HSBC Malta Foundation donated €10,000 to Nature Trust – Foundation for Environmental Education FEE Malta’s EkoSkola programme, and €13,000 for the Water Explorer Programme and various water projects carried out in schools.

HSBC Malta Foundation’s contribution also supports the Young Reporters for the Environment Programme (YRE), as well as the YRA Award Ceremony. YRA encourages students to conduct journalistic investigations about environmental issues to report about them to the local community via articles, photos and video clips.

“HSBC Malta has been investing in EkoSkola for over 12 years because we believe that the future of our environment requires a mindset change that can be brought about by new generations of citizens choosing to live a more sustainable lifestyle than previous generations,” said HSBC Malta’s CEO Andrew Beane in his address during the summit.

“Through a set of interrelated actions, EkoSkola programme helps young people to understand and appreciate the opportunity and responsibility that they have to bring about the needed change through simple, yet practical everyday acts,” the CEO added.

“EkoSkola inspires young people to actively engage in their environment by encouraging them to actively protect it,” said Vincent Attard, President of Nature Trust Malta.

“From the classroom, the programme expands to the entire school and eventually nurtures change in the community at large. The EkoSkola programme is an ideal way for schools and students to embark on a meaningful journey towards improving the environment in both the school and the locality,” Mr Attard added.

Other initiatives covered by the Foundation’s donations include Eco-School 9th Young People’s Summit, the 14th EkoSkola Parliament Session as well as the Learning About Forests Programme (LEAF)—an international outdoor learning programme promoting awareness and knowledge about the key role forests play for sustainable life on our planet and whether that role is being compromised by the way of life we lead.

The Eco-School programme, known in Malta as EkoSkola, was introduced in Malta in 2002, with six pilot schools. Today, the number of participating schools in Malta and Gozo stands at 123. Eco-Schools, an international programme run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) amongst over 19.5 million students in 68 countries worldwide, aims to mobilise schools to encourage students to adopt an active role in environmental decision-making in their school and community. In 2015, the Eco-Schools programme has been recognised by UNESCO as the Programme for Education for Sustainable Development in the world.

The post HSBC Malta Foundation supports EkoSkola via donation first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

1923 Investments, a company of Malta-based Hili Ventures, expects to finalise the acquisition by early Q2 2020. The business will trade under a new name which will be announced after the completion of the deal.

“This acquisition is in keeping with our strategy to grow in areas in which we are already active and to broaden our horizons,” 1923 Investments Chief Executive Officer Melo Hili said.

“Our anchor company Carmelo Caruana has been running a ship-to-ship operation in the Mediterranean for many years. This additional business presents an important opportunity for us to venture further into this field and significantly bolster our revenues and profitability,” he added.

1923 Investments’ commercial activities are located in Malta, Poland and Hungary. 1923 Investments is the investment arm of Hili Ventures.

Hili Ventures is engaged in partnerships with McDonald’s and Apple, logistics, marine and engineering, technology, property, hospitality and leasing in ten countries across the Mediterranean and the Middle East to Central and Eastern Europe. It has a staff of more than 9,400.

Hili Ventures partners include Cisco, CMA CGM, Diebold Nixdorf, Gemalto, GLS, Hoffmann, IBM, Konecranes, Lenovo, Microsoft, NCR, Tranter, Terberg, as well as other global brands.

The post Hili’s 1923 Investments agrees to buy part of Teekay Tankers first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Malta-based Claymore Group will launch ibet in May before the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship. For the European launch ibet’s partnership with Betsson will include both a technology platform and odds compiling.

“This is a milestone for us for many reasons. It does not only manifest that we have a competitive sportsbook product, but also demonstrates how the group’s strong technology platforms can offer new B2B possibilities. We are very proud that the Claymore Group has chosen us as a supplier for their European venture,” said Pontus Lindwall, CEO Betsson AB.

“The Claymore Group has ambitious plans for ibet in 2020 and our partnership with Betsson is of vital importance as we aim to replicate the success we have enjoyed in Asia with LeTou,” said Claymore Group Chairman Paul Fox.

The post Betsson partners with ibet on B2B sportsbook deal first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Christian Borg, Director of Princess Holdings Ltd, and Tommaso Dragotto, President of Sicily by Car, announced the partnership at Montekristo Estates, recently.

“This new partnership will help synergise and take to the next level our offering in car rental by combining the expertise and experience both companies are renowned for, resulting in peace of mind and reassurance to our regular and leasing clients that our service will continue to be the best in the market,” said Mr Borg.

“Both companies share the same passion for providing customers with great value and easy, hassle-free experience. By combining our existing fleet and international airport rental locations with Princess Holdings’ local network, market knowledge and business heritage, we’re pleased we’ll be able to offer customers across the archipelago a growing array of choices and services,” said Mr Dragotto.

Founded in 1963, Sicily by Car S.p.A. has a network of more than 60 offices across Italy as well as being present in major Italian airports. Its fleet counts more than 20,000 vehicles.

The post Sicily by Car launches services in Malta first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The web-based platform allows innovators to sell or buy products and services, expand their network, find new opportunities, exchange expertise and best practices with different types of stakeholders. Koinè was designed to promote business opportunities and collaborations between innovators with a social vocation and is aimed at companies, startups, associations, organisations and professionals.

Designed by the partners of the ENISIE project (Enabling Network-based Innovation through Services and Institutional Engagement) and funded by the Interreg VA Italy-Malta cooperation programme, its purpose is to encourage collaboration between Sicily and Malta while strengthening the development of innovative initiatives in the two islands.

Participation in the network is free of charge.

The post Koinè opens up for Mediterranean innovators first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The goal of the ALS Malta Foundation is to raise awareness and offer support to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a motor neuron disease (MND) of the spinal cord causing progressive weakness and atrophy of muscles, and MND sufferers in Malta and Gozo. Spearheaded by Bjorn Formosa, it serves as a community to give support and palliative care, as well as to help research.

“We have a very important year ahead of us with huge objectives and a great project to deliver. We have started with the construction works on the newer and bigger DAR Bjorn, which we are planning to finish by the end of the year. In the meantime, we will keep on working tirelessly to raise enough funds to complete the finishes on this new residence,” said Bjorn Formosa, Chairman of ALS Malta.

“We are extremely grateful to PKF Malta that for the third year running has decided to organise its annual gathering and art exhibition in aid of ALS Malta Foundation,” he added.

“The art exhibition in aid of ALS Malta has been an annual fixture in our calendar, and the event has grown from strength to strength,” said George Mangion, Senior Partner at PKF Malta.

“As we mark PKF International’s 50th anniversary and PKF Malta’s 25th year operating in Malta, we firmly believe that it is our corporate social responsibility to help individuals in need and be active in our community. Likewise, through this effort, we are promoting local artists and giving our clients the opportunity to purchase works of art. It is a win-win situation for everybody.”

In the past years, paintings and works of art of various artists were sold during PKF Malta’s art exhibition. The artists included Nick Inguanez, C. S. Lawrence, Brian Grech, Lara Parker, Sandra Ciliberti, Clemens Hasengschwandtner, Torri, Ed Schembri, Christian Formosa, Tijana Raskovic, Mark Mallia, Antoine P. Camilleri and Dag Art.

The post PKF Malta raises over €15,000 for ALS Malta Foundation first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Under the partnership, Enel Energia’s domestic customers will be able to add Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) to their existing electricity and gas services, providing a download connection of up to 1 Gigabit per second and an upload speed of up to 300 Megabit per second.

“A high-speed internet connection enables customers to fully benefit from innovations in smart home technology and the digitisation of the energy sector,” said Nicola Lanzetta, Enel’s Head of Market Italy. “Thanks to this collaboration with Melita Italia, which has significant experience in the telecommunications sector, we will provide customers with a third commodity that is becoming central to our daily lives,” Mr Lanzetta added.

“This is a very positive agreement for Melita, which allows us to combine our offer, exclusively in fibre internet with the light and gas services of the main Italian provider,” said Riccardo Ruggiero, Executive President of Melita Italia. “This partnership can also be a stimulus for the further development of FTTH technology in Italy, which today is constantly growing but not yet in line with other European countries,” he added.

“Melita Italia has brought a new level of innovation to the Italian broadband market, combining Gigabit broadband internet with mesh WiFi technology to ensure the best in-home experience. Our new partnership will allow us to effectively market Melita Italia products to Enel Energia’s customers in Italy,” said Harald Roesch, CEO at Melita Limited, the mother company of Melita Italia.

The post Enel Energia, Melita Italia team up on fibre internet first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

“The management of cyber risk in banks is much more than an IT [information technology] discussion. We know from experience that the five most efficient cyber defenders are basic to any risk management solution. They are anticipation, education, detection, reaction and resilience,” Mr Cassar said.

Following Mr Cassar’s opening speech, Daniela Bagnaschi, Head of Data Management and Business Intelligence at the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), drew ties between the MFSA’s vision and plans for risk mitigation in the cyberspace and elaborated on the crucial aspects of the triad comprising People, Process and Technology, as well as its impact on the cyber resilience framework of regulated entities.

“This event was an important one as it emphasised the need for wider stakeholder involvement in raising awareness on the various cyber risks in the banking industry, but also the financial services sector in general. Likewise, the involvement of all stakeholders is required in the mitigation of these ever-growing and evolving risks,” said Karol Gabarretta, Secretary-General of the MBA.

The association tagged the event as “successful” and one that “achieved its aims”. More than 100 participants attended the conference.

The post MBA calls for increased cybercrime awareness first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

JCI Malta will be hosting a string of events under its three Local Organisations, namely JCI La Vallette (Business), JCI Wignacourt (Social), and JCI Public Speaking & Debating, with the aim of building positive platforms for social reforms.

By engaging local and international speakers, JCI Malta will be providing training in public speaking, leadership skills, and management techniques for young professionals looking to hone their abilities and extend their network.

“Our 2020 vision incorporates positive changes for individuals and companies who truly want to drive growth. We offer leadership-making opportunities to anyone aged between 18 and 40 who would like to develop their professional and personal skills in a safe space with like-minded people, and we encourage people to join JCI Malta and become active members in the organisation,” said Markus Behmann, JCI Malta President for 2020, during the JCI Malta Planning Weekend held at The Victoria Palace Hotel in Sliema.

“This year we are also seeking corporate partnerships whereby companies can partner with JCI Malta and nominate a member of staff to become a JCI Malta member and benefit from training sessions and conferences both locally and internationally,” added Mr Behmann.

JCI Malta provides young professionals with the opportunity to develop into future leaders and create positive change. All JCI Malta events are open to members and the general public upon registration.

The post JCI Malta sets out plan for 2020 first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

After the completion of the deal, Vodafone Malta will operate under the Vodafone brand for a transitional period, the note says, without specifying the length of the period or how the brand name might change.

Local market watchdog Malta Communications Authority has to give a regulatory green light for the deal to take place, which is expected to happen in Q1 2020.

For the financial year ended 31 March 2019, Vodafone Malta generated €82m of revenue, €32m of EBITDA and €19m of OpFCF, according to the Vodafone press statement.

Akira Partners LLP is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Vodafone and Norton Rose Fulbright LLP is acting as legal counsel, the press statement adds.

Monaco Telecom has operated for more than 15 years and counts more than six million users in more than ten countries, according to the official web page of the service provider. Monaco Telecom is the incumbent telecoms operator in the Principality of Monaco.

The shareholders of Monaco Telecom are the Principality of Monaco and NJJ Telecoms. NJJ Telecoms has interests in telecoms operators in Europe in Cyprus, Ireland, Monaco and Switzerland, the Vodafone press statement adds.

This is the second big communications deal Malta has seen this year: EQT Infrastructure signed an agreement to acquire Maltese telco Melita Ltd in May from Apax Partners and Fortino Capital.

The post Monaco Telecom to buy Vodafone Malta for €250m first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.