Recommendation: A vital branch of Maltese history

Times of Malta 27/10/2013: Mark Camilleri: From Colonialism to Mintoffianism – Malta, a Transition from a British Commercial Economy, Self-published, 2012. 245 pp.
 
Throughout the years, hardly an episode or period of Maltese history remained uncovered. Maltese historiography did not tackle enough economic history as much as other spheres.

Mark Camilleri is a young, talented graduate; his focal point of research is Maltese economic history, in the light of the prevalent political and economic theories.

He examines Maltese economy from the time it was almost exclusively moulded to cater to imperial interests, to the epoch when successive Maltese governments could suit national needs.

The term colonialism needs no definition, while ‘Mintoffianism’ does. The appellation Mintoffianism is bound to attract or repel, especially those who, as the author put it, perceive Dom Mintoff as...read on.

88% find Malta attractive for investment

Times of Malta 25/10/2013: The 2013 edition of the EY Attractiveness Survey for Malta shows that 88 per cent of respondents believe Malta remains attractive for foreign direct investment, up two percentage points over last year.

However, of the 91 companies surveyed, all of which are majority foreign-owned, only 53 per cent have expansion plans. This figure has been declining virtually steadily, from 72 per cent in 2009.

EY also prepare a European Attractiveness Survey and it noted that the resurgence in confidence in Europe’s ability to overcome the crisis of the past few years had a similar impact on confidence in Malta, with 93 per cent saying they were confident Malt would also survive.

The survey found other positive trends. While in the 2012 survey, 11 per cent of respondents said Malta was not attractive for FDI, this figure went down to 3 per cent this year.

EY noted other longer term trends, with 63 per cent saying that Malta would remain attractive for FDI over the next three years, up 5 per cent from 2012 but still lower than the 71 per cent in 2011. Almost two-thirds of respondents say they still see...read on.

Chinese delegation in Malta for talks on energy

MaltaIndependent 27/10/2013: A Chinese delegation is in Malta to continue talks with the government on the memorandum of understanding that was reached between the two countries on energy, the Energy Ministry said.

Work includes what is known as business planning and due diligence, the ministry said, without elaborating further. The Chinese delegation will take part in a series of talks aimed to plan the investment that China will be making in the energy sector.

The government said the investment by China Power Investments in Enemalta Corporation will lead to a reduction in the corporation’s debts and the investment in an energy service centre that will be supplying foreign countries. (source)

History: Knights of Malta

What happened to the Knights of the Order of St. John the Baptist after they were forced to leave Jerusalem.

A portion of the ancient hospital rediscovered by the IAA

The Jerusalem Post 24/10/2013: With the recent finding of the original hospital of the Knights of St. John in the Old City of Jerusalem, it may be interesting to establish what happened to the order after it was forced to leave Jerusalem.

Originally, the Knights of the Order of St. John the Baptist, later the Hospitallers, had come to Jerusalem with the Crusaders in 1099 and formed a kind of medical corps to the infantry. They were monks that turned to soldiers and then practiced medicine to help their wounded comrades and other friendly inhabitants who needed clinical attention.

They were an honorable order that kept to their separate national origins, like the French and the Italians, governed by a grand master of absolute power and restricting entry to young nobles of unblemished Catholic parentage. When necessary, the knights functioned as an army of chivalrous officers.

They were originally quartered in Jerusalem’s Aksa Mosque, after the defeat of the Muslims, stabling their horses in the nearby underground chambers later called Solomon’s Stables. With the conquest of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187, the Hospitallers retreated to their hospital quarters in the Muristan or Christian quarter of the Old City (Muristan being the Persian name for hospital), but were soon...read on.

Last week’s European summit

Times of Malta 25/10/2013: These two days the Heads of Government of the 28 EU member states are meeting in Brussels. Although the agenda that has been circulated does not mention immigration, this item is likely to feature prominently in the discussions.

In fact the official agenda mentions three items that are all economic in nature and hence of relevance for this column.

The items are the digital economy, innovation and services; growth competitiveness and jobs; and the economic and monetary union. These are all items that are of direct relevance to the Maltese economy and we need to ensure that we protect our patch accordingly.

With regard to the digital economy, innovation and services, there is a great deal of talk on the creation of EU-wide systems.

So the European Council shall be discussing the Digital Single Market by 2015, the completion of the European Research Area by 2014 and the future development of the Innovation Union, and the outcome of the Licences for Europe process.

The use of italics is purely mine as they highlight...read on.

ICT-competent nation vital for social wellbeing and economic growth

Project launched to help adults become more digitally competent

Zammit Lewis aims to make Malta a
'true digital economy'

MaltaToday 22/10/2013: A new project, 'Networked: ICT competences for better employability and workforce adaptability' was launched this morning by the Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth, Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis and the Parliamentary Secretary for EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds, Ian Borg.

The project will target working age adults who are not familiar with the digital world.

Zammit Lewis said that recent statistics showed that 45% of Maltese aged between 45 and 64 have never used the Internet. He said that, consequently, these individuals were excluded from taking up jobs that entail the use of computers and related technologies. According to Zammit Lewis, such a wide digital age divide was...read on.

 

Malta Philharmonic Orchestra launches 2013-2014 season

MaltaIndependent 21/10/2013: The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra launched the 2013 – 2014 Concert Season at Robert Samut Hall Floriana. The press conference was addressed by the executive chairman of the Orchestra Sigmund Mifsud and the Parliamentary Secretary for Culture and Local Councils  Dr Jose Herrera.

The Orchestra’s upcoming season encompasses over 50 concerts, filled with outstanding personalities, prolific performers and exciting productions. Foremost amongst the orchestra’s productions is the MPO Concert Series, a cycle of four concerts presented in the Baroque surroundings of the Manoel Theatre. Michael Laus, MPO’s resident conductor, directs the orchestra in the inaugural concert, starring Spanish horn player Jose Garcia Gutierrez in Richard Strauss’ beautiful Horn Concerto no 1.

In January the MPO welcomes Greek conductor Michalis Economou and Maltese soprano Miriam Cauchi for an evening of Italian Opera, whereas March sees the return of Composer-in-Residence Joseph Vella conducting the premiere of his latest work for the MPO as well as Bottesini’s Concerto for Double Bass featuring MPO Principal Double Bass Gjorgji Cincievski.

British conductor Peter Stark brings the series to a close in May, with an enticing programme of Brahms’ second Symphony alongside Ginastera’s colourful Concerto for Harp featuring internationally acclaimed harpist Fabrice Pierre. Maltese conductor Brian Schembri features in another two concerts to be held in collaboration with the Manoel Theatre with an eclectic programme of works by Sibelius, Beethoven. Mozart and Schumann, with...read on.

British Airways returns to Malta

The daily route to/from Gatwick will be operated by
Boeing 737 (pictured) and Airbus 319/320 aircraft.

Times of Malta 13/10/2013: British Airways has announced it will be returning to Malta in the spring. The airline’s daily service from London Gatwick starts on March 30 in advance of the peak summer holiday season.

Hand-baggage-only tickets in Euro Traveller (economy) will start from £55 (€65) one way, including all taxes and charges. Seats in Euro Traveller for customers who choose to take a bag, including all taxes and charges, start at £67 (€79) one way, and in Club Europe (business), one-way fares start at £274 (€323).

The company originally began flying to and from Malta in 1947. It stopped in March 1989 but subsequently returned until operations were halted once more in 2009.

Peter Simpson, British Airways’ director Gatwick, said: “We are delighted to be launching this new route to Malta for 2014, allowing us to return to the island. We believe the convenient timings for the services will make the route attractive to tourists as well as those visiting friends and relatives.

“Expanding our leisure route network at Gatwick is fantastic news for British Airways customers, offering them even greater choice, along with our...read on.

Malta ready to attract Chinese financial services - Scicluna

MaltaIndependent 20/10/2013: Finance Minister Prof. Edward Scicluna said that Malta should now be on the look out to attract a Chinese financial institution since financial services in China have reached a global level-playing field.

Prof. Scicluna was speaking during the annual General Meeting of the Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce, held on Friday 18^th October 2013 at the Waterfront Hotel, Gzira. The DOI issued a press statement on the event on Sunday afternoon.

“I will strive as Minister of Finance to attract Chinese financial services to Malta. Such a possibility would boost Malta’s attractiveness to Chinese investment in the region, and boost the Rembibi (RMB) as an international currency. Through such strategically placed location Malta could offer itself as a gateway to Chinese investment in the region,” Prof. Scicluna said.

During his address, Prof. Scicluna noted the historically strong friendship between Malta and China, and said that over the past six months, this has now been elevated to a higher level.

He noted several initiatives, among them the landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese Government, which will see a global and established Chinese energy corporation become a strategic partner with Malta’s state-owned Enemalta.

He also referred to the restoration and embellishment project on the St Lucija Garden  of Serenity funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China as part of...read on.

Sicily-Malta gas pipeline included in EU projects funding list

Times of Malta 14/10/2013: The European Union has included the proposed gas pipeline between Malta and Sicily in a list of 250 energy projects which may qualify from a total of €5.85 billion in funding.

The project description says that this would be a 150 km pipeline from Gela in Sicily to an offshore Floating Storage and Regasification Unit unit some 12 miles off Malta, and the Delimara power station.

The European Commission said a modern infrastructure with adequate interconnectors and reliable networks is crucial for an integrated energy market where consumers get the best value for their money.

These "projects of common interest" (PCI) will benefit from accelerated licensing procedures and improved regulatory conditions and may have access to financial support from the Connecting Europe Facility, under which a €5.85 billion budget has been allocated to trans-European energy infrastructure for the period 2014-20.

This will help them get implemented faster and make them more attractive to investors. Once completed, the projects will help Member States to integrate their...read on.

Tension on the high seas, smooth operation on set - Malta-filmed "Captain Phillips"

Malta Today 22/10/2013: Red carpet glamour and celebrity reality programmes may lead you to think that a life in Hollywood is all about drama, all the time. But a chat with anyone involved in film production 'on the ground' - or sea-bound, as is the case for the Tom Hanks-starring, Paul Greengrass-directed Captain Phillips, now showing in local cinemas - will probably reveal that the priorities lie very much elsewhere.

"The shoot went incredibly well when you consider the challenging dynamics involved," Maltese-born production manager Katryna Samut-Tagliaferro tells me, actually sighing in relief even though it's been months since the film - "60 per cent" of which was filmed in Malta, according to Samut-Tagliaferro - waved goodbye to Malta's famous water tanks after a relatively smooth shoot, which was wrapped in around six to eight weeks.

Samut-Tagliaferro, a veteran production manager and coordinator for films like Saving Private Ryan, Spy Game and 28 Days Later to her name, recounts how she managed to convince the Captain Phillips production team to relocate to Malta after the production ran into...read on.
Trailer on » YouTube

6 low cost carry 38% of passengers to Malta

DI-VE 10/10/2013: Low cost airlines carried 38.3 per cent, or 842,723, of all passengers that visited Malta between January and July of this year. These figures represent tourists who arrived and left using a low cost airline.

Currently six low cost airlines are operating to Malta: Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, easyJet, Vueling, Transavia.com and Wizz Air.

Official statistics released last month show that the total number of tourists who visited Malta between January and August 2013 approached the 1.1 million mark. Of these, 1,067,204 were departing tourists, an increase of nine per cent over the comparable period in 2012. The main tourism markets remained the UK and Italy, with a notable increase recorded from the Libyan, Austrian and Russian markets operated by Air Malta.

A thousand to set sail from the Grand Harbour

Times of Malta 15/10/2013: (race took place 20/10/2013): Sailors from 24 different countries will set sail from the Grand Harbour this weekend to take part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

A dazzling array of yachts will navigate non-stop the 606-mile race, starting and finishing in Valletta. About one thousand sailors will be taking part in Malta’s biggest sporting event, starting on Saturday.
The 2013 RMSR will have the largest fleet ever to be assembled in the 45-year history of the race.

With less than a week to go before the start, 116 yachts from all over the world have come together in Malta. The international fleet includes world famous yachts and a record number of local boats will be racing against them.

The hot favourite for Line Honours is Igor Simcic’s 100-foot Maxi, Esimit Europa 2.
The European team, led by three-time Olympic Gold medallist Jochen Schumann, will be attempting to finish first for an unprecedented fourth consecutive occasion...read on.

Maltese-Azeri investors clinch gas plant deal, Siemens to be lead developers

Times of Malta 13/10/2013: Electro Gas Malta consortium was chosen to build a new power station run on gas and related gas supply infrastructure. German firm Siemens are involved as lead developers with a 20 per cent stake.

The other investors are Socar, the Azerbaijan State energy company, Gasol and a group of Maltese investors.

The Maltese investors are Tumas Group and Gasan. They hold a 30 per cent stake in the consortium. Gasol, a UK-based company, holds another 30 per cent while Socar has the remaining 20 per cent.

The announcement of the preferred bidder was made this morning by Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi.

The consortium will sign a 18-year agreement to supply Enemalta with electricity and liquefied natural gas to run the BWSC plant that will be converted in due course.

Dr Mizzi said the company will sell electricity at a fixed price for five years, with subsequent revisions that will ensure a price "cheaper than that for an oil-fired plant"... read on.

Relating to Malta

Living like a tourist 10/10/2013: "I like to personify things. I am a product of a Disney-filled childhood; therefore, I animate inanimate objects. Like Disney’s dancing candlesticks or talking mirrors, I give countries, cities and even forms of weather human personalities. You may have read about my "DC-as-a-potential-boyfriend" post. Now this is my “Malta-as-a-fellow-expatriate” post.

Malta in human-form could be the newest arrival to our expat world. Like many of us expats, Malta has a variety of international and cultural influences in its background. Not only that, she (Malta) has a current culture and lifestyle that feels like a blend of a dozen. Malta has probably also had moments when she is a bit confused about her identity… or at least other people are confused about her identity...read on.

The crisis – an opportunity not to be wasted

Times of Malta 10/10/2013: The crisis started over five years ago and the end is still uncertain. The fifth anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers is just behind us, but the word “crisis” is still making headlines all over the world. The crisis is bringing down governments and stifling economies. In some parts of Europe, the crisis is blamed for ruining the lives of young people who cannot find jobs because of alarming unemployment rates. It is a nightmare for many European entrepreneurs, who are struggling to return to pre-crisis income levels and contributions to growth.

Most of the eurozone countries could envy Malta its performance. With an unemployment rate that does not exceed half the eurozone average and stable growth projected for 2014, Malta has received positive ratings both from the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund. That is one reason why we have chosen Malta as a place to discuss what lessons can be learnt from the crisis.

The economic downturn constantly challenges firms with falling turnovers and orders. The only way to survive in a harsh economic environment is to react flexibly to market demands and to maximise competitiveness. If you see the crisis as an opportunity, transformation can be achieved through innovation and investment in research and...read on.

World Food day: Maltese spend €611M on Food in 2012

MaltaIndependent 16/10/2013: Last year, final household consumption expenditure on food in the domestic market was estimated at €611 million, the NSO said.

On the occasion of World Food Day (16 October) the NSO is publishing a set of figures relating to the food sector in Malta, with a focus on the economic aspects of consumption.  This year, the Day’s theme devised by the United Nations is: “Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition”.

In 2012, food expenditure was estimated at €611 million, a decline of 2.2 per cent over 2011.  The share of household expenditure on food was estimated at 12.8 per cent of total private final expenditure in the domestic market in 2012. 

In 2012, there was a decrease in household spending on most food items, ranging from a 0.2 per cent decline in expenditure on vegetables, to a 10.1 per cent drop in respect of fruit when compared to 2011.  On the other hand, increases of 9.2 per cent were registered in household expenditure on fish and of 3.2 per cent on sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery.

Last year, food inflation measured on the basis of the 12-month moving average rate was 4.7 per cent, while the annual rate was 6.0 per cent. Food prices were higher, mainly in respect of...read on.

Malta: The Switzerland in the Mediterranean

Times of Malta 08/10/2013: The global economy is undergoing significant structural changes that are rendering obsolete the distinction bet­ween ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries. Today, according to the Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014, the relevant divide is between ‘innovation-rich’ and ‘innovation-poor’ ones.

This has important implications for the competitiveness of nations and their capacity to create wealth.

Such thinking simply ‘repackages’ existing knowledge; its only merit is in putting innovation at the centre of the development process. Not so long ago, we were being told that the big divide was between ‘information-rich’ and the ‘information-poor’ countries.

Innovation is a complex phenomenon and has divergent meanings to different people but, for sure, it implies the convergence of education and economic strategies to foster entrepreneurship and technological advancement...read on.

Malta: Xara Palace Among 12 Palaces, Castles for Regal Stays

Travel World News on October 11: Mdina’s Xara Palace Relais and Chateau has been included in a list of the 12 most regal stays around the world compiled by the CNN.

The news network says that “the Maltese city of Mdina is itself a historic wonder: a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose history was influenced by the Knights of St. John. Built by the Knights in the 17th century as a residence for the royal Moscati Parisio family, the Xara Palace was reopened in 1999 as an exclusive 17-room Relais & Chateaux hotel.”

“Rooms are simple yet refined, paying tribute to the order through numerous antique paintings. A highlight: the award-winning de Mondion restaurant, offering traditional dishes with 180-degree views of the city.”

The feature says that throughout the world, but mainly in Europe and parts of Asia, numerous palaces, castles and chateaus have been carefully converted into deluxe lodgings — rich in history and, understandably, often in cost. Some of the finest include the newly opened Four Seasons Lion Palace in St. Petersburg and the recently renovated Gritti Palace in Venice...read on.

Cartoon: Traffic in Malta

It can't be denied. Malta has the 5th highest number of vehicles per capita in the World ...

Cartoon by Steve Bonello

Maltese passport ninth ‘best’ to own in the world

On the MaltaIndependent 05/10/2013: Holding a Maltese passport unlocks a wealth of visa-free travel, according to an annual index published by Henley and Partners, a global consultancy on residence and citizenship planning.

Malta ranks joint ninth with Malaysia in terms of the ease of visa free travel. The index factors in 219 destination countries, therefore the maximum attainable score is 218 as one point is subtracted to account for a national travel travelling to one’s own country. Malta was given a score of 163, which means that Maltese passport holders can travel to 163 different countries without requiring a visa, but 55 countries still require some form of visa from Maltese travellers.

Finland, Sweden and the UK top the index with a total score of 173. Eriteria, the Palestinian Territory, Pakistan, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan are all in the bottom six of the table. Afghani passport holders have the bleakes...read on.

Air Malta triples online bookings through website

The MaltaIndependent reports on 04/10/2013: Air Malta has tripled online bookings during the first five days of its current seat sale compared to the same period last year. Last Sunday the airline launched a campaign offering a 25% discount on over one million seats on 23 scheduled destinations in and out of Malta.

"We are delighted with the response," said Philip Saunders, Air Malta’s Chief Commercial Officer. “As expected UK routes proved to be very popular with customers. Other destinations performed very well too including those in Germany, Italy and France. This campaign assists Air Malta in continuing to be the number one airline contributor to the record number of visitors to the Maltese Islands,” Saunders added.

“This is a another great opportunity for both locals and visitors to grab a bargain flight from Air Malta with the opportunity to choose dates over a nine month period right up until the end of...read on.

Malta ideally placed to lead fight against plastic pollution

The MaltaIndependent on 03/10/2013: UK-registered charity Plastic Oceans Foundation believes that Malta is ideally placed to take the lead in resolving what is fast becoming a major threat to the environment and human health – plastic pollution.

David Jones, foundation executive responsible for sustainability and education, was recently invited to Malta by the Professional Diving Schools Association (PDSA) and he had talks with the Malta Tourism Authority, the European Parliament Information Office in Malta, the University of Malta, the Education Ministry and Malta National Aquarium.

Mr Jones also took part in an underwater clean-up at Qawra Point together with Ocean Mysteries Diving and Sharklab-Malta. The foundation hopes that the next step will be the organisation of a conference, bringing together government, business, industry, and education entities, to look at the issues and challenges with a view to formulating an action plan to bring about long lasting and sustainable change.

Plastic Oceans was formed three years ago and its mission is to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans and eventually eradicate the problem. The foundation has been producing a powerful, high-end documentary in high definition for cinematic release. The film – which should be out in early 2014 – along with the campaign, will raise global awareness to the problems of plastic pollution, highlight and promote positive solutions, empower people to become part of the solution, support the biggest cleanup the world will ever...read on.

Malta has already set the ball rolling for EU Presidency

MaltaIndependent 01/10/2013: Parliamentary Secretary for the EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds Ian Borg this morning held a meeting with the Secretary General of the European Council, Uwe Corsepius, in Brussels.

The focus of the discussion was the preparations for Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the EU during the first six months of 2017.

Dr Borg informed Mr Corsepius that Malta has already set the ball rolling in preparing for the Presidency.

“The government is well on its way in preparing the organisational structure which will be needed in order to manage the many responsibilities which a Member State undertakes during its Presidency. “The structure will be based upon three pillars: policy, logistics and communication,” he said.

The Parliamentary Secretary told Mr Corsepius that the government is committed to making the Maltese Presidency one which will leave concrete results that will contribute towards improving the lives of all EU citizens.

He stated that the fact that the new Administration had established a Ministry dedicated to European Affairs, with a Secretariat that is focused on...read on.

Medserv wins offshore Malta oil drilling logistics

Calamatta Cuschieri report on 02/10/2013: Genel Energy Petroleum Services Limited has awarded Medserv Operations the contract for the provision of logistical supply base services, transportation and associated services in relation to the drilling of an exploratory oil well offshore Malta.

The contract is effective from October 1 and it covers one well for an initial duration of up to 120 days with an option for extension to a second well.

In May, Mediterranean Oil & Gas reached agreement with Genel Energy to use the deep-water semi-submersible drilling rig "Paul Romano" to drill the well in Area 4 south of Malta later this year.

The Paul Romano will drill the Hagar Qim 1 exploration well in water depths of approximately 450 metres and will target reservoirs at a depth of approximately 2,500 metres.

The company said the area has prospective resources in the Lower Eocene/Paleocene of 109 million barrels of oil equivalent. The Paul Romano is undergoing a five-year class survey in Malta.

(Source: Times of Malta)

English teaching pumps €135m in Malta’s economy

On di-ve.com 02/10/2013: The teaching of English as a foreign language sector has grown considerably over the past years and last year contributed to over €135 million to the local economy, the The Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations of Malta (FELTOM) said. The Federation believes that the budget for 2014 should be another step in strengthening the tourism and educational sectors.

In addition, this industry is directly generating employment for hundreds of teachers. Thousands of host families also benefit directly from this industry which last year alone attracted over 81,000 students to Malta.

Looking ahead, FELTOM is proposing that in education Government strengthens literacy programmes in schools, focuses on bilingualism in schools and commences a postgraduate degree on teaching of English.

In the tourism sector, FELTOM believes that Airmalta should be strengthened, additional routes of low-cost airlines are started and investments in the general infrastructure and environment continue.
FELTOM also believes that administrative efficiency can also facilitate more students coming to Malta and in this regard government should improve...read on

Video Clip: Moving Malta

Tom Hanks movie partly filmed in Malta premieres in New York October 11

Malta Independent, 30/09/2013: NEW YORK (AP) — Tom Hanks has had enough of playing real people. In Paul Greengrass' docudrama "Captain Phillips," which premiered Friday as the opening night film of the New York Film Festival, he plays Richard Phillips, the captain of a cargo ship famously taken by Somali pirates in 2009.

Partly filmed in Malta, all marine locations were shot at the Mediterranean Film Studios or in the open sea around the Maltese Islands. Earlier this year, Hanks made his Broadway debut playing New York journalist Mike McAlary in Nora Ephron's "Lucky Guy." And later this year, he stars as Walt Disney in "Saving Mr. Banks," about the making of "Mary Poppins."

"I got to get out of this racket," Hanks said sheepishly ahead of the Friday night premiere. "It's killing me.""Captain Phillips," which is expected to be a major contender in Hollywood's awards season, debuted at the NYFF to enthusiastic reviews and particular acclaim for Hanks' performance.

But playing real-life people comes with various pressures of authenticity. Verisimilitude is a primary aim for Greengrass, who made the true-life tales "United 93" and "Bloody Sunday" with similar documentary-like realism. Hanks met several times with Phillips at hi...read on

Italy and Malta oil and gas potential

On PRWeb 27/09/2013: The Italy and Malta Oil & Gas 2013 Summit is taking place on 30-31st October at the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Rome to explore the investment opportunities in the Italian and Maltese oil and gas industry and indicate the key factors that will make any investment in the sector of the region commercially successful.

The interest for Mediterranean offshore over the last three years brings again to the spotlight Italian oil and gas reserves, which after a ban reversal, have seen a growing interest with existing companies expanding their local presence or restarting projects that fell under 2010 restrictions.

Italy’s Val D’Agri oil basin has been characterised as one of the largest in Europe, and its potential is still being discovered with many experts considering the Italian natural reserves completely underappreciated.

The Italy and Malta Oil & Gas 2013 Summit is taking place on 30-31st October at the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Rome to explore the investment opportunities in the Italian and Maltese oil and gas industry and indicate the key factors that will make any investment in the sector of the region commercially successful.

The summit will be a senior level networking platform that will analyse the oil and gas industry of Malta and Italy from every aspect including topics like; investment opportunities in the Italian oil and gas industry; implications of the Italian legal...read on.

Malta offers hedge funds choice of two vehicles under AIFMD

On hedgeweek, 27/09/2013:  Malta remains a relatively small European domicile. Combined net assets of Maltese funds at the end of June 2012 totalled EUR10.3billion; up from EUR8.3billion in 2011 but still way off more established jurisdictions like Luxembourg, whose wholesale funds market has ballooned to EUR2.523trillion according to its national regulator, the CSSF.

Special report available

Malta, however, knows what its strengths are and continues to focus on presenting itself as a viable option for hedge fund and private equity managers. The number of Maltese funds is now up to 578 according to the island’s promoter, FinanceMalta, of which 460 are Professional Investor Funds (PIFs). Only 64 registered funds are UCITS; becoming a wholesale market is not a realistic aim.

Maintaining a niche is critical to Malta’s success. Indeed, one of the net results of Europe’s recent implement of the AIFM Directive is to level the playing field as far as funds are concerned, as all regulated funds, whatever the domicile, will now fall under the AIFMD model.

James Farrugia, Senior Associate at law firm Ganado Advocates thinks that under the Directive, Malta will be well placed to grow its fund manager numbers going forward: “On the fund side, domiciles are becoming similar. Competitive differences are...read on.
Download special report here.

Malta promises 'new experience' at 2014 ITT conference

UK Travel Weekly, 27/09/2013: The Mediterrenean island of Malta has been chosen to host the 2014 Institute of Travel and Tourism conference, it was announced last night.

Guests at the ITT's annual president's dinner held at The Dorchester hotel were told the news by the institute's chairman and chief executive Steven Freudmann. He said bokings open today for the event that will take place on June 2 to 4.

Malta has become a popular choice for overseas UK travel industry conferences in recent years, Abta and Advantage Travel Centres having opted for the destination and Aito due to hold its winter conference there later this year.

Alex Incorvaja, UK director of the Malta Tourism Authority, said: "We are delighted in securing what is one of the most prestigious events in the travel calendar for the UK trade.

"Malta continues with its drive to position itself within a very important channel of business - the UK market. Over the past four years, we have hosted Abta's Travel Convention in 2010, the Advantage Travel Centres' conference in 2011 and now the ITT conference in 2014, which just shows our...read on.

Air Malta launches 1 million seat sale at 25% discount

MaltaToday for Air Malta: Sale will be available for eight days up to Sunday 6 October at 11:59pm Malta time.

Air Malta has just launched a campaign offering a 25% discount on over one million seats on its scheduled network in and out of Malta.

Philip Saunders, Air Malta's Chief Commercial Officer said: "This is a great opportunity for both locals and visitors to grab a bargain flight from Air Malta with the opportunity to choose dates over a nine month period right up until the end of June 2014. We are offering a 25% discount to 23 destinations on 1.17 million seats. We're sure that the offer will be a great success but you'll need to hurry to book as the offer ends at 11.59pm on Sunday 6th October and we don't want anyone to miss out!"

Last winter 680,000 passengers travelled on Air Malta flights, an increase of 40,000 over the previous year.

"We hope that through this offer we will register similar increases and continue being the major contributor to the record number of visitors to the Maltese Islands," Saunders said.

The sale, which has opened today, will be available for eight days up to Sunday 6^th October at 11:59pm Malta time. Tickets purchased through this offer are valid for...read on.

Malta Today, 26/8/2013: 71% of Maltese aged between 15 and 24 have shopped online in the past year, compared to just a third of 40 to 54 year olds and 15% of over 55 year olds.

Moreover, while younger Maltese tend to buy more online than their European counterparts, those over 40 tend to buy less, a pan-European survey conducted by Eurobarometer shows.

Among 15 to 54 year olds, while 58% of respondents from the EU's 27 Member States shop online, 71% in the same cohort shop online in Malta. But while 55% of  40 to 54 year olds shop in line in the EU, only 33% of Maltese in the same cohort do likewise.

Maltese are the most likely within the EU to buy online from outside the 27-nation trading block, and least likely to buy online from local online providers. The Maltese are also less likely than other Europeans to shop online for concert and event tickets...read on.

Magical Malta

The Times of Oman, 26/09/2013: Autumn is the ideal time to visit this small nation with a vast history. The summer heat has eased, but the sea remains warm. Every wave of civilisation has left its mark on the Maltese islands, creating a mosaic of cultures and colours. Malta, Gozo and Comino are wrapped in more than 100 miles of coastline, and decorated by dozens of towns and villages.

Malta is plumb in the middle of the Mediterranean, with Sicily 60 miles north and the North African coast 120 miles south, and Malta's main tourist office is in Valletta at 229 Merchants Street (visitmalta.com; 9am-5.40pm daily, Sundays to 1pm). It occupies the Auberge d'Italie, former home of the Italian knights. The former capital, Mdina, is on the south-west side of the island, slightly inland. The most touristy parts of Malta extend along the coast north-west from Valletta, through Sliema and St Julian's to Bugibba and Mellieha.

Island-hopping, is easy. The inter-island ferry (gozochannel.com) shuttles between Cirkewwa at the far the north-west of Malta and Mgarr at the south-east tip of Gozo, every 45 minutes for most of the day; return foot-passenger fare €4.65. The 25-minute voyage gives views of the island of Comino, and connects with a bus to Gozo's elegant but sleepy capital, Victoria. Malta's key celebrity hideaway is the Xara Palace (xarapalace.com.mt) in Mdina. A 17th-century mansion has been converted into a boutique hotel that entices royalty and celebrities..read on.

Malta a strong player in ICT field

The Times of Malta, 26/09/2013: Malta is a “strong player in the ICT field” which can provide a “strong lead across Europe” in the coming years, according to Robert Madelin, director general for communications networks, content and technology in the European Commission.

Mr Madelin was in Malta this month and in a joint interview with i-Tech and the University of Malta radio station Campus FM gave an update on the EU’s ambitious Digital Agenda and Malta’s progress in the ICT sector.

His visit came a few months after the general election in Malta and a change in Administration.
“One of the focal points of my visit on this occasion was to meet the new actors and hear their views on where they want to go in the next few years. The numbers put Malta in a reasonably good position. I don’t detect, sitting in Brussels, any immediate change of course, but if you look beyond next year when we change the European Commission and the European Parliament, you see also the Maltese presidency of the European Council on horizon. These are all opportunities, given that Malta is quite a strong player in the ICT field for the government of the day to give a strong lead across Europe.” ...read on.

EY Malta forecasts robust growth in 2013

The Times of Malta, 26/09/2013: "The autumn EY Eurozone Forecast (EEF) on Malta forecasts a one per cent GDP growth in 2013, revised up from 0.5 per cent in the June report.

Ongoing strong growth in the tourism sector, with the number of visitors up by nearly 10 per cent in January-June compared with the same period last year, has contributed significantly to the brighter short-term outlook.

The rise in the average length of stay is also an encouraging sign for the profitability of the sector. The domestic economy remains weak, however.

In particular, unless there is a very large turnaround in H2 2013, consumer spending and business investment will fall this year. Concerns about the eurozone’s prospects have probably affected households’ and businesses’ willingness to spend.

In this context, it is positive that the eurozone now seems much more resilient than in the past couple of years.

Economic activity and especially consumer spending, will also benefit from the fall in inflation in 2013...read on.

Malta to host conference on Environmental legislation

From Gozonews.com, 28/09/2013: Malta together with IMPEL and the EU Commission will be hosting the upcoming Conference, on implementation and enforcement legislation entitled ‘Improve and Innovate’ (Programme is enclosed) which will be held at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Floriana between the 1st and 4th October 2013.

The participants will consist of around 250 representatives originating not only from the EU Member States, Member States of the EEA (European Economic Area) and EFTA (European Free Trade Agreement) States, but also from other international Environmental Networks such as the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE), the Regulatory Environmental Programme Implementation Network (REPIN) and the Regional Environmental Network for Accession (RENA).

The objectives of the conference are: ...read on.

Language is what makes us Maltese

MaltaToday on 24/09/2013: Find out which personality is Malta’s best export, our favourite foods, the hegemony of Kinnie, and our knowledge of Maltese history and identity.

Our unique Semitic language, 'culture', nanna's bragioli... Joseph Calleja, the prime minister, Independence and the Republic, Kinnie, Cisk and kunserva - pretty much all you need to know about the EU's smallest Member State.

These are exciting revelations: MaltaToday's new "identity survey" has lifted the lid on the curious make-up of the Maltese. Contrary to popular misconceptions, and perhaps a strong confirmation of our earlier survey on the à la carte Catholicism of the Maltese islands, the Maltese people feel united by language, rather than religion (even though this still rates a high fourth in cultural identifiers).

Over two-thirds of respondents say the Maltese language could be the greatest signifier of national unity, but only 2.3% referred to Malta's bilingualism as a mark of their identity.

Still, 17% of respondents to this survey say they speak both Maltese and English a
t home, with this percentage rising to a staggering...read on.