to be inviolable, but they lost
their superiority within several years. For
this reason, Parallels constantly develops,
looks for perspective niches, creates new
products and technological solutions. For
us, it is not enough to be just good, we
strive to become a great company. MBR
All rights reserved / Copyright 2016
Corporate
Brief
Parallels is a global leader in crossplatform
solutions which make it
possible and simple for customers
to use and access the applications
and files they need on any device or
operating system. We help customers
take advantage of the best technology
out there, whether it’s Windows,
Mac, iOS, AndroidTM or the cloud.
Parallels solves complex engineering
and user experience problems by
making it simple and cost-effective for
businesses and individual customers
to use applications wherever they
may be local, remote, in the private
datacenter or in the cloud.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
19
Malta Business Review
igaming
The MGA Publishes its Interim Performance
Report for the Gaming Industry for the
Period January to June 2016
By Malta Gaming Authority
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has
published its interim performance report
for the period January to June 2016. The
report reviews the performance of the
gaming industry under the governance
of MGA in terms of economic value
added, employment, number of licensed
operators and tax revenue together with
developments in demand trends and
in the supply capabilities of operators.
The report includes an introductory
section highlighting the key performance
indicators for the first half of 2016 as well
as a medium term outlook into the future
followed by a detailed report explaining
key statistics for land-based and remote
gaming sectors. Some key indicators
include:
»»
During the period under review, the
gaming industry directly contributed
12.0% of the total economic value
added generated in the Maltese
economy with employment in the
gaming industry rising by 31% year
on year. Furthermore, Gross Value
Added for the first six months of 2016
increased by 11.9% compared to Jan
to Jun 2015,
»»
Land-based activities generated over
250 new jobs when compared to
the second half of 2015 whilst new
jobs in the remote gaming business
increased by eight times as much,
»»
Tax revenues amounted to €28
million during the first half of 2016,
which represented 4.6% of the total
indirect tax intake of the Maltese
Government,
»»
As at the end of June 2016, there
were 250 registered remote gaming
operators, holding 490 licences
collectively,
»»
The Authority developed a regulatory
framework for games of skill,
»»
MGA continued to work with the
Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit
(FIAU) on the implementation of
the new 4th Anti Money Laundering
Directive set to come into force next
year,
»»
Remote gaming regulations
were amended to strengthen
consumer protection and promote
administrative simplification,
»»
MGA continued with the work on a
regulatory overhaul which should
strengthen and future-proof the
gaming industry in Malta (to be
brought into force in 2017),
»»
The gaming industry in Malta is
expected to continue growing
robustly in 2017.
The MGA will publish a full year industry
performance report in May 2017 when it
publishes its Annual Report for the financial
year ending 31 December 2016. MBR
20
Malta Business Review
What has established our global
reputation in the gaming industry?
At the Malta Gaming Authority, our regulatory philosophy, organisational principles
and culture are focused on player protection. Malta’s transparent legal framework and
experience in regulating gaming has developed into a world class eco-system providing
effective, innovative and efficient regulation.
Our regulatory framework provides assurances both locally and internationally
that fairness and transparency are at the core of everything that we do.
To this effect, our licensees are associated with the highest
levels of integrity and efficiency.
Proudly recognised as a world class authority in terms of
innovation, governance and diligence.
MALTA GAMING AUTHORITY
Building SCM02-03, Level 4, SmartCity Malta, Ricasoli SCM 1001, Malta
T +356 2546 9000 E info.mga@mga.org.mt
www.mga.org.mt
www.maltabusinessreview.net
21
Malta Business Review
Entrepreneurship
Why I love entrepreneurship
By Sir Richard Branson
Image from Virgin StartUp
The greatest thing about entrepreneurship
is that it’s open to everyone. It doesn’t
matter where you went to school or
who your parents are, it all boils down to
having a good idea and being resourceful
enough to turn it into a reality.
I was thrilled to receive the letter below
from Mohsin Muhammed – one of the
first people in Scotland to receive a loan
through Virgin StartUp. When Mo moved
to the UK at age nine, has was unable to
speak English. Nine years later he was
diagnosed with dyslexia. But he didn’t let
that stop him from pursuing his dreams
to start a business, and what’s more,
become a doctor.
A Dyslexic Teenager’s Dream
Imagine you moved to Scotland from a
deprived country when you are 9 years old,
you do not know any English apart from:
A is for Apple and B is Banana… Well,
that was me in late 2004.
Fast forward to June 2013, I
found out that I am dyslexic.
When I heard this “bad
news”, I thought, this
was the end of my
world. I can never
conquer the highest
mountains. I can
never become a
doctor. I can never
make money in
life. I can never live
a life that I want to
live! These were
just a few negative
thoughts that
went through my
head back then.
But things started
to change when I
was introduced to
dyslexic celebrities who
have changed the world.
One of the celebrities that
stood out to me was Sir Richard
Branson. Why? I studied Business
Management in high school and I
struggled to understand the difference
between Gross Profit and Net Profit; so who
helped me understand the difference? It
was Sir Richard Branson, another dyslexic.
He too struggled to understand this ‘simple
concept’ until someone told him in a
meeting. ‘Gross Profit is all the fish in the sea
and Net Profit is all the fish that you catch in
the net and take home with you.’ -something
along these lines. It worked for me!
I could dream again! Since then, I have learnt
a lot from Sir Richard Branson by reading his
books. My favourite book is ‘Screw it, Let’s
do it.’ Sir Richard Branson is my favourite
teacher. The only teacher that taught me
anything is possible and that business is not
rocket science. With him acting as a mentor
through books, I managed to achieve a lot
for a dyslexic - please read the following: I
have managed to get into medical school
against all the odds - I received 7 refusals
before starting at University of Glasgow. I will
be starting my 3rd year of MBChB this year,
September 2016. Apart from medicine, I have
a huge interest in business. I want to change
lives! I want to deliver happiness! How am I
planning on doing this? Well at the moment
through Happiness Delivered Ltd. This year,
this company is launching LoveSweets.com.
LoveSweets is an online sweet subscription
service company. The only way this company
is able to launch is because of Virgin StartUp.
Sir Richard Branson and everything that he
has setup came to help me once again in my
life.
He’s helped me get into medical school. He’s
helped me start a business. Even if it was
indirectly. The very most that I would like to
request is 2 minutes to pass on my sincere
gratitude to him. I have bought a ticket to an
event where I can be given the opportunity
to meet him. Which event? Virgin Disruptors
2016 on the 3rd October 2016. I have paid
for this using my money that I had saved up
for my trip to France. In addition, I will have
to miss 6 very important lectures to be there.
I can always catch-up on my lectures and can
always make more money to fund a trip to
France but I may never get the opportunity
to meet my mentor in person ever again.
So what am I requesting for? My Virgin
StartUp Mentor Mr David Christie has
helped me a lot in starting this business and
now I am requesting him to help me find
someone who can arrange even 30 seconds
so that I can meet Sir Richard Branson on the
3rd October 2016 at the event. I will try my
best to catch his attention on the day but
if that does not work, I must at least try to
arrange a Plan B for such a great opportunity.
And I could not think of anything better than
asking for help from Mr David Christie. To
whoever is reading this, I hope you see how
much meeting Sir Richard Branson to thank
him would mean to me. MBR
Image from Virgin StartUp
Creditline: Virgin Group Digital, All rights reserved.
22
Special Feature: mbiba 2016
Malta Business Review
Malta's Best-in-Business
Awards 2016
Castello Dei Baroni, Friday, 25th November, 2016
www.maltabusinessreview.net
23
Malta Business Review
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Chance Favours
the Prepared Mind
By Martin Vella
MBR talks with Dr Andy Ellul and Dr Vincent Micallef, founding partners of Micallef & Ellul
Advocates, considered as one of Malta’s leading multi-disciplinary firms, winners of Malta's
Best-in-Business Law Firm of the Year Award
24
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Malta Business Review
MBR: What is the secret to the success of
Micallef & Ellul Advocates?
VM: Micallef & Ellul Advocates believes
that the values of commitment, reliability
and excellence form the basis upon which
every success story is built. However,
whilst keeping these values at its core,
the firm believes that the key to success
in its profession is client satisfaction.
This is fully achieved by listening and
comprehending to the clients’ needs
so as to find the best possible tailormade
solution. It is precisely that
customer satisfaction which attracts
more clients. Clients retain and
recommend the firm’s services, thus
becoming the firm’s ambassadors in this
increasingly competitive industry. From its
inception, the firm realised that placing its
clients at the centre of its activities was
significant for its establishment in the legal
community as we know it today.
MBR: How do you define what your
focus is today?
AL: Our focus at Micallef & Ellul Advocates
is very much based on the prevalent
modern ideology that being successful
does no longer depend on the size of
human or physical resources, but is all
about having a solid and reliable network
which delivers. The firm’s aim is not to
compete with other law firms on the basis
of employing more and more resources.
On the contrary, the firm is focused on
remaining a boutique law-firm albeit with
a difference, that is by expanding the
practice through extensive outsourcing
and networking arrangements with the
right individuals. With this in mind, the
firm has started to promote its legal
services abroad, such as in Dubai, Lebanon,
Jordan, China and South Africa. The quest
to constantly seek alternative channels
of doing business and the ability to seize
the opportunity when it presents itself,
reflects itself in the internationalisation of
new services being offered by the firm.
MBR: Does Micallef & Ellul Advocates
have a specific sector expertise or do
you have broad expertise across all
sectors when it comes to delivering legal
solutions and advice?
AL: Whilst understanding that nowadays
law firms may be better off when
specialising in a particular field of law,
thereby enhancing the competitive
advantages applicable to that specific field,
Micallef & Ellul Advocates has purposely
chosen to position the firm as a boutique
law firm in such a way as to create value to
its clientele - thus differentiating the level
of service from that of other larger and
longer established law firms.
MBR: Do you consider the recent
prestigious award as ‘Malta's Best-in-
Business Law Firm of the Year Award’
as a recognition of the Micallef & Ellul
Advocates business model?
VM: The firm’s professional approach
together with the values it upholds,
coupled with the constant drive to further
improve its already reputable standards,
makes Micallef & Ellul Advocates a lawfirm
worthy of the recognition it received.
This recognition will undoubtedly serve
as a further incentive towards the firm’s
strategic direction, that to become one of
the island’s premier legal and consultancy
firms. We intend to continue doing what
we do best, like we did 10 years ago when
planning for where we are today! The
‘Malta’s Best-in- Business Law Firm of the
Year Award 2016’ was definitely a moral
boost to all of us. MBR
All rights reserved / Copyright 2016
The Management and team of Micallef & Ellul Advocates at the
Malta Best-in-Business Awards
Corporate
Brief
Established in 2007, Micallef & Ellul
Advocates is a multi-disciplinary law-firm
based in Malta. It operates from Valletta,
Malta’s Capital City, and the firm’s mission
is to provide its clients with pristine service.
The practise ranges from Consultancy
services to Litigation, and each of the firm’s
department is manned by Legal Consultants
of the highest calibre. The firm prides itself
in having a number of reputable local and
international partners. Its mission is to
remain as a boutique law-firm and not to
compete with other law firms on the basis
of employing more and more resources.
On the contrary, the firm aims to continue
enhancing its practice through extensive
outsourcing and networking arrangements
with the right people.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
25
Malta Business Review
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Leading Through
Innovation
By George Carol
Malta’ s Best-in-Business Outstanding Industry Contributor Award is bestowed to companies who have
contributed significantly to the local industry over a period of years through dedicated work and to driving
the industry forward. This year this award went to HALMANN Vella, recognised for their leadership and
participation in multiple projects, including the award winning design and green management concepts.
The HALMANN VELLA Team
MBR: Can you share your feelings
after having been bestowed as Malta’s
Best-in-Business Outstanding Industry
Contributor Award 2016?
MV: Winning an award, which recognises
how far we have come since the company’s
inception over 60 years ago, is a great
feeling isn’t it?! It is an honour to be
commended by local business experts for
business excellence. Business growth, whilst
maintaining the spirit of a family business
and not losing focus of the customer, has
always been our goal, and still is.
MBR: What are the main factors that
have made the difference to convince
the judges to give you such a prestigious
award?
MV: I believe that Halmann Vella stood out
in terms of a number of factors. One being
innovation, an aspect on which we place a
lot of value. We constantly invest in new
machinery, in order to be able to innovate
both in terms of production processes
as well as in the final product. This
enables us to fulfill our brand promise
of quality. We also seek to import the
most innovative surfacing materials, most
notably engineered surfaces such as
Dekton and Silestone.
Halmann Vella stands out also as a
company that puts a strong emphasis
on sustainability and Corporate Social
responsibility. In 2014, a 400kWH solar
panel system was installed in one of
the company’s factories. This system
contributes to an average annual reduction
of 52 tons of Co2. The company is currently
finalising another additional installation
of a 480kwH solar panel system. Water
which is also an important factor in the
production process. Systems installed in
both our factories make it possible to filter
and reuse at least 200,000 litres of water
per day. Halmann Vella also supports
a number of charitable institutions as
well as local heritage. For instance the
company has made great efforts to revive
the art of patterned tiles whilst preserving
the traditional method of production. In
conjunction with the Deaf Association
Malta, we now employ three people with
hearing impairment within our Patterned
Tiles Production team, whilst also making
26
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Malta Business Review
Ms Miriam Theuma, CEO at Agenzija Zghazagh presenting the award to Mr Martin Vella, GM, Halmann Vella
a donation per tile sold to the Deaf
Association Malta.
All of this wouldn’t be possible without
our employees and the collective
entrepreneurial spirit which is fostered
and encouraged throughout the company.
In the past decade the company has gone
through a process of change and growth
and thanks to this collective spirit, we have
managed to maintain the flexibility of a
small company whilst being able to handle
opportunities, projects and production of a
much larger scale and growth.
Halmann Vella stands out
also as a company that
puts a strong emphasis on
sustainability and Corporate
Social responsibility
MBR: How inspiring is it to see what you
have accomplished together with the
HALMANN team?
MV: It is very inspiring. It is definitely a
motivator to continue aiming towards more
ambitious accomplishments together.
MBR: How important do you consider
such awards are and what significance
do they have vis-à-vis business growth in
Malta?
MV: In an increasingly competitive
market, awards are a great way showcase
business success and stand out against
the competition. They increase awareness
and market leadership. Winning awards
also provides a number of opportunities
for marketing and publicity and is a vote
of confidence to our employees. Awards
also increase confidence in the local
business community.
MBR: What sets you apart from
competition?
MV: We provide our customers added
value, through the quality of our products
and our service. We are innovative and a
socially responsible company. We pride
ourselves on surfacing Malta’s most
beautiful spaces, and some of Malta’s
most iconic buildings and commercial
establishments are a true testament of
the quality of our products. Amongst our
most notorious projects, one can mention
Renzo Piano’s Valletta City Gate, Smart
City, the Portomaso Project, Life Sciences
Malta, and the Tigne Project.
MBR: Do you think that being an
authentic leader has helped you in your
aspirations leading to this prestigious
award which the judges bestowed?
MV: Whilst good leadership is important,
as stated earlier, this award would not
be possible without the joint effort of all
our team.
MBR: Do you consider this award as a
recognition of the HALMANN business
model?
MV: This award is a true testament to
our business model which drives our
company’s success. Our business started
as a small family run business by two
brothers and has since then grown
to employ over 200 employees. Yet
very little has changed in our business
philosophy…our business and our people
are our family, and together we strive to
innovate and keep on meeting the needs
of our customers.
MBR: Can you give us your feedback
on the organisation, and how you will
remember Malta’s Best Business Awards
2016
MV: I am very glad to have been part of
this year’s award ceremony. The event
was well organised and it was a wonderful
evening for all of our team. MBR
All rights reserved / Copyright 2016
Corporate
Brief
Halmann Vella is locally synonymous with
the supply and production of natural stone
products . These include marble and granite,
terrazzo, travertine and Maltese traditional
patterned tiles. It also supplies other surfacing
products such as ceramics, parquet and
quartz. The company has also been involved
in the supply of material and/or general
contracting services in a number of large
projects such as Renzo Piano’s Valletta city
gate, BOV’s House of Four Winds, Verdala
Palace, Smart City Malta, Skyparks, the Tigne
and Portomaso Projects and a number of
hotels such as Hilton, Fortina and Radisson
Golden Sands.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
27
Malta Business Review
SPECIAL FEATURE: MALTA’S BEST IN BUSINESS AWARDS
Drive and
Motivation
By Martin Vella
Glitz and glam came to Castello dei Baroni during Malta’s Best in Business Awards 2016. Dean Gera
Haircare Ltd once again celebrated the very best in successful hair care salon business by picking up Malta's
Best-in-Business Small to Medium Size Business Award
Kevin Portelli, Marketing Manager, M.A & A Ltd presenting
Malta’s Best-in-Business Small to Medium Size Business Award to Dean Gera
MBR: How do you define the role as an
artist or a hair care/fashion leader today?
DG: Being a leader in any industry is a
challenge. When striving to be a leader
in a field as fast paced as fashion it is
important to keep one's team motivated
to be creative in order to be at the top of
its game.
MBR: When you created DEAN GERA
HAIRCARE Ltd, the need for innovation
and renewal. What initiatives have you
taken and new ventures which you can
mention?
DG: I created Dean Gera Hair Care with
the intention of creating a brand where
people knew exactly what to expect before
even walking into a salon. I did not want
to put a face behind the business set-up.
I wanted each member of the team to
adopt the Dean Gera Hair Care philosophy
in order to provide clients with a similar
experience each time they entered a
salon, even when visiting different Dean
Gera Hair Care salons.
MBR: What are the core issues that
motivate you and can you define the
team characteristics of at DEAN GERA
HAIRCARE Ltd?
DG: My main motivation is for the company
and the brand to grow. We have created a
platform whereby employees can build a
career rather that just have a 9 to 5 job.
MBR: What is your strategy to attract and
retain talent?
DG: Our main strategy is investing
heavily in all forms of training for all
team members, including technical and
management training. Furthermore, our
remuneration is well-structured, including
commission, bonuses and profit sharing.
The harder one works, the greater the
benefits reaped, both for the individual
and for the company.
MBR: What would you highlight as
28
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Malta Business Review
The Dean Gera Haircare Ltd Management Team
DEAN GERA HAIRCARE Ltd’s biggest
achievement during 2016?
DG: Our greatest achievements this year
were the opening of a fifth hair salon
in Paola and the takeover of another,
in Ibragg, which brings our current
total number of salons to six. We also
expanded and refurbished our Valletta
establishment, including our head office,
board room and The Spa Room.
MBR: Do you think that being an
authentic leader has helped you in your
aspirations leading to this prestigious
award which the judges bestowed DGHC
as Small to Malta’s Best in Business Small
to Medium Size (SME) Business Award?
DG: Yes, I believe the platform we have
created is quite unique in a country as
small as Malta. Seeing what we have
accomplished so far is something that we,
as a company, are very proud of.
MBR: How inspiring is it to see what
you have accomplished with DEAN
GERA HAIRCARE Ltd and how will such
accomplishments have a positive fallout
on you, as well as DEAN GERA HAIRCARE
Ltd’s?
DG: I have always been an optimist and I
had always hoped the brand would move
in the direction that it has. The results
we have achieved keep me motivated
and hungry for future growth. As long as
our foundations remain solid I foresee
ongoing growth of our brand. If you are a
young business without much marketing
spend, then entering awards can be a
cost-effective way of generating positive
marketing and PR, because you’re thrown
into the spotlight. It also offers a seal of
approval. Potential customers can look at
that and think ‘I’m happy to do business
with this company because they have that
recognition. Experience has shown that
an award gives massive credence to our
business, particularly when talking to new
customers and vendors that have not dealt
directly with us in the past. With existing
partners, it reinforces the fact they have
made the right choice to work with us.
MBR: Do you consider this award as a
recognition of the DEAN GERA HAIRCARE
Ltd’s business model?
DG: Yes, it is very satisfying to have been
recognised as a business and not just as
hairdressers. Awards are one of the most
powerful and cost-effective marketing
tools and winning a prestigious Best
Business Award will help one’s business
organisation to stand out from the crowd,
send a positive message to your existing
customers and attract new business.
MBR: Would you support future
entrepreneurial events and awards, and
why? What would you do differently?
DG: I would support them as I think that
opportunities such as these, whereby
companies can be recognised for their
achievements, are important to increase
the drive and motivation of all staff
members. MBR
All rights reserved / Copyright 2016
Corporate
Brief
The first Dean Gera salon was launched in
2007. Today, the company has established
itself as the industry leader. With its
headquarters and training academy situated
in Malta’s capital city, Dean Gera operates
through 6 salons and a day spa and boasts a
team of over 40 individuals. The company’s
strategy is built on the foundations of
teamwork and always delivering the fivestar
Dean Gera experience from all salons.
In order to achieve its long-term vision for
the brand to expand overseas and ensure its
successful implementation, three strategic
priorities have been identified: Train –
Inspire – Outperform.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
29
Malta Business Review
SPECIAL FEATURE: MALTA’S BEST IN BUSINESS AWARDS
Integrity, Trust,
Professionalism
By Martin Vella
BILOM Group get recognised and rewarded for excellence in project delivery
Marina Lomakina, Arts & Culture Representative from the Russian Federation handing the
BILOM GROUP representatives with Malta’s Best-in-Business Building and Construction Award
BILOM GROUP has won the award for
Malta’s Best-in-Business Building
and Construction Award during
Malta’s Best in Business Awards. The
prestigious accolade seeks to highlight
an organisation which has identified a
requirement for an innovative building
and construction concepts, combined
with green-tech products successfully
brought in to the market.
The awards recognise organisations
that demonstrate enterprise-wide
success through employee learning
and development. BILOM GROUP was
the only construction and real estate
company to receive this year's award.
"This award demonstrates the
commitment of our organization to
employee development and continuous
performance improvement, which puts
us in a better position to serve our
customers," said Mr. Michael Bugeja,
Managing Director of BILOM GROUP.
For the 2016 Best in Business Awards,
four companies were considered and
shortlisted for the final list. These
organisations submitted quantitative
and qualitative information to the Board
about their achievements, CSR, business
strategies, best practice and business
development practices and progress.
Applications were assessed in a blind
review by members of the judges panel
and Board of advisory committee, a
select group of experts in their respective
fields. The purpose of the competition
is to honour construction projects
that are distinguished for the quality,
organisation and timeliness of the work,
use of technology, and influence on the
Maltese economy.
All companies excelled in creating
innovative, vibrant learning cultures
that clearly aligned with strategic
business goals," said Jean Paul Abela,
judges-elect representative and Investor
Relations Officer, Bank of Valetta. "They
proved their commitment to workplace
learning and development by doing so
in an economic climate that saw limited
resources, reductions in budget cuts, and
business growth."
BILOM GROUP focuses
on the following pillars: the
passion for excellence, the
drive to innovate and the
hard work that accompanies
every successful enterprise
The Awards, held for the second
successive year, honour achievements
of dynamic corporate companies, SMEs
and entrepreneurs in Malta. Nominees
included up-and-coming businesses and
blue-chip local companies, operating
in various sectors, including IT,
30
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Malta Business Review
The BILOM GROUP Management Team
Banking, Finance, iGaming, Insurance,
Aviation, Manufacturing, Buidling and
Construction, real estate, architecture,
legal, financial, banking, commercial
and Maritime. The companies were
identified, selected and chosen based on
experience, reputation, integrity, quality
and trust by a judging panel that was
tasked with reviewing and giving a score
to all submissions.
The award was presented during a
reception held in at Castello dei Baroni,
Wardija. In recognising BILOM GROUP,
the advisory committee cited the quality
of BILOM GROUP as leaders in the real
estate market, presently engaged in
various large projects sited at prime
locations on the island, proving year after
year a spirit of innovation, dedication to
our customers, a willingness to improve
day after day and its approach to
developing emerging leaders.
"It has been a consistent team effort,
starting with the vision and resources
provided by our senior leadership and
culminating with our employees who
embraced learning and apply it back on
the job," Mr. Bugeja said. He said that as
the company builds up on this success,
“BILOM GROUP focuses on the following
pillars: the passion for excellence, the
drive to innovate and the hard work
that accompanies every successful
enterprise.”
BILOM GROUP has built up an
impressive portfolio of buy-tolet
properties and are active in the
upmarket real estate properties. The
company's full time staff is known for
professionalism, confidentiality, integrity
and commitment. “While all of the
expmployees have widely divergent
backgrounds, all of them are highly
experienced knowing not only their
jobs, but also having a knowledge of the
territory and demographics. People come
to work at BILOM GROUP for its reputation
but stay here for the high level of work
ethic and the same reasons customers
keep coming back: appreciation, deep
embedded professionalism and integrity,
special and detailed attention to each
demand,” commented Mr. Bugeja.
BILOM GROUP strive to exceed the
needs of their customers, satisfy the
investment aspect of the properties and
provide the highest standard of quality.
The company’s goal is to continue work
for our customers at the high standards
we set for ourselves, personalising their
services for each customer, adding new
departments and services as the market
changes and grows. Their quest for
excellence continues. MBR
All Rights Reserved / Copyright 2016
Corporate
Brief
BILOM GROUP was founded in 1995 in
Malta and has expanded to become one of the
largest privately owned, property negotiators
on the Island. Bilom Group provides a fully
service in any property deals including
project projections, valuations of property,
real estate consultancy, letting and sale of
properties. BILOM GROUP has emerged
over the last years of existence as one of the
leaders in the real estate market, presently
engaged in various large projects.
EDITOR’S
Note
All winners can request feedback from the
judges about why they won for use in press
releases, marketing material, brochures,
advertisements, on their website etc. This
service is included in the entry fee so there is
no additional cost.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
31
Malta Business Review
SPECIAL FEATURE: MALTA’S BEST IN BUSINESS AWARDS
Motivation, Safety
and Job Satisfaction
by George Carol
At The Resin & Membrane Centre, the Management have dedicated themselves to cultivate a business atmosphere to take
care of their employees, suppliers, and customers as if they were their own family. One stand-out employee is a gentleman
by the name of Antoine Bonello, who is the director of the Resin & Membrane Centre. I had the opportunity to sit down with
Antoine and ask him a few questions regarding the company’s recent success during Malta’s Best in Business Awards and his
experience with The Resin & Membrane Centre.
MBR: How does it feel to be awarded
the judges top accolade as Malta’s Best
in Business Best Product / Service Range
Award?
AB: We at the Resin and Membrane Centre
are synonymous with waterproofing for
quite some time, our awards usually
consists in customer satisfaction and
their recommendations, which is the best
possible certificate of quality. The Award
received at the Malta’s Best in Business
means lot to us. It is the tangible proof
of our hard work and dedication. This
confirms that our expertise and high quality
workmanship combined with our NAICI
product line are proving a success and are
settling a standard which is way too high
for our competitors to achieve. The Award
also confirms that NAICI products are the
result of constant innovation and research,
this was proved with the Fibro Guaina S
Reflex thermal insulation waterproofing
membrane, and besides waterproofing it
now also stops heat intake inside buildings
by 92%. Our Motto is We Are Quality and
we always make sure that every project is
carried out at its best.
MBR: How did you come up with your
business idea?
AB: It all got started a while ago at a
charity dinner in Italy, during which I met
a prominent producer of waterproofing
materials, that is NAICI. I did not put much
weight on it at the time but slowly slowly
I became convinced that his high quality
products are tailor made for the Maltese
climate. Waterproofing started when men
started to dwell in houses, I don't consider
our line business as an original concept. It
is a need that we started to service after
eventually a lot of market research was
carried out. This together with proper
product application and training held
abroad. Learning and research is our
forte; we make sure that the most modern
materials are brought over and their
implementation is properly mastered.
We do this very gladly because we love
our work and we know the customer will
benefit the most.
MB: What market need is your business
addressing and what were your goals in
starting the company?
AB: Our business addresses a vast type
of exigencies from small homes with
infiltrations problems to large factory
roofs. We did not set any particular
goals when we started our activity; our
policy was and will remain quality over
quantity. People nowadays are fed up of
cheap plastic based materials that can last
only a year or two leading to repetitive
unwanted yearly routine expenses. Many
people are now opting for a permanent
solution that is also pro-environment. Our
award winner the Thermal Fibro S Reflex
is outclassing all existing solutions; it is
resistant to UV rays, Stagnation and traffic.
Its request for installation almost doubled,
over 50,000 sq m was surfaced by us with
this material alone and this excludes the
material supplied from our showroom for
the DIY sector.
The only thing we outsource
is knowledge and for this we
constantly bring over prominent
foreign experts in the business
to train our personnel
MBR: Have you outsourced any portion
of your business? Has that worked for
your business and can you tell us what
are your main areas of focus?
AB: The only thing we outsource is
knowledge and for this we constantly bring
over prominent foreign experts in the
business to train our personnel. We take
nothing for granted we like to do things at
best. Many customers call us to redo their
roof repairs following bad interventions by
unqualified, inexperienced and presumed
self-thought installers; this saddens us
a lot. Unfortunately this happens all the
time in our sector of works and there
is no control by the authorities on the
matter. Our personnel are all members of
the Malta Professional Waterproofing and
Resin Flooring Association, this to assure
our customers of quality and competence.
All this made us best in the trade. Unlike
others we are not the jack of all trades, we
just do and focus only on waterproofing.
MBR: Social marketing is consistently
being written about in the small business
space. Has it worked generating business
for you?
AB: Social marketing is of utmost
importance especially for us who always
introduce new waterproofing products and
implementation concepts. In Malta were
everyone knows each other the word of
mouth is still considered the best possible
publicity, a satisfied customer usually end
up praising your works with all his family
members and friends, This rolling effect
eventually generates a continued business
and product awareness that helps us when
implementing our work. Our constant
developments and the will to always
implement modern application modalities
are continuously creating a concept that is
being envied by many.
MBR: What have you done that has been
very effective in helping to grow the
business?
AB: We have a showroom where people
can find qualified personnel who can trust
and listen to their waterproofing needs,
and advise them with the best possible
solution. The one product fits all is just
but a fairy tale, especially when it comes
to waterproofing, with so much constant
change in the building industry you need
to make sure that you are buying the right
product for the right solution. We also do
site inspections and help our customers
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Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Malta Business Review
Antoine Bonello receiving the award for Malta’s Best in Business Best Product / Service Range Award
from Martin Vella, MBR Publications Ltd’s Managing Director
implement the product should they opt
for the DIY. We do this free of charge just
to make sure that works are carried out
accordingly.
MBR: Can you share your experiences
and feedback regarding the gala awards?
AB: The Gala Dinner proved to be a
platform for the young and not so young
entrepreneurs that are proud of their
work and achievements in Business. It also
proved to be an evening to share ideas and
make new acquaintances. Personally, I am
happy that our company was nominated
and eventually won Best Product and
Service Range. In the end everyone had
his own opinions about the winners which
gave subject to discussion and created a
lovely evening for everyone to enjoy.
MBR: How important do you consider
such awards are and why would these
be significant if you had to keep in mind
that such awards recognise leaders who
contribute toward the growth of their
business and our economy?
AB: Winning an award does not mean that
you made it to the top. For us this award
is the result of team work and as such it
should be seen in this context; there is
no I in a winning team. This award was
achieved thanks to every single person
that works with our company. We need
to keep focused and stay with both feet
on the ground; we need to work harder
to help our company in setting higher
quality standards for the benefit of our
customers. It is no secret that everyone at
the Resin and Membrane Centre is proud
of this recognition for our hard work.
This proves that we are working in the
right direction towards a steady growth.
We will keep directing our resources in
purchasing the latest machineries, but
most of all in increasing our workforce,
making sure it receives the best possible
product training, motivation, safety and
job satisfaction. We now know for sure
that ever more reputable people and
companies are speaking very highly of us
and our work. MBR
All Rights Reserved / Copyright 2016
Corporate
Brief
The Resin and Membrane Centre are
leaders in waterproofing and resin floorings
solutions. We use NAICI professional
materials to ensure that all our projects are
carried out at its best. RMC also caters for the
DIY at our showroom in B’Kara.
RMC are also Certified Installers by the Malta
Professional Waterproofing Association.
Quality, product knowledge and high
standards is what distinguishes us from the
rest.
This year we have introduced the
Thermal Waterproofing Membrane. This
revolutionary membrane reduces heat
intake inside buildings by 91%, therefore
less usage of cooling and heating devices
Our products are VOC low and CE Certified
and can be used safely anywhere. Visit www.
theresincentre.com or Facebook to see our
impressive portfolio of products and works.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
33
Malta Business Review
SPECIAL FEATURE: MALTA’S BEST IN BUSINESS AWARDS
Committed to making worklife
balance a reality for
its employees
by George Carol
Interview with Sylvana Brannon, Director, Stem Cells Malta Ltd., who have been demonstrating exemplary
vision and leadership in Maltese biotechnology The company creates organ cells from skin cells, revolutionising
the production, growth and manufacture of newborn umbilical cords
Antoine Bonello, Marketing Manager, The Resin & Membrane Centre
presenting the award to Sylvana Brannon
Of all the awards that were
presented on the day, this was
the one I mostly wanted to win. At
Stem Cells Malta we have been offering a
very innovative service to our clients, in
the form of banking stem cells from their
newborns’ umbilical cords as a form of
life insurance. However, our innovation
extends to our relationship with those I
consider our most important customers
of all – our employees.
There is a lot of talk about creating familyfriendly
measures to help working mothers
achieve a satisfactory work-life balance
and increase their contribution to the
local economy. However I feel that a lot
of local employers are scared of offering
such measures to their employees. A
talented woman has much to offer the
economy, even more so by virtue of being
a multitasking mother, as this in itself
presents a healthy role model to the future
generation of both men and women.
At Stem Cells Malta, we encourage team
members to create their own work
schedules and methods, after agreeing on
the tasks and priorities as a team. Then,
no proposal for alternate work methods
or schedules is impossible, and the words
“no we can’t let you work that way” are
never uttered. Instead, we offer our team
members the tools they need in order
to make the alternative options work for
them. A happy employee is a productive
employee, and the best ambassador for
the company.
It can be challenging for all of us to
consider the creative options that
women come up with to enable them
to chase their career goals without
neglecting their most important job of all
– that of raising the future generation of
productive members of society. Whether
it is taking breastfeeding or expressing
breaks, or bring their baby to work, or
wear their baby all day at work in a sling,
or turn a corner of the office into a play
area, or contribute to childcare costs,
or work remotely, or work at 2am, or
on weekends, or take time from their
own sick leave instead of vacation leave
to care for a sick child – we have never
been a company to wait for legislations
and committees and billboards in
order to introduce such measures. We
have always been on the forefront of
promoting family-friendly measures, and
have learned a lot from the process.
The best decisions in the company have
always been the ones taken as a team,
involving all members no matter how
“small” they consider their role in the
34
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Malta Business Review
The Stem Cells Malta team at the Malta Best-in-Business Awards 2016
company to be. I am only one person
and one brain, with my perceptions, my
set of skills, my limitations. When this is
combined with the skills and experience
of my team, the results are much more
creative and effective than when I try
to make decisions by myself. As their
leader, I feel it is my responsibility to
carry the burden of any decisions taken
as a team should these decisions not give
the desired result – and then to change
plans accordingly. Otherwise they will
not be eager to contribute ideas in the
future, and that will be of no benefit to
the company as a whole, or to the team
members individually.
Such awards give recognition to the often
unnoticed efforts being done daily in
small companies. I do not do what I do in
order to be rewarded for it, as my reward
comes daily from being surrounded by a
happy, productive group of people who
look forward to coming to work every day
and are ready to go to hospital at 11pm
on their son’s birthday to deliver a kit to
a mother in labour. However, it gives me
great satisfaction to be recognised in this
way, and I felt very proud picking up the
award on behalf of my team! The event
was very professional and classy, and it
was easy to see the hard work invested in
it by the organisers. I was really pleased
to be accompanied by people who really
matter to me and who support me daily –
the women on my team who put up with
my moods, disappointments, challenges,
struggles, and outrageous ideas on a
daily basis; their partners who support
their wives and their career aspirations;
my dad who brought me up to believe
that nothing is impossible and who has
supported me through every day of 45
years; and my partner who gets to listen
to my frustrations and always has words
of wisdom and clarity to offer me and
bring me back to earth.
I believe that if you do what you love, you
will do it with passion and hence cannot
fail. It is important to recognise your
limitations and give up control in those
areas to others who are more competent
there. The words “I cannot” and “I don’t
know how” have to be eliminated from
the vocabulary and replaced with “I can
learn”. Mutual respect is crucial, and
there should be zero tolerance for gossip
and bad vibes about team members. A
person’s skill and ability to effectively
contribute to a team is not measured
by a CV or a degree. Taking the time to
get to know a team member personally,
no matter her background or previous
experience, will definitely uncover areas
of expertise that cannot be outlined in a
CV or in any University qualification. MBR
All Rights Reserved / Copyright 2016
Corporate
Brief
Stem Cells Malta is Malta’s premier stem
cell bank, celebrating 10 years since storing
the first samples of umbilical cord blood
stem cells from Maltese babies, in its UK
laboratory. Since then, Stem Cells Malta
has maintained its position as Malta’s leader
in private stem cell storage, focused on
bringing the life-saving potential of stem
cells from cord blood and teeth to families
nationwide. Since its’ inception, Stem Cells
Malta has worked relentlessly to increase
the acceptance and awareness of the value
of stem cell storage. The company continues
its programme of educating and informing
the public, to help ensure that all expectant
parents are aware of the options available
to them and the opportunity to store their
child’s stem cells.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
35
Malta Business Review
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
The Power of
Innovation
by George Carol
David Abela, Managing Director of
Eurobridge Shipping Services Ltd
is interviewed by Malta Business
Review following the company’s
recent accolade as Malta’s Best-in-
Business Outstanding Industry
Contributor during Malta’s Best in
Business Awards 2016
MBR: Would you discuss your vision in
creating EuroBridge Shipping Ltd and the
opportunity that you see for the growth
of the company?
DA: I would differentiate between the
company pre-April and the one post-April
2014. During that month, I realised that
the model on which the company was
operating was leading us nowhere, with
the probability that within a few years, or
perhaps even months, it would have to
close its doors. At that juncture, I realised
that we needed to change and adapt
drastically. Therefore, we rebranded with
an innovative model never seen before in
Malta. We adopted it and my vision is to
continue making sure that we remain to
have a competitive edge in our extremely
cutthroat market, whilst offering the best
Kevin Portelli, Marketing Manager, M.A.&A. Services Ltd
presenting the award to EuroBridge Staff
one-to-one service afforded to all our
valued customers.
MBR: Would you provide an overview
of EuroBridge Shipping Ltd strategy and
what differentiates EuroBridge Shipping
Ltd in the market?
DA: Our strategy is a very simple one.
We always make sure that at the time
our customers receive their goods after
rewarding us with their transport; they will
have absolutely no doubt that there will
only be one forwarder they will be using
in the future: Eurobridge Shipping Limited!
The difference between our competitors
and Eurbridge Shipping Ltd is that we
have direct communication channels
between both the consignee in Malta
and the supplier abroad, thus reducing
greatly the risk of misunderstandings and
time-wasting, and the result is a fast turnaround.
Of course, we had to invest greatly
in personnel but this gets compensated by
the reduction in cost of operating with
foreign outsourced partners.
MBR: Would you provide an overview of
EuroBridge Shipping Ltd’s portfolio?
DA: The firm was setup in 1995 to cater
for imports from Italy but nowadays
it has a network covering all Europe
with collaborations with transport
powerhouses such as Rhenus Logistics
and DSV. Nowadays, it owns and manages
22 trailers of both curtain-sider and box
type, and we can transport all type of
ambient cargo. Our clients vary from
Pharmaceutical companies to Food and
Beverage Importers, and moving all types
of cargo from furniture to electronic
goods.
MBR: How difficult has it been to gain
brand awareness for you and does it
mainly come via word of mouth?
DA: Although the company has been
operating for 21 years, we were largely
unknown and the few who knew about us,
knew us as being competitive from Italy
but not much else. Over the last couple of
years, we have promoted our company and
the services we offer more and more to
bring more awareness about our company.
Our location on a secondary street in
Marsa has not helped, but thanks to great
word of mouth, combined together with
heavier presence in publications such as
the Malta Business Review, and the social
media we are making great advances. The
transformation will be complete as soon as
we move into our new offices on a main
road in Qormi early next year.
MBR: What have been the keys to the
firm’s success that have allowed it to
36
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Malta Business Review
The EuroBridge team at the Malta Best-in-Business Awards 2016
remain so strong and respected over the
years?
DA: I always say it has been a mixture
of hard-work and vision from my side
together with the level and dedication of
our employees that brought us where we
are today. It has not always been an easy
ride but thanks to the backing of my family,
I remained steadfast in making sure to be a
success in business and have managed to
translate this determination to my staff who
remained loyal and stuck with me through
thick and thin.
The most prestigious award
we can get is always a nice
‘thank you’ or compliment
from one of our customers,
but these kinds of awards are
special and make us feel we
are finally making a statement
MBR: How do you define the practice
area strengths of EuroBridge Shipping Ltd
and how have you maintained the firm’s
competitive advantage?
DA: Our strength is definitely the fact
that we treat every single customer in
an individual way. It is a procedure in our
company not to have one where customer
care is concerned since we know everybody
and every company has different needs
and requests so we adapt every single
time to them. This policy together with
our continual monitoring of the shipments’
journey to Malta have helped us greatly in
developing our business to what it is today.
Furthermore, we are always on the look out
to try new technological advances to make
us more efficient, but at the same time more
economic in our ways. We simply never
think we have arrived at our destination and
keep on innovating.
MBR: Do you consider the recent
prestigious award as Malta's Best-in-
Business Outstanding Industry Contributor
as a recognition of the EuroBridge Shipping
Ltd business model?
DA: Of course we do! This is our first proper
award we have won and we are extremely
proud of it! Hopefully there will be more
to come in the coming years. The most
prestigious award we can get is always a
nice ‘thank you’ or compliment from one
of our customers, but these kinds of awards
are special and make us feel we are finally
making a statement in the local business
environment, as it is handed by our peers
who are aware of the improvements we
have made over the years.
MBR: Can you give us your feedback on the
organisation, and how you will remember
Malta’s Best Business Awards 2016?
DA: Unfortunately, I could not attend the
awards ceremony as I was abroad but we
had almost all the staff attend in my stead!
One could see that they were very excited
about the evening and were preparing fully
for it. The feedback I got from them was
that they enjoyed it thoroughly and would
not hesitate to attend again! Since we were
nominated for four awards and we won the
last one for which we were nominated, they
got very tense and as soon as our name was
announced, they all jumped out of their
seats with joy and relief! I sincerely hope
that we will be nominated again next year,
so I may attend this time! MBR
All Rights Reserved / Copyright 2016
Corporate
Brief
Established in 1995, EuroBridge is nowadays
one of the leading Trailer Operators in
Malta owning no less than 22 trailers. Their
services include door-to-door Groupage, Full
Trailer & Container, Airfreight and Courier.
They also act as Insurance intermediaries for
customers who want to insure their cargo
during transport. With a dedicated staff of 13
and ever increasing, they will soon be moving
into a state-of-the-art office that will help
them give an even better customer-service
than ever before. EuroBridge is also looking
into expanding its services to be able to offer
a total logistical solution for the Maltese
market and beyond.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
37
Malta Business Review
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Then. Now. Forever
Gianpula Village!
Matthew Degiorgio, Managing Director, GIANPULA VILLAGE, talks to
MBR after being awarded Malta's Best Entertainment of the Year Award,
telling us that Malta’s Best in Business Awards offer a new platform which
recognises and awards the talents and inspirations which are not often
acknowledged by mainstream media and Awarding platforms.
MBR: Can you tell us about your reaction
after winning Malta’s Best Entertainmnet
Entrepreneur of the Year Award and
what does this mean to you?
MD: Obviously it was very rewarding to win
Malta's Best Entertainment Entrepreneur
of the Year Award. It was great to receive
recognition for strategic planning,
pioneering and every day hard work that
goes into making Gianpula Village the
success that it is. This is a collective effort,
lead by myself, but with a committed team
Matthew Degiorgio, Managing Director Gianpula Village, awarded
Malta’s Best Entertainment of the Year Award
by George Carol
behind me, so recognition to everyone
who contributed to making Gianpula
Village an outstanding success.
MBR: What motivated and inspired you
to participate in Malta’s Best in Business
Awards and what’s your feedback on the
awards?
MD: 2016 has seen significant changes
at Gianpula, as well as key areas of
development. In 2016 Gianpula realised
it's vision to become a complete
entertainment village, providing night
clubs, and day clubs, to cater for every
individual. The Gianpula Village brand
became synonymous with quality
entertainment for all ages and tastes.
Also in 2016 Gianpula Village launched it's
Corporate Events Business. This includes
two new venues: The Club House, which
is a purposely converted 16th century
hunting lodge - now an outstanding events
venue, and The Vaults; a spectacular
subterranean venue like no other in Malta.
These venues, along with a committed
team, offer events packages tailored to the
client's needs.
MBR: What has been your biggest
challenges so far in your line of duty and
how did you overcome these challenges?
MD: Recent challenges have seen Gianpula
face a change in its long term management
structure. Whilst this impacted the
business significantly, this also provided
the opportunity for management team
members to step up, as part of their career
development, and assume new roles and
responsibilities.
In addition to this, 2016 saw three of the
key players in the industry move on to new
venues, again, this required adaption - and
provided the opportunity for new, fresh
and younger talent to take a leading role in
the entertainment industry.
MBR: To what do you most attribute
your success after being awarded as
Best Entertainment Company of the Year
Award? What would say are the five
key elements for starting and running a
successful business?
MD: First and foremost, the success
of Gianpula can be attributed to an
outstanding management structure,
supported with 100% backing from my
partner over the past five years, who
had understood the requirements and
restrictions of running an entertainment
business .
The five key elements which have proven
to be vital in creating and developing
Gianpula Village are:
• A long-term understanding of the
Business and Marketplace
• A Solid Management Structure
• Leading the field, not following others
• Adapting constantly to the market
trends
• Seeking new opportunities
MBR: In one word, what characterises
your life as an entrepreneur?
MD: Vision MBR
All Rights Reserved / Copyright 2016
38
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Malta Business Review
Growth &
Success
MBR Interviews
MYC Managing
Director, Simon
Attard, following
the company’s recent
achievement on being
awarded Malta’s Best
in Business Strategic
Design & Creative Award
by George Carol
MBR: What has been central to
your strategy for success?
SA: MYC opened its doors in 2012.
The direction was to provide a
service in online marketing and
communications. It was a tough start
becasue back in 2012, most businesses
where still realising the importance of
GOOD ONLINE EXPOSURE. This has led
me to setup different departments.
I have soon established a great
relationship with printing partners in all
around Italy, invested in all the equipment
and Human resources required to
provide more communication services
other than online. Four years later, we
are a team of six, capable of providing
all requirements in relationship with,
Marketing strategies, online Marketing
such as Social Media content and
advertising, Google advertising and SEO,
Web Development and hosting services,
Printing, Photography and Audio visual
Services, event organising and designing
- setting up of stands in various fairs.
Our business philosophy is
based around our clients, and
the way we provide a service
All of this leads me to the answer to
your question. I say that the most
crucial capability towards a successful
business, especially in it's early stages,
is to have the courage to see threats
as opportunities and not to be afraid
to take drastic measures. Being on the
lookout for opportunities, aiming for
growth, and believing in oneself are
crucial, especially in the early stages of
a business.
Mr John Paul Abela, Bank of Valletta Investor Relations Officer, presenting the
Malta’s Best in Business Strategic Design & Creative Award to Mr Simon Attard,
MYC Managing Director
MBR: Can you tell us about your reaction
after winning Malta’s Best in Business
Strategic Design & Creative Award and
what does this mean to you?
SA: I was already happy to have MYC
acknowledged for it's work by being
nominated. Though winning an award
means that our clients actually see and
appreciate what we do and how we
execute our work. We are a growing
business amongst many established
ones, making ours quite an interesting
adventure.
Yes, winning a prestigious award,
motivates us to keep improving on
what we specialise on, that is providing
successful campaigns, and amazing
branding projects to our clients.
MBR: Do you have a business
philosophy?
SA: Our business philosophy is based
around our clients, and the way we
provide a service. We take pride in giving
immediate response to our client's
requests. Whether we are designing a
corporate brochure, a logo, a mobile
friendly website, or handling the launch
of a business, a brand or any other
campaign, we guarantee to take full
responsibility of each and every little
detail, assuring the outcome of any other
successful story, well handled by MYC
MBR: What is the main driving factor
which motivates your team at work?
SA: I am extremely blessed for being
surrounded by a group of passionate
individuals. I can confirm that the
greatest motivation we are all driven by is
seeing our work in action, but most of all,
seeing our clients smile and sharing the
same enthusiasm towards the project.
We cultivate strategic and creative
ideas so that our clients communicate
successfully, and differently from their
competitors. Every successful project is
our ultimate satisfaction.
MBR: To what do you most attribute
your success?
SA: My team, Absolutely. There is only
so much one can do on his/her own.
But how much can one do when a team
shares one vision, that is growth and
success?
MYC is consists of six experienced people
and I owe every day, every project to their
dedication. Thank you guys!
MBR
All Rights Reserved / Copyright 2016
www.maltabusinessreview.net
39
Malta Business Review
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Clear Vision, Energy &
Perseverance
by Martin Vella
Martin Vella meets entrepreneur in marketing, fashion and travel blogger Grazielle Camilleri to learn more about her
after being bestowed with the Best Start-Up Company of the Year award during Malta's Best in Business Awards
held at Castello dei Baroni on Friday 25th November, 2016 for her marketing business Grazielle Camilleri.
MBR: Describe how your work and
personality have helped your start-up
company transcend the boundaries of
your primary field of work, and has it
opened new areas in online and web
development?
GC: I’m a very approachable person. With
a positive energy and can-do attitude, with
the help from my team, month after month,
we achieve great results online. I’ve always
been interested in sales and marketing and
I’ve worked passionately for over a decade
with leading hospitality, and retail sectors in
Malta and in London so launching my own
Marketing and PR business a few years ago,
focusing on online marketing, social media
and a fashion blog seemed like a natural
career step for me to do. Online marketing
has increased drastically in the past decade
and I have decided to focus my expertise
into that sector. Nowadays, everyone is
online, constantly on their phones and
laptops and that is where I want to be too.
MBR: Is Thought Leadership Marketing a
key component of your entrepreneurial
success?
GC: Gone are the days when marketing
meant putting out some advertisements
and hiring a copywriter to rave about how
great your brand is. By publishing articles,
videos, research, or any other form of
original content regularly, potential clients
and members of your industry may begin
associating your brand with insight and
authority. When the time comes to hire a
company, yours will be at the top of their
mind. That’s why many entrepreneurs are
interested in the new value of thought
leadership which is about providing genuine
eye-catching content to your customers.
The idea is that people are more willing to
invest in you if they are confident that you
really know your stuff.
MBR: What is the key ingredient to being
a successful entrepreneur?
GC: There are so many keys to be successful.
Clear vision, energy and perseverance are
my top three.
MBR: How do you motivate people to
build and create something, and to share
in the success?
GC: I am a firm believer in the power of
great team work. It is with the combined
talent of selected individuals in each project
that results are achieved. I continuously
encourage persons who work with me to
feel involved and important, no matter
what job they are employed to do. Even
though I lead the team, I value everyone’s
opinions and ideas. I always make it a point
to congratulate them all for work done and
they share the success with me.
MBR: Is it important to have awards such
as Malta’s Best in Business Awards to
recognise business achievement and what
is your feedback of this year’s event?
GC: Highlighting excellence through Awards
is important to any business or service.
How often do we find ourselves looking
for third party endorsements before we
purchase something new? An award
from TripAdvisor for example, can have a
positive impact on a hotel or restaurant
and bring new business. It is crucial for any
organisation, in Business or the Arts to gain
recognition for its products and services.
Winning an award at any stage of your
business, be it a start-up or an established
firm with hundreds of employees, allows
you to distinguish your company from
competitors and ensure that as many
potential customers as possible are aware
of your titles.
I really enjoyed the event at Castello dei
Baroni. As I have written in my blog, it was a
well-organised, prestigious event and I was
so pleased to have been a part of it. Thank
you! MBR
All Rights Reserved / Copyright 2016
Madame Anchelique Caruana presenting the award of
Best Start-Up Company of the Year to Grazielle Camilleri
40
Special Feature: Malta’s Best in Business Awards
Malta Business Review
A ‘Whole Job’ Approach
by Martin Vella
“This a sought after accolade of
achievement, an endorsement of
your hard-work, determination
and enterprise in business,”
exclaimed a beaming Karl Ebejer,
Managing Director of ME
Architects after being awarded
with Malta’s Best in Business Best
Corporate Social Responsibility
and also Most Socially &
Environmentally Responsible
Company of the Year at the MBIB
Awards 2016.
“Winning an award that recognises your
business offers exceptional marketing and
PR opportunities, as well as increases your
credibility and standing in the eyes of your
peers and your customers,” told us Mr
Ebejer.
So it’s celebration time for Karl and all
the team at the ME Architects offices on
winning the Best in Business awards for
Malta’s Best in Business Best Corporate
Social Responsibility and also Most Socially
& Environmentally Responsible Company
of the Year at the recent prestigious awards
gala dinner, hosted by the MBR Publications
Limited and the Malta Business Review at
Castelo dei Baroni, over a clear November
sky filled with stars and glitz!
This year’s Malta’s Best in Business Awards,
hosted by Thea Saliba and Colin Fitz, were
well organised, with floral arrangements
over each immaculately dressed dining
table in fine banquet style. The awards
ceremony, sponsored by the M.A.&A.
Services Ltd, as well as The Convenience
Shop and Western Union, is beyond any
doubt Malta’s largest and premier events
in the business calendar. It was sold-out
weeks in advance and attracted more than
390 guests.
“It was a fantastic night and very well
run event. Atitudes toward the impact of
design on profit are changing. Business
corporations and entrepreneurs are
beginning to recognise the benefits of a
thoughtful, well-executed workplace or
business environment. Today, business
excellence is a growing movement, as
indicated by the range of this year's nine
winning companies,” commented Mr
Ebejer.
“I am so pleased to be here tonight
celebrating the successes of the business
community in the Malta, after going
through a lot in learning how to become
more socially responsible. ME Architects are
delighted to receive these great awards - a
certificate for our hard work and sacrifices.
I know a lot of businesses say that customer
service is important but we really do pride
ourselves on listening to the client and
providing a first class service within Malta
and beyond”
“Congratulations to all the finalists and
winners on the night including Best in
Business Company of the Year Vodafone,
and to all the other colleagues in our
business and architectural community. This
has been a fantastic night and well done to
the organisers MBR Publications Ltd.”
“We have a unique offering and after all
the hard work the team put in to ensure
we provide a ‘whole job’ approach to
our customers to win this award is just
wonderful. One of our main project
with regards to CSR, which gave us a
lot of satisfaction was the design and
refurbishment we did at Caritas.” said Karl.
“We offer a complete service from design,
to build to installation and to support and
to receive this accolade from the judges we
are proud to enjoy as this is a great boost to
everything we do.”
“Tonight’s Awards were a celebration of local
companies in Malta who we can champion
together for the wide range of goods,
services and products that are available in
our country,” Karl concluded. MBR
www.maltabusinessreview.net
41
Malta Business Review
FOCUS: MED FORUM
OUTCOMES OF MED FORUM 2016 PRESENTED IN VALLETTA:
Malta backs the outcomes of MED FORUM 2016 on the eve
of assuming the EU Presidency
• The outcomes of last month’s “landmark forum” for Mediterranean Dialogue (23-25 October 2016) reaffirm the centrality
of the ANNA LINDH FOUNDATION as a credible long-term institutional player in the face of unprecedented regional
challenges.
• MED FORUM participants’ survey, carried out in November 2016, provides evidence that the Forum has been a catalyst
for youth and civil society mobilisation underway for intercultural action, and confirms an “appetite” and commitment
for enlarging north, south partnerships to counteract conflict, extremism, unemployment, and the public discourse on
migration and a refugee crisis.
• The Forum has been a “defining event and process” for the forthcoming Maltese Presidency of the EU which is backing
a series of actions initiated by the Anna Lindh Foundation and partners to scale-up and widen the participation of
intercultural action across the societies of Europe and the southern Mediterranean region, and to shift the policy discourse
“beyond extremism” to addressing long-term underlying causes.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta,
Dr George W. Vella, has backed the
outcomes of last month’s landmark
Anna Lindh Foundation MED FORUM. Dr
Vella was speaking in the last days at a special
event in Valletta to present the FORUM
outcomes, exactly one month on from the
regional gathering and on the eve of Malta
assuming the Presidency of the European
Council.
“Med Forum has truly been a watershed
moment in bringing the Anna Lindh
Foundation and its mandate for intercultural
dialogue to the centre of the political
debate on how to address common
challenges of security and migration across
the Mediterranean,” stated Minister Vella.
“We have witnessed first-hand how the
Anna Lindh Foundation represents today
a true north, south partnership, and the
Foundation has demonstrated on the global
stage its unique capacity as a credible,
serious and committed actor with a defined
long-term strategy and unique mandate for
dialogue action.”
Minister Vella also underlined that last
month’s MED FORUM, which resulted from
18 months of preparation undertaken by
the Foundation and partners, was conceived
from the outset as a far-reaching process
to bring cultural relations and peopleto-people
cooperation to the heart of
the policy rethink on how to effectively
construct relations between Europe and its
southern Mediterranean neighbourhood
and has been a “defining event for the future
Presidency”.
These remarks were echoed by the Executive
Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation,
Ambassador Hatem Atallah, who presented
the outcomes of MED FORUM alongside
Minister Vella at the Ministry for Foreign
Affairs in Valletta. “The Forum marks a
turning point for the Anna Lindh Foundation.
There is today a global consensus for the
centrality of intercultural dialogue to address
common challenges of conflict, extremism,
unemployment, and certain media and
political narratives on migration and a
refugee crisis. There is equal consensus for
the long-term approach for working through
a grand coalition of partnerships, investing
in a new generation of actors, and shifting
strategic focus to new domains such as
cities, media and enterprise.”
Ambassador Atallah also highlighted the
global reach of MED FORUM, evidenced
by the high-level institutional backing
now secured including the UN Secretary-
General and EU High-Representative for
Foreign Affairs, and the unprecedented
communication impact of the process
to date, with MED FORUM LIVE globally
trending during the main three-day global
gathering in Valletta and evidence of an
emerging media movement.
Advancing the policy outputs of MED FORUM
already began on 28th October in Marseille
with a group of youth sector leaders from
the Forum presenting the conclusions
to Foreign Affairs Ministers at the “5+5
Dialogue” which backed the expansion of
Young Mediterranean Voices. Next, on the
8th December, the League of Arab States
will host the next of the inter-institutional
steering group meetings with the ALF and
partners, the EU, League of Arab States,
Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat,
MEDAC and the Maltese Ministry for Foreign
Affairs.
Among the key conclusions of MED FORUM
presented in Valletta:
Taking a long-term approach and investing
in a generation. Investing in a generation of
intercultural actors is the only viable, longterm
root to promote mutual understanding
and prevent conflict and radicalisation.
Shifting strategic focus to intercultural
cities and reaching communities. The
42
FOCUS: MED FORUM
Malta Business Review
establishment of a “Mediterranean Capital
for Dialogue” was recommended as a first
operational step to increase visibility and
bring together existing city-to-city networks
around an intercultural dialogue agenda
Reach impact and growth through
enabling partnerships. MED FORUM called
for sustainable and effective partnerships.
According to the Forum participants’ survey,
carried out in November 2016, 57.3% of the
delegates are in the process of establishing
collaborations through partnerships
with other Forum delegates, and 60.6%
recommend the Anna Lindh Foundation to
focus its activities on partnerships and policy
advocacy.
Media is a crucial sector for the Anna
Lindh Foundation. Preliminary results from
the latest Euro-Med survey on intercultural
trends and perceptions highlight there
is scope to invest in more research and
analysis, dialogue, exchanges and mentoring
of journalists to counter negative media
narratives.
Young Med Voices can be a catalyst for
a real north-south partnership. Building
on “Young Arab Voices”, it is the first time
such a Pan-Arab programme extends to
Europe, reshaping the traditional Euro-Med
dynamics, as highlighted by the EU High-
Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica
Mogherini: “This is not only a geographical
expansion, but opening up new channels for
youth-led agency.”
Mobility remains the central challenge,
right and opportunity. At the heart of
the Forum debate was how to ensure an
exponential increase of opportunities for
young people to communicate exchange
and collaborate across all kinds of borders –
physical or cultural.
Dialogue requires competences and
a capabilities approach. There are
competencies required to ensure dialogue
is effective. A capabilities approach offers
a valuable analytical lens for exploring the
challenge and complexity of intercultural
dialogue in contemporary settings.
Key actions underway through MED FORUM
which could be advanced through the
Maltese EU Presidency and beyond:
Shifting the policy and media narrative
“beyond extremism”
• Policy Outreach. The Anna Lindh
Foundation will now partner with the
United Nations on the inter-agency
steering group for the Progress Study
on UN Resolution 2250 (Youth, Peace
and Security) which will provide a global
platform for public policy outreach.
• Major debates with next-generation. The
analysis of the latest intercultural trends
report commissioned by the Anna Lindh
Foundation will be the basis for launching
through the Maltese Presidency a series
of major debates with next-generation
influencers as well as policy-makers,
thinkers and decision-makers in the
current ‘authority’ generation.
• Youth-led Campaigns. The trends data
presented in Valletta provides evidence
that investment in youth-led initiative
is the most effective way to challenge
extremist narratives. The strategic
partnership with Facebook launched
at MED FORUM, along with newly
established media partnerships, will be
the basis for launching a region-wide
programme of “innovation labs” aimed at
empowering youth sector leaders with the
tools to run large-scale communications
campaigns.
Launching a new era of young
Mediterranean voices
• Youth Platform. The launch of “Young
Mediterranean Voices” at MED FORUM
2016 represented a major milestone. The
programme has now received financial
backing by the European Commission, the
World Bank Group and Member States
such as the Finnish Government, and
will be roll-out from January 2017. It will
provide a platform for enhanced youth
debate and dialogue action.
• Mogherini Dialogue. As announced in
Valletta, the EU’s High-Representative
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Federica Mogherini, will invite to Brussels
in the first quarter of 2017 delegates
from Young Mediterranean Voices. The
purpose of the meeting will be “to start
a conversation, and to bring about real
change” with a focus on policies which can
be advanced at the regional level.
Working through a new partnership with
media
• Media analysis. The latest survey on
intercultural trends points at a new line of
activity with senior media executives and
policy makers, which could initiate policy
changes required to significantly influence
the media narratives when reporting on
the ‘other’. In this regard, the milestone
10th edition of the Anna Lindh Foundation
Journalist Award, to be organised in 2017,
will put a strong emphasis on media
coverage of issues related to migration
and the refugee crisis.
• Partnerships for media networks. MED
FORUM secured a commitment among
large scale media networks to enhanced
cooperation, support media advocacy and
invest in areas of mentoring. Among them:
COPEAM, the European Broadcasting
Union (EBU), ASBU and the Euro-Med
Media Network (EMMN).
Ensuring the Mediterranean legacy
• MED FORUM has been a catalyst for
embedding institutional partnerships in
Malta for the Anna Lindh Foundation. For
example, leading to a new cooperation
agreement between the Foundation
and the Mediterranean Academy for
Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) aimed at
reaffirming the MED FORUM connections
between youth, civil society, institutions
and policy-makers. Joint action in 2017
will lay the ground for an annual event in
Malta.
• City recognition. One of the large-scale
initiatives proposed through MED
FORUM has been the establishment of
a first Dialogue Award for Cities through
the new collaboration with Valletta
2018 Foundation with the aim of raising
visibility and embedding best practices on
intercultural dialogue. The criteria for this
award scheme will be pioneered as a basis
for a regional programme.
• Estonian Presidency. Discussions are being
initiated with the Estonian authorities
and Anna Lindh Foundation’s civil society
network regarding the preparation of
the Presidency of the European Council
to follow Malta in the second semester
of 2017 to ensure the “Mediterranean
legacy”. MBR
Source: Department of Information, Malta
Corporate
Brief
MBR
MED FORUM 2016 gathered 640 delegates from 50+
countries, including representatives of civil society
organisations, youth leaders, media networks, and
policy-makers. The Forum followed an 18-month
strategy and programming process initiated in April
2015 by the Anna Lindh Foundation and Ministry
for Foreign Affairs of Malta, in partnership with the
main regional institutions working for dialogue in the
Mediterranean. The main aim of the strategy was to
reaffirm the centrality of intercultural dialogue in the
face of unprecedented regional challenges. This is a
direct response to the call of the EU Foreign Affairs
chief Federica Mogherini and institutions for collective
action. The reach and impact of MED FORUM was
significantly higher compared to the previous editions,
with more than 15% increase in requests for self-financed
delegates (1224 CSOs from 42 countries competed to
participate in the initial call). The media outreach (MED
FORUM LIVE) reached an unprecedented level of
people and communities world-wide: #MedForum2016
was a global trending topic during the three main days
of the Forum, with 2,805,141 Twitter accounts reached
and 12,375,744 impressions (potential reads). The event
formed on a unique participatory process involving,
on the one side, the 4500+ local branches of the Anna
Lindh Foundation, representing civil society, cities and
local authorities, cultural bodies, artistic and youth
organisations, media networks; and, on the other side,
an inter-institutional steering group involving for the
first time together, the Foundation’s Secretariat and its
partners, the EU Central and External Action services,
the League of Arab States headquarters, the UfM-
Secretariat, MEDAC, and the Maltese Ministry for
Foreign Affairs (MFA).
www.maltabusinessreview.net
43
Malta Business Review
ANNIVERSARY
HUGO BOSS
celebrates the 5th year anniversary of the first BOSS store in Malta
luxury ready-to-wear and
non- apparel. Today, we
are happy to reconfirm
the IMOCA 60. We wish Alex and his team
best of luck as he is currently racing in the
Vendeé Globe.
that our strategy has been
“We are proud of our partnership with
successful. We strive to
HUGO BOSS. A German engineered fashion
distinguish ourselves, by
house, professional in all aspects of the
focusing on a heightened
customer experience.
business, from the product itself, through
When you offer high-end
brands you are dealing
its Marketing, and Visual Merchandising”
concludes Michelle Farrugia.
Michelle Farrugia, Managing Director Fashion Retail Division
with a more sophisticated
VFGroup with colleagues and models
HUGO BOSS is one of the world market
O
clientele. In luxury retail, leaders in the premium fashion and
n December 8th 2016, HUGO BOSS
you are serving a more luxury segment of the apparel
celebrated its five year
presence in Malta with the first BOSS
store. Esteemed clients enjoyed an
exclusive private dinner, prepared
by the renowned executive chef
Joe Vella. More than 100 invited
guests, consisting of BOSS clients,
market. It focuses on developing
and marketing luxury men’s and
women’s fashion. Headquartered
in Metzingen with a presence
in 124 countries, the company
generated with almost 14,000
media representatives, Maltese
employees net sales of EUR 2.8
celebrities as well as international
& local models, attended the gala
dinner at the new Hilton Malta
Hotel. The dining experience was
Boyana & Lauren welcoming guests at the Oceana Hilton
Malta at the Hugo Boss 5th Anniversary dinner
billion in fiscal year 2015, making
it one of the most profitable
listed apparel manufacturers in
the world. The fascinating brand
accompanied by international London
sophisticated market. I take great pride
world of HUGO BOSS comprises the
based blues singer Jenessa Qua.
VF Group represents the two BOSS stores
in the store ambience and
service that our clients
collections of BOSS and HUGO.
MBR
in Malta, located on Ross Street, St. Julian’s experience, when they
and the Departures lounge at Malta
International Airport. The launch of BOSS
in Malta was an important milestone for
the local fashion industry with the store
becoming another successful ambassador
for VF Group’s portfolio of maisons and
fashion houses.
shop in our stores. This
level of service, is second
to none and can only be
experienced in stores”.
“In the past five years
we organized a series of
events for our clients. One
“Five years ago we had a vision of placing of the most memorable
Malta on the international map of luxury one for the local sailing
HUGO BOSS Staff – Carl, Michael, Tony and Claudio
goods”, said Michelle Farrugia, Managing
Director of VF Group. “We decided to
invest in a location which was new to
enthusiasts, was hosting Alex Thomson
and his team, when in 2013, he competed
at the Rolex Middle Sea Race, on board
If you have any questions, please contact:
VF Group: VFGMALTA, Tiziana Gauci,
Marketing, tizianagauci@vfgmalta.com
44
EUPATI
Malta Business Review
Malta to hold conference on
rare diseases next March, as
part of the EU Presidency 2017
Speaking during a seminar on innovative
medicines and patient involvement
organised by the Bioethics Research
Programme in collaboration with the
Malta Health Network and the European
patients’ Academy (EUPATI), Minister for
Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil
Liberties Helena Dalli spoke of the difficulties
that small countries encounter when it
comes to prompt access to innovative
medicines. In particular, this is due to their
small unattractive markets.
Minister Dalli remarked that this concern
is being discussed throughout Europe as a
major issue that impacts on the public health
of patients and warrants immediate action.
She stressed the importance of accessibility
to medicines and noted that patients should
be treated equally beyond the realm of sex,
race, orientation and beliefs.
Minister Dalli announced that during the
EU Presidency 2017 next March, Malta will
be hosting a conference on rare diseases
by EURORDIS which is the European
Organisation for Rare Diseases. This has
been possible thanks to an initiative taken
by the spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs
Michelle Muscat, the patron of EURORDIS.
Dr Dalli explained that through assistance
of the Malta Medicines Authority, this
conference brings together important
entities such as the Innovative Medicines
Initiative (IMI) and the Committee for
Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) to
discuss rare diseases. MBR
Creditline: THE MINISTRY FOR SOCIAL
DIALOGUE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND
CIVIL LIBERTIES
Photo - DOI - Jason Borg
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www.maltabusinessreview.net
45
Malta Business Review
HIGHER EDUCATION
eie educational group
eie Educational Group
Commited to Providing the Best
Education Learning Experience
Learning a language or obtaining an
academic qualification is more important
than ever in the global economy. eie
Educational Group provide students with
a first-class educational teaching and
training service at a fair price. Students ask
for an excellent teaching environment so
that they quickly progress through their
course, but also that they will want to
enjoy themselves whilst studying. At eie
Educational Group, you will have a fantastic
studying experience. eie encourage social
interaction trough regular, fun and varied
leisure programmes, as this improves a
learning experience.
eie Educational Group, was established in
January 2000 and their success is built on a
long-standing commitment to the specific
needs of local and international students.
eie constantly expands its worldwide
networks, partners with established
renowned organisations, invests in its
facilities and in social commitments. The
eie Educational Group is redefining the
landscape of modern education.
The eie Educational Group aims to
develop the appropriate competencies
and knowledge needed in planning,
evaluation, research and development
tasks in education and related fields in the
midst of societal changes, both on local
and global levels. This network gives eie
the key to be competitive and to share
the collective experience and continuous
professional development with their
cilients.
In a fast moving world, challenges are
demanding and change is constant.
Tomorrow’s future depends on today’s
knowledge.
Through its companies, the eie Educational
Group is able to offer the following
services:
• Academic programmes - Certificate,
Diploma, Bachelor, Master degrees
in various subjects for young and
mature adults are offered through
eie Institute of Education (Licensed
by the NCFHE as an institute of
Further and Higher Education –
License Number 2005-TC-001);
• Training programmes - Business
courses, thematic seminars for
business excecutives offered
trough eie Mangement Centre;
• English Language courses - English
courses at Beginner, Elementary,
Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate,
Upper-Intermediate, Business
English and Advanced levels are
offered through eie Languages
Centre (Licensed by the EFL
Monitoring Board – License
Number 282/MB42)
• Student Accommodation - Provision
of quality accommodation around
Malta ideal for students offered
through eie Residences
• Internships – Organisation of
Work placement and Internships
for international students offered
through eie internships. MBR
eie Mission
To enhance the level of Academic
training and Tuition of both pre and
post graduate levels by:
• Contributing actively towards the
propagation of equal opportunities
for all.
• Continually engaging in the pursuit of
excellence.
• Continually investing in its own
people.
• Striving to afford the best service to
all our clients.
• Establishing itself as a leader in the
international education field.
• Contributing towards the social
welfare of the community.
For more information about eie’s degree
programmes, English language courses
or other business related courses you can
e-mail at info@eie-group.com, phone on
+35621332804/5
46
iGAMING
Malta Business Review
eie educational group
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
The eie educational group
is an acknowledged leader in international education
We specialise in providing
* Higher Educational courses - eie Institute of Education (NCFHE License Number 2005 - TC - 001)
* English Language courses - eie Languages Centre (EFL License Number 282/MB42)
* Executive and Business courses - eie Management Centre
* Internship services - eie Internships
* Student Accommodation - eie Residences
* International Educational services - eie International
eie educational group,
Tel: +356 21 332804/5 info@eie-group.com
www.eieEducationalGroup.com
www.maltabusinessreview.net
47
Malta Business Review
HEALTHCARE
Long overdue
dental treatment!
Extra-oral after treatment
Intra-oral after treatment
Extra-oral before treatment
Intra-oral before treatment
The importance of your smile cannot be
underestimated. Your smile is the first thing
that people will pick up leaving a lasting
impression on strangers and friends alike.
It also plays a key role in your confidence
and self-esteem. Minimally invasive
procedures make a huge difference.
Procedures of this nature include:
1. Ceramic inlays: Conversion of metal
fillings and/or old stained fillings to
porcelain inlays/onlays
2. Tooth straightening: Braces or
ceramic veneers may easily adjust the
position of teeth. Adjustments include
rotations, bringing teeth out, pushing
teeth in, widening or narrowing of
teeth.
3. Tooth whitening: Laser tooth whitening
together with home maintenance kit
may drastically improve the colour of
your teeth.
4. Replacing missing teeth with fixed or
removable prostheses
Planning:
Patient contact: Following a detailed
consultation including a radiographic
examination potential clients receive
options for treatments including
advantages/disadvantages, timeframes
and costs.
Stage 1
Patient arrives at clinic and is
interviewed. Reconfirmation of
treatment plan and execution of initial
treatment phase (3-4hours)
• Periodontal/gum treatment planning
• Implant planning
• Tooth preparation for crowns and/or
veneers
• Safe removal of amalgam fillings
using safe protocol as indicated by
the international academy of oral
medicine and toxicology
A Case Study
• Digital impression taken with CAD-
CAM technique (Computer-aided
design/manufacturing)
• Laser tooth whitening of remaining
untouched teeth and immediate
fabrication of night white trays given to
patient to use for 1-4days for increased
whitening.
• Smile design using CAD-CAM software
Stage 2
Smile design approved by patient
• Confirmation of new tooth shade
following laser and overnight tooth
whitening
• Milling of veneers, inlays and onlays
• Final touches to veneers
• Try-in and fitting of new dental
restorations.
Stage 3
Preparation and execution of dental
implantation. Implants are placed
then left undisturbed until complete
healing and integration with the bone
(2-4months). These would then be
restored with new implant crowns/
bridges.
Review and set-up of maintenance plan
This is the conventional sequence
of events when dealing with a smile
makeover. Technicians work hand in
hand with clinicians ensuring that the
expected planned results are achieved
with no delay or mix-up.
Improving your smile is one of the greatest
investments that you can make. With
today’s technology and complete focus
of the clinical team, many treatment
modalities may be completed with relative
ease and great satisfaction. The high
caliber world-recognized dental materials
come with guarantees, as does the clinical
work delivered by clinics, which cater for
such clients. Ask your dentist! MBR
Dr Jean Paul Demajo
Dental and Implant Surgeon, Trained in
London working in private practice in Malta
Patient complaints: colour, tooth position, small volume of tooth visible on smiling.
Age: 39years old
Treatment plan includes:
• 14 ceramic veneers and crowns
• Removal of pathological benign cyst
• Simultaneous laser tooth whitening and home whitening maintenance kit.
• Placement and restoration of 4 dental implants and 5 implant retained teeth.
48
Malta Business Review
MBR Publications Ltd
initiative to donate to
Puttinu Cares
MBR Publications Limited Managing
Director Martin Vella presented to Puttinu
Cares representatives a donation of over
€1,800 raised during the Company’s
prestigious event Malta’s Best in Business
Awards, following an initiative conceived
by Mr. Vella himself to help the Children’s
Cancer Foundation, as part of MBR
Publication Limited’s CSR philosophy. Mr.
Vella also confirmed that MBR Publications
Limited will be developing a Mobile App
for Puttinu Cares in order to help the
organisation in its promotion of events
and initiatives.
Mr. Vella stated that MBR Publications
Limited will continue offering its support
to Puttinu Cares, “The Company and its
employees firmly believe in Puttinu Cares’
right cause and we are confident that
through the development and inclusion
into our new mobile application, the
general public will be able to get closer to
Puttinu Cares and better understand its
important role in our society”.
MBR Publications Managing Director Martin Vella handing over cheque to Dr Andrew Decelis
Dr. Andrew Decelis, Director, on behalf of
Puttinu Cares thanked MBR Publications
Limited for their initiative and all those
companies who contributed with their
donation and continuous support during
Malta’s Best in Business Awards. Mr Decelis
said, “Puttinu Cares Foundation funding
relies mainly on the annual Football
Marathon and also on the generosity of
its benefactors and the public donations
it receives to live up to its mission. All
income received by the Puttinu Cares
Foundation and all expenditure incurred
is annually audited and submitted to the
Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations.
Puttinu Cares Foundation funding relies
mainly on the annual Football Marathon
and also on the generosity of its
benefactors and the public donations it
receives to live up to its mission.”
MBR Publications Limited supplemented
its donation by additional funds raised
this year through various other activities
organised by the Company. MBR
Publications Limited has been supporting
various organisations among which are
L-Istrina and the Malta Community Chest
Fund for the past five years. MBR
Web: www.daikin.com.mt Email: info@maa.com.mt Tel: 2385 0400
www.maltabusinessreview.net
49
Malta Business Review
TOURISM
Sustainable development of tourism is
not a choice for us but a clear necessity
partnership. This model will ensure drastic
cost savings through economies of scale,
procurement benefits and extensive
network synergies that will allow our airline
to become competitive and stronger in
both the short and long term in today’s
highly aggressive aviation landscape. This
will also ensure that our airline will become
an even more important strategic asset for
our tourism industry. I must be clear here
- I am definitely not interested in applying
quick fixes that simply postpone the
problems. I want a solution that ensures
the long term viability of our national
airline for the good of its employees and
the tourism sector. Even if this process
may take somewhat longer than expected
given the many complexities involved, I am
very clearly resolute in pursuing this path”.
Photo - DOI - Stephen Busutill
While addressing the BOV-Deloitte Tourism
Performance Seminar organised by the
Malta Hotels, Restaurants Associations
MHRA, the Minister For Tourism Edward
Zammit Lewis said that Malta has been
enjoying an uninterrupted period of yearon-year
growth in tourism since 2010, and
he is pleased to note that the current year
will be yet again the seventh consecutive
year of record growth for our tourism
sector. Tourist volumes, expenditure
as well as overnight stays, increased.
The tourism season have extended and
achieved a growth from a healthy mix of
core, secondary and totally new source
markets.
Minister Zammit Lewis pointed out that in
his speech in Parliament last month for the
Budget Estimates, he declared his clear
objective to attain and surpass the two
million tourist arrival mark for 2017. This
important milestone for the tourism sector
would mean that during the term of this
legislature alone, we would have managed
to increase the number of visitors by
half a million, with all the derived direct
and indirect economic benefits on a
national scale. The Minister for Tourism
emphasized that this growth is not
happening by chance. It is the fruit of hard
work and effective cooperation of all the
public and private stakeholders involved
and therefore expressed his gratitude and
appreciation to all stakeholders as this
success is clearly owned by everyone.
Minister Zammit Lewis pointed out that
during this legislature, the Government
have implemented key measures that
have enhanced the competitiveness of
this sector, particularly the 2014 reduction
in utility tariffs that without doubt has
contributed to improve the sector’s
competitiveness and profitability. The
same can be said for the height limitation
adjustment policy, which was long awaited
by the private sector.
The Minister for Tourism said that clearly,
air connectivity remains one of our
foremost strategic priorities. Over the past
months the Government worked together
with all stakeholders to further increasing
connectivity particularly during the less
popular winter months. “The islands’
connectivity and the topic of Air Malta
clearly go hand in hand. We believe that
Malta and Gozo can only maintain these
tourism flows if we ensure a sustainable
and competitive national airline”, stated
the Minister.
“Within a global and European airline
industry that is constantly consolidating,
we believe that Air Malta cannot survive
alone and requires an effective strategic
During his speech the Minister for
Tourism said that if tourism is to continue
supporting Malta’s development on
the current scale, we need to continue
pursuing the issue of seasonality. Minister
Zammit Lewis insisted that Malta and
Gozo cannot afford to permit more
development merely to satisfy the peak
summer demand, but ensure better
and more utilisation of already existing
resources within the leaner months. As a
matter of fact the Minister was pleased to
note that the Government’s persistence
and work in this regard is clearly paying off,
as today Malta is one of the least seasonal
destinations within the Mediterranean.
In his concluding remarks the Minister for
Tourism said he will ensure that during
our forthcoming term of Presidency of the
Council of the European Union, tourism
will feature prominently on the EU agenda.
The Minister announced that UNWTO
Secretary-General Dr Taleb Rifai will visit
Malta in May 2017 for two important
events that the Ministry for Tourism and
UNWTO will be organising.
Finally, the Minister for Tourism thanked
MHRA, for recognising the need to conduct
a periodical evaluation of the performance
of the local hospitality sector, and for
investing resources in the provision of
such critical intelligence that will surely
contribute to the continued success of this
important sector. MBR
Sources: THE MINISTRY FOR TOURISM/DOI
50
fff news snippets
Malta Business Review
Malta News
Malta Stock Exchange announces
the formation of a Blockchain
Committee
The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) have
announced the creation of a Blockchain
committee and think tank to assist in
the formulation of a strategy geared
towards addressing the emerging
technology. The Committee will consist of members
of the MSE, its Chairman and CEO as well as a range
Changes to VAT obligations for non-EU
vessels in EU Water
European Commission predicts
Malta’s GDP as the highest in the
Eurozone
of outsider experts. MBR
In May 2016, the EU made significant changes to
the law which governs the VAT Obligations of non- In the last five years, Malta’s economy has
EU private vessels in EU waters. Prior to this date, gone from strength to strength. Last year
a non-EU private vessel would stay for 18 months in EU waters without paying any EU Import VAT, but could saw a GDP growth rate of 6.2% and this
then opt to extend the stay by bonding the vessel. Now the rules have changed and it is no longer possible year, credit agency Standard and Poor’s
to bond the vessel to extend the 18month no-VAT period. Once this 18 month period is complete, she must upgraded its rating from BBB+ to A-, the
either pay EU Import VAT or exit EU waters. If neither of these conditions is met, EU VAT will be applicable with first change in over 20 years MBR
no exceptions. To find out more about how this could impact you, please contact tfenech@fff-legal.com MBR
From January, tenants will
Maltese Parliament
not longer require a landlord’s
Should a Court be able to prevent the identity of a
unanimously approves permission to change their utility tariff
convicted criminal from being made public?
Cohabitation Bill
After a six-year struggle, it has been announced that as
One of the most high-profile cases in 2016 involved a sports
In today’s constantly of January 2017 both Maltese and EU tenants will no
coach of a girls-only volleyball team who admitted to having
evolving society it’s longer have to obtain the permission of their landlord
spied on his students by placing a camera in their changing
important to acknowledge in order to change their home electricity tariff.
room. An extremely controversial and anger-provoking parts
of the case included the fact that the perpetrator, who both
the fluidity of people’s
admitted the offence and was sentenced for it, has been able to
personal relationships
benefit from anonymity as the courts have placed a ban on the
whilst recognising that the decision not to get married or partake in a civil partnership
publication of his name MBR
shouldn’t negatively impact those individuals, instead there should be legislation in
place to protect their interests. MBR
Study shows that IP is boosting the European economy
The European Patent Office and the EU Intellectual Property Office has
released the
results of OECD announces 1000 bilateral crossborder
agreements to help combat tax
their second
study which
evasion
explores the
contribution In a world where
of intellectual cross-border activities
property and globalised
rights (IPRs) business has become
to the EU the status quo, it
economy. MBR is imperative that
countries respective
tax authorities
work together to ensure that the right
amounts of tax are being paid to the right
jurisdictions. MBR
Is Brexit Unconstitutional?
On June23rd 2016, members of the
British public voted in favour of Britain
leaving the European Union and this
unexpected and controversial result has
led to months of political upheaval marked
by the resignation of Prime Minister
David Cameron, the resignation of over
fifty parliamentary members, and cries
of foul play and dishonest campaigning
techniques on both sides. MBR
Firm News
Fenech Farrugia Fiott at the
annual ABL Conference in
Miami
ABL delegates from across the
world gathered again for the
34th General Assembly Meeting
in Miami, Florida in November.
Representing FFF Legal was
Senior Associate Austin Sammut
and Associate Neil Chetcuti.
They attended a series of talks,
seminars and debates as well as networking
events where they had an opportunity to
build working relationships with firms from
all over the world. FFF Legal is the exclusive
Malta member of the ABL Global network
which brings together over 900 lawyers
from 34 different jurisdictions.
Uber drivers win a
landmark case to be
considered as employees
EU and Beyond
What legal issues present themselves
if an individual is cryogenically
preserved?
One of the most unusual items in today’s
news is the tale of a 14-year-old girl who has
won the right to have her body cryogenically
preserved after her death. MBR
Last week a UK employment tribunal ruled against the American worldwide
online transportation network company Uber Technologies Inc. in what could
be a landmark decision, affording drivers working for the tech company the
right to be classified as employees rather than self-employed contractors. MBR
MBR
Fenech Farrugia Fiott- Proud sponsors fo the world-famous
RC44 Valletta Cup
FFF Legal was on site at the Grand Excelsior Hotel for a press conference
heralding the start of the prestigious RC44 Valletta Cup. The racing series
is celebrating it’s 10- year anniversary and its second appearance in Malta
and FFF Legal are proud to be sponsors and partners of this year’s event.
FFF Legal Contributes to the Malta Chapter of the Transport Finance Law
Review
Fenech Farrugia Fiott Legal are proud to announce the
publication of the Malta chapter in the prestigious publication-
The Transport Finance Law Review. The publication is
international in scope and is designed to provide industry
insights to transport finance in each of the key jurisdictions
in which ships, rolling stock and aircraft are financed. MBR
Courtesy: Fenech Farrugia Fiott Legal
www.maltabusinessreview.net
51
Malta Business Review
HIV/AIDS
WORLD
AIDS DAY
World Aids Day is celebrated
globally on the 1st of
December of each year. This
worldwide event raises awareness about
HIV, promotes prevention measures,
encourages testing, and supports people
living with HIV.
As one of the Maltese Presidency of
the European Union of the Council’s
initiatives, a technical meeting will
be held between 30-31 January to
bring together leading experts on HIV
prevention and control from across the
EU to discuss how Europe can improve its
response to HIV and achieve the targets
outlined in the Sustainable Development
Goals, that is, the actions agreed upon
at the UN high-level meeting on HIV/
AIDS, and those adopted in the Global
Health Sector Strategy at the World
Health Assembly. The experts will discuss
practical evidence-based interventions
and strategies, share achievements and
examples of good practices, and identify
solutions to common challenges. The
priority areas on which EU Member
States agree that they should scale
up their efforts will be discussed, and
the proceedings of the meeting will
be translated in a technical Malta
Declaration.
Since the beginning of the epidemic, more
than 70 million people have been infected
with the HIV virus, and about 35 million
people have died of HIV. Globally, 36.7
million [34.0–39.8 million] people were
living with HIV at the end of 2015. Almost
30,000 newly diagnosed HIV infections
were reported by the 31 European Union
and European Economic Area (EU/EEA)
countries in 2015. Although there have
been impressive results in reducing the
number of AIDS diagnoses during the
last decade, the burden of HIV infection
remains unacceptably high in Europe.
In Malta, over a 10 year period, from
2004 till October 2014, 300 new cases of
HIV were identified. In 2015, there were
61 new cases, and in 2016 till the end
of October there were 58 new patients;
these include 56 cases of HIV and 2
cases of AIDS. Prevention efforts focus
on the promotion of safer sexual health
practices and training of professionals to
support people in prevention, including
encouraging youths to act as peer leaders.
Testing is encouraged, including at
community and GU clinics. People affected
with HIV are offered free treatment by
specialists at the HIV clinic. MBR
Creditline: Ministry for Health/DOI
52
ict: software
Malta Business Review
Parallels became a key Partner of The Faculty
of ICT at the University of Malta By Dmitry Smirkin
Parallels, an international IT-Company,
became a Gold Partner of the Faculty of
Information & Communication Technology
(FICT) of the University of Malta (UM). The
Company would like to help the academic
development of students within FICT
through the provision of the best tools to
software developers.
Co-founder and Vice president of Parallels
Mr. Nick Dobrovolskiy met with Professor
Ernest Cachia, Dean of the Faculty of ICT,
and Head of the Department of Computer
Information Systems.
development like Parallels Desktop for Mac
that they can improve their potential and
join our global Team. Our developers in
different locations create the state-of-theart
modern and functional software for
personal and business use. We currently
collaborate with leading Universities in
Estonia and Russia and are very pleased
to have UM as our new partner.» - Nick
Dobrovolskiy, Vice President of Parallels.
«The Faculty of ICT gladly welcomes
investment in its students’ potential and
thanks its partners for their interest, trust
and support. This sort of positive initiative
can only help strengthen the ties between
the Faculty and industry as well as serve
as a motivator for the nation’s future ICT
professionals. In this respect, on behalf
of the Faculty of ICT of the University of
Malta, I thank our partner Parallels for
their valid contribution. » – Ernest Cachia,
Dean, Faculty of ICT. MBR
Parallels Company donated 60 Licenses
of Parallels Desktop for Mac Professional
Edition to the UM for everyday use by
staff and students. The UM and Parallels
also discussed long term partnership and
mutual cooperation potential.
«We are an innovative and ambitious
Company with a Development Center
in Malta and a technically strong local
team. Our aim is to provide Maltese
students with the best tools for software
About Parallels
Parallels* is the global leader in cross-platform solutions which make it possible and simple for customers
to use and access the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. We help
customers take advantage of the best technology out there, whether it’s Windows, Mac, iOS, Android or
the cloud. Parallels solves complex engineering and user experience problems by making it simple and
cost-effective for businesses and individual customers to use applications wherever they may be—local,
remote, in the private datacenter or in the cloud. Visit www.parallels.com/about for more information.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
53
Malta Business Review
GENDER PAY GAP
Best clauses from Collective Agreements to help
vulnerable workers throughout the EU
In volatile European labour markets
where flexibility is in high demand, special
attention must be given to the most
vulnerable workers in precarious jobs.
This is the major recommendation from
an expert meeting at the University of
Amsterdam, which concluded a two-year
project focusing on gender pay gaps in the
EU and innovative means to reduce those
gaps.
Vulnerable workers are more than average
female, and/or belong to ethnic minorities
and migrant groups, the experts concluded.
These groups lack career perspectives,
job security and affordable child care
arrangements. Many find temporary work
only through employment agencies and
are confined to low skilled menial jobs in
retail, cleaning and care in particular. Their
wages are lower end. Exhausting working
hours leave them little time to recover, let
alone to study after work. Moreover they
are confronted with structural pay gaps
that contribute to the perpetuation of
their plight. The pay gap does not stop at
the male/female divide, the experts found,
but confronts all those disenfranchised in
their working lives.
Secondary working conditions
reveal gender gaps too
Part of the research carried out by
the project-team was to conduct an
unprecedented analysis from surveydata
on secondary working conditions.
The data was collected by means of the
permanent online survey fielded by the
WageIndicator Foundation through its
national websites in all participating
EU-member states. The data collection
allowed for an in depth analysis of topics
such as company benefits, allowances,
emoluments, compensation, facilitated
participation in child care and pension
schemes and the like. The focus of this
analysis was on gender, i.e. are the national
gender pay gaps found reflected in the
secondary working conditions prevailing
in the country? The overall outcome
was that the secondary conditions to a
large extent mirror the gender pay gaps
found in each labour market. There are a
few exceptions to this rule however, i.e.
Slovenia and Poland in particular, where
women have seen fit over last decades
to come alongside their male colleagues
in terms of these additional sources of
income, both moneywise and otherwise.
Best practices from companies
across borders
One of the remedies found by the
experts was that trade union negotiators
throughout Europe could exchange clauses
from the Collective Agreements which
they conclude with employers. Such cross
breeding of best practices might improve
the efficacy of their work in defence of
those most vulnerable groups in particular.
One such outstanding best practice would
be to include in each Collective Agreement
a monitoring clause on the implementation
of specific measures on contracts, pay,
promotion, information, job certification
and co-responsibility for child care. A
monitoring plan for the implementation
of such clauses, jointly supervised by trade
union and the company human resources
department, is a proven 'best practice' in
some sectors already. The final report of
the Gender Pay Gap-project includes a list
of more 'best practice'-clauses from across
EU-member states.
Database to facilitate borrowing
of best clauses
WageIndicator, participant in the Gender
Pay Gap-project of which the main results
are presented here, over the last few years
initiated and elaborated a database of
Collective Agreements. Currently it contains
annotated, i.e. easily retrievable clauses
from some 700 Collective Agreements and
a wide variety of sectors and countries.
The database is freely accessible through
its national websites and therefore easy
to consult by negotiators from both
employers and employees organisations.
In it the clauses and best practices may be
found referred to above. It is WageIndicator
policy to continue broadening, enriching
and detailing this Collective Agreement
database for the free use of all to whom it
may be of concern. WageIndicator invites
all parties concerned to contribute the
agreements they conclude to its database.
The expert group consisted of University
of Amsterdam, Wageindicator, Dutch
Confederation of Trade Unions (FNV), CCOO
Servicos Spain, MSZOZ Hungary. MBR
More information about Gender Pay Gap in Malta
http://www.mywage.org/malta/home/salary/
genderpay-gap-in-malta
Creditline: WageIndicator.org or
WageIndicator.org/genderpaygap
54
corporate business
Malta Business Review
Sheila Dean named in eprivateclient’s
‘50 Most Influential 2017’
By Laura Daly
Sheila Dean, Equiom’s Global Chief
Executive Officer has been named in
eprivateclient’s ‘50 Most Influential 2017’
list, which recognises the private client
industry’s top practitioners.
Released by eprivateclient, a wellrespected
news service, the annual listing
highlights people who are leading from
the front within the private client industry,
delivering innovative services in order
to meet the varied and ever-changing
demands of high net worth individuals.
This is the third time Sheila has featured
in eprivateclient’s 50 Most Influential list,
having previously appeared in 2013 and
2016.
Sheila said of the news: ‘To be recognised
for the third time is fantastic and I accept
this honour on behalf of the entire
Equiom family. We’ve been on an amazing
journey so far and as we approach our ten
year anniversary, I couldn’t be prouder
of everything we’ve achieved. My whole
career has been within the private client
industry so I fully understand just how
competitive and fast paced it is.
‘The business has grown a lot recently,
having completed four acquisitions this
year alone so I appreciate this accolade
more than ever because of how hard
we’ve worked to expand our services
without losing focus of our core offering
in our existing jurisdictions. As always, it’s
a pleasure to be in such great company
alongside some of the industry’s key
personalities.’
Individual nominations were submitted to
eprivateclient before 20 October and the
list of finalists was agreed by a panel of
judges. Sheila is also currently shortlisted
in two categories for the Citywealth
Powerwomen Awards 2017.
MBR
Sheila Dean, Global CEO of Equiom
Sanya Health & Wellness EcoSpa
Official Launch
Sanya to open and change the
landscape of holistic health services
in Malta.
At Hilltop Gardens in Naxxar, Sanya, will
be officially opening and changing the
landscape of the holistic health and
wellness scene in Malta. Sanya offers
a variety of services that support and
encourage a healthy and nourishing
lifestyle. Sanya focuses on the benefits
of eating clean organic food, practising
yoga, pilates & meditation, using natural
medicine for ailments and health related
problems, and taking the time to stop the
flow of stress, unwind and relax in-order to
improve your quality of life.
At the launch the public are invited to view
the Sanya facilities and learn more about
their philosophies and offerings. It will
be the last chance to take advantage of
their introductory offer of 20% off all spa
memberships and massage treatments.
Many of the practitioners and instructors
will be there to answer questions and
explain more about their work. The
Sanya Organic Juice Bar will be serving a
selection of healthy organic refreshments.
Free and abundant parking is available
at the facility’s car park at all times when
visiting Sanya.
Sanya's ecoSpa includes a beautiful indoor
heated pool, jacuzzis, saunas, eucalyptus
steam rooms & thermal showers. Focusing
on 100% natural local products made
by Soap Cafe, Sanya's beauty therapists
offer massages and treatments that
are designed to relax you and nourish
your body and skin. Malta's first 100%
organic juice bar serves a variety of juices,
smoothies & snacks, including a delicious
specialty organic coffee.
The clinic's holistic practitioners use
natural functional techniques and
medicine to treat and support a variety
of health issues. You can practice yoga,
meditation & pilates at Sanya's Yoga hub,
where many different styles of classes are
held in one of the biggest yoga studios
in Malta. As well as the Spa, Clinic, Juice
bar and Hub, the space contains many
peaceful relaxation areas including a cosy
lounge with a library full of inspirational
books on health and wellness. MBR
Sanya ecoSpa can be found at the Hilltop
Gardens, Triq L-Inkwina, Naxxar, NXR2641.
Website: www.sanyamalta.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sanyamalta
Phone: +356 21436936
Email: hello@sanyamalta.com
www.maltabusinessreview.net
55
Malta Business Review
AVIATION
Air Malta to Appoint New
Chief Commercial Officer
Air Malta is seeking to appoint a
new Chief Commercial Officer
to continue on the path of
innovative commercial developments
launched by Ursula Silling, Air Malta’s
Chief Commercial Officer. She was
engaged by the airline specifically to
lead this transformation and through
her direction, in the last 18 months, Air
Malta has become a more dynamic,
commercially driven and customerfocused
airline.
Ms Silling will be leaving her post at
the end of the month but will however
continue supporting the airline in the
interim period and with future projects.
She joined Air Malta in February 2015 for
a definite period until March 2016 but
her contract was extended to ensure the
realisation of a number of key projects.
“Ursula has brought radical change in
the thinking and the running of the
Commercial Division. Through her
resourcefulness she has spearheaded the
digital transformation of the airline with
projects like the re-design of the website
with its mobile friendly features, fronted
the airline’s digital communication and
promotional initiatives, and directed
customer-focused investments in new
technology within commercial. She has
also been instrumental in reducing costs
by finetuning Air Malta’s route network in
conjunction with the airline’s fleet plan
initiative,” said Joseph Galea, Air Malta’s
Acting CEO.
“Last year she has also driven a radical
transformation of Air Malta’s product
offering with the launch of the new
product range that gives customers a
choice of three tiers in Economy and three
tiers in Business class. This was a very
important development and a significant
milestone for Air Malta,” added Mr Galea.
Before joining Air Malta Ms Silling has
worked with both low cost and network
airlines, IT systems providers and tour
operators in different countries and held
senior executive management positions
with Lufthansa, British Airways, Virgin
Express, Brussels Airlines, the TUI group
and Aerosvit Ukrainian Airlines.
“I feel privileged to have worked and
assisted the airline as Chief Commercial
Officer in these challenging times and ever
changing aviation environment. In these
last few years we have accomplished so
much by being innovative, resourceful
and flexible whilst reducing our costs.
With the launch of our “We Care More”
campaign we have actively demonstrated
our commitment to put the customer
at the heart of everything we do. I am
proud of the accomplishments of the
whole team and look forward to continue
working with them to achieve further
milestones,” commented Ms Silling.
The process to recruit a new Chief
Commercial Officer has started and Ms
Silling is supporting the airline in the
process. In the interim period acting
Chief Executive Officer Joseph Galea,
who was the Deputy Chief Commercial
Officer until his recent appointment,
will be overseeing the running of the
Commercial Division.
Creditline: AirMalta
MBR
Ursula Silling, Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer
56
DIGITAL CLUSTERS
Malta Business Review
Malta Digital Cluster Launched at Malta
Life Sciences Park
By James Vella Clark
The Malta Digital Cluster was launched
at the Malta Life Sciences Park by Life
Sciences CEO Ing. Joseph Sammut and
Edwin Ward, Chairman of Paragon
Europe. The role of the cluster is to
create collaboration between academia,
researchers, private sector entities and the
public sector to take advantage of growth
and new opportunities in digital.
The Malta Digital Cluster is being housed
at the Malta Life Sciences Park and will
become a member of the European
Cluster Collaboration Platform. Members
of the Malta Digital Cluster will gain the
opportunity to join the EU ecosystem of
digital clusters to network, share best
practice in a European and global context,
find partners and financing, as well as to
identify funding programmes, research
funding opportunities and EU-funded
projects in which the cluster members can
participate.
The Malta Digital Cluster was introduced
by Malta Life Sciences Park CEO Ing. Joseph
Sammut. Ing Sammut explained how the
Digital Hub is contributing to attracting
foreign direct investment and bringing
new kinds of digital businesses to Malta.
Mr Edwin Ward added that this is an
opportunity to make Malta’s digital
business more competitive for cluster
members to collaborate and to grow the
digital industry further.
Mr. Ward outlined some of the larger EUfunding
programmes such as Horizon2020
(H2020) which have a wide variety of
funds available for digital projects such as
ICT, IoT, cybersecurity, big-data, cloud and
storage . Significant funds are also available
for applications development and ICT
projects. Within Big-Data alone more than
€2.5BN has just been released via H2020
to cover data visualisation software and
devices, data analysis infrastructure, data
processing infrastructure, data storage
infrastructure as well as transport and
network infrastructure. A further €2.5BN
has just been made available for Research
Infrastructures under the Excellent Science
programme.
The Malta Digital Cluster will be networked
with international partners from blue-chip
digital companies, leading universities and
digital clusters elsewhere in the EU and
beyond. There are many international
donors, the EU, NATO, the World Bank, for
example, who require service provision.
The Malta Digital Cluster will represent
and introduce Malta’s platform to these
donors on service provision in tenders and
contracts.
MBR
For further information visit http://projects.
paragoneurope.eu/digitalcluster.php or call
+356 9920 7677
Creditline: Corporate Identities
FIMBank welcomes Fitch
Ratings upgrade
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Malta-based
FIMBank's Long-Term Issuer Default Rating
(IDR) to 'BB', from 'BB-', and its Support
Rating to '3' from '5'. In its report, the
rating agency also confirms the outlook
for the Bank as being ‘Stable’. The agency’s
report highlights the fact that the upgrade
takes into account the demonstrated
record of capital and funding support
provided to FIMBank by Kuwaiti-based
Burgan Bank, and its sister bank, Bahrainbased
United Gulf Bank, as well as the
increased management and operational
integration of FIMBank with Burgan Bank.
Commenting on the news of FIMBank’s
upgrade by Fitch Ratings, Group CEO
Murali Subramanian explained that
“Strong and demonstrated parental
support as required, for the funding and
capitalisation of FIMBank, is the main
reason Fitch have cited for this ratings
upgrade. While we welcome this decision,
we believe the best is yet to come. We
have unrelenting focus on delivering the
kind of performance which is expected to
progressively render ever stronger returns
to our shareholders. It vindicates our
strategy based on a series of organisational
restructuring, operational review, and cost
controlmeasures,whichwe have been
implementing over the past 18months”.
He added that “As a result of this strategy,
2016 has been a turnaround year for the
Group, and this is also reflected in the
improved profitability of our operations.
Moreover, legacy misadventures of prior
years are being dealt with firmly, and will
be fully behind us in 2017”.
Noting the dynamic process of
transformation being undertaken at
FIMBank, and its anticipated positive
effect on the Bank’s profitability, the Fitch
Ratings report concludes by stating that
“a successful restructuring of FIMBank
and a strong recovery in its financial
metrics could result in FIMBank's VR being
upgraded”. MBR
For more information about FIMBank plc, visit
www.fimbank.com.
www.maltabusinessreview.net
57
Malta Business Review
newsmakers
People in Malta and Australia benefit from the warm relations between
the two countries
Commissioner to Malta, Jane Lambert, at the
Party Headquarters.
Australia is, for many in Malta, a second home,
and it feels like a natural extension of our
family. Nationalist Party Leader Simon Busuttil
said so as he welcomed the Australian High
Simon Busuttil said that the warm relations
between Malta and Australia need to translate
into concrete benefits for the people of both
nations. These relations have also to be
considered in the context of the European
Union. Simon Busuttil said that a Free Trade
Agreement between the EU and Australia would
open new opportunities across all levels of
society not just the wealthy.
The Leader of the Nationalist Party said that
it was a great pleasure to meet Jane Lambert
who, in the past four years has witnessed a
change in government as well as the first results
of the current administration. Simon Busuttil
congratulated the High Commissioner on her
fruitful work and her commitment to strengthen
the relations between the two countries.
Jane Lambert, on her part, expressed her
pleasure in meeting Simon Busuttil again
and agreed with him that the Malta and
Australia enjoy a special relationship. The High
Commissioner said that she is particularly
encouraged to see linkages develop among
young generations of both countries especially
in the areas of sport, science, and human rights.
Jane Lambert ended by thanking Simon Busuttil
for his support to an EU-Australia Free Trade
Agreement and for his positive work since
becoming leader of the Nationalist Party. MBR
Maltese and German Finance
Ministers meet in Berlin
Yesterday, Minister for Finance Edward
Scicluna held bilateral talks with German
Federal Minister of Finance Wolfgang
Schäuble in Berlin as part of the preparations
for the 2017 Maltese Presidency of the
Council of the European Union.
Minister Scicluna and Minister Schäuble
discussed areas of common interest including
the Capital Markets Union, taxation,
budgetary issues, and the future of the
Monetary Union in the context of improving
fiscal and economic performance by the
eurozone within the current international
context.
Earlier, Minister Scicluna delivered a lecture
Minister Helena Dalli wins the Hero
of the Year at this year’s European
Diversity Award
Dr Helena Dalli, Minister for Social Dialogue,
Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties won the
prestigious Hero of the Year Award during the
6th edition of the European Diversity Award
that was held in London last night. Among
those nominated in the various categories were
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, and
Italian Undersecretary of State Ivan Scalfarotto.
The ceremony which took place in the London
Museum of Natural History, was attended by over
500 participants working in the field of equality
and diversity across Europe, and amongst
others Minister Dalli received congratulations
from officials from the Office of the UN High
Commissioner on Human Rights and the Council
of Europe.
The award is given to politicians, journalists,
athletes, companies and publishing houses that
act as trailblazers in the enhancement of equality
in European society.
In her acceptance speech Minister Dalli said that
we must work hard so that the advancements
made will not get undone, referring to the
particular point in time we are living in where
threats to equality are increasing. She also
pointed out that democracy must never become
a tyranny of the majority and attention to
entitled ‘Malta: A Mediterranean Success
Model in the Euro-Zone’ at the Europäische
Bewegung Deutschland, in Berlin. The
audience included members of the
diplomatic corps, officials from the Bundestag
(the German Parliament), officials from the
German Foreign Office (including Malta Desk
officer and Head of Unit on Finance policy),
as well as representatives of the German
Chamber of Industry of Commerce and the
Association and the Association of German
Banks (BdB).
The Minister also met with a number of
political and financial correspondents of
well-known publications such as Politico, Die
Welt, Bild, and Bild am Sonntag at the Berlin
headquarters of Axel Springer SE, which is
the largest publishing house in Europe.
Minister Scicluna was accompanied by the
The Nationalist Party’s proposals
are designed to help start-ups
The Nationalist Party is set to support business
start-ups with innovative policies. Party
Leader Simon Busuttil said so during a visit to
Creolabs, a start-up in Microsoft Innovation
Centre at Skyparks Business Centre.
Simon Busuttil said the Party wants to
encourage start-ups with financial guarantees
and low-interest rates on loans in order to
help entrepreneurs develop their business
ventures.
The Nationalist Party Leader presented the
recently-launched Policy for Retailers to
Panayiotis Ioannou, Country Manager for
Microsoft Malta, and Joseph Woods, Director
of Creolabs. He said that the proposal to offer
a reduced income tax rate of just 10% for
small businesses is aimed also for start-ups.
minorities should be high on the agenda of every
government.
On the national level, finishing touches on the
Equality Bill and a Human Rights and Equality
Commission Bill aimed at mainstreaming
equality for all persons in all spheres of life are
now underway – after a wide consultation
process - with the intent of presenting the Bills to
Parliament shortly. MBR
Photos Credit: MSDC
THE MINISTRY FOR SOCIAL DIALOGUE,
CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
Maltese Ambassador to the Federal Republic
of Germany Albert Friggieri, Permanent
Secretary Alfred Camilleri, and Chief of Staff
Tania Brown. MBR
Credit/Photos: MFIN/DOI
Simon Busuttil was accompanied by
Spokesperson for Small Businesses, Retail and
Self-Employed Robert Arrigo, Spokesperson
for Financial Services, IT and Gaming Kristy
Debono, and new candidates Alex Mangion
and Amanda Abela. MBR
58
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