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. <strong>MBR</strong> 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. <strong>MBR</strong> 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. <strong>MBR</strong> 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. <strong>MBR</strong> 58
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