The Commercial Courier February/March 2016

THE COMMERCIAL/64

COURIER THE OFFICIAL BUSINESS MAGAZINE OF THE MALTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ENTERPRISE AND INDUSTRY SINCE 1947

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

Behind the lens

Sean Mallia’s photographic journey

NEWSPAPER POST GOLD COLLABORATING PARTNERS

IN THIS ISSUE SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE ISSUE OF EMPLOYING PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY / HALF OF NEW JOBS CREATED LOCALLY TAKEN UP BY FOREIGNERS: THE IMPLICATIONS / PRESIDENT ANTON BORG DISCUSSES MALTA CHAMBER PRIORITIES FOR 2016 / FORMER CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR ON BECOMING A PROFESSED KNIGHT OF THE ORDER OF ST JOHN / ALBERTA GROUP DIRECTOR LIZ BARBARO SANT TALKS LIFE AND WORK / SPOTLIGHT ON THE REGENERATION OF DOCK NO. 1 / THE LATEST BUSINESS NEWS

THE COMMERCIAL/64

COURIER FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

84.

35.

food trends 10 COVER STORY

111.

STEALING JOBS FROM UNDER OUR NOSES OR FILLING A GAP IN THE LABOUR MARKET?

50 DESIGN TRENDS NURTURING BORMLA’S SOCIAL RENAISSANCE

Sarah Micallef looks into the implications of recent reports stating that half of the new jobs being created in Malta are being taken up by foreigners – the vast majority of whom being EU citizens.

16 INTERVIEW

50.

“KEEPING MALTA COMPETITIVE IS AT THE CORE OF THE MALTA CHAMBER’S EFFORTS”

33 IN FIGURES

Malta Chamber President Anton Borg speaks with Martina Said about Malta’s economy, the importance of good governance and how every public appeal he makes has the betterment of Malta at heart.

100 INTERVIEW LEADING BY EXAMPLE

WEATHER IN MALTA… IN NUMBERS A look into the figures related to rain and shine in Malta.

35 INTERVIEW “THE CHAMBER IS AT THE HEART OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY”

23 COVER STORY ENABLING A DISABLED WORKFORCE Local legislation requires that all companies employing more than 20 people must include people with disabilities on their team – and fines can be enforced by Government if this quota is not met.

Jo Caruana consults the experts about the enforcement of this 1969 law.

109.

style review

Fred Perry

Marimekko

Architect Alberto Miceli Farrugia speaks to Martina Said about the regeneration of Dock No. 1 in Bormla, following five years of works and a cost of approximately €8 million.

Alberta Group Director and Malta Chamber Council member Liz Barbaro Sant discusses the state of the local labour market, how the Malta Chamber can benefit businesses and what needs to be done to continue to boost economic growth with Sarah Micallef.

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Former Central Bank Governor and professed Knight of the Order of St John Francis J Vassallo talks to Marie-Claire Grima about integrity, commitment, and dedicating his life to serving the poor.

111 MEET THE ARTIST BRINGING THE ARTISTIC INTO THE COMMERCIAL Sarah Micallef meets photographer Sean Mallia and discovers how he manages to infuse an artistic element into commercial photography.

stablished in 1947, The Commercial Courier is the official magazine of the The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. It is the leading business magazine, having one of the best distribution channels in the sector. The publication is distributed for free to the members of the The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. It is also distributed with The Malta Business Weekly as well as delivered to leading business people on the island.

The Exchange, Republic Street, Valletta VLT1117 Tel: +356 2123 3873 Fax: +356 2124 5223 info@maltachamber.org.mt www.maltachamber.org.mt

Articles appearing in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.

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Malta chamber’s bronze collaborating partners FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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CC Editorial

Human Resources – the new challenge

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t is often said that in an island state devoid of any natural resources, the human resource is the only basis on which a successful economy can be built. This has been Malta’s case for the past decades, as extensive emphasis and investment have been placed on the education of a better qualified, more erudite workforce with a view to attract higher value-added industries and support higher-scale economic activity.

Consequently, issues relating to human resources have taken greater prominence in the past years. The activity of the Malta Chamber has reflected these developments.

In this editorial and in a number of stories within this publication, The Commercial Courier will be shedding light on some of the work which the Malta Chamber has carried out in order to address issues that directly affect members in this area.

Maternity leave The Malta Chamber contributed to the process that brought changes to the maternity leave regulations last year, namely the creation of a Trust Fund out of which FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

maternity leave will be paid to workers. By means of these developments, employers will contribute 0.3 per cent of all their employees’ wages, irrespective of their gender to finance the fund. This measure is aimed at eliminating gender discrimination and encouraging female participation in the labour market.

Most recommendations made by the Chamber during the consultation process were taken on board. The Malta Chamber distributed a fact sheet on the changes to the law amongst all members shortly after the changes were announced in July 2015.

The Malta Chamber noted that these changes would be instrumental to reduce discrimination at recruitment stage as they helped from the financial aspect of matters. It also noted that though the issue of disruption would still exist, this could be mitigated by the fact that employers would now be receiving a refund for maternity leave

expenses paid to its employees, which funds could be utilised to employ a replacement member of staff.

The distribution of the fact sheet was supplemented by the organisation of an information session during which Government officials explained in detail how the changes would affect employers, as well as provided details on how and when these would be paid to businesses. The Malta Chamber still awaits the publication of the claim forms for refunds of the basic pay, which will be published in the forthcoming weeks.

Equal opportunities of employment The Malta Chamber has been studying the effects of the newly introduced schedule of contributions for companies to pay if they do not comply with a 1969 law obliging companies employing more than 20 persons to engage persons with

“Most recommendations made by the Chamber during the consultation process were taken on board.”

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CC Editorial

a disability, amounting to at least two per cent of their workforce. The Malta Chamber stated unequivocally that it was in favour of the principle of the law, but issues with implementation existed.

The Malta Chamber believes that persons with a disability have a contribution to make to the economy whilst becoming more independent and ascertaining themselves as accomplished members of our society.

However, it was clearly apparent that in its simplistic form, it was extremely difficult to implement this law. The main obstacle to implementation was related to the disclosure of disabilities to the employer.

The Malta Chamber discussed possible solutions with the relevant authorities and to its satisfaction, it noticed that progress was registered on a number of matters. In fact, an MOU between the Malta Chamber, the MEA and the ETC about the implementation of the law was proposed and was well received by all parties, as this clarifies a number of uncertainties on which previous discussions could not produce any results.

Though there remains the need to refine the situation further, the MOU was regarded as a step in the right direction, and we remain available to discuss the issue further, in order to reach an equitable and longlasting solution to the benefit of all parties.

Supplying the required skills With the economy growing at unprecedented rates and with unemployment dipping to the lowest levels on record, businesses have started to struggle to attract and engage suitably qualified personnel to run their operations.

With a view to understanding the longterm implications of this issue, the Malta Chamber has embarked on a pilot project to carry out a ‘Skills Gap Analysis’ of a

specific target sector. This exercise will consequently offer enough insight to understand the underpinning trends in a more generalised manner.

The Malta Chamber understands the importance of having a workforce which is well furnished with the skills required by the industries that will be investing in the future. The Malta Chamber remains keen to study and provide solutions in view of the long-term picture of commerce in Malta. cc

CC COVER STORY

Stealing jobs from under our noses or filling a gap in the labour market?

Recent reports that half of the new jobs being created in Malta are being taken up by foreigners – the vast majority of whom being EU citizens – were met with mixed reactions. But is the new reality a positive or negative development? Sarah Micallef consults the experts.

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he latest figures released by the Employment and Training Corporation show that 19,087 citizens of the European Union and 8,338 from other countries are currently working in Malta – altogether, a figure that supersedes the population of Malta’s largest town, Birkirkara.

“The fact that Malta is part of the European Union means there will be a flow of people into the job market from different countries, and locals leaving for other EU states,” says Evarist Bartolo, Minister for

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Education and Employment, maintaining that this allows for a dynamic and open economy.

The worry however, according to the Minister, would be if we were only importing low-skilled workers and exporting high-skilled ones. “A modern economy is based on highskilled industry and this requires a constant supply of good quality talent. It is crucial that in compulsory level education and further, we raise the bar to be able to face the needs of modern industries,” he asserts, adding that industry is finding it difficult to attain

workers with specific qualities, both linguistic and technological. “This means that it has to resort, at a cost, to import such workers,” he says.

Moving on to what he considers to be the implications of this new reality, the Employment Minister feels that the positives are many. “We have many companies that have set up shop in Malta and are doing well, while at the same time upskilling Maltese workers and contributing towards the economy. Whether it’s finance, gaming or IT, FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC COVER STORY skills in the sector but possibly more so lack of linguistic, managerial or creative skills,” she explains.

At the same time, Dr Comodini Cachia asserts that a number of employers have indicated to her that they are not finding enough graduates to fulfil specific positions within the sector. “The difficulty here is not that we do not have capable graduates or employees, but that we do not have enough.

This makes it even more important that we address the high number of students who do not continue their education,” she says.

“The percentage of migrant employees in the low-skilled non-manual and low-skilled manual occupations almost reaches that of those in the highly-skilled non-manual occupations. This could reflect a situation

whereby the Maltese are shunning these jobs,” she continues, maintaining that if this is the case, the skills sought by employers, the conditions that accompany these jobs and the factors that are creating this situation need serious consideration.

On a positive note, the Shadow Employment Minister believes that as a result of this reality, there is potential for skills transfer from highly-skilled foreigners, but it would depend on whether locals are employed in complementary or competitive positions. “In some areas where specialist language skills are involved for example, or where there are no Maltese able or willing to take up jobs at the going rates, I think that foreigners fill an important vacuum,” she explains.

“It is crucial that in compulsory level education and further, we raise the bar to be able to face the needs of modern industries.”

Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment

local talent has widened and increased its skill-base due to these new industries,” he explains.

Dr Bartolo also acknowledges that there is a negative side, including the fact that low-skilled workers from other EU countries are ready to accept worse conditions than the Maltese, consequently skewing the job market and forcing locals either to accept worse conditions or find other avenues. “This is a problem that is on the rise and can only be solved through equipping jobseekers with better skills to improve their chances of finding a better job,” Dr Bartolo says.

Shadow Employment Minister Therese Comodini Cachia points to recent statistics indicating that around 17,000 foreigners were in employment in Malta in 2014, a substantial number of them in highly-skilled non-manual occupations. “This tends to indicate a shortage of skills in the Maltese employee cohort, which need not necessarily be lack of FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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CC COVER STORY ETC Chairman Clyde Caruana believes that it is of critical importance to analyse this phenomenon within the current context of the Maltese labour market. “The number of registered unemployed as at November 2015 stood at 4,760 individuals, while its corresponding figure in November 2013 was 7,639 – representing a sizeable fall of 38 per cent,” he says, adding that other labour market indicators sustain these positive developments. Among these, Mr Caruana mentions Malta’s ranking as the member state with the third lowest unemployment rate in the EU by the Labour Force Survey, the fact that Malta registered the third lowest youth unemployment rate in the EU in 2014 according to Eurostat, as well as the fact that over a span of five years, female employment increased from 64,725 in June 2010 to 82,912 in June 2015.

“It is important to understand that the influx of foreigners into the labour market is occurring at a time when the latter is booming,” he explains, suggesting that a number of explanations could lend themselves to the co-existence of these two phenomena. One such explanation is that Malta’s labour supply is being exhausted, at least in the short-run. “Labour demand is a derived demand, which emanates from the expansion in the product market,” Mr Caruana continues, maintaining that this points to a bottleneck situation where employers are unable to find domestic labour resources in the required amounts and specifications, making it inevitable for them to turn to foreign labour.

Another explanation he considers is the fact that the Maltese labour market is de facto desegregated into a number of specific labour markets, each with their own particular requirements. “Post-2004, Malta’s service export industry has boomed such that a number of firms in ICT, business

“In some areas where specialist language skills are involved for example, or where there are no Maltese able or willing to take up jobs at the going rates, I think that foreigners fill an important vacuum.”

Therese Comodini Cachia, Shadow Employment Minister consultancy and I-Gaming cater, sometimes almost exclusively, to foreign customers.

This has given rise to very specific labour market requirements such as proficiency in foreign languages that are not typically part of the educational curricula in most Maltese

schools. This undoubtedly pushes employers to demand foreign labour to service their specific production needs,” he explains.

From an economic perspective, Gordon Cordina, Partner Economics and EU Affairs at Nexia BT Advisory, believes, “there is nothing inherently wrong in the creation of jobs in Malta which are filled by foreigners within the context of strong job growth in Malta, which is higher than in other EU countries; a declining unemployment rate within the Maltese population; the filling by foreign workers of jobs for which the Maltese do not have sufficient skills (or which Maltese nationals are not willing to occupy within the context of prevailing labour market conditions), but whose undertaking is essential for the generation of products and services that are key to generating economic activity in other sectors of the economy, as well as in generating consumption with attendant economic multiplier effects –

“It is important to understand that the influx of foreigners into the labour market is occurring at a time when the latter is booming.”

Clyde Caruana, ETC Chairman 12

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC COVER STORY

“Foreign workers in Malta can be the result of resources seeking and obtaining their most rewarding employment, just as the obverse phenomenon of Maltese nationals filling job vacancies abroad which would be more suitable to their qualifications and aspirations.”

Gordon Cordina, Partner Economics and EU Affairs at Nexia BT Advisory

tourism and construction being prime examples.”

While Dr Cordina believes it is essential to provide for adequate safeguards to ensure that this phenomenon would not be a symptom of irregularities and abuses in the labour market, he feels that part of the economic gains from EU membership would stem from the freedom of movement of goods, services, labour and capital.

Therefore, “foreign workers in Malta can be the result of resources seeking and obtaining their most rewarding employment, just as the obverse phenomenon of Maltese nationals filling job vacancies abroad which would be more suitable to their qualifications and aspirations,” he says.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Zammit, Founding Partner at MISCO, affirms that nowadays, there are a number of occupations in which Maltese workers no longer seem interested, so employers are faced with no other option than to employ foreign workers. “It is difficult to say with any certainty what the impact of this phenomenon could be. It could have an impact on wages. There could be an impact if employment growth slows down and the unemployment rate among the Maltese increases. The inter-cultural dimension of the Maltese labour market could bring about tensions in society. However, it could also bring about a change in the attitude of Maltese workers.”

But what can be done to raise the

number of local people selected for new job openings? And how can Maltese nationals better equip themselves for the types of jobs being created today? Minister Bartolo attests that while differentiating between EU nationals would be discriminatory due to EU law, there are a number of steps that can be taken to ensure a level playing field, such as making sure the minimum wage is respected, conditions are mindful of the law and cracking down on abusive practices.

“We know that the business models and working practices of almost all businesses have changed considerably due to technological factors, and the shift is ongoing. We need to accept that training and up-skilling are going to be constants throughout our working life, and workers will be asked to adapt to the changing conditions.

I believe technology will always play an important role, and the earlier we prepare our children in schools, the better equipped they will be. This is why digital literacy in schools is so crucial, because not having basic digital skills impedes you from being functional in the modern workplace,” Dr Bartolo maintains.

ETC Chairman Clyde Caruana highlights the corporation’s efforts towards the up-skilling of the Maltese labour force, mentioning the Training Aid Framework Scheme, aimed at “promoting the training of persons actively participating in the Maltese labour market, with a view to increase productivity and enhancing adaptability”; the Youth Guarantee Scheme, through which “Government is committing to help youths Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs) find employment or undergo training”; and Enhancing Employability through Training (EET), which aims to “facilitate the access to developing the knowledge, skills and competences of the working age population, offering training assistance to jobseekers needing to improve their skills or acquire new skills to meet labour market demands.”

Apart from these, Mr Caruana continues, ETC in conjunction with MEDE has published the Employability Index which gives an indication of those areas of study that

are least prone to vertical and horizontal underemployment. “It classifies graduates according to their faculties/institutes and ranks them according to their estimated probability of finding employment that matches both their areas of study and their level of education,” he explains.

Dr Bartolo is in agreement, adding, “the Employability Index is an important step towards having a more open job market and provides the data needed for everyone to make conscious decisions. The ultimate goal is not just to tackle unemployment but also underemployment, which is pervasive in some areas,” he states.

Dr Cordina also feels that focusing on early training and lifelong learning should remain a key tenet of economic and social policy. “Ideally, Malta would become a hub of learning and knowledge sharing also from an international perspective,” he asserts, while adding that it would be a pity to equate better training opportunities in Malta with the objective of ensuring that Maltese workers occupy job vacancies in Malta. “Maltese workers need to be ever more competitive in their skills and flexibility of course, but not merely within a domestic context but also an international one. After all, Maltese workers, in whatever location they may be occupied, are always in competition with other workers in ever more demanding export markets,” he concludes. cc

“There could be an impact if employment growth slows down and the unemployment rate among the Maltese increases. The intercultural dimension of the Maltese labour market could bring about tensions in society. However, it could also bring about a change in the attitude of Maltese workers.”

Lawrence Zammit, Founding Partner at MISCO FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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CC INTERVIEW

“Keeping Malta competitive is at the core of the Malta Chamber’s efforts” President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry Anton Borg chats with Martina Said about the current state of Malta’s economy, the importance of good governance and how every public appeal he makes has the betterment of Malta at heart.

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few weeks from now, Anton Borg will be halfway through his term as President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, making this year an important one for him to make this presidency count. Among the many ways he is endeavouring to do this is seeking to ensure that Malta remains as competitive as possible, which formed the crux of his most recent appeal to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to reduce energy tariffs in view of the sharp drop in international oil prices.

“Whatever appeal I make is because grassroots members ask for it,” he asserts.

“This wasn’t an appeal by the Chamber president alone, but was backed by members who are reacting to the fact that the recent reduction in energy costs is based on when crude oil cost $100 or more, whereas currently, crude oil costs $30 or less. It’s baffling to me that people consider the Chamber’s appeal as strange, in view of the substantial drop in the price of crude oil, as it is simply a matter of wanting to retain Malta’s competitiveness.”

Keeping Malta competitive, in fact, is what all of the Malta Chamber’s efforts boil down to, says Mr Borg. “We are not only competing with companies in other countries, but with companies within the same group that operate in other countries – they will shift production from Malta elsewhere unless we retain our competitiveness, and I think it is our obligation as the Chamber of Commerce to ensure that, wherever there are issues

that impinge on our competitiveness, we state them publicly.”

This is not to say, he reassures, that the islands’ performance is on the decline. A five per cent growth in GDP in 2015 is beyond expectation, and last year’s overall positive results mean that everyone needs to work to sustain them. “With the exception of the manufacturing sector, all sectors seem to be doing well. Having said that, only one sector within this economic group is not faring well, but it is one which bears great influence on the performance of the whole sector,” he explains. “Overall, the economy is on track, but we need to continue investing to maintain this upward trend and prolong it as much as possible before the economy starts to come down, which it will at some point, like every economic cycle in every country.”

On this point, I ask Mr Borg whether such economic growth – across most economic groups on the island – is a cautionary sign that the economy is overheating. “We’re not witnessing double digits of growth here, but rather a good, steady rate of growth that we need to sustain through a number of measures.” Among them, greater investment in research and development, and the training, as well as re-training, of employees working in particular sectors that will sooner or later start slowing down. “If we retrain those employees, we will be able to retain the current level of employment, which is indicative of the good results that we are seeing.”

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Photos by Alan Carville

“It is our obligation as the Chamber of Commerce to ensure that, wherever there are issues that impinge on our competitiveness, we state them publicly.”

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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CC INTERVIEW Some of the sectors that have contributed handsomely to Malta’s current economic climate are the tourism and financial services industries, which are ever-growing.

Is there room for further growth? “If we can support the growth in tourism with a good infrastructure, then there is probably room for further growth,” he asserts. “For instance, we need to look into whether our roads can take so many people, and come up with a holistic plan on local transport as a result. There will come a time when tourists will not want to visit a country clogged with cars, which brings with it its own set of environmental issues.”

As for financial services, Mr Borg believes there are constraints of available resources, which, if resolved, can enable this sector to grow even further. “There aren’t enough local people to fill certain roles – in fact, a number of auditing firms are making use of qualified accountants from various countries, especially English-speaking countries, making it clear that there aren’t enough human resources to sustain the level of operations that the financial services sector has reached.”

The country’s lacking infrastructure has contributed to despairing levels of traffic on the roads, but not much appears to have come out of incessant complaining other than a series of hasty decisions that are doing little to appease the real problem at hand. Mr Borg says that while it would be easy for him to say ‘so and so’ should be done, he believes that there are lots of issues at play.

“First of all, the traffic problem impacts everybody, starting with the private citizen who has to leave home 30 minutes earlier than he would have had to leave only a few years back. But the problem also impacts businesses – commercial vehicles on the road used to get from point A to point B in 20 minutes; now it takes twice as long. To counter this, one may need to use more vehicles to sustain the same number of deliveries, which means there will be more vehicles on the road – vehicles, no less, that are bearing some of the blame for a number of traffic issues. Businesses still need to deliver their goods, but adding more commercial vehicles on the road will compound the problem.”

“If we can support the growth in tourism with a good infrastructure, then there is probably room for further growth.”

“The only way to reduce the level of corruption nationally is if the party leaders take immediate action against corrupt individuals without delay, as justice delayed is justice denied.”

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC INTERVIEW

Mr Borg says there is no sole solution for tackling the problem, but rather a number of solutions, one of which is carpooling.

“We need to educate on the advantages of carpooling – not only does it reduce the number of cars on the road, but it also guarantees substantial financial savings for every person that carpools. By taking turns, one gets to drive their car to work for one week every four weeks, for example, saving a significant amount of fuel and reducing the number of cars on the road.”

Moving on to good governance, an issue which the Chamber has taken a firm stand on, Mr Borg expresses that getting the message of the importance of good governance in a two-party state like Malta’s across should be easy, and the parties should be the ones to lead by example.

“Unfortunately, of late, public debate has degenerated substantially – we’ve witnessed name-calling, for instance, which surely doesn’t do us proud as a country. Good governance, scandals and the level of corruption in a country are a few of the issues that potential investors would look at, and also make them think twice about investing here,” he asserts. “The only way to reduce the level of corruption nationally is if the party leaders take immediate action against corrupt individuals without delay, as justice delayed is justice denied.”

One of Mr Borg’s personal priorities as president is to rope in and attract new and younger members into the Chamber, ones which may bring a fresh and current perspective to this long-standing institution, balancing out the number of more experienced members and helping it move past its reputation as an ‘old man’s club’. “In the majority of our recent appointments within the Chamber, we have appointed young people, including female representatives, to get them involved in the running of the Chamber, not just as members. This is something I hope we can continue to do even after my termination as president.”

The launch of the new Chamber business portal this May, together with a businessto-business directory and weekly digital newsletter, will be one such indispensable tool that the Chamber hopes to use to achieve this. Mr Borg says that besides being able to offer additional services to members

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

“Getting young people involved in the running of the Chamber is something I hope we can continue to do even after my termination as president.”

without any additional cost through this ambitious project, it is also testament to the Chamber’s drive to move with the times.

“I’m sure that our members will recognise

the benefits of this business portal, and I’m also hopeful that it will help us attract new members to be part of this organisation too.” cc 21

CC COVER STORY

Enabling a disabled workforce Local legislation requires that all companies employing more than 20 people must include people with disabilities on their team – and fines can be enforced by Government if this quota is not met. In light of this, are employers and people with a disability getting the support they need to ensure success for both parties? Jo Caruana asks the experts to find out.

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t was 1969 when a law was put in place to encourage people with a disability into the workforce. That law stated that all companies employing more than 20 people needed to employ people with a disability too – and that at least two per cent of the company’s workforce should be made up of people with a disability.

However, while that law has been in existence for over 45 years, very little was done to enforce it – until 2015. It was at this point that Government announced, in its Budget for that year, that the two per cent quota would now have to be met, or the company would face fines. The news was welcomed by some but chided by others.

After all, the issue of employing people with a disability is a complex one, and both the employers and employees were going to need a lot of support to achieve success in a holistic manner.

So, is enough being done to bring more disabled into the workforce – and to make it work?

Oliver Scicluna, Chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disability (KPND) believes that very little conversation FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

has gone on regarding the importance of persons with a disability being able to engage within the workforce.

“In an ideal world it would be natural for employers to consider employing disabled persons alongside non-disabled persons,” he says. “It would be great if this could be done without having to enforce the law and fining employers, as I don’t believe this should come at a price.

“However, unfortunately, my past and present experience of meeting with parents and disabled people themselves has led me to believe that if the law is not enforced by Government, then the status quo will not change and disabled persons will find it very difficult to get work.

“This status quo basically means that there’s less encouragement for disabled people to work, less employment of disabled people, and more disabled persons living on the poverty line and being socially excluded.

With this in mind, the law does need to be enforced.”

So, are people with disabilities being encouraged into the workforce? Well, Nathan Farrugia, Executive Director of the Lino

Spiteri Foundation, believes that in order to achieve an ‘inclusive society’ everyone needs to be given the opportunity to fulfil themselves and contribute actively at work, in social activities and through their pastimes.

“Work is a key aspect of our identity and this is no less true for persons with a disability. We have, perhaps, not been effective as a society in engaging and empowering persons with different abilities to join the regular workforce, however things are changing. We are creating opportunities for them to find value in work.”

In fact, the Lino Spiteri Foundation was set up with the distinct role of providing guidance and support to empower people with a disability to find and, more importantly, sustain, gainful employment.

The foundation is a public social partnership between ETC and Empower, a leading cooperative that employs persons with disability in collaboration with the corporate sector. This partnership aims to draw on the resources of the ETC and provide the experience and expertise of the corporate sector to create employment opportunities.

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CC COVER STORY

“People with a disability have a contribution to make to the economy.”

Frank V. Farrugia, Deputy President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry “This employment takes many forms – from open supported employment to dedicated workshops designed for those with more complex needs,” continues Mr Nathan Farrugia. “Whichever opportunity is open to them, they need the right support to integrate and become part of the workforce.

After all, human capital is one of the key pillars to our economy, and everyone can contribute!”

Frank V. Farrugia, Deputy President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry explains that the Chamber agrees with the principles of the law, which have been in place since 1969.

“This agreement stems from the firm belief that helping individuals overcome disability and actively working to assure an inclusive society is not an act of charity but a deed of justice. People with a disability have a contribution to make to the economy, while also becoming more personally independent, and ascertaining themselves as accomplished members of our society.”

The Malta Chamber Deputy President goes on to explain that, in light of this, and on the announcement during last year’s

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

Budget of a schedule of contributions for companies to pay if they do not comply with the quota, the Chamber carried out an intensive study to understand the effects of the implementation of this law.

“We sought to understand why this law was never enforced since its inception in 1969, and it quickly became apparent that, in its simplistic form, it was extremely difficult to implement. The main obstacle to implementation was related to disclosure of disabilities to the employer.

“In an ideal world it would be natural for employers to consider employing disabled persons alongside non-disabled persons.”

Oliver Scicluna, Chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disability (KPND)

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CC cover story “Our Chamber and members are greatly interested in this subject, as we believe in the responsibility we shoulder as reputable employers. The matter at hand is a highly sensitive issue and it should be handled with utmost respect towards the individuals involved. Thus, the Chamber was seeking the emulation of best practice set by numerous employers who have already contributed in an exemplary manner, out of their own initiative in this respect, and have been doing so for a very long time.”

To help with this, KNPD strives to raise awareness about how companies can employ people with a disability, and even offers training that can be tailored to suit the needs of individual businesses.

“We also certify companies that employ disabled people and which need to provide them with training, accessible technology or modifications in infrastructure so as to render their employment environment accessible. Beyond that, this certification can help the employerto apply for up to €20,000 in tax rebates on the expenses incurred.”

Speaking on behalf of the Curia, Father Charles Mallia stresses that companies should make every effort to employ people with a disability.

“Everyone is entitled to work; it is a fundamental human right,” he says, adding that around two per cent of workers directly employed by the Archdiocese are disabled.

“The challenge lies in finding, or rather creating, appropriate work. As a society we will hopefully move towards a work model that does not simply satisfy the need to earn a living but that provides us with a balance between work, family, and leisure.

“In other words, these working conditions would be more humane and would include persons with a disability.”

Giving examples of ‘appropriate’ work, Father Mallia explains that most staff in church schools are teachers and LSAs, and thus there are very few disabled people who can do that kind of work. “However we are now looking forward to working with the Lino Spiteri Foundation to try to carve out jobs in schools that are appropriate for disabled persons. We are embarking on this journey in the hope of enriching the staff complement of each school, in the same way that we have successfully done with disabled students.”

Moving forward, the Malta Chamber is positive that, given the right tools and legislative framework, the private sector will champion and implement this improved system to encourage people with a disability to join the workforce.

“The authorities must appreciate and understand that legislation which was listed on paper but never enforced over five decades cannot be implemented in one year,” continues Frank V. Farrugia. “It is for this reason that the Chamber has discussed possible solutions with the relevant authorities on how implementation can be carried out in the best interest of all. Since, and to our satisfaction, we have noticed that progress was registered on a number of matters. Though there remains the need to refine the situation further we believe that steps are being taken in the right direction.”

The good news is that support does exist to help companies to employ workers with a disability. “Firstly, there is substantial funding and fiscal support to businesses

“There is no magic wand, but we can make a difference if employers, the state, foundations like LSF and the individuals who really want to work all collaborate for an inclusive workforce.”

Nathan Farrugia, Executive Director of the Lino Spiteri Foundation 26

“The meet-the-quota-or-pay approach that is being pursued is doing more harm than good.”

Marisa Xuereb, Managing Director at Raesch Quarz (Malta) Ltd that either already employ or seek to employ persons with a disability, and this is provided by the ETC,” continues Nathan Farrugia. “Furthermore, we, as a foundation, currently support individuals through trained job coaches, while also providing expertise to companies in ‘matching’ the skill set of our clients to their particular business needs. These two areas combined help both the company and the individual.”

To this end, the Lino Spiteri Foundation Executive Director knows of many great examples of companies that have taken the initiative to employ persons with a disability.

“They have made a conscious decision to empower them rather than offer work purely as an act of charity,” he says. “These are the examples we want to push as good practice. For instance, Middle Sea Valletta and Playmobil Malta both work closely with the Empower Cooperative, which generates employment for over 25 people with intellectual disabilities and autism.

There are many others that are generating gainful employment – interestingly some are not even required to by quotas as they are SMEs, but find value in a diverse workforce.”

Another company that has eagerly employed people with a disability is Raesch Quarz (Malta) Ltd. Its Managing Director, Marisa Xuereb, believes that by doing their utmost to employ people with a disability, employers are enabling those with a disability to lead a more fulfilling life and mitigating the economic burden of disability on society. “This burden is ultimately carried FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC COVER STORY

“We are looking forward to working with the Lino Spiteri Foundation to try to carve out jobs in schools that are appropriate for disabled persons.”

Father Charles Mallia, representing the Curia

by the private sector anyway, in the form of taxes to finance social benefits,” she says.

But she is quick to explain that there are challenges. “One of the biggest ones is matching people with a disability to potential employment opportunities and providing them with the special on-the-job training that they may require. The Lino Spiteri Foundation is trying to assist in this, but more support is required because it takes a lot of time and expertise to do this well, and it is critical for successful employment. Some work needs to be done on the jobseekers’ side as well, as some may be reluctant to actually take up employment that matches their capabilities. So they need to be coached into being motivated to work and be realistic as to their job-related expectations.”

At Atlas Insurance, Director Catherine Calleja says that the company has had some very positive experiences of employing people with disabilities.

“Aside from the obvious corporate social responsibility aspects, we have worked with several people whose disability has been irrelevant to the job at hand, FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

which has proved beneficial to us and the employee,” she says. “And we are hardly alone in this – we all know of famous cases where some software companies employ people with a certain type of autism as the condition provides some benefits to the job because of the way the thought processes are structured. This is definitely a win-win situation, where the possible social difference is negated by the benefits of the improved mathematical and logical thinking.

“In other cases, say where the person is more severely disabled or has to have an individual facilitator, it is less easy but we still believe that everyone has to play their part and, like most companies, we are more than willing to participate in such schemes.”

However, even with that in mind, Ms Calleja still believes there is a lack of support for companies keen to employ those with a disability. “For instance, ETC, which is running this scheme and holds the registry of disabled people, does not provide the profile of the special needs job seeker so that it may be matched to a company’s job requirements. As far as we know, ETC simply provides a long list of ID cards for the company to then solicit individuals to come to an interview, not knowing whether the person wants to work, is suitable for the job and so on.

“There are also far fewer registered disabled people than there are vacancies, if we consider the quotas at the moment.

So even if every company wanted to be compliant, it would not be possible.

Sometimes, if a registered disabled person is actually already working but has not informed their employer of their disability, the employer would have no way of knowing that they are fulfilling the quota already.”

Ms Xuereb, meanwhile, also has a strong opinion on how things should be tackled moving forward. “For many years, nothing much was done to promote the employment of people with a disability,” she says. “Now the Government is trying to catch up overnight, and the meetthe-quota-or-pay approach that is being pursued is doing more harm than good in terms of encouraging companies to employ people with a disability. We were among the companies invoiced for our deficit in employing people with disability during 2015. Upon our objection, ETC had the good sense to retract this in view of our long history of employing people with a disability and our efforts to replace a team member who had left. But it remains a fact that, when you receive an invoice like that, you’re encouraged to think in purely financial terms: it’s much cheaper to pay the contribution than to employ additional people – and this is exactly the sort of provocation that defeats the cause.”

Finally, Nathan Farrugia stresses that, if we all believe in an inclusive society,

we need to take the difficult route to go out of our way to accommodate a diverse workforce. “The incentives and support ensure that this is not an economic compromise, or productivity detractor, as long as we are patient, to ensure the right jobs are made available to the right people. There is no magic wand, but we can make a difference if employers, the state, foundations like LSF and the individuals who really want to work all collaborate for an inclusive workforce,” he concludes.

Meanwhile, Frank V. Farrugia adds, “the Malta Chamber has discussed possible solutions with the relevant authorities on how the implementation can be carried out in the best interest of all. To its satisfaction, the Malta Chamber noticed that progress was registered on a number of matters.

In fact, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Malta Chamber, the MEA and the ETC about the implementation of the law was proposed and was well received by all parties, as this clarifies a number of uncertainties on which previous discussions could not produce any results. Though there remains the need to refine the situation further, we regard this MOU as a step in the right direction, and we remain available to discuss the issue further, in order to reach an equitable and long-lasting solution to the benefit of all parties.” cc

“Aside from the obvious corporate social responsibility aspects, we have worked with several people whose disability has been irrelevant to the job at hand, which has proved beneficial to us and the employee.”

Catherine Calleja, Director at Atlas Insurance 29

CC PROPERTY

A new era for Malta’s real estate industry A white paper was recently presented to Parliament with the aim of professionalising the real estate industry in Malta. Here RE/MAX CEO Kevin Buttigieg tells Jo Caruana why this is a very, very good thing.

“S

ome things are worth waiting for and this white paper is one of them,” RE/MAX CEO Kevin Buttigieg emphatically tells me, as soon as we sit down to discuss it.

He is very pleased with the news that Malta’s real estate sector is, finally, going to become accredited. “These guidelines will protect us and our clients, and it’s something we’ve been striving for for a long time,” he continues.

As announced by Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera in January, this white paper will establish a code of practice for real estate agents. Once it is launched, it will also outline the training and knowledge required by estate agents, and will ensure high quality standards and services across the sector.

“This news has come just at the right time,” continues Mr Buttigieg. “There’s no denying that Malta is one of the strongest and best markets in Europe at the moment.

This means that there is a lot of ongoing investment, as well as other potential

30

opportunities in the pipeline.

“These guidelines will enable us to ensure that all investors, whether local or foreign, are dealt with in the most professional manner possible. I trust that if professionalism isn’t guaranteed at every stage of the investment process, then investors will walk away – and we certainly don’t want that.”

In fact, Mr Buttigieg firmly believes that the reason Malta is continuing to prove popular with international investors, is the fact that locals are also investing.

“This gives foreigners a sense of security,” he says. “In the past we have seen huge issues in countries where it was only foreigners who were investing in development, such as in Bulgaria, the Baltic States and even in Sicily. When it is only foreign investment going on, then the bubble is very likely to burst. However, in Malta, it is still locals who make up around 75 per cent of all property purchases, and this is fantastic. It shows we have a very strong market.”

“This set of guidelines will bring the cross-sector professionalism we have been craving for a long time.”

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC PROPERTY

So, regardless of whether it is a huge international investor buying a substantial development, or a couple purchasing through the First Time Buyers’ scheme, Mr Buttigieg is glad that they will now be guided properly, without the risk of cowboy agents misleading them.

“This set of guidelines will bring the crosssector professionalism we have been craving for a long time,” he says. “Because, while we at RE/MAX have always strived for the very best standards, others haven’t, and this has had the potential to really damage the reputation of Malta’s real estate sector.”

In fact there have been some horror stories from those who have, sadly, worked with unprofessional agents. “People have entered into a promise of sale without the property having full permits, or have even been duped into paying more than the property was worth because the agent was dealing in an underhanded manner.

Thankfully, now, all this will be regulated.”

Mr Buttigieg stresses that RE/MAX has always taken a very forward-thinking approach to the ongoing education and training of its agents. “We have actually been pushing Government on this issue for over 11 years, and we believe it’s important that all real estate companies should be on a level playing field. This is what will finally be achieved, as this white paper will mean that the industry will have its own Board of Ethics, and other regulatory boards. Thus, FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

if someone is found to be playing dirty, they will be dealt with.”

Finally, Mr Buttigieg also hopes that this new direction will encourage more people to join the industry as agents. “It will now be an accredited profession, so it will hopefully raise the sector’s profile and help people to see it in a new light. After all, in certain places abroad the property industry is very highly regarded because it is regulated. Now that will be the case here in Malta, too.

“Moving forward I am very excited about what this means for us, and for all

our colleagues across the sector. This is a game changer, and we are thrilled that it is finally here. On behalf of RE/MAX, I am most grateful to the many people who have made it happen – including Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera, who really listened to everything we had to say, and Sandro Chetcuti at the Malta Developers Association, who I believe is doing a great job. We can now proceed knowing that we will be a united front, and that we can achieve the best – both for our clients and our teams,” Mr Buttigieg concludes. cc

31

CC in figures

IN Figures

Rain and shine

45.8 MM

the amount of rainfall recorded in December 2015, far short of the usual average of 104.8mm

9.5 hours

Christmas shoppers enjoyed 9.5 hours of sunshine on December 23rd, the hottest day in December 2015

21

°C

1947

the coldest temperature recorded in 2015, on the very first day of the year

Malta’s driest year, with just 228.4mm of rainfall

25

1951

the number of thunderstorms recorded between late December 2014 and March 2015, almost twice the norm

A few years later, Malta’s wettest year, with a total rainfall of 955.6mm

12.33 3,095.2 557

the average number of daily sunshine hours recorded during July, the brightest and hottest month of 2015

the number of hours of sunshine recorded in 2015

112.8

197.9

mm

the total annual rainfall averaged in Malta during 1974-2013, slightly higher than the climatic norm of 553.4mm

1961

Malta’s brightest year on record. Hours of sunshine averaged 8.9 hours daily

Source: Met Office

total rainfall in February 2015, the wettest month of the year

the number of sunshine hours recorded in the final months of the year, exceeding the Met Office’s prediction of 156.3 hours

MM

Source: Malta International Airport FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

33

CC INTERVIEW

“The Chamber is at the heart of the local business community�

Photos by Alan Carville

Alberta Group Director and Malta Chamber Council member Liz Barbaro Sant chats with Sarah Micallef about the state of the local labour market, how the Malta Chamber can benefit businesses and what needs to be done to continue to boost growth both on an individual basis and a general economic level.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

35

CC INTERVIEW

“It is a question of making our children internalise that they can be whatever they wish to be if they invest in their dream career, irrelevant of their gender.”

A

fresh member of the Council of the Malta Chamber, Liz Barbaro Sant, Director at Alberta Group who has been involved in the business for almost 30 years, is somewhat of a rare breed.

In a labour market in which there is an undeniable lack of female involvement, particularly on a business or entrepreneurship level, Ms Barbaro Sant believes that it all boils down to education, both at school and at home. “It is a question of making our children internalise that they can be whatever they wish to be if they invest in their dream career, irrelevant of their gender. There is still an imbalance between men and women in the sharing of domestic and family responsibilities, with the result that women, more often than men, opt for part-time work or even give up work altogether,” she says.

Maintaining that while recent Government initiatives to counteract this do make a difference, the businesswoman feels “it’s not an easy one to get right.” Quoting Meryl Streep, Ms Barbaro Sant explains that a sense of guilt is common among working women, particularly when children are involved. “It is hard to do the kind of job you want and be the kind of parent or wife you want to be,” she maintains.

The company director looks back on a time when parents put more pressure on boys to succeed rather than girls, but also believes that times are changing. “This is a process and it starts with the upbringing – 36

“The Chamber is at the heart of the local business community, helping companies of every size and sector to grow and thrive. It is a very powerful network of people and has numerous committees – serving on one of them provides networking opportunities as well as professional leadership development.” we need to even things out at a young age and educate our future generation. I also believe that despite the fact that change is seen as slow, we have a new generation of young men who have been raised by full-time working mothers. We have the power to do it if we decide to, and we have many men standing beside us. Eventually, we will have a society which will focus on valuing the people they love as much as the success they seek. Having said this, when either of the parents chooses to devote their full time to being a parent, that choice should not just be accepted, but celebrated,” she continues.

Asked whether she believes that women in general can bring a skill set that could be of benefit to the business world, Ms Barbaro Sant affirms that women tend to be good at compromise, and often see the world through a different lens – in turn, doing things differently. “Females generally like to see and understand the connectivity of thoughts and how they work or why they don’t – at least that’s how I function!

Whether at home or at work, women are often the glue that keeps things together.

When we sense growing tensions that can

lead to potential problems or inefficiencies, we enjoy taking charge before circumstances force our hand,” she says, adding, “women are usually the ones to protect family and cultural traditions from wavering. We ensure that the business is being fed with the right ingredients.

Women often possess great awareness of the motivations and concerns of other people.

We are big believers in team building and the enforcement of mission, goals and values to assure that everyone is on the same page with the same intentions. This secures a sense of continuity, which leads to success.”

On the subject of family, Malta recently became the first European country to enact legislation for Family Business, with a vast majority of local businesses falling under this category – Alberta being one. What does Ms Barbaro Sant consider to be the main differences between a family and non-family business?

“A family business focuses on resilience more than performance,” she explains, affirming that in general, these types of businesses forgo the excess returns available during good times in order to increase their odds of survival during bad times. “We have a FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC INTERVIEW simple rule: we do not spend more than we earn. We have also been ambitious about our overseas expansion. That is what I feel has led to the success of Alberta,” she says.

On the other hand, Ms Barbaro Sant warns that in a family business, it is always personal. “Separating your emotions from the business is not an easy task. The foremost and primary drawback is the more pronounced possibility of internal conflict, since conflict situations between family members in a business tend to consume more time, energy and emotion in such a manner that the company may neglect the dynamics of business.”

Explaining that the nature of such conflicts can stem from different perceptions, lifestyles or a generation gap, the Alberta director affirms that a fast-growing corporation should exert discipline to conduct proper strategic planning, irrelevant of whether it is a family business or not, in order to avoid over-rapid expansion without proper preparation. “I would recommend that, should any situation that builds up into conflict arises, the company engage in conflict resolution as soon as possible. If this is not successful, another option would be to seek the help of competent parties who are close to the family, have its interest and that of its business at heart, but most importantly who are neutral to all members and whose priority is keeping the family together. I also feel that it is helpful to have a board of directors that can function as a supervisory board and object or give the green light to certain practices or intended undertakings,” she advises.

Having been elected as a member of the Malta Chamber Council last April, Ms Barbaro Sant maintains that while there is still a lot to learn, she considers it a valuable experience. “I feel that a lot of hard work is carried out, yet the general public does not fully appreciate the added value of being a member and actively participating within the Malta Chamber. The Internationalisation Desk, for example, assists companies on a one-to-one basis by bringing businesses together, and Trade Malta, which is a joint venture with Government, assists companies in pursuing new markets overseas. There are many companies that might not be aware of such benefits, not to mention that being involved in the Chamber is also an excellent networking opportunity for business people.”

Ms Barbaro Sant strongly believes that there is much benefit to be had in a business concern becoming an active member.

Drawing from her own experience, she states, “some business owners may feel that their schedule is demanding enough as it is, so why join and actively participate in their local Chamber of Commerce? Membership offers numerous benefits and keeps business owners on top of important, ever-changing issues and trends, both within local and international markets. I strongly believe that FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

businesses – whatever their size and core business competence – should join the Malta Chamber as it does make a difference for a business to be connected and part of Malta’s leading national business organisation. The Chamber is at the heart of the local business community, helping companies of every size and sector to grow and thrive. It is a very powerful network of people and has numerous committees – serving on one of them provides networking opportunities as well as professional leadership development. One can build their business while promoting developments of keen interest to local businesses, as well as meeting many other entities and sharing tips and leads.”

Shifting her focus to Alberta, the

company director asserts that the agenda for 2016 is for the company to continue to grow, focus on its core business and to develop the Algerian and Nigerian market whilst working in Libya. Meanwhile, she continues, “we will always keep our eyes open for any new opportunities.”

As for the local economy on a broader level, Ms Barbaro Sant feels that it is continuing to perform well, but believes that the country cannot rest on its past and current achievements. “Policy makers must be proactive. Whilst it is a constant challenge to identify the sign of the times, I believe that as a country, we need to identify new niches as these will create new opportunities.

We must also ensure that we remain competitive,” she concludes. cc

“Whilst it is a constant challenge to identify the sign of the times, I believe that as a country, we need to identify new niches as these will create new opportunities.”

“Working with family means there’s no hidden agenda, nobody’s trying to usurp you and take your role within the company.”

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CC property

Redefining luxury living by the water’s edge MIDI’s upcoming residential block of apartments, referred to as Q2, is raising the bar for luxurious Mediterranean living on the Maltese islands. Martina Said chats to MIDI’s James Vassallo and architect Martin Xuereb who is heading the interior design of the entire block, to find out more about what this ambitious project entails.

S

urrounded by the glittering waters of the Mediterranean and centrally located in what is increasingly becoming an autonomous lifestyle and residential hub, the new Q2 waterfront apartment block in Tigné Point builds on the success of the adjacent Q1 block.

James Vassallo, Senior Manager of Sales and Marketing at MIDI plc, believes that of all the blocks released to date, Q2 – the second block on the Qui-si-Sana side of the development – is the block with the widest and most varied mix of apartment layouts.

“We have sold all the apartments that we have put on the market to date to buyers

from over 25 different countries,” says Mr Vassallo, “and we are now planning to release the first tranche of the new waterfront block, Q2, shortly.” Having joined MIDI in 2002 with a background in real estate, leisure and hospitality, Mr Vassallo has been intrinsically involved in the residential component of the Tigné project for many years, as well as the sales and marketing of retail and commercial elements.

Mr Vassallo says that Q2 includes everything from one bedroom pieds-à-terre all the way up to lavish penthouses with private pools. “A lot of thought has gone into the different layouts in order to best cater to the needs of our potential end-users, and we are confident that buyers will find layouts to suit most lifestyles.”

Q2 is the second residential block in MIDI’s Tigné North Phase. Asked what sets this block apart from Q1, Mr Vassallo prefers to start with the similarities between the two rather than the differences. “This is the second time we are engaging the services of Martin Xuereb & Associates (MXA) after their successful debut at Tigné Point in the adjacent Q1 block. MXA’s designs are at once both contemporary and timeless, and were

very well received by our clientele in the past.”

However, Q2 also comes with a unique set of attributes that not only differentiates it from its predecessor, but also from other properties of its kind on the islands. “Firstly, it is built about as close to the sea as one can get. As there is no road as such in front of this block, one really gets the feeling of living right at the water’s edge, which means you get to look straight down at the seabed from your terrace and hear the water from within your home,” explains Mr Vassallo.

“Some apartments have views from their living rooms, others from the bedrooms, whist others still allow for the possibility of looking out to sea from all four bedrooms, which is really quite exceptional. This unique proximity to the water changes everything – it’s a bit like living on a yacht in the Mediterranean, albeit from within the comfort of your home.”

Martin Xuereb, principal at Martin Xuereb & Associates, reveals his plans for the design and décor of the Q2 residential block.

“Subtle hints of marine elements, materials and tones were juxtaposed against a rich neutral backdrop against which clients can

“All the different apartments contain the same quality finishes, but each one was treated separately to maximise the position, orientation, light and, of course, the staple Tigné Point views.”

Martin Xuereb, MXA 40

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC property

All computer generated images featured in this article are indicative only and are not intended to form part of an offer of contract.

“Q2 is built about as close to the sea as one can get – which means you get to look straight down at the seabed from your terrace and hear the water from within your home.” James Vassallo, MIDI plc

add their personal furnishings, paintings and ornaments to create what we hope will be a timeless feel to each apartment when finished,” says Mr Xuereb. “In some units, we proposed the use of mirrored elements in specific sections of the soffits of the main living areas to create an almost duplex-like FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

effect and bring in a sense of reflected water.

This key feature is reinterpreted on a number of internal walls in order to open up the area of the room, making it seem even larger. Rich timber lines the corridors leading up to custom-made doors, which open up onto bathrooms and bedrooms, many of which look out towards open sea views.”

Having been introduced to MIDI after winning the bid for the interior design of Q1, Martin Xuereb & Associates were once again approached by the developers for this project. Mr Xuereb admits “being entrusted with Q2’s interior design after the positive feedback received from Q1 came with a large measure of satisfaction both for me and for my team who worked very hard at its final result. In view of this, the new brief was not to change a winning horse, but to incorporate feedback and comments from the previous phase, learn from any suggestions and create interior designs of equal quality and style to those of its counterpart.”

Given the varied layouts of the apartments – including one-, two-, three- and fourbedroom apartments as well as two penthouses – Mr Xuereb says they developed the apartment designs based on the different sizes and mix types requested by the developers. “In essence all the different types

contain the same quality finishes in order to create a certain cohesive uniformity throughout the block. However, that said, each layout demanded a different approach to extract the best from them all. Every single one was treated separately in order to maximise the position, orientation, light and, of course, the staple Tigné Point views.”

Mr Xuereb maintains that the team’s primary goal was to create a space which the end user, regardless of age or nationality, can easily relate to. “Achieving this meant doing away with any extremes, avoiding both the ultra-modern and the overly classic. It meant focusing on warm contemporary elements and embellishing them to suit our specific design needs.”

The Q2 block will be targeting a mix of Maltese and overseas buyers, primarily from the EU but not just, says MIDI’s James Vassallo. “These are further divided into those living here permanently, those who visit periodically and those looking for a long-term investment.” While the company only looks to sell the apartments, it is not uncommon for some buyers to opt in future to rent out their investments, “particularly with the advent of The Centre, a new flagship business block that is being constructed concurrently on Pjazza Tigné, which is generating a lot of interest.”

Malta’s property market is currently undergoing a period of impressive growth, and this particular block is surely expected to continue to reinforce this growth. In view of this, however, how have buyers’ preferences for residential property at Tigné Point changed over the years? “The average apartment size in the project has actually decreased over time but this is primarily due to the demand and introduction of a number of smaller units within each of the new blocks,” explains Mr Vassallo. “The first phases did not contain any one-bedroom apartments at all for instance, but these have since grown in popularity, particularly amongst foreigners looking for a lock-and-leave designer base on the island. That said, we have also planned a number of much larger homes in this phase and these include apartments with a fourth bedroom, designed to accommodate a live-in au pair and others with both ‘his and hers’ en suite bathrooms, for example.”

Mr Vassallo concludes that one of the best aspects of this development, and perhaps also its main advantage, is the fact that it offers a lot more than just a number of blocks of flats. “The entire area of Tigné Point includes a vast array of shops, offices, restaurants, cafés, a pool, substantial underground car parking and a car-free central piazza, which is a safe and tranquil haven for families to enjoy.” cc More information coming soon on www.Q2.com.mt 41

CC PROPERTY

Buying in on the commercial property market Shadowed by the growth of the residential property market, the commercial market has become a force to be reckoned with. Martina Said speaks to industry experts to find out how the market is faring, what potential buyers should keep in mind before sealing the deal, and how to decide between buying and leasing a commercial property.

Photo by viewingmalta.com

“T

he local commercial property market is very healthy and lucrative,” says Sara Grech, President and CEO of Engel & Völkers Sara Grech, who envisions that 2016 will be an even better year than the last. To some extent, this comes as no surprise, as Malta’s property market has been scaling steadily and consistently for a good few years now, and has shown no signs of slowing down.

While this unstoppable growth rate was evident for residential properties from the start, the same couldn’t be said for commercial properties. This, however, is fast changing, and commercial properties are now also riding the wave.

“Growth in this sector is mainly due to the fact that many landlords have now realised the importance of the high demand for office and retail space,” says Ms Grech. “Since FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

2012, more and more buildings have been completed as office space, and whereas landlords previously focused more on leasing out larger spaces, today they are leasing out single units with the opportunity for companies to expand.”

Additionally, new buildings are more sought after than older properties, Ms Grech highlights, as tenants are increasingly looking towards offering their employees a working environment that allows them to enjoy open space, natural light, modern amenities and the right IT specifications required to operate in a professional manner.

Frank Salt’s Commercial Property Manager, Rita Schembri, is in agreement that the current climate is healthy in terms of both supply and demand. She explains “on the supply side, new projects are being planned and others executed, which will meet the

demands of our commercial clients. On the demand side, we are receiving many requests from Maltese as well as foreign clients, to lease and buy all types of commercial properties, including commercial property being bought by investors that are already tenanted, similar to buy-to-let investments in residential property. This ensures a good rate of return on their investment from day one.”

Your choice of location should be high up on the list of fundamental factors to consider before shaking hands on a done deal, and while this applies to both residential and commercial properties, making a decision on the latter requires a more objective and emotionally-detached approach. Ms Schembri points out that, first and foremost, the commercial property you opt for has to match your business needs. “For instance, if you love Sliema as a location but your 43

CC PROPERTY

“Since 2012, more and more buildings have been completed as office space, and whereas landlords previously focused more on leasing out larger spaces, today they are leasing out single units with the opportunity for companies to expand.”

Sara Grech, President and CEO of Engel & Völkers Sara Grech

business is better suited to Mosta, your decision should be focused on buying in Mosta. It is literally a match between your business needs and the right property, at the right price, as a wrong decision here could turn out to be very costly.”

Jeffrey Buttigieg, COO for RE/MAX Malta adds that while a property’s location will determine the price, it does not necessarily determine the demand. “This means that one may purchase a property in any area and achieve an excellent return on investment, provided one is guided correctly.”

Apart from the importance of location, Frank Salt’s Rita Schembri suggests starting with an assessment of the budget at hand,

as what is affordable will ultimately make business sense. “The size and structure of the building need to be analysed and one has to take into consideration the costs of any necessary structural changes or modifications as well as costs of refurbishment.”

In fact, where to start is perhaps where potential buyers tend to get stuck the most.

What are the key phases one should be aware of when looking to buy or lease a commercial space? RE/MAX Malta’s Jeffrey Buttigieg says buying a property to lease out is very much a business by itself and requires shrewd thinking when considering such an investment. “Depending on the

“Property locally continues to appreciate in terms of value, so investing in the ownership of the premises can give you a generous financial reward further down the line.”

Rita Schembri, Commercial Property Manager at Frank Salt 44

type of property, be it retail or office space, one must always look at the potential rental income compared to the cost of purchase and finishing of the property. In today’s commercial market, one should net a minimum of eight per cent rental yield.

However, if you buy well, this can easily be achieved regardless of the property you choose. Demand and supply within the area will determine the kind of rent you can charge, risk of investment and size of the property. It is recommended that one scouts the type of property first and ensures that all plans of the property of interest are in conformity with the law and that MEPA permits are valid.”

Making the right decision between buying and leasing a property is a crucial one. Larger companies tend to lease space mainly because they predict growth, and when an expansion strategy is in place, leasing is generally regarded as the better option. On the other hand, businesses interested in purchasing give importance to capital investment and the property’s future appreciation. Such businesses are more likely to have a clear growth plan and are confident that the premises they are about to invest in are sufficient for the long term.

“The main disadvantages a tenant faces are the initial outlay to purchase the extraordinary running costs and the refurbishment of the property every six to eight years, which every business needs to invest in to keep employees in the right, productive environment,” says Sara Grech.

“The advantages of purchasing a commercial property are the capital appreciation and the investment one puts into it which is not left for others to enjoy if the business decides to move to larger or smaller premises. This could also be a disadvantage for the business owner, if he finds it hard to sell and/or purchase other premises.”

Rita Schembri of Frank Salt adds that FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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“In today’s commercial market, one should net a minimum of eight per cent rental yield.

However, if you buy well, this can easily be achieved regardless of the property you choose.”

Jeffrey Buttigieg, COO for RE/MAX Malta

Photo by viewingmalta.com

leasing allows you to get a feel of the property and allows flexibility for growth.

To this end, it is a short to medium term decision, whereas buying is more of a permanent decision which you cannot change overnight. “In the case of startup companies, their best bet is to rent a property, but if your company has been established for a while and is constantly growing, consider moving into larger premises and perhaps even buying your next property. Property locally continues to appreciate in terms of value, so investing in the ownership of the premises can give you a generous financial reward further down the line.

“The downside of leasing is that you’re not actually investing in your own property, while that of buying is that you have to choose the right one. Making the wrong decision can cost you dearly, when one takes into consideration sales tax and other costs. This is why a professional commercial property consultant can be of utmost assistance to a potential lessee or buyer, to help match their needs with the right property.”

The trend of buying residential properties for investment purposes, to re-sell or

rent out, has caught on considerably, but it appears that the number of people who trade in commercial property for the same reasons is significantly smaller. Is commercial property overlooked from an investment point of view, or is this changing?

“There is a far larger demand for residential than commercial rentals,” says Jeffrey Buttigieg. “There is also a smaller amount of investors that may afford a large commercial investment. However, over the last few years, due to the influx of companies as well as the expansion of established firms in Malta, we have seen an increase in demand for commercial property. Also, although commercial investments may be less in demand by locals and foreigners, the risk is also higher than when purchasing a residential unit.”

Sara Grech is in agreement, and adds that those who buy to lease find it much easier to select residential property for rent as the commercial market requires more knowledge to get it right. “The rental return on commercial premises is higher in the long run and those who want to enter the leasing property business should consider the commercial market as a priority,” she advises. cc

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Commercial sense Commercial property is more in-demand than ever before – and the industry is meeting those demands. Here Frank Salt Real Estate’s Commercial Property Manager Rita Schembri details how the sector is thriving, and introduces the company’s exclusive new state-of-the-art development Business Office Services International.

“Happy employees are highly productive, while extremely good retention rates ensure that the business does not suffer costly employee turnover with money spent on endless recruiting and retraining.”

Rita Schembri Commercial Property Manager, Frank Salt Real Estate

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hen it comes to commercial property on the island, the news is good. Very good.

Malta has witnessed exponential growth in the commercial property market in the last five years. With businesses setting up around every corner, the need for good commercial property has risen consistently and this has, in turn, spurred developers to rise to the occasion. The result is that Malta is now View from an office at BOSI

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home to a fantastic portfolio of commercial properties that meet – and exceed – the increasingly-sophisticated demands of buyers, investors and lessees.

“Intelligent employers want their employees to enjoy working in a suitable environment,” explains Frank Salt Real Estate’s Commercial Manager Rita Schembri. “Happy employees are highly productive, while extremely good retention rates ensure that the business does not suffer costly employee turnover with money spent on endless recruiting and retraining.

“Thus, employers have become keen on investing in their immediate environment, even if this comes at a cost – and this is exactly why high-quality commercial property has become extremely soughtafter.”

Ms Schembri explains that there is a lot about a property that can help to make it a great place to work. “Employees love clean lines, open spaces, lots of natural light and extra comforts – such as decent restrooms, places where they can eat comfortably

away from their desk and nice chill-out areas where they can enjoy the company of their colleagues. Now, as a result of that knowledge, developers are responding quickly by incorporating many of these amenities into the designs of their new office projects.”

The importance of certain amenities varies depending on the people you plan to employ. “For instance, companies with a mostly-Maltese staff complement will know the importance of providing convenient parking for their team whenever possible.

International teams, meanwhile, will perhaps be more focused on offices with views in a dynamic location, and with plenty of communal space.”

It seems the market has also demanded variety when it comes to the amenities available and the property locations. “From high-end properties covering thousands of square metres to compact spaces ideal for start-ups, there is constant interest in a wide range of styles,” Ms Schembri continues.

“We’ve also seen an increase in the demand for hotels of all types and sizes – from FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC PROPERTY guesthouses and boutique hotels, all the way up to five-star developments. This, of course, is in sync with the success the tourism sector has been experiencing and its envisaged growth in the next seven years.”

And it doesn’t stop there. Aside from offices and hotels, retail properties are also more in-demand than ever. “Chains already present here are keen to expand to different parts of the island, while new international brands are now seeking a presence here too.

As a result, space in the major malls is very much in demand, while we are also seeing increased demand in towns such as Mosta, Birkirkara and Paola.”

Regardless of the purpose of their business, company owners will have to consider whether they want to lease or buy.

“This also comes down to their requirements as a company – as some business owners prefer the long-term stability of investing, while others prefer the flexibility of renting.

Either way, a seasoned commercial property consultant will come in very handy as they will know the latest properties to have come onto the market, and will also be able to guide potential buyers or lessees at negotiation stage.”

The demand for excellent new commercial properties has led to some truly outstanding commercial developments recently coming onto the market.

Once such development is BOSI – Business Offices Services International, which is the latest addition to Malta’s portfolio of very high-end offices.

“At Frank Salt Real Estate, we have recently been engaged as sole agents for BOSI and we are thrilled to bring this development to the market. It truly is an exceptional option, providing contemporary office spaces complemented by state-of-theart meeting and conferencing services, and a range of other office amenities. We are proud to have been trusted with its promotion.”

BOSI is no new name on an international scale, having similar office developments in Luxemburg, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mauritius, among others. This new local block, which was launched in 2015, is filled with natural light and a large number of its offices have country views.

“What’s more, this business centre provides an entire suite of services that are tailored specifically to the needs of the occupants,” continues Ms Schembri. “This enables them to focus on their core business in a functional environment, while being supported by an excellently-trained team of IT and administrative staff. And, with monthly rentals starting from just €650, BOSI Malta offers practical and affordable office rental solutions for both businesses and professionals looking to set up an office in Malta.”

So with all sorts of commercial options out there, how do you choose the right one for you? Ms Schembri has some final FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

Renting in Malta Specialised property letting consultant Giovanella Abela offers her advice to potential tenants arriving in Malta, as well as to local landlords.

When foreign companies set up in Malta, they are often also looking for residential property, whether for themselves or their employees.

“Most foreigners prefer to rent when they first get to Malta, as this gives them the time to get to know the island. As property consultants we definitely encourage this, as it helps them to make far more educated choices further down the line when they do eventually opt to buy.”

Ms Abela explains that most newbies to the island choose to base themselves in Sliema or St Julian’s. “That said, others prefer to be nearer to their place of work, and that could be anywhere. For instance, Luqa is really picking up when it comes to rentals, thanks to the increase in foreigners working at the airport or Skyparks.”

With this in mind, Ms Abela stresses that there is often the need for new rental properties, as there are times in the year when it can be difficult to find homes in certain areas or within particular price brackets.

“I believe landlords need to consider investing in a vaster range of properties, so that we can continue to diversify the market. There is a market for everything and owners need to better understand this.”

Asked for further advice for local landlords, Ms Abela recommends preparing a rental property in the same manner you would if you were going to live in it. “The more detail that is put into a property, then the more a tenant will feel at home and be encouraged to choose your property. This can really make the transition easier for all concerned,” she adds.

Frank Salt Real Estate St Julian’s Letting Branch. T: 2379 4555; M: 7924 2279; www.franksalt.com.mt

“I believe landlords need to consider investing in a vaster range of properties, so that we can continue to diversify the market. There is a market for everything and owners need to better understand this.”

Giovanella Abela, Property Letting Consultant, Frank Salt Real Estate

advice. “Do your homework,” she says.

Profits are there to be made if you invest wisely. Decisions need to be researched not rushed, and, as in any other profession, seek the right assistance only from reputable firms. Clients constantly tell us that every penny spent on the services of a commercial property professional are in the long run an investment as the results show for

themselves in the correct choice of property, whether bought or leased. The property you choose for your business could have a significant impact on your bottom line.” cc Frank Salt Real Estate Commercial Property Division. T: 2379 4181; M: 7986 1083; commercial@franksalt.com.mt; www.franksalt.com.mt 49

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Photo by Patrice Peyre

Nurturing Bormla’s social renaissance After five years of works and a cost of approximately €8 million, the regeneration of Dock No. 1 in Bormla was well worth the wait. From extensive underground infrastructural works and landscaping to the substantial gains made by the residents of the area, architect Alberto Miceli-Farrugia tells Martina Said all about the re-birth of Dock No. 1.

S

tanding at the head of Dock No. 1, off Misrah Gavino Gulia in Bormla, it’s hard to believe this space was a construction site until just a couple of years ago, and a few years before that, a historic site left in a state of total neglect. Found at the end of the Dock No. 1 Creek, the dock itself extends along the shores of Bormla, and reaches out towards Birgu and Isla. The regeneration of the city centre was intended not only to improve the site visually, but to help stitch the communities of The Three Cities back together. From this perspective, the project

achieved exactly what it set out to.

I meet Alberto Miceli-Farrugia, one of the partners at Architecture Project (AP) – the firm engaged in the project – on site, on a grey Thursday morning. Despite the lacklustre weather, the splendour of the space cannot be dampened, and its historic value certainly cannot be undermined.

The use and purpose of the Dock No. 1 Creek date back to the period of the Knights of the Order of St John, and even earlier. On their arrival, the Knights had selected Birgu as their base and capital, and this creek as Dock 1 before the intervention. Photo courtesy of AP

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“Activity in the drydocks started to decline, and after years of negotiations, the Government of Malta regained possession of Dock No. 1.”

the home of their armada. They constructed the Knights’ Building, in which they sheltered their galleys, and contributed to the extensive development of naval activity in the area.

After the British Navy took over the facilities, the site underwent further extensive development, including the construction of the drydocks and a boundary wall that closed off all naval facilities from public access, making access to the shore front for the residents very restricted. When the British left the island, facilities we re handed over to the Malta Drydocks – this entity maintained the then-present circumstances, giving little back to the communities of The Three Cities.

“Activity in the drydocks started to decline, together with the activity of the rest of the Grand Harbour as commercial shipping began moving to Marsaxlokk, and after years of negotiations, the Government of Malta regained possession of Dock No. 1. By this time, it became far too small for the ships then in use and was in a very poor state,” says Mr Miceli-Farrugia.

Photos by Luis Rodriguez Lopez

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“Wooden beams found on site that were used to support the ships while in dock were treated and reconditioned, and wedges and discarded artefacts were used in the gardens to create steps and seating along the walk.”

Photos by Luis Rodriguez Lopez

“For instance, the caisson used to shut off the dock – which resembled a barge with a holding tank below, that they would float into the mouth of the dock, fill with water and use to seal off the dock so that they could empty it – was dismantled, cut up and the parts sold as scrap.”

In the late ‘90s, the government of the day replaced the wall that separated the creek from the town with a fence, and while it marked a mild improvement in that the creek was visible through the fence, it still served as a symbol of separation and public access was still denied. A development tender issued in 2005 initiated this project and although the full development proposal never materialised, in 2008, after obtaining EU funds, the Government adopted the landscaping phase of Architecture Project’s masterplan for the area.

“The brief for the original proposals was extensive and the rehabilitation was not limited to Dock No. 1 – it included works on the surrounding roads, squares and waterfront, as well as the restoration, rehabilitation and reuse of the historic properties on site, namely the 17th century Knights’ Building and the 19th century British naval workshops,” says Mr Miceli-Farrugia.

However, the restoration of the historic properties will now be carried out separately, and the intention is that the Knights’ and British Buildings will house portions of the campus of the controversial American Institute of Malta.

Mr Miceli-Farrugia highlights the main principles the project set out to achieve: to reinstate access to the water for the residents of The Three Cities, particularly Bormla, as Birgu and Isla already had access through their own waterfronts; to create a green lung in the centre of Cottonera; and to bring the communities of the cities back together by improving connectivity, primarily by removing barriers to the dock and by creating a continuous walk from Fort St Angelo in Birgu to Fort St Michael in Isla, passing around Dock No. 1.

“One of the main intentions was also

to make it a liveable urban space for the people to enjoy, while retaining the individual identities of some parts. For instance, Misrah Gavino Gulia has a more commercial role and is also an important traffic node, and so it has been retained as an open piazza lined with shops and bars, but the removal of the big, red gate that marked the abandonment

of the dock now extends the piazza to the water’s edge,” explains Mr Miceli-Farrugia.

“Piazza Paolino Vassallo, which is where the band club is located, is a more leisurely square and an ideal space for social and cultural events.”

All the spaces that formed part of this regeneration project were treated to Photo by Patrice Peyre

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encourage places of rest along the linear garden – a series of lawned dunes that rise and disappear into laid paths create pockets of public yet personal spaces, complete with public furniture, some of which was made using industrial artefacts related to the functioning of the dock. “Wooden beams found on site that were used to support the ships while in dock were treated and reconditioned, and wedges and discarded artefacts were used in the gardens to create steps and seating along the walk, while concrete cubes serve as seating and tables.”

Further along the waterfront, at Xatt ir-Risq, a yellow steel pavilion with planters creates a spot of shade for passers-by.

Throughout the entire project, measures were undertaken to encourage a reduction in the volume of traffic and speed along St Theresa Street, achieved by narrowing the road and introducing an idea of shared space so that pedestrians feel that they have priority over the vehicles.

One of the most notable and symbolic aspects of this project is the construction of a new connecting bridge spanning 45 metres over the creek across the mouth of the dock.

“The bridge was important to shorten the distance between Bormla and Isla, and to provide better connections from St Paul’s Street in Bormla down to the waterfront and across into Piazza Paolino Vassallo.

Despite various doubts about the feasibility of the bridge, it formed an essential part of the raison d’être of this project – in fact, the inauguration took place on the very day the bridge was ready.”

Mr Miceli-Farrugia adds that one of the issues with maintaining a garden in a climate as dry as ours is the scarcity of water. To generate a sufficient supply of water to maintain an adequate level of irrigation for FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

“Despite various doubts about the feasibility of the bridge, it formed an essential part of the raison d’être of this project.”

the lawns, AP collaborated with the Water Services Corporation and the University of Malta’s Biology Department on a project named NEPTUME (No-Discharge EnergyEfficient Prototype for the Treatment of Urban Municipal Effluent).

“We obtained funds from the Research and Innovation fund of the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) and treated this project as separate from the rest. It started in 2011 and was completed last year, and proved to be successful enough for Government to acquire the plant, rather than let it be decommissioned, so that it could continue to supply the gardens with irrigation water.” Water for irrigation also comes from the reconditioned water reservoirs from the Knights’ and British periods, used to store and supply rainwater for the fountains as well as for irrigation.

Completed in 2014, the outcome of a project of this kind is a reminder of the value to society of good urban spaces, and the importance of looking after them. “The primary purpose of economic development should be to better the quality of life of citizens, and in order to achieve this, ensuring the best quality possible for our urban spaces, which is where people live, is essential,” says Mr Miceli-Farrugia. “While it is important to ensure that zones protected from development need to be conserved for our health and well-being, that should not mean that anything can happen within the development zones that are our towns and villages. The creation of useable, liveable, car free and safe urban spaces, and the introduction of green parks, gardens and walks within our urban areas should be one of our priorities.” cc Photos by Luis Rodriguez Lopez

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STYLE

Office trends

REVIEW

04. A touch of green One of the biggest trends in 2016 office décor is bringing the outdoors in – but if your office isn’t very nature-friendly, this is probably the next best thing. The Ideas in Bloom desk organiser is a quirky and fresh addition to any desk with the added advantage of helping you keep your desk organised and your pens handy – no more fumbling for an elusive biro when there’s an urgent message to be taken!

A trendy gadget here and a stylish piece of furniture there can go a long way towards reinvigorating an office which is suffering from winter blues.

Marie-Claire Grima looks at the coolest ways to instantly perk up your office and workspace.

01. Stylish storage Are you looking for a functional and decorative way to combine design and storage space in your office? Look no further than the pleasingly wavy Content shelf by Terence Conran. The contrasting colours define the different sections of shelving, while varying heights and widths allow you to put different objects and ornaments on display.

05. The smell of success Scent is a powerful trigger and a pleasant smell can enhance any space. The River Rock is a low-maintenance, discreet oil diffuser which will not only make your office smell lovely and cheerful but also provides a soothing, productivity-aiding hum. It also claims to help provide relief from dry air, colds and flus, coughs and skin conditions – we’re not sure about that, but with flu season barely behind us and the onset of hay fever just around the corner, we’ll take any help we can get.

06. In the limelight The Wand’s original function was as a light for passengers on aeroplanes who wanted to carry on with their reading without disturbing others. However, it has found a new lease of life as a stylish and elegant desk lamp which, thanks to its leather-covered bending arm, can be angled to direct light exactly where it is needed. It also has a variable brightness setting that will see you through a lifetime worth of reading. cc

03. Lean towards the future We’ve all read the horror stories about how bad sitting for eight hours a day is for your body – but standing for that amount of time is just as uncomfortable and unnatural for the body. The LeanChair, developed by software engineer Wayne Yeager, is an ingenious alternative to standing desks.

With a backrest and a footrest, it allows you to lean back while standing, taking a substantial portion of weight off your legs. It is currently being crowdfunded on Kickstarter and the tidal wave of demand means we’ll probably see its like in office furniture shops sometime in the near future.

01. johnlewis.com

Designer Don Chadwick was inspired by the exercise ball when he came up with Ballo, a multipurpose stool that keeps you moving by encouraging you to use your legs and core to stay upright. Available in a variety of vibrant colours, Ballo is great for when you need occasional seating for visitors to your office, and its dynamic nature makes it suitable for a wide range of environments.

heals.com

02. strategyhat.co.uk

02. Stay upright

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04.

amazon.com

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05.

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modcloth.com

kickstarter.com

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CHAMBER/64

NEWS Events & Initiatives

01.

01.

Bringing businesses of the Commonwealth together Addressing the Commonwealth Business Forum Breakfast Session entitled ‘The Commonwealth in the Unfolding Global Trade Landscape’ on 25th November, the President of the Malta Chamber Anton Borg called on Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federations in the Commonwealth to come together and pool their resources, creating a Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce with an integrated international online business database.

The online database would provide an infrastructure for businesses to communicate across continents, sharing resources and exploring niches and opportunities.

The Malta Chamber President also addressed the Commonwealth Business Forum on 24th November, where he spoke about SMEs and how these are the engine of economic growth in a dynamic and competitive small island state.

02.

02.

Does a one-size-fitsall approach work?

“The further erosion of Malta’s limited cost advantages together with the recent development that bars us from using state aid compensatory measures such as investment tax credits could lead to further investment loss, leading in turn to further deterioration in competitiveness,” said Malta Chamber President Anton Borg while opening a conference titled ‘EU Industrial Policy – Does a one-sizefits-all approach work?’ organised by the Malta Chamber in collaboration with the European Economic and Social Committee (Employers’ Group) on 30th November at the Simonds Farsons Cisk Brewery in Mriehel.

“Manufacturing decisions today are made on the basis of reason not emotion.

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Investment decisions are taken by people sitting in front of dashboards showing comparisons of cost-benchmarks in various regions. Due to our relative declining competitiveness, new product lines are being lost to other more competitive regions. If product lines go elsewhere, investment goes elsewhere and the competitiveness of local factories declines even further,” said Mr Borg.

Guests were also welcomed by the President of the EESC Employers’ Group Jacek Krawczyk.

Norman Aquilina, Chairman of the Manufacturing Economic Group underlined the need for a more in-depth analysis of the role of investment incentives in mitigating competitiveness pressures arising from unique characteristics of peripheral regions and states of the European Union.

The conference proceeded with addresses by Ian Borg, Parliamentary Secretary for the EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds, Ulla Sirkeinen, Rapporteur for the Opinion on ‘EU Industrial Renaissance’ and Domenico Lombardi, Policy Officer, DG Grow within the European Commission.

Stefano Mallia, Vice-President, EESC Employers’ Group led a discussion programme with the participation of stakeholders Matthias Fauser, CEO Playmobil; Sergio Vella, Vice President, Manufacturing Operations, Western Europe, Actavis; Mario Vella, Chairman, Malta Enterprise; and Domenico Lombardi, European Commission. The event was concluded by the Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech.

03.

‘Economy for the People’ builds on Malta Chamber’s vision The Malta Chamber welcomed the publication of a document by the Nationalist Party titled ‘Economy for the People’, as it follows on its own Economic Vision for Malta: 2014-2020. The document is seen to highlight the intentions towards implementation by the Party, which is offering itself to the electorate as an alternative government.

The document was presented to the Social Partners during a meeting with members of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development on 24th November at Parliament. The meeting was chaired by the leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil who was flanked by the shadow Minister for the Economy Claudio Grech and Deputy Leader Beppe Fenech Adami. Malta Chamber DG Kevin J. Borg and Head Policy Andre Fenech attended on behalf of the Chamber.

The Malta Chamber welcomed the positive development of the Party in Opposition 62

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04. to publish its blueprint for the economy well in advance of an electoral campaign.

This is encouraging insofar as investor confidence in the country is concerned.

From preliminary review, the Chamber noted a strong congruence between its declared objectives in the Economic Vision and the proposals being put forward by the Opposition. Indeed, themes mentioned in this document such as further investment in our human resources, Research, Development and Innovation, ICT and digital capacity, and investment in value-added segments of the economy are all central to our document’s direction. After all, the Chamber’s Economic Vision document was unanimously endorsed by Government and Opposition as well as by the MCESD and continues to serve as a strategic document for short to medium-term economic strategy.

05.

Economic Vision 2016 – Business. Finance. Economy.

For the second time running, the Malta Chamber offered its members a Christmas treat, with a special edition

of The Commercial Courier that looked into the country’s prospects in 2016.

Titled ‘Economic Vision 2016 – Business.

Finance. Economy.’, the bumper publication provided readers with an insight on where decision makers and business leaders are seeing Malta heading in 2016.

The publication included interviews and opinion pieces by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil, Malta Chamber President Anton Borg, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, Central Bank of Malta Governor Josef Bonnici, Economist Gordon Cordina, and Professor of Sociology Godfrey Baldacchino .

The publication also featured in depth interviews with Malta’s foremost movers and shakers such as Farsons Group Chairman Louis Farrugia, Corinthia Group Chairman Alfred Pisani, BOV Chairman John Cassar White and MSV Life CEO David G. Curmi.

The magazine was published by the Malta Chamber in collaboration with Content House Ltd.

04.

Malta Chamber receives award from ASCAME During the ASCAME Executive Meeting in Barcelona in December, the Malta Chamber was presented with an award for its work in consolidating the Association and its contribution to the economic development and integration in the Mediterranean region. The award was presented to Internationalisation Executive Lina El-Nahhal, by ASCAME’s President, Mohamed Choucair and the President of the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Barcelona.

The Malta Chamber is an active member of this Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which represents all North and South Chambers and businesses. With over 250 members from 23 countries and 30 million companies, ASCAME plays a critical role as the facilitator between the business community and the Mediterranean bodies.

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06.

Associations refute relocation of open market to upper Merchants Street The Malta Chamber together with GRTU, The Malta Employers Association, MHRA, The Valletta Alive Foundation, The Republic Street Business Community Association and The Merchants Street Business Community Association addressed the media on 11th December, to express their position against the relocation of the open market to upper Merchants Street.

The conference explained that the street now enjoyed a Class A classification, at par with Republic Street. The associations voiced a united front that they were against this relocation for a number of reasons, amongst which the investment made by shop owners in the past years, when there were no plans to set up the open market there. This would also put at risk franchises pulling out of the country, at the cost of employment.

07.

President’s annual reception 2015 As per tradition, the Malta Chamber held its annual President’s Reception at the Exchange Buildings on Thursday 10th December.

President Anton Borg welcomed members and guests to the well-attended annual Christmas event. Among the guests were H.E. the President of Malta, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca as well as a number of Members of Parliament from both sides of the House, and ambassadors accredited to Malta. The event was held at the Sir Agostino Portelli Hall.

08.

Publication of the Opposition’s intentions for the economy well in advance welcome Welcoming the Leader of the Opposition to the Exchange Buildings for a meeting with the Malta Chamber Council, President Anton Borg said that it is positive for the party in Opposition to present its intentions for the economy well in advance of an electoral campaign. This, Mr Borg said, is encouraging insofar as investor confidence in the country is concerned as businesses will know what to expect in the eventuality of a change in government.

The Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil presented the document published by the Nationalist Party ‘An Economy for the People’ to the Council during the meeting.

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Mr Borg said that the Chamber also welcomed the fact that the document follows on the steps of the document published by the Malta Chamber ‘An Economic Vision for Malta 2014-2020’. He also reiterated the position of the Chamber that wealth is created by being more competitive, while politicians need to be careful to always keep in mind that wealth needs to be created before it is distributed.

09.

Malta Chamber exchanges New Year greetings The President and the Board of Management of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry exchanged greetings for the New Year with the political and religious leaders of the country on 31st December.

The contingent from the Malta Chamber

visited H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic, who was accompanied by Mr Preca at the President’s Palace in Valletta, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat at Auberge de Castille, the Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil at Dar Centrali in Pietà, the Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia, who was accompanied by the whips from both parties at Parliament and the Archbishop of Malta Mons. Charles Scicluna, at the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana.

10.

Employment of persons with disability – an update The Malta Chamber in conjunction with the Malta Employers Association met representatives of the National Commission Persons with Disability (KNPD) and the FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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13.

Employment and Training Corporation (ETC).

Deputy President Frank V. Farrugia and Andre Fenech, Head of Policy Development represented the Malta Chamber.

During the meeting the ETC representatives informed those present that there were developments in relation to the amalgamation of the KNPD register with the ETC database and that this process was being concluded.

11.

Consultation meeting about Geo-Blocking The Malta Chamber Head of Policy Andre Fenech attended a consultation meeting organised by the Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business about the European Commission’s proposal to legislate on Geo-Blocking. The aim of the meeting was to come up with a position for Malta on FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

the matter. Geo-Blocking is understood as an online technique in which companies can prevent customers from accessing goods and services online. These can include techniques such as re-routing to a country-specific website, refusing access to the website based on the IP address of the customer or charging a higher price based on nationality or place of residence of the customer.

be beneficial to Chamber members.

Perit Bartolo explained that the project is intended to promote Green Building Technology, to enable the building industry to adopt this technology and to inform the public about the different types of possible building interventions that can be carried out to achieve adequate energy efficiency in their homes.

12.

EcoBuild

13.

Malta Chamber members voice concerns with PM

On the initiative of the Importers, Distributors and Retailers Economic Group, Perit Ivan Bartolo from the Building Research Centre (BICC), delivered a presentation on 13th January to the Executive Board on the EcoBuild initiative in order to provide information on the project and its objectives, and to possibly identify in what ways the project’s website can

The Malta Chamber hosted Prime Minister Joseph Muscat for a dialogue session with its members on 15th January. The Malta Chamber holds regular meetings with the country’s leading decision makers, offering members the opportunity to voice their concerns in an open manner.

During his opening speech, President 69

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of the Malta Chamber Anton Borg spoke about issues central to the operation of Malta Chamber members including competitiveness, energy, healthcare and free movement of goods.

On his behalf, the Prime Minister answered candid questions from the members present in a frank discussion that has become a regular appointment in the Chamber diary.

14.

Malta Chamber attends the launch of a public consultation on junk mail The Malta Chamber through its Head of Policy Andre Fenech attended a press conference organised by the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change on the subject of junk mail.

Mr Fenech, on behalf of the Malta Chamber, said that it was important that any measures which would be introduced would not have a negative impact on the industry.

Mr Fenech added that the Malta Chamber would be consulting any interested member or stakeholder in the forthcoming weeks.

15.

Malta Chamber welcomes findings of IMF report The Malta Chamber welcomed the report

issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 20th January in which it was apparent that the economic outlook for Malta was set to remain strong for 2016 and 2017. The economic growth was expected to be driven by both domestic demand, as well as the eventual recovery of export trade.

The Malta Chamber was pleased to note that real GDP growth was expected to remain buoyant in 2016 with a projected growth of 3.5 per cent, which compares well with the extraordinary growth due to one-time major infrastructural projects in 2015, estimated at 4.3 per cent. Unemployment was set to remain at a historical low of 5.4 per cent this year, as inflation is set to increase slightly to 1.8 per cent.

The Malta Chamber reaffirmed its call that while the positive trend of the economy was very encouraging, it did not mean that the country can afford to become complacent.

16.

Draft National Strategy for Retirement Income and Financial Literacy The Chamber participated in the launch of the Draft National Strategy for Retirement Income and Financial Literacy on 26th January, which is intended to enhance the public’s awareness on pensions and enable

them to make better informed financial decisions, including investment plans.

The proposed vision is to improve the personal financial well-being of Maltese citizens during life-events and retirement by enabling them to make better informed financial decisions that fit their circumstances.

17.

Employment of persons with disability Frank V. Farrugia, Malta Chamber Deputy President, participated in an MCESD meeting purposely called by the Chamber and the Malta Employers Association to discuss the matter of employment of persons with disability. The meeting served to iron out the majority of the issues which were left pending with the authorities despite several meetings, interventions and public pronouncements made by the Chamber during the past months. These issues served as serious barriers to the correct implementation of the law. At this meeting, the Chamber acknowledged that significant progress was made in order to find a fair and equitable way forward and pledged its commitment towards future discussions aimed at certain fine-tuning that was necessary to ascertain the safe and sustainable contribution of persons with disability in the labour market.

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NEWS Internationalisation

01.

President meets H.E. Chryssoula Karykpoulou-Vlavianou, Ambassador of Greece to Malta The new Ambassador of Greece to Malta visited the Malta Chamber and had a meeting with President Anton Borg. Vice President Tonio Casapinta, Officer in charge of the Projects and Internationalisation Desk of the Chamber also attended the meeting.

During the cordial meeting, exchanges were made to explore ways and means of increasing business relations between the two countries whilst noting the drastic actions taken by the Greek government to stabilise the Greek economy. Reference was also made to the positive trend of the Maltese economy which is repeatedly showing positive developments.

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02.

The Malta Chamber follows up established contacts in Oman The Malta Chamber recently participated in the Business Opportunities Forum in Muscat, Oman, following an invitation from the Omani Chamber of Commerce and

Industry. The participation was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade Malta and Malta Enterprise.

Eight Maltese companies representing various sectors participated on a Malta Stand set-up at the forum, from where various contacts were made and others followed up. The delegation which included

01.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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may be useful to the other. Mr Borg was addressing the Maltese-Algerian Business Forum on 19th January, during a state visit to Algeria led by the President of Malta H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.

“Algeria is an immense country of great resources, while Malta makes up for its diminutive size in a strategic geographical position and membership in the European Union,” said Mr Borg. “Algeria and Malta have a long history of cross-collaboration, yet a lot more stands to be gained and our trade relationship is ripe with potential for growth.”

Mr Borg explained how Malta is experiencing unparalleled growth in a number of sectors, and how these

sectors, which in the Malta Chamber’s researched opinion are best placed to prosper in the coming years, offer attractive opportunities for investment.

The Malta Chamber President also said that Malta has world class professionals and entrepreneurs who have built solid economic niches from the ground up and who are more than willing to offer their expertise and help achieve similar ambitious goals in Algeria. “Malta has in the last few decades performed an economic miracle, nurturing new economic sectors and developing them into important components of an economy that is growing every year, and is baffling expectations,” he remarked. cc

02.

Malta’s Ambassador to Oman H.E. Joseph Mangion, also had meetings at Bank Muscat as a follow-up to meetings held both in Oman and in Malta earlier this year.

03.

Meetings with ambassadors of Belarus and Ethiopia On 14th and 15th January 2016, President of the Malta Chamber, Anton Borg, met with Ambassador of Belarus in Rome, H.E. Evgeny Shestakov, and Ambassador of Ethiopia in Rome, H.E. Mulugeta Alemseged Gessese, respectively.

Mr Shestakov pointed out that Belarus is renowned for the production of steel products, potassium and toys. Other sectors include agriculture and machinery. Mr Shestakov extended an invitation to the President of the Malta Chamber to visit Belarus and the Chamber of Belarus.

During the meeting with the Ambassador of Ethiopia in Rome, Mr Gessese said that there is a lot of scope for business in Ethiopia. Both parties agreed that there is need to create awareness of the Ethiopian market in Malta and vice-versa.

04.

Taking Algeria-Malta business relations to the next level The President of the Malta Chamber Anton Borg said that Algeria and Malta share numerous commonalities which can be developed for the mutual benefit of both sides. At the same time, both countries can bring specific elements to the table that 72

03.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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Building your winning team

By John Mallia John F. Kennedy was visiting NASA Headquarters in the heat of the race to land on the moon. After talking to scientists, advisers and astronauts, he met a cleaner armed with a mop, cleaning the engineering centre. Just for the sake of starting a conversation, Kennedy asked the man what his job is. The man promptly replied: “sir, I am here to put a man on the moon”. That’s how important everyone in the team is.

‘Team’ is arguably one of the most used, (or abused) terms in business. It’s like our relationship with physical exercise. We know that exercise is important for our well-being, but we might be struggling to keep it high on our list of personal priorities. Teams are like plants: they need constant care and attention to bloom.

Viva diversity Human nature is diverse as much as it is intriguing. People with different characters, backgrounds and value-sets work within one organisation and are expected to deliver.

Great teams are teams that have managed to harness the diverse individual energies and turn them into a common vision and a common effort. It is said that there are three different layers to a winning team: leaders, warriors and talent. Leaders set the direction, warriors make the system run on time, and talent makes the difference. The secret is having all three on the team and through effective team dynamics, giving them the necessary motivation and tools to make it happen.

The nanosecond pit stop challenge Take Formula One. There is only one driver driving a car, but there is a huge team behind FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

every winner. During a pit stop, it only takes one person to miscalculate a move and the whole team suffers. Pit stops today are all about making every millisecond count. This depends on every single member of the team.

50 shades of great teams No one team is the same. Issues differ, and the list is long. Excessive competition, a lack of sense of belonging, turf wars, personal issues, a sense of inferiority, a perception of not being appreciated, negativity, a lack of clear goals, mismanaging change… there’s more. Sometimes, what we see is the effect.

Our main target should be the root cause.

better and having the necessary motivation to make it happen. Chris Spiteri, a partner in Teambuilding Malta, makes an important point: “we cannot confuse team-building sessions with sessions that are just a day out together. At Teambuilding Malta, we meet the client to identify specific team needs, and design sessions that target them. Our sessions are fun and mostly game-based.

But make no mistake: these games are specifically targeted. This is what makes these team-building sessions offer so much value for money.”

Cycling together In the 1890s, Norman Triplett discovered that people rode their bicycles faster if they were cycling with others. Experience tells us that it’s not just about being together, but also relating better together. Well-planned, fun, team-building sessions will provide you with the necessary boost that can help you and your team shift up that extra gear needed to be successful. cc Teambuilding Malta can be contacted on M: 9944 1840 or E: info@teambuilding.com.mt

Viking strategy As the saying goes, “only the person who isn’t rowing has the time to rock the boat”. Team members need to feel real ownership. Then, it’s full steam ahead, loyalty-based, Viking style!

Built, not made Great teams are built, brick by brick, every day. Teams need a boost that helps them grow further. This is where team-building comes in. Sessions are organised in which individuals become more aware of what the team can do, what it takes to work together 75

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Malta’s leading transport company With 40 years of service and under the guidance of its founder Philip Attard, Attrans has established itself as the leading transport company on the island. Now, in its second generation and under the control of Philip Attard Jnr, Attrans prides itself to be in a position which offers a wide range of services to various clients, providing logistical solutions to and from any European and North African destination.

The company is based on 25,000 square metres in Zebbug, Malta, which house its offices, workshops, parking and warehousing facilities. In addition, the company has subsidiaries Attrans Italia, located in Genoa, and Attrans BV and Attrans North Africa located in Alblasserdam and Breda, in the Netherlands respectively, all fully equipped with administration offices, workshops, parking and warehousing facilities.

The fleet of Attrans Ltd is currently made

HSBC Malta CEO considers Maltese economy well positioned for growth Malta is an integral part of the story of a changing world, and is well positioned to capitalise on the opportunities the future global economy holds for the country, says HSBC Bank Malta CEO Andrew Beane.

up of 45 tractor units and over 350 trailers.

Attrans’ fleet comprises of many different types of vehicles for the differing types of services offered. It is currently increasing by around 30 units per year. Attrans believes that the continuous investment in their fleet has placed them one step ahead of their competitors, providing Attrans with the best possible transport solutions which unfailingly

meet clients’ requirements.

Attrans’ trucks and trailers are strategically placed at their depots throughout Malta, Europe and North Africa in order to serve customers efficiently and effectively seven days a week, 365 days a year. cc

technological trends of the year. The headline appearances were made by Gerd Leonhard, an influential futurist and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

According to Mr Beane, the future global economy will be significantly larger and more closely integrated than today, and this will create many opportunities for Maltese businesses to grow.

“The global economy will also be a digital economy where it matters far less how big or small you are,” added Mr Beane, while citing from the latest HSBC report Trade Winds.

The HSBC Trade Winds report explores

how international business has changed over 150 years and looks forward to what may come next. The report forecasts the eurozone economy to grow by 40 per cent by 2050. It is available at HSBC Global Connections.

“If you travel six miles east of Malta you will find yourself in the middle of the primary trading lane between China and Europe. At HSBC, this is something we are particularly excited about and have been since we were founded 151 years ago. As the world’s largest trade bank, we facilitate more than half a trillion dollars of trade each year,” said Mr Beane. cc

#Attrans – 40 years of service

Malta is extraordinarily well positioned to capitalise upon opportunities in a changing world: HSBC CEO Andrew Beane

“While of course we need to navigate the immediate challenges right in front of us, we equally need to position ourselves to thrive in a new economic world order driven by the growth of emerging markets and an ever more integrated global economy. This is a transformational and permanent structural change, and I think here in Malta we are extraordinarily well positioned to capitalise upon this,” said Mr Beane while speaking at The Economist’s The World in 2016 gala dinner.

HSBC Bank Malta was the lead sponsor of the signature annual event, which brings together economists, politicians and authors to discuss and predict the economic and 76

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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St Edward’s College – An education for the commercial world St Edward’s College was established on 18th January 1929 by a Deed of Foundation.

Lady Strickland, Countess della Catena – the spouse of the incumbent Prime Minister, Lord Strickland – endowed the college with an annual income and on her demise, a handsome grant. The college opened its doors to students in October that same year. The 1920s were difficult years in Malta with the ‘Language Question’ very much in evidence; essentially the professional class favouring Italian and the commercial class, seeing the potential of English in the wider commercial and international context, pushing for the English language, hitherto to become the lingua franca of the entire world. Little wonder the college was to be an ‘English Higher Catholic School for Boys’, where English was the first language and consequently a novelty and at the cutting edge of education in Malta.

St Edward’s now provides an inclusive and holistic education from nursery (aged

Your partner for Commercial Real Estate – Engel & Völkers Sara Grech

two years) right up to a university admission curriculum at the International Baccalaureate 6th Form. Girls are admitted to nursery/ kinder and the 6th form. True to the raison d’être of its foundation it is the only Maltese college offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma for university admission, again at the cutting edge of education in Malta. The IB is accepted by the University of Malta and leading universities worldwide as an admissions qualification, structured as it is to make students think for themselves with a mix of subjects that goes beyond the taken for granted academic aspects to include hands on local

social issues as well as the wider current international developments. This fits the St Edward’s ethos perfectly, from the earliest years Edwardians are not cocooned in an ivory tower but are encouraged, indeed expected, to develop leadership skills to serve a lifetime. The school population is made up of 31 nationalities.

St Edward’s has been at the forefront of commercial activities having bequeathed to Malta a very large number of successful entrepreneurs, leaders of industry and people with commercial acumen, all the result of a broad education that looks beyond our national borders. cc

identified two young and highly driven real estate agents, Darren Cauchi and Clinton Camilleri who would form part of her team.

Having experienced their trade within the residential team, they believe that they can put their experience and contacts gathered through the years to use to cater for this segment within the local market.

Land for development is scarce in Malta,

but demand is ever increasing. Darren and Clint remarked, “given the right tools provided by E&V Sara Grech and the vast network database at hand, we can certainly target developers and businesses to provide them an unequalled property service. We are where the market is. We also have the advantage of our qualified co-workers and our nationwide commercial network.” cc

Engel & Völkers Sara Grech has further strengthened its commercial brokerage package by launching a new sub-division within its Commercial unit which focuses on sites and plots for development.

Headed by Sara Grech herself, this division is responsible for sourcing the right property for the developers and investment opportunities for businesses.

Sara Grech is renowned amongst developers and business owners, and has a close relationship due to her consistent integrity.

“I have always believed that our customer takes priority and I have kept true to the fact that we are ‘Estate Agents’ and not developers. We cannot come into conflict with our customers. We completed our comprehensive coverage by providing recommendations from the point of view of any entrepreneur,” she says.

Towards the end of 2015, Sara Grech FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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A snapshot of the current investment scenario

By Aldo Scardino Executive Head – BOV Wealth Management Despite all the market ordeals of recent years (the sovereign debt crisis, the near EMU exit by Greece, slowdown scares in China, the collapse in oil prices, ongoing military conflicts and migrant flows), disciplined investors that were prepared to weather short-term volatility have seen handsome returns from developed economy equity markets since the depths of the financial crisis in 2008, with the exception of 2011 due to the impact of currency fluctuations.

There has also been good performance from high yield and investment grade corporate bonds, again with the exception of 2011 due to underperformance from investments related to commodities and emerging markets. The consensus view is that 2016 should deliver a similar pattern.

Temporary bouts of heightened volatility may emanate from the US Fed raising

benchmark rates, reduced liquidity in the bond markets, renewed growth scares in China or escalating geopolitical tensions.

However, in the background there is a picture of ongoing expansion. The global economy is neither facing capacity limitations nor facing slack (with the exception of the commodity and energy markets). The world banking systems are generally healthy and debt levels seem more amber than red. Rapid growth seems unlikely, given aging populations (with the exception of Africa and India) and sharing economy technologies that do not generate much Gross Domestic Product, but sensibly priced assets do not need a booming economy to generate reasonable returns.

High yield and Investment grade credits are trading with spreads slightly above their 25-year averages, and are expected to weather gradual rises in interest rates by the US Fed. In general, equities in developed markets have valuations that are somewhat above historic averages on a price-earnings basis, but certainly not on a price-book basis.

Moderate leverage and normalising oil prices should allow earnings growth to move from last year’s negatives (this is particularly the case for the eurozone). Of course, there can always be risks that are not visible, such as an aggressive US Fed tightening cycle, but, equally, there could be upside surprises. If signals of rising confidence already visible

in US and European consumer surveys translate into faster spending this should bode well for healthier investment returns in 2016. In any case, it is important that investments are pursued in line with welldefined investment strategies and within a clearly delineated time horizon, and most importantly, in line with the appetite and ability to take risk by the investor. For this reason, investors should always discuss their investments with a qualified, experienced, and licensed investment advisor – Bank of Valletta is there to help you in all your investment needs. cc Bank of Valletta p.l.c. is a public limited company licensed to conduct Investment Services business by the Malta Financial Services Authority.

CC case study

Waste not, want not For nearly 14 years, Wasteserv has been responsible for running a wide range of waste management services within the Maltese islands as well as educating the public about the importance of recycling and correct waste disposal procedures. Following the company’s rebranding and its launch of three different waste management, treatment and disposal plants, Marie-Claire Grima finds out more about the company’s new facilities for efficient and sustainable waste management.

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ack in 2002, the Maghtab landfill loomed large over the landscape, casting its unsightly, unhygienic and un-environmentally-friendly shadow over the northern Maltese coastline. It was a time when recycling within local households was practically unheard of – everything was lumped willy-nilly into garbage sacks or plastic supermarket bags, the lack of biodegradability of which meant that they were designed to lurk within the ecosystem forever.

Wasteserv was established in November of that year, with the aim of organising, managing and operating integrated systems

for waste management within the Maltese islands. The company has always held the viewpoint that correct waste management cannot exist in a vacuum and has led extensive and widespread campaigns in order to encourage the public to make waste management an integral and almost automatic part of their day-to-day lifestyle.

Through the introduction of bring-in sites and the green and grey bags, as well as repeated campaigns to spread awareness and education on the finer points of waste management, many more people nowadays dispose of their waste in a more considered way, leading to an enormous

“The plant is also expected to generate almost 10GwH of electrical energy each year, equivalent to the needs of 2,400 households.”

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Wasteserv Chairman David Borg FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC case study

surge in recycling. Only 560 tonnes of separated materials were treated at the Sant’ Antnin plant in 2002; 11 years later, sourcesegregated recyclable materials totalled 19,735 tonnes.

Public awareness and action with regards to the importance of correct waste management are far higher than they were 14 years ago, and in July 2015, Wasteserv found the peak opportunity to undergo an intensive rebranding process, giving the company the opportunity to do some soulsearching, reassess its priorities, and move forward with a clearer outlook and vision – a must for any company after more than a decade of operations, particularly one that, in the words of Chairman David Borg, went

“from being on the verge of losing €40 million to managing to disburse a record €700,000 every week to ensure proper and correct EU funds absorbtion.”

Since then, Wasteserv emerged with a new sense of purpose – its mission statement is now defined as ‘managing waste by maximising the extraction of good quality recyclable materials and by generating renewable energy as part of our sustainable contribution to the Maltese islands’ – just in time for the culmination of several years’ worth of projects, and the launch of three brand new waste processing facilities, in Marsa, in Maghtab and in TalKus, Gozo, in order to be able to rise to the challenge not only of processing waste, but also of playing a crucial role in helping Malta meet its environmental requirements.

The Gozo Waste Transfer and Materials Recovery Facility in Tal-Kus, Xewkija, was inaugurated in December, marking a milestone for Gozo as it was the first of its kind on the island. The facility is used to pre-treat, sort, compact and bale dry waste through a semi-automatic process before transferring it to Malta. “The Transfer Station was created to complement the waste treatment infrastructure at the Sant’ Antnin Waste Treatment Plant, as well as the Mechanical Biological Treatment Plant in the northwest of Malta,” Mr Borg says.

“It bridges the gap between Malta and Gozo, so that an active waste management system can be present on both islands.”

January saw the Thermal Treatment Facility in Marsa being upgraded with an Autoclave Rendering Plant – the only such plant in Malta, which is licensed to treat various types of animal by-products.

“Before the advent of the autoclave, such products could only be disposed of through incineration,” Mr Montebello explains. “This plant evaporates the moisture from the waste using heat energy from steam, so that only the dry substances of waste will need to be incinerated at the end of the treatment cycle, minimising our dependency on fossil fuels while simultaneously contributing to the conservation of electrical energy and water.” The Autoclave plant is also designed to treat expired foodstuffs containing animal by-products. After treatment, these are then suitable for use in the anaerobic digestion plants in Sant’ Antnin and in Maghtab, to generate biogas. The project had qualified under the European Regional Development Fund and represents and investment of almost €12 million.

The most recent of the three plants launched is the Mechanical and Biological Treatment Plant and Bulky Waste Facility,

“Wasteserv’s simple but comprehensive tag line – ‘Creating Resources from Waste’ – is a more relevant and urgent call to action than ever before.”

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

Wasteserv CEO Tonio Montebello

located within the Maghtab Environmental Complex which was launched early in February. Although the name Maghtab is still synonymous with the landfill of the pre-Wasteserv era, the newly-launched facility, split into two main departments – the Mechanical Treatment Plant and the Anaerobic Digestion Plant – will now serve to drastically reduce the amount of waste going into landfills. Their objective is to treat the waste generated by animal husbandry, as well as the municipal solid waste which will not be treated at Sant’ Antnin. Based on permitted capacity, the plant is also expected to generate almost 10GwH of electrical energy each year, equivalent to the needs of 2,400 households. The plant also has a number of ancillary facilities, including a laboratory for testing and analysing samples from the digestate and wastewater, as well as reservoirs for the storage of run-off water, which on an island which is frequently parched, can be put to good use in dust control, irrigation and fire-fighting.

As the EU member states’ ever-rising demand for natural resources and the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the air continue to leave a heavy ecological footprint, as well as more pressing measures are being implemented in order to reach the environmental goals outlined in Europe 2020, Wasteserv’s simple but comprehensive tag line – ‘Creating Resources from Waste’ – is a more relevant and urgent call to action than ever before. cc 83

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CC BUSINESS LUNCHES & DINNERS

splendidtable.org

Food trends

04. Ramen Last December, ramen eatery Tsuta in Tokyo became the first ramen shop to receive a Michelin star, heralding a new respect for the classic Japanese noodle soup that has become (rather unfortunately) associated with student life and instant dinners. More ramen shops are expected to pop up all over the world in 2016, bringing about a renewed appreciation for freshly prepared and flavourful ramen.

What’s on the cards for foodies in 2016? Sarah Micallef picks a few favourites from the latest culinary forecasts.

01.

tastefoodblog.com

01. Seaweed Kale is set to hand over its crown to seaweed as green superfood of the year in 2016.

Hyped as one of the sustainable foods of the future, seaweed is a rich source of protein, calcium and iron, besides being packed with antioxidants, fibre, iodine and good fats – good news for the nutrition-focused.

The ocean vegetable has been cast into the spotlight thanks to its high ranking in the 2016 Trend Forecast from the Specialty Food Association, and we can’t wait to see all the new variations and recipes that will result.

05. Sustainable seafood The number one culinary trend, according to the US National Restaurant Association’s annual What’s Hot 2016 Culinary Forecast, is locally-sourced seafood and meats, but chefs taking part also ranked sustainable seafood very highly. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of where their food comes from – the farmers and fishermen that bring the food to their table – and unsurprisingly, the emphasis on sustainability will continue to prevail as we begin to think of future generations and the effects of overfishing.

03.

04.

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Ethnic food and world flavour lovers should look forward to a rise in African cuisine this year, with flavours from the continent set to explode in 2016, according to the National Restaurant Association in the US. The numerous cuisines of Africa traditionally feature a combination of fruits, grains and vegetables, as well as milk and meat products, and in some parts, curd and whey products. Still, there can sometimes be quite significant differences throughout the continent’s vast populations, so it will be interesting to see how it filters down to the rest of the world.

03. Pigs’ ears Chefs are forever in search of new cuts of meat to elevate into something special – so much so, that uncommon and previously overlooked cuts of meat and seafood are becoming more mainstream. Such is the case with pigs’ ears in 2016. Top London restaurants are championing this trend, serving pigs’ ears garnished with peanuts and spring onions, to be sliced and wrapped in pancakes, accompanied with smoked salt and aioli or even in a salad.

06. Canelés As far as dessert crazes go, many have come and gone, and the recently popular éclairs’ days appear to be numbered. The next sweet du jour is canelés: burnishedgold domes with a custard centre. They’ve already begun popping up in eateries around London, and are even available to buy and bake at home thanks to Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges. cc howtoconserve.org

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bonappetit.com

02. African flavours

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likeastrawberrymilk.com

FOOD&WINE

insidescoopsf.sfgate.com FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC LOGISTICS

Managing the flow Malta’s status as a geographical hub makes it a key player in the field of logistics, which, despite its considerable breadth and complexity, boils down to managing the flow of necessary items from one point to another in a way that satisfies the requirements of the people who make use of its services. Marie-Claire Grima talks to a number of key players within the industry to find out more about this field which holds so much potential within the Maltese islands.

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ogistics networks can be compared to the engine of a car or ship; largely hidden from view, but without them there’s no way that the necessary items can arrive where they are needed.

“The range of services we offer include attendance of transit calls and cargo operations, whether they’re loading or discharging. As shipping agents, we also charter vessels for the client’s needs, from bunkering calls to crew attendance to repairs,” says Max Anastasi, CEO of

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

Troy Shipping. “However, there are other husbandry services we can offer which might not be immediately related to the logistics business but are no less important for an efficient system to function, such as follow-up activities with workshops and contractors, underwater cleaning and inspection, and any repairs that the ship may need.”

A common goal within the logistics industry is the minimisation of the costs and resources which are needed to make 89

CC LOGISTICS the journey. Consequently, it is an industry which relies heavily on co-operation, collaboration and collusion between its several working parts – as a branch of engineering, it creates people systems, rather than machine systems. “From its hub in Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Cargo operates a combination of dedicated freighters, passenger/cargo, and a truck fleet on scheduled routes to Europe, Asia and Africa,” explains SMS Group General Manager Dion Buhagiar Said, whose subsidiary company, ABC Logistics, is the appointed Cargo General Sales Agent for Etihad Cargo in Malta. “Its portfolio of cargo services is extended to Malta through a number of code share agreements, allowing ABC to sell its cargo product to the local market and air cargo community.”

Meanwhile, Peter Bonavia, General Manager at Carmelo Caruana Co Ltd, adds that one of the main priorities for a logistics company is collaborating with trading partners while developing innovative solutions to optimise the service to the end receiver. “Logistics companies should be in a position of offering multimodal services to their customers, including value-added services which will eventually contribute to a better end product or a cheaper service.”

Indeed, while logistics has a fundamental role to play in the commercial supply chain, many commercial firms are finding ways of capitalising on the technology and resources they have available, in order to offer alternative services to a new bracket of clients. In 2012, Express Trailers launched ShipLowCost.com, in order to

“Logistics companies should be in a position of offering multimodal services to their customers, including value-added services which will eventually contribute to a better end product or a cheaper service.”

Peter Bonavia, General Manager, Carmelo Caruana Co Ltd 90

“From its hub in Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Cargo operates a combination of dedicated freighters, passenger/cargo, and a truck fleet on scheduled routes to Europe, Asia and Africa.”

Dion Buhagiar Said, General Manager, SMS Group

assist both consumers and businesses in bringing their online shopping or inventory purchases to Malta via Express Trailers’ hubs in Europe. The service started operating from the UK, Germany, Italy and France, with Sicily coming in a few months after the service was launched. Today it also includes depots in Spain, Holland and Austria.

“When customers are shopping online with ShipLowCost, they can take advantage of the company’s expertise in logistics directly through this portal. The physical movement of the goods is done by Express Trailers, so that when people shop online, no matter what size or weight their items are, they can opt to have their purchases shipped to Malta and delivered to their home through this service,” says Franco Azzopardi, Express Trailers’ Chairman and CEO. While logistics is usually considered from an international point of view, taking objects from their place of origin or sale to the place where they need to go is also a critical function in a local context, with speed and quality being at a premium.

“MaltaPost is equipped with an extensive delivery fleet which collects and delivers mail to every address on the islands six days a week. With a presence in practically every locality in Malta and Gozo, it operates through a comprehensive retail network of 35 outlets and numerous other sub-post offices, placing it in an ideal position to competitively provide full logistical services to power today’s e-commerce initiatives,” says Robert Cassar, Head Business Relations and Sales. “In addition to our vast range of postal services, MaltaPost offers a suite of business solutions, FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC LOGISTICS

“In addition to our vast range of postal services, MaltaPost offers a suite of business solutions, including document management, the SendOn forwarding service, express courier services to anywhere in Malta and Gozo, as well as an international courier service.”

Robert Cassar, Head Business Relations & Sales at MaltaPost

“When customers are shopping online with ShipLowCost, they can take advantage of the company’s expertise in logistics… no matter what size or weight their items are, they can opt to have their purchases shipped to Malta and delivered to their home through this service.” Franco Azzopardi, Chairman and CEO, Express Trailers

including document management, the SendOn forwarding service, express courier services to anywhere in Malta and Gozo, as well as an international courier service.”

The geographic, social and political status that Malta holds also has to be taken into consideration when discussing its role within logistics. The local logistics industry employs a sizeable portion of the population: according to a 2014 article in The Malta Independent, over 5,000 people in Malta were employed in warehousing, freight and logistics, around 10,000 were full-time drivers directly employed in the transport industry, and an additional 8,000 to 10,000 people were employed as drivers for cars, coaches and buses. The Freeport is one of the best of its kind, not only due to its technical facilities but also thanks to the highly-trained and qualified personnel who work within it – however, there are still holes in the local infrastructure, and a holistic vision of logistics has not yet been achieved.

“In my opinion, the question of Malta’s

logistics scenario has to be analysed from the perspective of an island economy,” says Joseph Bugeja, General Manager for Malta Motorways of the Sea Ltd, a Grimaldi Group company. “In past decades, Malta’s platform as a logistics hub was based on the ‘just in time’ concept, where the necessary materials are moved into a specific location just before the material is needed in the manufacturing process.”

“However, Malta, as an island economy, needs regular liner services – modern and fast vessels that can guarantee maritime links between the island and mainland Europe without fail. This entails the deployment of the appropriate vessels to guarantee an all-weather service, without any interruptions whatsoever.

The development of the maritime links extended by our company has been one of the clear examples in creating ‘Motorways of the Sea’, a concept eagerly adopted by the European Union with the aim of reducing road congestion and fuel emissions.” cc

“Malta, as an island economy, needs regular liner services – modern and fast vessels that can guarantee maritime links between the island and mainland Europe without fail.” Joseph Bugeja, General Manager, Malta Motorways of the Sea Ltd FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

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Troy Shipping Agency – Your perfect shipping partner Troy Shipping Agency has its roots in a successful business founded more than 45 years ago. Today, through a continued programme of strategic development, the company offers a range of exceptional shipping and logistics services.

Troy Shipping Agency gives a top quality personal service and tailor-made solutions through a motivated team and passionate maritime culture. We are proud to offer you the very best and most dedicated service for all the needs of a ship’s call, for both port and shore handling operations with maximum efficiency. cc

Contact us at: Troy Shipping Agency, 8, Cross Road, Marsa.

T: 2122 7950/2122 7951; E: agency@troy.com.mt

Neptune Navigation Ltd Our company provides the latest and most up-to-date navigational data, including British Admiralty paper charts and publications to the commercial shipping industry, super yachts and the leisure market.

We have been appointed as sole distributor of Thomas Gunn Navigation Ltd UK, keeping a considerable amount of charts and publications in stock, besides providing innovative solutions for the cost-effective supply of fully compliant navigational data.

We also offer free delivery. cc

Contact us at: Neptune Navigation Ltd, 8, Cross Road, Marsa.

T: 2123 1221; E: sales@nepnav.com.mt

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MaltaPost: helping your organisation focus on its core business Your customers’ satisfaction level is not only determined by the quality of your products but also by the quality of the logistics that is entrusted to deliver your product to their doorstep. MaltaPost offers local and international courier services at competitive rates to meet your business needs.

Outsource your delivery fleet and your mail run services to Maltapost MaltaPost is the right partner if you want to consider outsourcing your delivery or other logistical services. By doing so, your organisation will be able to focus on its core business, while MaltaPost will take care of your daily logistics requirements.

Express deliveries to anywhere in Malta and Gozo With MaltaPost by your side, you do not need to waste time and resources to organise the delivery of documents or packages anywhere in Malta and Gozo. MaltaPost’s express services will deliver your items within three hours.

We collect your cash payments from your customers upon delivery You may not offer online payment facilities and if you do, there are still a number of local clients that are wary of using their credit card. MaltaPost can collect payments on your behalf upon delivery of your merchandise; a value-added service which can help you target new audiences and simplify transactions with your customers.

International express courier MaltaPost also offers international courier services to practically every country in the world. This service is reliable, efficient and fully trackable. cc MaltaPost p.l.c is regulated by the Malta Communications Authority and is listed on the Malta Stock Exchange.

For more information T: 2596 1720; E: sales@maltapost.com; www.maltapost.com/business

CC make the headlines

Malta’s premier meeting facilities arrive with ‘InterContinental Arena Conference Centre’ InterContinental Malta is proud to announce the completion and launch of InterContinental Arena Conference Centre (IACC), further boosting the hotel’s on site conference facilities, creating one of the largest meeting destinations in the Mediterranean. It totals 3,600 square metres and provides a capacity of 1,700 delegates in theatre style or 960 seated for a gala dinner.

The conference centre offers ample foyer space for exhibitions and the principal event area is ideal for hosting exclusive conferences over dedicated floors. The plenary has uninterrupted pillar-free meeting space, an eitght-metre ceiling height with 13 ideally distributed hanging points for any variety of lighting or display requirements, and

vehicular access is also available, suited perfectly for loading, unloading, car displays and launches. In addition the hotel’s extensive portfolio of 24 separate meeting rooms caters for a variety of capacities and arrangements, and state-of-the-art business services are on hand with complimentary high speed WIFI access available for all delegates.

Distinguishing the hotel experience are InterContinental Meetings, delivered by a highly trained team focused on understanding guest needs and staging an exclusively tailored event. Every element of service

and technology is designed to simplify the event planning process, from fast availability checks to the latest technology tools.

IACC is ideally located at the centre of InterContinental Malta, which provides an extensive range of facilities and services including 481 bedrooms which offer refined and elegant furnishing, having all the comforts expected of a five-star property.

All of this is accompanied by six restaurants and six bars, displaying varied cuisines from across the globe, proudly influenced by the flair and style of the Maltese islands. cc

CC INTERVIEW

Photos by Alan Carville

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CC INTERVIEW

Leading by example Former Central Bank Governor and professed Knight of the Order of St John, Francis J Vassallo, the first Maltese knight to take his vows in St John’s Co-Cathedral, talks to Marie-Claire Grima about integrity, commitment, and dedicating his life to serving the poor.

“A

Catholic order,” says Fra’ Francis J Vassallo, former Governor of the Central Bank and a professed Knight of the Order of St John, “is not a club. It is a calling – a calling to defend the faith and serve the poor – tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum.” He is not the first member of his family to have heard the calling; his father, legendary educator Chev.

JP Vassallo – the nephew of the author of the national anthem, Dun Karm Psaila – as well as his brother, Stephen, were also members of the Order. However, he is the first in his family to become that increasingly rare breed, of which there are only about 52 worldwide – a professed Knight.

Fra’ Francis’ journey started in 2000, when he was invited to join the Order by the then-President, Roger de Giorgio, who passed away just recently. The members of the Order had voted him in anonymously; they felt he would be a good candidate for membership of the Order. Their judgement was sound: six years later, he was elected as a member of the Council of the Malta Association and was as such appointed the treasurer. His lifelong experience and talents as a banker were immediately put to good use. Under his stewardship, one of the most important functions of the Order – taking sick pilgrims up to the holy site at Lourdes in France – grew significantly. “Before I was appointed treasurer, the Maltese Association was only able to afford to take up a handful of pilgrims to Lourdes each time. At Council we decided to embark on an ambitious project, raising funds and collecting money to fund greater groups of pilgrims. We managed to collect the money we needed, and then were able to afford to take up 15 people, then charter half a plane, then a full planeload, and now it’s two planes each year!”

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“The Order does not expect us to give up all our worldly goods and join a monastery. It’s not a Franciscan kind of poverty vow.”

In 2008, he decided to proceed further in his dedication to the Order, and took the Promise of Obedience – a higher rank in the Order with more religious functions to be adhered to. However, the catalyst for becoming a professed Knight happened in 2013 when he lost Erminia, also known as Mimici, his beloved wife of 43 years. “I had known her since we were 14 – we had barely known a life without each other. When I became a widower, I suddenly had to figure out what I was all about, and what I intended to do with the rest of my life.” Whilst praying in Lourdes, he found the answer. “I felt the calling to become Professed. I discussed it with several people in the Order – my spiritual director, my confessors – and they all agreed I should go for it. I told my children too – they weren’t averse to the idea, but they wanted to understand better what exactly it would entail. I explained to them that just as marriage had symbolised my commitment and total dedication to their mother, so would these vows express my total dedication to God.” Even though he had been a member of the Order for 13 years, becoming a professed member of the Order does not happen overnight. Fra’ Francis had to prove his intentions were not just passionate but profound. Following his application, and the acceptance of his request, he underwent a year-long novitiate process. He was allocated a spiritual director, Mgr Lawrence Gatt, with whom he had monthly meetings, as well as regular retreats to a monastery in Vienna, Austria, where he could contemplate the weight and significance of the decision he was about to make. On 21st November 2015 – exactly a year to the date from when the novitiate process had started, by being robed in Rome, Fra’ Francis took his vows in St John’s Co-Cathedral. It was a historic occasion: not only was it the first time that a knight had taken his professed vows in the Oratory of St John since the Order left the island in 1798, it was also the first time a Maltese professed knight had ever taken vows in the co-Cathedral itself. “It was an emotional day for me. I was surrounded by my children and grandchildren, committing myself to God.” Was it like getting married for a second time? “Not for a second time 102

– it was more like a renewal of my marriage vows. I took the vow of Chastity for my wife, and the vows of Obedience and Poverty for God.” He shall repeat his vows for at least three consecutive years, at the end of which he shall be eligible to take his final permanent vows.

It is the vow of Poverty which seems to confound people the most. How can the former Governor of the Central Bank, who built his career with Chase Manhattan Bank, and is now the Director of a private bank and the Head of a financial consultancy group

take vows of Poverty, and what does that mean in practical terms? “The Order does not expect us to give up all our worldly goods and join a monastery. It’s not a Franciscan kind of poverty vow,” Fra’ Francis explains. “Rather, we are duty-bound to use our considerable financial means wisely for the benefit of others. If you look at the eight Beatitudes, which the eight-pointed cross of the Knights of Malta symbolises, the poverty Jesus mentions is the poverty of spirit, humbling yourself to help those who need it, as is enshrined in the motto of the Order itself.”

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CC INTERVIEW

What Fra’ Francis wishes to do above all else is lead by example. He is slowly shedding his various secular commitments in order to be able to dedicate himself more fully to charity work – he announced early in February that he would not be seeking re-election as Chairman of the Board of Mediterranean Bank after the close of its financial year. He plans to spend some days every month in Rome, having been appointed by H.M.E.H. the Grand Master as the Special Advisor to the Receiver of the Common Treasure, helping the Order make better use of its finances.

And besides his considerable charity work FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

“Through my actions, I hope to help open up the hearts and minds of those who have the power and ability to effect change.” in Malta, he is preparing to go and spend a few weeks working in a Syrian refugee camp in Germany, with the ultimate aim of starting a foundation which will sponsor those who have lost everything in life until they find their feet and start building a new life for themselves in a safe, friendly land. He hopes that when other captains of industry and members of the business and enterprise class in Malta see what he is doing with his wealth and resources, they

will be moved to follow suit.

“My father’s motto was ‘knowledge and integrity are the most valuable assets any person can have. No government could ever tax that.’ Through my actions, I hope to help open up the hearts and minds of those who have the power and ability to effect change.

At the end of our lives, God will not take into account how much money we made, but how we used the assets we had for the benefit of our brothers and sisters.” cc 105

Tech trends

We’re only a couple of months in and 2016 has already given us a slew of brand spanking new devices and appliances, from hotly-anticipated releases to futuristic prototypes fresh from the world-renowned Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016.

Marie-Claire Grima takes a look at some of the most intriguing gadgets on the market.

01. Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator If you want more from your fridge than just a place to store food and display souvenirs from travels past, the Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator might be your next great investment. It organises your groceries, tells you what you’re running low on as you plan your next trip to the supermarket, and can even do your shopping for you through online retailers. Besides watching TV and playing music through your fridge, you will also be able to post, share and update calendars, pin photos, share your children’s artworks and test results, and leave notes in 21-inch full HD LCD resolution glory.

02. Garmin Varia Vision Maltese roads are dangerous territory for cyclists, so Varia Vision, the first in-sight cycling display from Garmin, is just what the doctor ordered, enhancing cyclists’ road awareness by putting the necessary cycling information in their line of sight.

The lightweight display attaches to the wearer’s sunglasses, relaying information directly from their compatible device, and the built-in ambient light sensor ensures that data is always easy to see, even in blazing summer sunlight.

inform it which recipe you’re making via the app and wait for it to cook for you. The temperature, time and other settings will be adjusted to suit that specific meal from a pre-loaded list, and you can also add your own recipes with specific parameters.

GADGETS

04. Kuai Multisport Biometric Headphones How about a stylish wearable that doubles as an Olympic coach? Thanks to the latest offering from Kuai, you can create a customised professional training plan for a range of sports including running, cycling, swimming, marathons, and even triathlons, with integrated live voice coaching from Olympic athletes keyed to selected training plans. The headphones receive data from bike sensors and power meters

by ANT+, and can transmit information to other wearables and smart phones.

05. Lenovo Project Tango Phone

01.

You’ve probably heard of Project Tango, the Google-headed project which gives mobile devices the ability to understand space and motion similar to the way humans do. Well, Lenovo announced at CES 2016 that they would be partnering up with the increasingly adventurous tech titans to produce the first such phone, due in summer 2016. Although the end design hasn’t yet been selected, Lenovo said the final product will have a pre-loaded Google app incubator program to motivate developers and will cost less than $500.

02.

06. Tag Heuer Connected Smartwatch

03. TNL One Cook We’re one step closer to getting the robot chefs we’ve always wanted (Just us? OK.) To the untrained eye, the OneCook, currently being funded through Kickstarter, looks like a common cooker, but it’s actually head and shoulders above it. Equipped with removable interior compartments outfitted with RFID sensors and Wi-Fi enabled, you can place your ingredients into its smart containers,

The upmarket Swiss watchmakers have thrown their hat into the tech wearables ring with the unveiling of the stylishly sporty Connected smartwatch.

Made from durable lightweight titanium and with a wide variety of strap options to choose from, the watch – which has been described as the most watch-like smartwatch to date – runs the most recent version of Android Wear, 5.1.1, which includes Wi-Fi, watch-to-watch communication, gesture support and iPhone compatibility. cc

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STYLE

05. Bold stripes

The pinstripe suit is making room for the new and improved chalk stripe suit, described by GQ’s creative director Jim Moore as “the youthful brother of the pinstripe, but with more attitude.” The stripe is different in its intensity and texture, and is a rougher and less perfect line than the traditional pinstripe. Dress it down with a crewneck sweater or dress it up with a shirt and tie – either way, bang on trend.

02. Pleats, please Pleated skirts are timeless, chic and absolutely ideal for those women who can pull off an elegant-yet-flirty look.

No longer reserved exclusively for the ‘feminine dresser’, designers are transforming silhouettes with sculptured pleats that add just the right amount of structure and movement using a range of fabrics. From Chanel to Hermès, designers are going crazy over pleats.

Stripes this season are all about bold, layered colours, inclined towards an eye-catching graphic print as seen on the runways of Christian Dior and Salvatore Ferragamo. Forget subtle blending of colours, this year’s stripes are all about contrast, colour and quirkiness.

06. No-wool blazer

REVIEW syndicate.details.com

01. The striped suit

As we transition from winter to spring, our wardrobes begin to reflect the fading of dark, cold nights and the welcoming of brighter, warmer days.

Martina Said takes a look at the top trends to get you through these months.

Men’s white trousers or chinos shouldn’t be reserved exclusively for the golf course. Incredibly complementary both with deep hues of blue as well as pops of bright colour, you can pair white denim or trousers with a vast array of colours or styles. Combine with a patterned sweater and dusty brown boots for a vintage, preppy look or with a buttondown shirt for a laid-back weekend guise.

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Salvatore Ferragamo

In between seasons

04. Shades of pale

Woollen blazers are only tolerable in cold weather – the moment spring rolls around, you’ll be looking for something more lightweight and comfortable, which is why linen and cotton mix blazers are a wardrobe must-have. Both fabrics are light and breathable, and a perfect outer layer to keep you looking smart when the weather starts getting warm. Opt for a single-breasted style in a pastel or neutral hue, and you’re right on the mark to nail this season’s look. cc Fred Perry

03. Smart-casual footwear

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Topman

Mango

Trainers have become a fixture in men’s wardrobes of late, but aren’t always the best option for a smart-casual outfit. Cue the leather slip-on plimsoll – a neat hybrid between a trainer and an espadrille that fills that gap of ‘not too smart but not too casual’ footwear. Grab a pair in grey, black, brown or blue and be sure to wear them with a pair of invisible socks.

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Marimekko

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CC MEET THE ARTIST

Bringing the artistic into the commercial Five years since he first picked up a camera and four years since his first commission, Sean Mallia has fast established himself as a leading name in commercial photography locally, with his perfectly arranged food shots and expertly aligned architectural photos taking centre stage. Sarah Micallef finds out how he manages to bring the artistic into the commercial.

Photo originally featured on Homeworks

A

s I walk down the grassy path leading to a farmhouse in Mgarr, where photographer Sean Mallia’s studio is housed, there is an undeniable stillness and sense of calm. It’s a wonderful place to work, and it is easy to picture Sean developing a love for photography within these surroundings.

Despite growing up here however, Sean tells me that while photography has always intrigued him, he never thought he would actually take it up, and it wasn’t until he was a little older that he began experimenting with the medium. “My father used to take photos when he was younger, using his film camera. What he shot always intrigued me – he used to have this pile of film prints and I loved going through them. He liked to photograph things that were out of the ordinary apart from the usual landscapes and family photos, and I found that interesting,” he says.

Years later, during a stint as a waiter at Tarragon restaurant while studying for his ‘A’ levels, Sean began his first foray into photography. “I wanted to study architecture, and I was told that photography might help

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

with the design aspect of it, so I started taking photos of random stuff with my cheap digital camera. People started telling me that I had a good eye, so I thought I’d buy a proper camera and try it out,” he says.

His first client ended up being his employer at Tarragon, Chef Marvin Gauci.

“I asked Marvin to let me take some photos for him, of the food and the restaurant, and that’s where it all started. From there, my client base began to grow.”

Sean went on to do a Design Foundation Diploma, which he believes to have given his style a boost. “I learnt how to really look at things… lines, perspective and composition,” he explains, adding that while some of this came naturally, the course further enhanced it. From there, he began his studies in architecture, and the two were a natural fit.

“I started to design through the lens of a camera. When designing a façade or object, I considered how it would look in a photograph.

I lack the ability to draw, which always frustrated me because I had always felt the need to be creative, but I had no outlet, no medium. When photography came into my life, I thought finally, it’s here,” he smiles.

“I lack the ability to draw, which always frustrated me because I had always felt the need to be creative, but I had no outlet, no medium.

When photography came into my life, I thought finally, it’s here.”

Photo by Alan Carville

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CC MEET THE ARTIST

Photo originally featured on Homeworks

While shying away from attributing any particular theme or technique to his work, Sean admits to an obsession with lines in his photography – one that is hardly surprising, given his background in architecture. “I put a lot of thought into each shot, and I like to make sure that the lines are perfectly horizontal or vertical,” he maintains. In fact, he continues, “when I look at a façade, I look at it in the same way that I would present it on an architectural drawing – featuring straight lines and perspectives. It even comes across in the food photography through the angles I choose.”

Asked about what subject matter appeals to him the most, Sean affirms that while as a general philosophy he doesn’t like sticking to any one thing, his two current main areas are architecture and food. Working mostly on commissions from clients, I ask about his creative process, which, he explains, starts with the brief. “As is the case with architecture, every job you get, you first need to understand the brief and the context. From that, you can create a concept.

With a photograph, sometimes it can be spontaneous, and at other times you have to plan it out, design it. I generally like to sit down with the client and go through a mood board. My line is primarily commercial rather than purely artistic, which I don’t mind, because I like to bring the artistic into the commercial, which I feel is often lacking.”

As for what inspires him, Sean explains that it could be anything. “Shapes, forms… anything that is unusual. I also like to travel, and feel it’s important. If you stop here, you’ll be limited to one mind-set. Even locally, it’s important to go out and see things, visit exhibitions and museums, and really see what people are doing. You begin to understand different disciplines and how they work, and apply some of that to your own work,” he says.

Last December, Sean released his first book titled Gastrografija, showcasing a selection of his food photography, as part of a series by Ede Books alongside nine other photographers. Asked about how this came about, Sean explains that he was approached by publisher and film photographer Zvezdan Reljic, who asked him to be one of ten 112

“When I look at a façade, I look at it in the same way that I would present it on an architectural drawing.” photographers submitting their work for a photo book. “I had to choose the theme, and since this was to be the first of a series of two, I decided to start with food, because that is where my journey into photography started.”

Indeed, Gastrografija features a selection of Sean’s highlights from the past four years of working within this genre. The photos encourage the viewer to look at food with an artistic eye, and I ask, how is this achieved? How does he go about setting up and shooting food specifically, and what differences are there between food photography and other forms? Sean explains, “you need to take two things into consideration: how the client wants to portray his creations, and the context.

Whenever I shoot food, I look around and take the décor into the equation. If you go to Café Jubilee for example, you see a lot of antiques and vintage posters hanging on the wall, so what I did was incorporate them into the shots to help set the mood.”

As a photographer whose work is primarily commercial, the answer to the question,

‘can photography be a career’, should be a relatively straightforward one. Yet Sean explains, it can be tough. “If you look at it from a business point of view, it’s a recipe of things – you need to be good with people, you need to have a certain charisma, and you need to put yourself out there – it’s a whole package. But it is possible. In my case, I’m studying architecture, but I don’t think I’m going to end up working as an architect. I will probably continue as a photographer, and do some architecture jobs simply because I love architecture,” he says.

Looking back on his journey so far, Sean admits that he still finds it exciting every time his photos are featured within a publication, or appear on the cover of a magazine. Asked about what the highlights have been so far, he mentions having his photo of the Barrakka Lift featured on the cover of European architecture magazine A10, which he considers a definite high point. Meanwhile, he’s about to set off for a job that’s bound to make it into his list of highlights – taking photos of a six-star resort in Thailand.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016

CC MEET THE ARTIST

“My line is primarily commercial rather than purely artistic, which I don’t mind, because I like to bring the artistic into the commercial, which I feel is often lacking.”

Asked what his years in the industry have taught him so far, Sean has a few words of advice for aspiring photographers: “always experiment. Never turn down jobs when you’re starting out.

Do work for free in the beginning. Don’t get stuck in one type of photography. If you get stuck, stop, and try something else. You need to constantly reinvent yourself, and rethink your process. That is how I approach it.”

Photo originally featured on Homeworks

Looking towards the future, Sean admits that while it remains “a bit foggy”, his dream is to team up with other local creatives in order to offer a holistic service to clients.

“So far it’s been great, but I don’t want to work alone forever. Eventually I’d like to team up with other local artists and designers, and bring it into one design house – I’m also a big fan of graphic design.

My dream is to combine our resources and 114

act as a one-stop-shop for clients. Creating something from start to finish is an exciting endeavour.”

And with some graphic design experience already under his belt in the form of Malta Design Week 2014’s official publication, and his first client already secured – a new bistro in Mosta for which he is creating the branding – it looks like Sean’s dream is already on its way to becoming a reality. cc FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016