The Commercial Courier September 2016

THE COMMERCIAL/67

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

SEPTEMBER 2016

Digging deep

The captivating work of Justin Falzon

NEWSPAPER POST GOLD COLLABORATING PARTNERS

IN THIS ISSUE SPOTLIGHT ON MALTA’S GAMING INDUSTRY / CAN MALTA BE A REGIONAL LOGISTICS HUB? / MTA CHAIRMAN GAVIN GULIA TALKS TOURISM AND ECONOMY / HOW DIGITALISATION IS SHAPING THE RETAIL SECTOR / SULLIVAN MARITIME CEO ERNEST E. SULLIVAN ON THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE FOR SHIPPING / DESIGN TRENDS: OFFICE AND LOUNGE SPACE BY ATELIER MAISON / THE LATEST BUSINESS NEWS

THE COMMERCIAL/67

COURIER SEPTEMBER 2016

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food trends

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13 COVER STORY IT’S GAME TIME

85 INTERVIEW

Sarah Micallef looks into the success of companies within Malta’s gaming sector and their recipes for recruitment and growth.

WORKING TOWARDS CREATING A MARITIME CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE Following Sullivan Maritime’s recent 20th anniversary, Sarah Micallef meets CEO Ernest E. Sullivan to find out just how much the shipping industry has changed over the years, and what lies ahead.

23 COVER STORY LOGISTIC POTENTIAL Marie-Claire Grima talks to the experts about Malta’s potential to become a regional logistics hub.

93 INTERVIEW

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THE INFORMATION AGE: HOW DIGITALISATION IS SHAPING THE RETAIL SECTOR

TOURIST NUMBERS: STILL ON THE UP

39 IN FIGURES

Malta Tourism Authority Chairman Gavin Gulia talks record-breaking tourism figures and sustaining the sector’s growth with Jo Caruana.

GOZO… IN NUMBERS A look into the figures related to Gozo.

Martina Said discusses how digitalisation is affecting the retail sector and consumer behaviour with Christian Ganado, Executive Director at Melite Retail Ltd.

44 DESIGN TRENDS

109 MEET THE ARTIST

A CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC

EXPLORING THE UNEXPECTED

Sarah Micallef explores a luxurious office and lounge space by Atelier Maison architects Paula Agius-Vadala’ and Katja Abela Cassar.

Martina Said meets Justin Falzon, to find out about the nature of his captivating and mysterious work, and the reason behind his choice of concept.

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style review

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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ON THE COVER Artwork by Justin Falzon

Malta chamber’s bronze collaborating partners SEPTEMBER 2016

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CC Editorial

Budget 2017: an opportunity to invest in stability and further growth The country’s annual appointment with its Budget is a good opportunity for Government and businesses alike to assess the economy and plan out the way for the upcoming year. In a time of relative prosperity, we must take this opportunity further and use it to invest in the country’s stability as well as further growth for tomorrow.

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n the midst of a rather turbulent international climate, Malta is currently experiencing strong economic growth overall. The resilience of the economy is acknowledged by the European Union and the major independent credit rating agencies.

However, the Malta Chamber remains vociferous, as it always was, that the current upbeat economy cannot be taken for granted. The country is surrounded by a uniquely unstable international scenario which includes the prospects of an imminent Brexit, terrorism and political instability in neighbouring regions to mention a few. The current balance is a delicate one, and the scales can be tipped very easily.

Within this context, the Chamber has carried out its annual consultation with members and subsequently formulated its vision and proposals for Budget 2017. The main focus remains on two overarching priorities — namely the continued consolidation of public finances and the implementation of policies that safeguard competitiveness.

The continued consolidation of public finances remains of utmost priority for the Chamber as having the country’s financial house in order is the main platform on which to ensure sustainable economic SEPTEMBER 2016

growth, continued job creation and improvements in the quality of life of all social strata.

Moving on to competitiveness, the Malta Chamber prides itself in being the foremost organisation striving to advocate in favour of an environment which is conducive to investment and economic growth on every possible occasion. The upcoming Budget must therefore introduce policies that tangibly improve the nation’s competitiveness.

Notwithstanding recent cuts in energy costs, the Chamber is maintaining that the cost of energy is a fundamental competitiveness factor that remains comparatively and inexplicably high for industrial consumers. Malta is the only EU member state where electricity rates for businesses are in fact higher than rates for domestic use. This betrays the concept that wealth must be created first, then distributed after. The Chamber has laid out a number of viable proposals to align energy costs with rates closer to European Union averages.

These include another general reduction in the rates of energy, an overhaul of the night tariff system that renders off-peak operations more attractive, a system of purchasing flexibility from a variety of sources and an energy voucher scheme proportionate to investments carried out in renewable energy sources and efficient operations.

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Human resources remain an important issue for businesses. As the economy undergoes drastic reshaping, the labour market is being stretched to its limits and a number of gaps have surfaced in recent years. The Chamber has supported the recent ‘Making Work Pay’ initiatives that have resulted in increased participation rates of females and the long-term unemployed. Nevertheless, this is not enough, as the Chamber has long advocated the need for a holistic skills gap analysis coupled with the necessary updates to curricula.

The Chamber also recommends recognition of foreigners as a vital human resource that is significantly contributing to present economic performances. A package of incentives that works to attract and retain foreigners in the national labour market is well overdue.

The Malta Chamber has constantly insisted that transportation is a value-added sector and economic enabler for the entire economy.

The present acute traffic situation is negatively impacting daily lives, the economy and the environment, and the initiatives taken thus far do not fit into a coherent and holistic plan to address the gridlock currently crippling the country.

In a similar vein, the Chamber has continually iterated the vital strategic importance of a healthy national airline.

In its recommendations for the Budget, the Chamber also notes that in order to avoid situations similar to previous years, Government must at all costs refrain from springing any surprises on unsuspecting businesses. In past years, policies were announced without any prior consultation or proper implementation plans, wreaking unnecessary havoc in entire sectors. In most cases, the Chamber was not against certain policies in principle, however the way they were announced and expected to be implemented was unacceptable. The Malta Chamber expects that lessons have been learnt from the mistakes of the past.

In its proposals, the Chamber has laid out a number of concrete and researched recommendations on policies and strategies put forward to Government that, with correct and timely implementation, would preserve existing performances, sustain economic growth and improve areas of cost and non-cost factors that may hinder continued progress and prosperity for all strata of the economy and society if unchecked.

Government must treat the Budget in the context of a multiannual framework and a long-term strategy to achieve sustainable growth. In this regard, the Malta Chamber calls for investment of the proceeds generated by this prosperous economic cycle to safeguard the future well-being of Malta. This will ensure the sustainable growth and economic stability that Malta’s people and businesses rightly deserve. cc SEPTEMBER 2016

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It’s game time As the local gaming industry continues to register impressive growth, with a surge in enquiries by gaming companies looking to shift operations to Malta, Sarah Micallef looks into the success of gaming-related companies in Malta and their recipes for recruitment and growth.

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he rise of the gaming industry in Malta is an undeniable success story, and continues to go from strength to strength, with Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Chairman Joseph Cuschieri recently saying that it is fast becoming “the jurisdiction of primary establishment for most operators within the industry.” But what do the gaming companies currently operating in Malta say?

Betsson Group boasts more than 50 years in the entertainment business, and with one of the widest games portfolios in the industry, employs more than 1,900 people from around the world within five locations across Europe.

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Its headquarters is in Malta, and the company contributes about one per cent of the country’s GDP, making it the largest iGaming employer on the island.

Asked what led the company to choose Malta as its base, Ulrik Bengtsson, CEO and President of Betsson Group explains that Malta was the first country in the EU to introduce a gaming regulation that serious iGaming operators could use to compete with monopolies around Europe. “When Betsson decided to start offering its games online, Malta was the natural choice. We acquired our license in 2004 and have been growing on the

island ever since,” he says.

One of the main drivers for Betsson Group’s success, Mr Bengtsson says, is its employees.

“We employ some 900 people in Malta and have found that its attractive location in the Mediterranean enables us to employ great people from all over the world,” he states. So much so, that when it comes to recruitment, Betsson Group receives more than 2,000 applications a month. “Since we look for people with very specialised skill sets and experience, we have a very rigorous selection process and constantly scout and target specific individuals, both in Malta and overseas,” Mr Bengtsson says.

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“Since we look for people with very specialised skill sets and experience, we have a very rigorous selection process and constantly scout and target specific individuals, both in Malta and overseas.”

Ulrik Bengtsson, CEO and President, Betsson Group

“We have an internal hiring rate of around 20 per cent, meaning one fifth of our vacancies are filled by promoting our own employees. That’s a phenomenal statistic and shows that our employees have the opportunities to progress in their career,” he explains, adding that the company also invests heavily in training and development while offering an extensive benefits package which includes personal insurances, a corporate discount card, a fitness allowance and free company doctor. “Finally we have a fantastic culture, with lots of team and company-wide events, free breakfasts and dinners, an annual training challenge and flexible working hours,” he maintains.

Leading sports betting brand in the German market Tipico is another company which calls Malta home. Having been around for 12 years, Tipico’s business is split between retail and online, and currently employs 215 employees in Malta, based at the Portomaso business tower.

Up until a few years ago, Tipico depended on agencies to recruit, but the company’s enormous growth led Kevin Norville, Director of Human Resources, to kick-start the Tipico Careers brand – an in-house recruitment agency which creates its own campaigns to 14

attract the top talent in Malta. “In May 2015, Tipico Careers went live with its own website, which features a number of positions that are open within the company. We also have a number of videos and animations to highlight our environment and all the benefits that we offer our employees, as well as relocation packages for foreigners,” adds Stefan Kamberovic, Employer Branding.

As for retaining their recruits, Mr Norville maintains that the environment certainly plays a part, alongside “the opportunity within itself, to develop and work on new projects and with new teams, which may stretch employees in different directions and help them develop new skills.” Indeed, he continues, the company emphasises developing talent, with many employees having development plans to help them build their repertoire of skill sets, consisting of training, mentoring, coaching, crossdepartment teams and exposure to new projects.

Another element Tipico focuses on is events. “We have a lot of high-calibre events at cool venues with great music and team-oriented activities, which emphasise the need for us to have fun as well as get down to business. It culminates at the end of

the year with a huge employee conference where we invite employees in other countries to come and join us – we have a business review, events, an end-of-the-year Christmas party and a whole day dedicated to doing charity work at different charities around Malta,” he says.

As one of the five companies that got the first license award back when Malta became the first EU member state to regulate online gaming in 2004, Unibet is another local player that is still going strong. Founded in 1997 by Swedish entrepreneur Anders Strom, Unibet Group boasts 1,150 employees spread across 13 offices around the world.

Speaking of recruitment and retention, Liam Reese, Head of Talent Acquisition at Unibet explains that competition is fierce between operators, and attracting the best staff is a critical success factor. “Creating a best-in-class culture and employee experience is at the heart of this for Unibet Group,” he says. “This plays out for us in giving people purpose in their work, a fair work-life balance, opportunities for personal and professional development, and an environment where they can be themselves and have fun,” Mr Reese continues, pointing to the company’s recent award as best SEPTEMBER 2016

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“We have a lot of high-calibre events at cool venues with great music and team-oriented activities, which emphasise the need for us to have fun as well as get down to business.

Kevin Norville, Director of Human Resources, Tipico employer in its category by Business Leaders Malta for the year 2015.

On the subject of areas Malta needs to work on to remain a leader in attracting the gaming industry, Mr Reese highlights the importance of keeping the remote gaming laws relevant to today’s age, keeping up to date with the ever-changing technology and providing a skilled labour pool from which the industry can benefit. “When Malta has the EU presidency in 2017, it should see this as a positive opportunity to engage with all European stakeholders in a dialogue to the benefit of gaming policy objectives, notably consumer protection and safeguarding strategic EU interests of a domestic service industry.”

Meanwhile, Cashpoint, founded in 1996, is an established company in the sports betting and gaming fields, and while headquartered in Austria, has been in operation in Malta since 2005 – authorised by the Malta Gaming Authority via its Maltese subsidiary, Cashpoint Malta Ltd. Today, the Group employs around 180 people.

Speaking about what led the company to choose Malta, CEO at Cashpoint Malta Ltd Jeremy Camilleri explains that two of the main deciding factors were the innovative licensing structures for gaming companies which the LGA (today MGA) created, as well as the tax rebate system.

“Cashpoint’s success in Malta is due to a

well-established licensing structure and an innovative Authority, which although its job is to ‘police’ gaming companies, has very good communication with the industry,” he explains, adding that the fact that the license in Malta is open to be used in any country where this is accepted also helped. “The fact that the industry is now mostly represented in Malta – with around 300 companies present here – also helps, not only us, but the whole industry, to work better together,” he adds.

As for areas on which Malta can improve, he affirms that one major issue he sees is the fact that finding people to recruit, mostly in the IT area, has become very difficult. “The resource pool is limited, and if we do not try to attract people from abroad, it’s basically impossible. I think that this issue needs to be addressed. Apart from this, gaming licenses in Malta are becoming unusable as most European countries create their own licensing frameworks. I think the MGA needs to work more on bilateral agreements with other jurisdictions,” he says.

Speaking of Cashpoint’s recruitment drive, Mr Camilleri explains that the company offers great salary packages which include perks

like health insurance and mobile working.

“We also work with recruitment agencies to find and attract foreign human resources and provide assistance in relocation,” he adds.

And when it comes to retention, according to Mr Camilleri, the company empowers the employee to feel that he/she has a voice, and is not just a number. “This makes employees feel like they are part of a family, and enjoy coming to work. We also give people the opportunity to voice their ideas which could be implemented. Having fun is also part and parcel of our industry, and we have a lot of team-building events,” he concludes.

Malta is also home to LeoVegas, one of the fastest growing mobile gaming companies.

Established in May 2011 by Gustaf Hagman and Robin Ramm-Ericson, the company employs a strong team of around 300 professionals in Malta and Sweden. With their largest office being in Malta, CEO of LeoVegas Gaming Ltd Johan Styren maintains that Malta has provided a great environment for the company to grow. “We really wanted to go the extra mile when it came to office environment and managed to create a fun yet professional atmosphere.

We’re lucky to be situated in the centre of

“Creating a best-in-class culture and employee experience is at the heart of this for Unibet Group.”

Liam Reese, Head of Talent Acquisition, Unibet 16

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“Cashpoint’s success in Malta is due to a well-established licensing structure and an innovative Authority, which although its job is to ‘police’ gaming companies, has very good communication with the industry.”

Jeremy Camilleri, CEO, Cashpoint Malta Ltd

Sliema with an office space that has it all, including terraces with amazing views. The combination of Mediterranean weather and a fast-paced working environment has created a great environment for us to attract and retain talent,” he says.

And while Malta’s jurisdiction for gaming companies is already good, Mr Styren feels that there’s also room for improvement.

“One thing the industry is expecting is the much-talked about ‘super-license’, which would make it easier for licensed operators to add new brands and products to their portfolio. This, coupled with other simplified processes for companies and for employeeapprovals would strengthen Malta’s licensing system over other regulated markets,” he states.

And as many gaming companies invest

heavily in recruitment, Mr Styren maintains that LeoVegas is also investing in building its employer brand. “Thanks to our workrelated benefits and employee activities, we have built a strong reputation within the industry,” he continues. As for employee retention, Mr Styren explains that LeoVegas’ compensation and benefits package scores well with some of the highest benchmarks in the industry. “We offer various benefits, including private health insurance with additional health perks, sports allowance, free fitness classes, a healthy snack bar, as well as a delicious breakfast every Friday.

These are topped up with various company events throughout the year. Moreover, our lions (as we call our staff) get the opportunity

“We really wanted to go the extra mile when it came to office environment and managed to create a fun yet professional atmosphere. We’re lucky to be situated in the centre of Sliema with an office space that has it all, including terraces with amazing views.

Johan Styren, CEO, LeoVegas Gaming Ltd SEPTEMBER 2016

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“Networking is key in the recruitment industry so we feel it is very important to get out there and meet the best talent in person.”

Anthony Hennessy, Managing Consultant, Pentasia Malta to develop throughout their journey with us as we encourage them to take on further responsibilities over time,” he says.

The growth of the industry has also led to a number of recruitment companies specialising in the area to set up shop on the island. Established in Malta over ten years ago, Pentasia Malta was an integral part of facilitating the move of some of the biggest gaming companies over to the island, and were one of the first international recruitment companies in Malta.

Anthony Hennessy, Managing Consultant at Pentasia Malta affirms that what drives the company’s success is understanding the needs of both local and international clients.

“The majority of the team in the Malta office are originally from different areas of the world, so we will always have a member of staff who can relate to each candidate and client personally regarding relocation and adjusting to life in Malta, making it easier to recruit the best global talent to the island,” he explains.

And as Pentasia grows in staff numbers in Malta and prepares to open new offices in Sweden, Germany and Spain, Mr Hennessy points to one particular area that can be improved in relation to making Malta a better jurisdiction. “There is a recurring issue with potential companies looking to relocate to Malta who find they have problems securing

suitable office space on the island. As Malta is so popular as a location for the industry, this will continue to be a stumbling block unless addressed,” he advises.

Asked what Pentasia is doing to strengthen its recruitment drive, Mr Hennessy explains that it is currently a very candidate-driven market, so Pentasia has to work on attracting the best candidates from all over the world. “Networking is key in the recruitment industry so we feel it is very important to get out there and meet the best talent in person. Pentasia staff will attend a number of gaming conferences, meet new talent on a daily basis and educate candidates on what the best move is for them going forward in their career. We are not just recruiters but market specialists, and candidates ask us for advice whether they are actively looking or not,” he says.

Lastly, boutique search and selection consultancy iGaming Elite specialises in headhunting within the online gaming/ gambling space, and has been in operation for almost six years. Founder and CEO Dean Nicholls has spent the last 16 years working within recruitment and executive search, and was in Malta working on a recruitment project when he decided to launch the bespoke business “that would be synonymous with quality and transparency.”

“Now that we have firmly established ourselves as one of the leading iGaming recruiters in Malta, we are looking to establish a multiple office network that will start in 2017. We are due to open offices in the UK, Sweden, Eastern Europe and Asia,” he maintains. Asked whether there are any areas that can be improved to make Malta a better jurisdiction, Mr Nicholls identifies a need to professionalise the industry for local students. “This would allow a better talent pool at entry level across the board, which would increase the quality on the island,” he maintains, adding that issuing visas has also become more difficult. “When we look at a candidate-driven and talent-driven market, a lot of quality can be acquired from non EU jurisdictions, so making this process smoother could be beneficial,” he continues.

As for iGaming Elite itself, what is the company doing to strengthen its recruitment drive? “We continue to work hard and provide our growing client base with the service and quality that we have become renowned for,” says Mr Nicholls, adding, “our network has always been strong, however, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve. We acknowledge and understand the needs of our clients and candidates – we are cultivators of talent and are therefore judged on what we deliver.” cc

“Now that we have firmly established ourselves as one of the leading iGaming recruiters in Malta, we are looking to establish a multiple office network that will start in 2017. We are due to open offices in the UK, Sweden, Eastern Europe and Asia.”

Dean Nicholls, Founder and CEO, iGaming Elite 20

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Logistic potential Malta’s increasing potential as a player within the regional logistics arena led the Malta Chamber to set up a new business section dedicated exclusively to the logistics sector, aimed at providing the industry with a unified voice to propose ideas and solutions for structured growth. Marie-Claire Grima talks to the experts.

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he largest port and industrial complex in Europe is located in Rotterdam, a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. With over 350 million consumers, it is the gateway to the European market, and is one of the most important crossroads of trade flows in the world. In the EY report Beyond the Economic Horizon, presented during an event co-organised by the Malta Chamber and EY at the Exchange Buildings, Rotterdam was proposed as a model for Malta to follow, utilising its potential to become a regional logistics hub. The same proposals for the sector presented by EY were followed up by concrete statements by the Prime Minister as well as the Leader of the Opposition towards supporting the development of the sector.

To support the sector’s steadily increasing growth potential, the Malta Chamber has set up the Logistics Business Section, with the aim of giving it a unified voice to propose ideas and solutions for structured growth. “The logistics business SEPTEMBER 2016

has been registering a steady interest recently, and it was given due attention in the Chamber’s Economic Vision for Malta 2014-2020 and subsequently in EY’s document outlining sectors for growth this year,” says Robert C. Aquilina, Chairman of the Logistics Business Section Executive Committee within the Malta Chamber.

“The section was formed following the expression of interest in setting up such a dedicated section by a number of members of the Malta Chamber in the Services Economic Group. As happens in many cases, the committee is the result of a common sentiment on the part of members operating in related areas of the sector, that their interests can best be served by getting together to share ideas as to how the sector can best be developed at a national level. The committee will work at establishing contact with all stakeholders in the sector as well as developing a strategy to take forward the agreed objectives.”

“Being an island and owing to its geographical position, Malta has always

been a hub and a sought-after commercial destination. In fact, the Malta Freeport is a vivid example of such cargo movement activities,” says Kevin Attard, Managing Director of Attard Holdings. “Air freight used to be the only express way to deliver urgent shipments; however there was always a restriction on the size of the shipments. This has been overcome with the introduction of ro-ro services, which has complemented the day-to-day demands for imports and exports.”

“Today’s local logistics companies are ever evolving and this requires companies to start looking at niches beyond our shores,” says Jimmy Cutajar, Managing Director of Global Freight Solutions. “As an island, we depend solely on other companies and operators such as the main ro-ro operator that calls regularly at our ports. Markets are tight and prices are tighter – however companies need to keep evolving. Clients’ requests have become more demanding, and products and cargos are required to be available on time, at the 23

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“The committee will work at establishing contact with all stakeholders in the sector as well as developing a strategy to take forward the agreed objectives.”

Robert C. Aquilina, Chairman of the Logistics Business Section Executive Committee, Malta Chamber

right price, with full service offered.”

“Private sector executives and policy makers across the sphere are aware of the contribution that efficient and effective supply chains leave on the national economy. The experience with policy implementation and interventions to provide logistical solutions is rapidly increasing and well-documented. Yet the logistics agenda has witnessed shifts in priorities over the last ten years. First, the scope of policies addressing logistics performance is moving from border issues in trade and transport facilitation to domestic performance concerns. Moreover, the logistics industry and the public sector have to address major challenges such

as raising skill and competency levels, and adapting to slower trade growth.

Production companies are once again shifting their operations to a regional level versus the globalisation concept that has been the pinnacle strategy of recent years,” he adds.

“If logistics became one of Malta’s main industries, it would help to create new jobs and opportunities. Furthermore, when one considers the imbalance of trade between importation and exportation, a regional logistics hub would help trailer operators like ours decrease our costs on northbound routes, and close the gap between import and export,” says Kevin Filletti, Sales and Business Development Manager at Attrans.

“As a European Union member state with its strategic position in the Mediterranean, the opportunities for Malta to develop into a regional logistics hub are immense.

If Malta becomes a regional logistics hub, it can offer various opportunities for logistics companies, opening a door to service EU countries and creating a link to North African countries. These logistics hubs are commonly known as Free Trade Zones (FTZ). FTZ eliminate bureaucratic requirements such as customs tariffs and quotas. We could use our sea connectivity from the Far East to warehouse goods in Malta under FTZ and then despatch by sea, road or air. A typical activity carried out in an FTZ area is the Onward Supply Relief (OSR). This is a VAT exemption on importing goods to Malta from a non-EU country. Once despatch is done, duty is paid in Malta and cargo can travel freely in the EU under free circulation.”

“The idea of creating ‘Free Zones’ within the vicinity of the Malta Freeport and the Malta International Airport presents the best platform for a success story that would have a great ripple effect on other industries and the economy at large,” says Karl Sullivan, Business Development Executive at Sullivan Maritime.

“Being an island and owing to its geographical position, Malta has always been a hub and a sought-after commercial destination.”

Kevin Attard, Managing Director, Attard Holdings 24

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“Today’s local logistics companies are ever evolving and this requires companies to start looking at niches beyond our shores.”

Jimmy Cutajar, Managing Director, Global Freight Solutions “The regional logistics hub can also be a great opportunity for the regular liner ro-ro services catering for Malta’s maritime needs and to a greater extent, create a fresh base of export cargoes. The latter will give further support to the professional trailer services with full trailers as export instead of being repositioned as empty.”

Jonathan Vella, CEO of Logigroup Express, agrees with the assessment provided by the EY report that the areas that were hindering FDI mainly related to transport and logistics infrastructure, research and development and innovation environment, and lastly the domestic and regional market.

“Lately, we have seen public policy taking shape and somehow there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Malta becoming a regional logistics hub would mean huge investment and planning in our current road network infrastructure.

“As a European Union member state with its strategic position in the Mediterranean, the opportunities for Malta to develop into a regional logistics hub are immense.”

Kevin Filletti, Sales and Business Development Manager, Attrans 26

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“The idea of creating ‘Free Zones’ within the vicinity of the Malta Freeport and the Malta International Airport presents the best platform for a success story that would have a great ripple effect on other industries and the economy at large.”

Karl Sullivan, Business Development Executive, Sullivan Maritime

Previous governments have made huge efforts to uplift the road network and port infrastructure, and it is encouraging to note that this Government has continued on the same lines – though in my opinion, these efforts have been somewhat sporadic and lacking direction. On the other hand I’m confident that developing Malta’s logistics as an economic pillar would be another success story for Malta as it has been with our financial services sector. However one has to be very careful when it comes to the labour market available and skill sets being produced by our education system.”

Mr Aquilina said that the committee will be providing this sector with the right platform in order to be able to form opinions and give advice and influence policy in the development of this dynamic challenging sector of the economy. The Chamber also encourages operators in this sector who are not members to join up and become part of this business section to be able to communicate their views to the Executive committee. cc

“I’m confident that developing Malta’s logistics as an economic pillar would be another success story for Malta as it has been with our financial services sector.”

Jonathan Vella, CEO, Logigroup Express 28

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CC LIFESTYLE

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CC INTERVIEW

Tourist numbers: Still on the up There’s no denying this is an exciting time for the tourism sector in Malta – but can its growth be sustained?

Here Malta Tourism Authority Chairman Gavin Gulia tells Jo Caruana that, yes, it can – and it will.

Photos by Alan Carville

T

ourist numbers are up so far this year and, notably, they are still on the up for the rest of it. In fact, 2016 witnessed a staggering increase of nine per cent (over 2015) in the first two quarters, and we’re en route to exceed the 1.8 million people who visited the island last year – which was already a record high.

“Unless something unpredictable happens, then yes, this will be another record year,” MTA Chairman Gavin Gulia tells me. “We were thrilled to end 2015 with the highest number of incoming tourists ever and that trend looks set to continue for 2016, with marginal growth over the summer months and very positive shoulder and winter months. It is certainly an exciting time for the sector in Malta.”

Dr Gulia reminds me that things haven’t

SEPTEMBER 2016

always been this positive. The five years of persistent stagnation which prevailed at the start of the new millennium culminated in 2005/06 after which a decision was taken to widen Malta’s mix of air service providers by attracting low cost airlines. This began to look up again in 2006 when low-cost carriers (LCCs) changed the landscape of Malta’s tourist offering,” he says.

Of course, Malta wasn’t immune to the global financial crisis that hit just two years later, and numbers dipped again. “This was mostly because many of our key source markets were badly hit, including the UK, Germany and Italy,” Dr Gulia says. “Thankfully, numbers started to rise again in 2010 and have done so very steadily since then, going from strength to strength.”

The Chairman explains that one of his main aims has been to focus on the power of the shoulder months, and the potential they posed.

“There’s now a whole host of reasons people come to Malta – to study English, for MICE travel, to attend a highend event like the Baroque Festival or Fireworks Festival; and there are many more elements in the pipeline.”

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CC INTERVIEW

“I am confident Air Malta will survive.”

“Our summer numbers were already high.

So, even though I believe there is always room for growth, it made sense to focus on the less popular months, namely October, November, February and March. I am pleased to say that this exercise has been a success, and the gap between summer and the shoulder months has all but closed.”

Dr Gulia explains that a crucial shift in the market shows that tourists often book last minute and want to do things themselves. “From choosing their hotel or accommodation to selecting the best route to travel, today’s tourists are usually 34

happy to do all the booking on their own.

The fact that they also often leave this to the last minute (with many people booking just a couple of weeks before they’re due to travel) can make things a little less predictable but is positive nonetheless.

This all comes down to the character of the modern traveller.”

Dr Gulia goes on to stress that it isn’t just the number of travellers that’s important, but the type of traveller, their length of stay and their spend per capita too. “We’re pleased to say that, as well as higher numbers, all of those elements have also

increased, which is very positive.”

However it is also a question of capacity.

Can the islands cope with the increase in numbers and quality, and is it sustainable?

“I think it is,” Dr Gulia replies. “Yes there are concerns and we have to ensure that we are covered, but our islands can definitely handle it. When we look at bed spaces during the summer months, our hotels are at about 90 per cent capacity, which is excellent, but that isn’t year round. Thus, our plan remains focused on boosting the rest of the year, when there are still many empty rooms available on a weekly basis.

Ours is a holistic approach with a yearround goal.”

With this in mind, Dr Gulia explains that the MTA is striving to change international perception on what Malta has to offer as a destination. “Yes, we have a sun and sea offering, and we want people to enjoy our natural products. But, we have had to shift awareness of what else we have to offer to boost the times of year when it’s not sunny enough to sunbathe and swim. There’s now a whole host of reasons people come to Malta – to study English, for MICE travel, to attend a high-end event like the Baroque Festival or Fireworks Festival; and there are many more elements in the pipeline.

Our plan is to create different products and events that will bring specific tourists to Malta.”

To achieve this, Dr Gulia explains that connectivity is of vital importance. He stresses that Malta needs both its national airline and LCCs to achieve high incoming numbers, and to give people viable options.

“I am confident Air Malta will survive,” he says. “We need to retain – and build – on our list of legacy airlines and LCCs, not reduce it, and we must encourage airlines to fly here all year round and not just in the summer months. Our increased accessibility has definitely enhanced results in recent years, for instance within the Italian market which, having become so well-connected to Malta, has surpassed Germany as our second most important source market.

Moving forward we are monitoring what is happening with Air Malta – which currently accounts for over 44 per cent of seat capacity to Malta – and will react accordingly.”

SEPTEMBER 2016

CC INTERVIEW With all this in mind, the Chairman believes Malta has become very visible on the international tourism radar. “As an Authority we have been very focused on our strategy to promote Malta overseas. I am very proud of my overseas directors, who are working so hard for Malta, as well as the staff of the MTA here who love the islands so much. Beyond that, I am grateful for support and advice from our partners, including Malta International Airport and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, the Gozo Tourism Association, FATTA, FELTOM and others with whom we work so well.”

Nevertheless, despite the many successes, there’s no denying that there are challenges too – such as keeping the island clean despite the substantial influx of people. “Although cleanliness is not in our remit specifically, we have a responsibility to ensure the services needed are there.

For instance, we recently took it for granted that, traditionally, after September a dip would take place in tourism and thus in

population numbers. However, we were a victim of our own success in areas such as St Julian’s and St Paul’s Bay, where the cleaning services couldn’t keep up with the increase, so more investment was needed to up the hours spent cleaning even after the summer months. As a result, one million euro has been allocated to this and, in the majority of places, cleaning is now being coped with better. We have taken the required action and will continue to do so.”

The eco-contribution, which was introduced in July, will also be used specifically to improve Malta’s tourism product and help bridge other gaps that have been created. “It will be used to maintain our product as the industry sees fit. It is not being managed by Government alone, but by Government and the private sector together, and following careful considerations on where it needs to be spent.

“Yes, there were some concerns when it was first introduced. However, we believed now was the right time to introduce it when

both numbers and rates are up. The money will not go into the country’s pot, but into a particular fund, and the tourism sector will see improvements as a result of it.”

Finally, Dr Gulia explains his thoughts on the international elements that could affect Malta’s tourism success, including the recent Brexit vote.

“After Brexit there was an outpouring of emotion because I believe, generally, no one was expecting it. That immediately had an effect on the market and there was a dip in the currency; I actually thought it would dip even further but it has regained.

“A couple of months on and, thankfully, there haven’t been any catastrophic results and tourist numbers have not gone down from the UK. I would like to see this as another prospect for Malta. I am a positivist and would rather look towards the opportunities this will create and not the potential negatives that could arise. It is this approach and mentality that I will bring to all aspects of our tourism industry as we continue to move forward.” cc

“A couple of months [since Brexit] and, thankfully, there haven’t been any catastrophic results and tourist numbers have not gone down from the UK.”

SEPTEMBER 2016

37

CC in figures

IN Figures

Gozo

31,446 6.9% Gozo’s total population

1,120

the number of Gozitans attending University, full-time and part-time

the island’s unemployment rate

3,312 the number of Gozitans who are claiming pension

240 30,242

average number of business enterprises started in Gozo each year

the number of licensed vehicles in Gozo

10.4 €15,005 944,290

Gozitan University graduates for every 1,000 people (in Malta the figure stands at 8.2)

the average Gozitan’s annual salary

Million Gozo’s GDP

the number of Gozo residents who are gainfully employed

3,742

Source: Gozo In Figures, National Statistics Office, Malta

€409.9 9,918

the number of annual visitors to Gozo

the number of businesses founded and operating in Gozo

Source: Malta International Airport SEPTEMBER 2016

39

CC CASE STUDY

The ultimate office rental With state-of-the-art office space very much in demand, RE/MAX CEO Kevin Buttigieg talks Jo Caruana through the latest commercial trends, while also updating her on the company’s own exciting office relocation plans.

F

inding the right office space is serious business – and no one knows that better than the team at RE/MAX, a team that’s constantly on the hunt for high-quality commercial real estate that can meet the demands of the discerning companies setting up shop in Malta and the local enterprises striving towards growth and success. Yes, they mean business and their office space must be up-to-scratch.

“Today’s best offices are no longer simple ‘work spaces’,” explains RE/MAX Malta CEO Kevin Buttigieg. “Today your office can mean the difference between keeping your employees happy or providing a reason for them to move on. In fact, trends show that more and more companies are investing heavily in creating offices that inspire, motivate and support their employees – whether that’s spacious, naturally-lit work spaces, or dynamic leisure spots where they can relax between tasks.”

As a result, the commercial property market has had to react by providing spaces that fit the bill on everything from location to facilities. Most of the offices out there have responded to the key trends, which is for simple, open plan spaces with raised flooring.

As for location, Mr Buttigieg explains that, although the centre of the island is gaining popularity commercially, the majority of current requests RE/MAX receives are for properties somewhere along the coast between Ta’ Xbiex and St Julian’s, as this is where the majority of gaming and financial services start-ups are based. “Large numbers of people working in foreign companies like

to rent apartments in these areas, because they provide easy access to restaurants, coffee shops, pharmacies, supermarkets, and can be reached without the need for a car.

“Location has become a very important consideration because many employees today also like to live as close to their office as possible, so these areas are very much in-demand residentially, as well as commercially. So much so that a 20,000sqm office space that’s due to be completed there at the end of this year has already been rented out to capacity.”

When it comes to the size of properties that are most sought-after, requests vary

“The commercial property market has had to react by providing spaces that fit the bill on everything from location to facilities.”

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SEPTEMBER 2016

CC CASE STUDY “However it’s worth noting that the majority of landlords do not take advantage of leasing companies since the income is good and it is always increasing. Thus, the reason why companies move to other offices is not because the landlords increase the prices at the end of the lease; it is either because they would like to reduce general costs, or because they are upsizing to meet new goals and space is hard to find in the St Julian’s area.”

considerably. Naturally this comes down to the magnitude of the company, from one-man-bands that have set up in Malta for tax reasons, to offices with hundreds of employees. “Whatever their size, though, trends show that many of our clients are choosing spaces that exceed their current requirements,” continues Mr Buttigieg.

“This is because they hope to grow, and are planning ahead to avoid space shortages further down the road.”

And property supply, it seems, really is a concern – not just in the obvious spots like Sliema and St Julian’s but also in Mriehel, for instance, where the office space in the two planned high-rise towers has already been snapped up... “even though they haven’t been built yet! Mr Buttigieg quips, adding SEPTEMBER 2016

that he believes slow planning procedures are stinting international investment. “This has been proved by the success of stateof-the art business centres like SkyParks and Smart City, which are both in the south of the island. If large companies want to relocate here, they need the space to do so; and right now we don’t have it. MEPA really needs to speed things along to rectify the situation.”

Meanwhile, Mr Buttigieg explains that any cost increases when it comes to office rents are clear upfront. “The average increase on a lease contract for commercial office space is usually three-to-four per cent per annum, so the tenants always know about this increase as it is stated clearly on the contracts.

RE/MAX to move to Portomaso As a company, RE/MAX Malta has itself experienced the need for bigger, better office space. “Despite, over the years, having bought every office building around our St Julian’s premises and interconnected them, we still outgrew it,” Mr Buttigieg continues.

“As a result, we have chosen to shift our operations to Portomaso, and the move will be taking place soon.”

The plan is for the company to move into a large space that will give it the room to grow over the next few years. “We’ll be renting spaces for our administration team and head office staff, we will have some hot-spot office space for rent, and we’ll also have our own training centre for our ongoing training sessions,” Mr Buttigieg says. “Plus, our top management will be closer together, which we believe will work much better for us.”

With all of this in mind, RE/MAX’s needs are very much in line with current trends, which shows that companies want the flexibility of a space that’s large enough to host their team in its entirety, while also providing excellent facilities in a popular area.

“I absolutely love Portomaso; it’s been my baby since its inception,” continues Mr Buttigieg, adding that he’s been the top Portomaso salesman for years. “I think it’s a fantastic development – there’s easy parking, easy access, coffee shops and restaurants, a yacht marina, and it’s in a great location.

We’re also very much at home at the Hilton Hotel next door, where we regularly hold our board meetings, conferences and activities.

So, we’ll be moving, while our current offices will retain their role as our St Julian’s branch, thus giving the team more space to work.”

However, while his own company has successfully found the right base for its future, Mr Buttigieg stresses that others haven’t yet been that lucky. “Looking to Malta’s future, there is no way round the fact that we need more quality office space, and we need it now,” he says.

“This is the time for Government to assess the trends and act on the realisation that foreign investors want the best for their employees, just as local employers do. I hope that the next few years will ensure Malta can meet the demands of its ever-more dynamic business sector and the people that operate within it,” he adds. cc 41

CC CASE STUDY

Staying ahead of the game

S

tanding in the lobby of Tipico’s 15th floor office at Portomaso Business Tower – the first of six floors that the company occupies – there’s an unmistakeable energy in the air, complemented by the staggering views all around the office. I meet Kevin Norville, Director of Human Resources and Stefan Kamberovic, Employer Branding at Tipico, and learn that the company was founded in Malta 12 years ago, back when the local iGaming industry was still in its infancy.

“Tipico’s market is primarily sports betting with a geographical focus on Germany. The company is the leading sports betting brand in the German market, with an estimated 45 per cent share both online and offline,” says Mr Norville. “Our offline market is represented by retail shops, of which we have around 1,000 spread across Germany, while the online product offering is represented by our website and products for mobile phones and tablets.

Our business is split roughly 50/50 between retail and online.”

Since joining the company two years ago, Mr Norville says he’s witnessed Tipico go from strength to strength. Today, the company boasts a local workforce of 215 people, and a total headcount of around 650 employees across the entire Tipico Group, which is present in a number of other countries.

Including Tipico’s franchise network, there are up to 5,000 employees at any given time.

“When I joined the company, it was around two thirds of the size that it is now, which is quite phenomenal growth. The focus since I’ve been here has been to support the growth of our brand and our market, and by doing that, building the different functions that are needed to support that growth in business. We’ve hired substantially in business intelligence, software development, marketing, bookmaking and legal and compliance, and obviously the human resources team has grown as a direct impact of that.”

With a focus on sports, Tipico’s main betting opportunities centre on football, primarily the German Bundesliga, but also Spain’s La Liga and England’s Premier League, as well as a range of other sports namely tennis, basketball, volleyball and golf.

“We’ve sponsored very high-profile football

Photos by Alan Carville

As one of the first iGaming companies to set up shop on the island over a decade ago, Tipico has lots to be proud of. Martina Said meets Director of Human Resources Kevin Norville and Employer Branding Stefan Kamberovic to find out what’s kept this company on top.

clubs such as FC Bayern, and we are now their partner of choice for sports betting.

If you visit the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, you’ll see Tipico all over the place in terms of advertising, which is a big part of the company’s success. We’ve put a lot of emphasis on marketing as well as positioning ourselves as the premium brand on the market.”

Mr Norville adds that part of Tipico’s success lies in its varied product offering and betting opportunities, which are unique in some ways. “For example, we offer combination bets, where someone can choose to bet on three or four events all on one betting slip. In order to win, you must win all four bets, but the pay-out is potentially bigger than betting on each event separately.

By combining bets, the chances of winning

“When I joined the company, it was around two thirds of the size that it is now, which is quite phenomenal growth.”

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SEPTEMBER 2016

CC CASE STUDY

“There are 33 nationalities working at Tipico – about one third of the workforce is Maltese, less than a third is German and the rest is split between many nationalities.” increases the opportunity for a pay-out.”

He adds that part of the company’s success lies in its ability to find the right people who fit into the company culturally, and not just professionally. “We look for people who understand what we’re trying to achieve as a business and align with that, both from a skills point of view but also from a values and personality point of view. We’ve been very good at finding those cultural fits, so that when they come into the team, they hit the ground running. As of today, there are 33 nationalities working at Tipico – about one third of the workforce is Maltese, less than a third is German and the rest is split between many nationalities.”

Part of the company’s culture, in fact, requires the team to let its hair down from time to time at one of many events organised throughout the year. “We organise a number of high-calibre events at different venues with great music and activities, many of which are team-oriented, in order to emphasise the need for us to have fun as well as get down to business. We do so in a very low-key, outsideof-the-office setting, and this culminates at the end of the year with an employee conference which includes employees from other countries. One day each year, the entire office is vacated and every team member contributes their time to a charity of our choice. We’ve painted houses, cleaned dog kennels, helped the elderly, planted trees, and organised football tournaments for charity.”

In light of the company’s consistent growth in recent years, Tipico added a new brand to its extensive portfolio, spearheaded by Mr Norville in order to address the process of recruiting new individuals to join the SEPTEMBER 2016

team. Stefan Kamberovic explains “for a while, Tipico was depending on agencies to recruit, but such substantial growth called for a different process, which is when Tipico Careers came to be, our in-house recruitment agency with our own campaigns to attract the top talent in Malta, making us the first local company to have an employer brand from an iGaming perspective.”

In May 2015, Tipico Careers went live with its own website, serving as a noticeboard for positions available within the company at any given time. Viewers can watch videos about Malta and about the company, and find out about the benefits offered to employees, including relocation packages for those leaving their home country to work here. “We put ourselves out there ahead of the pack, to show who we are, how we work, the culture of the company and the people that work here,” says Mr Norville.

In view of the competitive nature of the industry, Mr Norville adds the company’s positive environment helps play a part in retaining employees, but it takes more than that to keep them happy. “At Tipico, we strive to offer employees opportunities to develop, work on new projects and in new teams which may help them develop new skills. We put a lot of emphasis on developing talent through training, mentoring, coaching and cross-department teams to offer exposure to something new.”

Mr Kamberovic adds that Tipico endeavours to attract talent even at university level. “We believe a lot in Maltese talent so we teamed up with KSU to offer paid internships at Tipico.

The difference with our internships compared to other internships offered in Malta is that

we don’t expect people to come here to file papers and make coffee – interns are treated like full-time employees. They work 40 hours per week, are paid and get to work on their own projects, obtaining hands-on experience within the industry. This opens many doors, beyond Tipico too – a lot of our interns won’t want to leave.”

The company has come a long way since opening its doors 12 years ago, and a lot has changed in the betting industry too. Mr Norville asserts that not only has the size of the company and the savviness of its customers changed, but so has the profile of its customers and the general attitude towards iGaming. “Sports betting used to be a rogue type business, but it’s becoming a lot more mainstream, and part of the reason why we’ve been successful is because the industry has matured. The attitude towards betting in general has changed quite a bit and we expect to continue to see that – what might have been considered to be a shady business can now be viewed as a much more legitimate business, a household type industry as opposed to something on the fringe.”

Despite Malta’s favourable conditions for iGaming companies, Mr Norville says he’d like to see a greater number of workers on the island equipped with the necessary skill sets for the industry. “We’re very proud of the number of Maltese people that we employ, but we have to import a lot of talent, and ideally over the course of time, we’ll find that talent already on the island. This is something that we’re already working with the Malta Gaming Authority on, while also taking a back-door approach with KSU, working with student unions and talking to them about Tipico, in order to get them interested early on. I think we’ll notice a difference in the upcoming generations – we’re already seeing an interest, which is positive.” cc

43

CC DESIGN TRENDS

A contemporary classic Consisting of nothing less than a complete makeover of the executive floor with no structural alterations whatsoever, the brief for this luxurious office and lounge space was an interesting one for Atelier Maison architects Paula Agius-Vadala’ and Katja Abela Cassar, and one which they pulled off seamlessly. Sarah Micallef learns how they achieved it.

T

he space the architects worked with, Paula explains, was originally made up of a long corridor, with a lounge area half way through and an executive office at the end of the corridor. And while the client gave the architects a relatively free hand when it came to design, there were a number of considerations to be made. “More storage and shelving was needed in the office, which was to incorporate a desk, boardroom table and small lounge, and it was also important to retain the existing lounge area and give it a new lease of life.”

The original corridor suffered from a lack of light, making Paula and Katja’s main focus to lighten up the space. “We started off by painting the walls a light blue and carrying the colour on to the ceiling. Next, a

series of portal frames – which also acted as architectural lighting – were introduced to the corridor, in order to break up the space, and for it not to look so dull and long,” she continues.

“The corridor was previously very long and very wide, but it wasn’t being utilised, so we used two of the portal frames as two screens and mirrored them, so when you look through, you never see the whole length of the corridor. In doing so, we used the extra part of the corridor as an extension of the lounge area,” Katja adds.

Apart from providing architectural lighting and extending the lounge area, the portal frames also served a tertiary function, Katja continues, affirming, “throughout the corridor was a series of doors that the client

Photos by Michael Calleja, Studio Konnect

44

SEPTEMBER 2016

CC DESIGN TRENDS

SEPTEMBER 2016

45

CC DESIGN TRENDS

“The corridor was previously very long and very wide, but it wasn’t being utilised, so we used two of the portal frames as two screens and mirrored them, so when you look through, you never see the whole length of the corridor.”

wanted to keep, so we came a bit further out from the wall with the portal frames in order to hide them, while at the same time marking where the doors are.”

As for the colours and materials, the designers opted for a selection that gives off a tranquil feel. Apart from the natural wood of the parquet, wire glass was used within the screens for a hazy effect, and in the office, oak panelling along the wall added warmth, while a sheer curtain in a neutral green was used along the walls to break up a corner and give the effect of an enclosure. Meanwhile, Paula and Katja opted to take a risk with the parquet in the office and lounge area, choosing to stain it blue so as to help break up the space. “The supplier of the parquet told us that they wouldn’t be responsible for the staining and it was up to us, but the client was willing to try. We bought a sample and tried it, and saw that it worked,” Katja explains, adding that the experiment certainly paid off.

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SEPTEMBER 2016

CC DESIGN TRENDS

“More storage and shelving was needed in the office, which was to incorporate a desk, boardroom table and small lounge, and it was also important to retain the existing lounge area and give it a new lease of life.”

Asked whether they believe the space has any particular defining features, Paula maintains that while the portal frames in the corridor and the oak panelling in the office may be considered the more notable elements, the philosophy at Atelier Maison is to focus on the whole rather than the constituent parts. “We design everything custom-made, so we give attention to all of the elements within the space. For us, all the elements are important – we try not to look at things in isolation, rather, we adopt a holistic approach,” she says.

Katja uses the skirting as an example.

“While skirting usually looks ugly, it’s practical and needed in an office. So, we designed the skirting to come up to the same height of the plinth of the portal frames, making everything appear seamless. These are details that you wouldn’t really notice,” she explains.

The project took about four months to complete, from the designers’ initial sketches and resulting 3D renders to completion – a process that was facilitated by the fact that no structural changes were to take place.

“The client was very efficient so the process didn’t take long, and the carpenter was booked in advance to construct the furniture.

Because we didn’t do any structural changes, any measuring could be done straight away, and we used that to our advantage.”

And how did they go about tackling the delicate balance between aesthetic appeal and practical usage of space? Because of the pair’s technical backgrounds, being

architects first and foremost, they say, “we don’t just think about the look, there is always a function to whatever we do.” Here, for example, the portal frames double up as light fittings – so they’re not there solely for aesthetic reasons, they’re there to light up the space – apart from the panelling in the office, which also serves as storage.

The overall effect achieved, according to the design duo, is contemporary yet classic – a common feature among their projects – while also retaining practicality and functionality. “When it comes to interiors, you have to be careful that you don’t do something that will date,” they explain, maintaining, “we strive to create something that is timeless.” cc SEPTEMBER 2016

49

Fashion forward

STYLE

The heat may have started to dissipate as we roll into autumn, but Marie-Claire Grima thinks the warm and wonderful twists of fall fashion will more than compensate for the temperature drop.

Just like a turtle neck, but with a lot more volume, autumn is all about keeping your neck warm in a funnel neck or slightly lower roll neck. These can either be zipped up or slipped over – style with an elongated duffle coat (another one of the season’s key pieces) and jeans for the last word in casual elegance.

01. Capelets

05. Copper and tan

02. Chokers Chokers were all the rage this summer, from sugary nostalgic 90s revivals to punky festival neck ornaments. The trend is set to continue well into winter, receiving a more adult makeover that’s lower down the neck as tans start to fade and everyone goes back to work. Whether you’re knotting a skinny silk scarf or donning an interestingly studded piece, anything from boat neck tops to cocktail dresses will be elevated by this subtly chic trend.

01.

Two of the shades that really stood out at the fall fashion shows were warm rich tones of copper and tan. Knits, trousers and skirts in various classic shades of tan, from muted khaki to soft camel, will provide a soft, warmly preppy look, while a statement copper-hued coat will make you feel autumnal just by looking at it, and really up the style ante.

Brandon Maxwell

Swish into the cooler months of the year with a cosy cropped cape, which creates a luxurious jet-set vibe even if you’re just going into the office. The variations are limitless – you can opt for a brassy, militaryinspired look with epaulettes, take the fairy-tale route down to Little Red Riding Hood, or keep it sophisticated and elegant with a narrow, tailored cashmere capelet.

REVIEW

04. Funnel necks

06. Puffa jackets The big, quilted practical jacket is back, and it’s bolder and brighter than ever before. If some of the chunkier versions seen on the AW16 runways are too much to handle, you can try more subtle versions, with padding or quilting details even on everyday outfits, for a more subtle approach to the trend that will flatter, rather than bulk. cc

02.

Oscar De La Renta

06.

03. Stylish sleeves

Hellessy

Far from just kind of hanging there to keep your arms covered, the sleeve will be showing a little bit more personality this autumn. From voluminous sleeves with Edwardian cinches at the cuff, to asymmetrical cuts, extra lengths, bellshaped and flared styles, shoulder cutouts as well as bow adornments, these sleeves mean there’s no such thing as a boring office blouse any more.

Superdry

Barbour

03.

04.

SEPTEMBER 2016 Wooyoungmi

05.

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STYLE

REVIEW

Office Trends

03. Pop of colour

Most of us spend large chunks of our lives at the office, so whether it’s to boost your creativity or simply keep you from getting bored, good office design is a must.

Sarah Micallef looks at the latest trends.

01.

01. Stylish shredder marthastewart.com

Sometimes, great design is in the details. Functional accessories can be rather boring to look at, but they don’t have to be! This beautifully sleek manual shredder proves that with a little bit of design ingenuity, even the dullest of tasks can be made a little more enjoyable. It’s also practical and energy saving – no electricity required!

03.

02. Nature-inspired Another example of great design in small packages is this unique USB flash drive by Libertine. Crafted to look like a wooden twig, the drive makes you feel just a little bit closer to nature from your office, and with 2GB worth of storage space, makes for a sweet gift for a colleague or business associate too.

spicytec.com

02.

2016 is seeing a return to neutral colours within office spaces, but far from looking bland and boring, a pop of unexpected colour freshens them up and gives them an entirely new look. Whites and greys teamed with pops of yellow or chartreuse are among the favourite combinations, applied carefully to achieve an elegant balance between corporate and stylish. Top ideas to include colour pops are through textiles, furnishings and accent walls.

04. Hidden wires One thing you definitely don’t want your workspace to be is cluttered. A messy office simply does not reflect well on employees and the business in general, but clutter extends further than a messy desk. Visible wires linking up the many electronics needed in the office can make the space look unorganised and messy, so more and more designers are coming up with innovative ways to mask or hide them. Clean and simple solutions include desks or tables with integrated hidden casings for wires, as well as dedicated tubing integrated into wall or floor panels.

05. Different textures A hallmark of good interior designer for both home and office is an interesting mix of textures. An office or workspace can look bland and cold if too much emphasis is placed on clean, shiny surfaces, so infusing a little warmth using texture (even if you rather not add colour) can work wonders. Rich materials and fabrics work wonderfully here, as do natural textures and finishes that are a little rough, juxtaposed with sleek and modern surfaces. cc

05. hqroom.ru

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The road to success As international transport company Attrans celebrates its 40th anniversary, Jo Caruana meets Kevin Filletti to discover the servicedriven approach that has secured this local business’ success.

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based both locally and overseas – some of whom have worked with the company since the very beginning.”

Despite its dynamic growth, Attrans’ core business remains the international transport operations it has been undertaking for decades. The company specialises in import and export transport to any European destination, as well as Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It offers a variety of services, including normal road cargo, oversized cargo, and hazardous or refrigerated freight, and its network of European consolidation hubs then go on to deliver the shipment anywhere in the world – to the USA, the Middle East and Asia. “And all this is achieved on a weekly basis,” underlines Mr Filletti, adding that it is the company’s state-of-the-art fleet of trucks and trailers that enables it to offer such a reliable and regular service to its discerning clients.

In fact, it is the organisation’s operational excellence that really sets it apart, combined with its dedication to customer service.

“We believe that Attrans has become a market leader thanks to the knowledge and commitment of our planners, operational staff and drivers. There is no job that we will turn down without really looking into it and trying to make it happen; we will always do our best to achieve success for all concerned,” he says.

Even beyond that, Attrans Group certainly

Photo by Inigo Taylor

ew local businesses can celebrate a dynamic 40-year history and a successful international set-up – but Attrans can. Launched in 1976 by Philip Attard Snr, Attrans has gone on to become one of Malta’s largest international road transport companies, with bases in Holland, Italy and, most recently, Slovenia.

The company began humbly much like so many businesses – as a bit of a coincidence.

“Mr Attard was approached by a friend to bring a particular product to Malta from the UK, and he quickly realised the potential of the market,” says Kevin Filletti, Attrans’ Sales and Business Development Manager. “He was actually one of the first Maltese to reform overland driving into a commercial activity; he would import machinery and vehicles from the UK, drive them to the south of Italy, and ship them using the only ‘ro-ro’ service available at the time.”

Soon after that, a number of other local importers started to approach Mr Attard to move their cargo from north Italy and the UK to Malta, and it didn’t take long for Attrans to be recognised as a 100 per cent privately owned Maltese company.

“The company grew holistically after that, bit by bit,” continues Mr Filletti, who has worked in the industry for over 20 years, and with Attrans for the last two. “It became a fully-fledged international transport operator, with a diverse and multicultural workforce

SEPTEMBER 2016

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“Attrans quickly became a fullyfledged international transport operator, with a diverse and multicultural workforce based both locally and overseas.” has a lot to be proud of. Aside from its 25,000sqm head office in Zebbug, Malta, it has opened subsidiaries in Genoa in Italy, and Alblasserdam and Breda in the Netherlands, both of which are fully equipped with administration offices, workshops, parking and warehousing facilities. It also has a hub in Slovenia.

“We faced an important challenge a few years back when we risked losing one of our largest clients to competition from another container service, so we had to really boost operations. This led directly to the set-up of these international bases, and we are so pleased and satisfied that we did. Together, they have been instrumental in positioning Attrans as one of the few transport companies that can effectively connect North Africa, Central Europe, Turkey and, lately, even Iran.”

These facilities also enable the company to employ around 150 people, “all of whom work directly for Attrans, and are not outsourced,” Mr Filletti stresses. “We believe in this approach very much, as we want our service and approach to be holistic across the board.

We take our responsibilities very seriously.”

This is also evident in the company’s continuous investment in its fleet of vehicles.

“This always places us one step ahead of our competitors by providing the safest and most diverse transport options available. In fact, our trailers are built specifically in our workshops, and are all crafted to varying internal heights and fittings depending on our customers’ wants and needs.”

Now, looking to the future, there is a lot for the team behind Attrans to celebrate.

Aside from its 40-year heritage and the achievement of this key milestone in its history, it is now being run by Philip Attard Jnr, Mr Attard Snr’s son, thus making it a successful second generation organisation.

“As this stage we’re happy to celebrate our past and present, but are already looking eagerly to the future. We plan to keep investing in our offices and fleet, while also increasing our network across Europe and beyond. It is our legacy of commitment that has driven us this far and I have no doubt that it will take us even further over the years and decades to come,” Mr Filletti concludes. cc AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2016

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The personal touch

L

ouise Bailey has been working in travel for practically all of her adult life. Starting out in a corporate travel agency with practically no experience, she was bewitched by friends’ exciting travel stories and anecdotes, and quickly realised that a career in travel fit her like a glove.

After 24 years in the business, working for a number of travel agencies, Louise realised she was up for a bigger challenge and felt she had the experience, motivation and reputation to branch out on her own as Distant Horizons, a travel agency offering bespoke packages to exotic and far-flung destinations all around the world.

Louise hit the ground running. “I wanted to create something that was my own. But I never expected it to take off this fast,” she confides. “I thought I’d have to grow my business very slowly. Between leaving my old job and starting my own company, I took a two-week break. Since then, I’ve not had a single day where I’ve had nothing to do.”

Distant Horizons is a one-woman show, although Louise says, with a hint of wistfulness, that the time may soon come when she will have to employ someone else to help. “I don’t want to get too big though.

The bigger you grow, the more you lose your individuality and the amount of personal attention that you can dedicate to a client.”

Personal attention is Distant Horizons’ number-one selling point. With no preprepared packages or tours and a mandatory consultation session in person ahead of each booking – “I want to have input from my prospective clients and I feel that this is the best way to assess their individual requirements” – Louise is meticulous and dedicated to creating the perfect holiday itinerary for every client that comes her way.

Her personalised approach is working – nine out of ten clients get in touch because a friend or relative recommended her services or because they had an excellent experience the last time round and know that they can trust her to create a seamless holiday experience for them time and time again.

In a world where your next holiday could be just the click of a mouse away, her skills are often under-appreciated. However, not only is Louise a seasoned travel agent within the industry, she’s also an avid traveller who has visited 56 countries and so can offer a visitor’s perspective on many of the countries that her clients want to travel to. “Every time I chart out a new itinerary, I plan it out as if I was travelling there myself. When it comes to recommending destinations, routes and

SEPTEMBER 2016

places to visit and stay, a lot of my knowledge comes from personal experience. I still get a little upset sometimes because there are so many places I haven’t been to yet,” she grins.

“When you’re trying to book a complicated holiday online, you rarely have the benefit of personal knowledge, especially when it comes to combining different destinations, sussing out the best routes and dealing with aspects of travel that only come with years of experience. Something I hear quite frequently from my clients is ‘I’ve learnt more from you in 15 minutes than I have from five hours on the internet’.”

Besides having a vast breadth of experience to draw on, having someone there to assist you and answer all your queries is particularly reassuring for clients who are travelling to far-flung or unusual destinations. Louise recounts an example from just a few weeks back. “A couple I had organised a trip for were transiting through Istanbul when the attempted military coup broke out. We were in contact with each other in the middle of the night as they needed to be helped with a rerouting. I got my laptop out and helped them figure out the quickest way to find onward connections.” It’s rare to find this level of dedication and commitment in any profession, let alone from a travel agency, but going above and beyond the call of duty is Distant Horizons’ speciality and one of the biggest reasons for Louise’s success. “It’s all worthwhile when someone arrives home and tells you ‘wow that was out of this world!’

All the hard work and research that goes into planning the perfect vacation just melts away,” she smiles.

With negative news stories breaking out nearly every day in different parts of the world, it’s easy to imagine that some people may have been put off travelling – isn’t it? “Well, people still want to travel,” says Louise briskly. “Sometimes clients ask me whether a destination is safe. And I’ll reply, ‘what does safe mean to you?’ If recent events have shown us anything, it’s that nowhere is completely safe. Danger can strike anywhere. So you may as well live and travel everyday as if it’s your last.” She continues, “travel as an industry is very resilient.

We’ve weathered not just terror threats but countless environmental disasters too – hurricanes, volcanoes, bird flu, the Zika virus, earthquakes. But none of these things seem to stop people from wanting to see the world.”

Distant Horizons celebrates its first birthday this month, but Louise is already thinking ahead. “I’d like to introduce more destinations

Photo by Inigo Taylor

Planning a holiday to an exotic or faraway destination may seem daunting at first – unless you have a veteran travel agent by your side.

Louise Bailey, founder of Distant Horizons, speaks to Marie-Claire Grima about her lifelong passion for travel, creating the perfect personalised holiday package, and pushing the boundaries of conventional destinations.

“When you’re trying to book a complicated holiday online, you rarely have the benefit of personal knowledge, especially when it comes to combining different destinations, sussing out the best routes and dealing with aspects of travel that only come with years of experience.”

further afield – emerging places in the Middle East, the Far East and South America – the kind of places people often have qualms about because of what they’ve been told about these destinations. However, the situation in different parts of the world is changing day by day, the visuals that they conjure up are often outdated and much more frightening than the realities.” Louise is also interested in helping travellers explore their own niche interests through their voyages. “From astro-tourism for stargazers, safaris for animal and nature lovers, road trips for bikers to wine-tasting tours across different countries, there’s no end to the different ideas that we can come up with together. No request is too unusual for me. That’s how new concepts are born. That’s where the challenges lie.” cc To find out more about Distant Horizons, visit www.distant-horizons.com.mt 57

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NEWS Events & Initiatives

01.

Solutions to traffic problem have to form part of an integrated plan “Initiatives taken to improve the traffic situation in Malta and those announced in the 2016 Budget speech do not fit into a coherent and holistic plan to permanently address the gridlocks that the country is currently facing. The Chamber believes that the acute traffic situation in Malta is having an impact not only on people’s daily lives but also on the economy and on the environment,” said Anton Borg, President of the Malta Chamber on 8 June, as he was opening a seminar aimed at studying the traffic situation in Malta.

Mr Borg said that solutions have to form part of an integrated traffic plan that considers the serious constraints and makes holistic recommendations for sustainable transport solutions in the long term.

Titled ‘Towards Sustainable Mobility in Malta’, the event aimed at providing the suitable context in which to discuss the subject technically and with the valuable contributions of experts in the field in order to get closer to finding solutions to this national problem.

The seminar, which was organised by the German-Maltese Business Council, featured technical presentations by David Sutton from Transport Malta, Head of German Department and Professor of Sociology Prof Mario Vassallo, Director of Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Prof Maria Attard, and Dr Marie Briguglio, Senior Lecturer, FEMA.

02.

Chamber maintains reservations on tourism tax The Malta Chamber in representation of its members in the Tourism Business Section and the organisations FATTA, FELTOM, MAHE and PDSA took note of the decision of the First Hall of the Civil Court to refuse their request for a Prohibitory Injunction against the bringing into force of the eco-contribution on tourist bed nights.

This request had been made against the way the tax was being introduced, which ignored the declared concerns of these organisations and considered only the views of one association.

The Court refused the request on the grounds that the relevant legislation which requires a meaningful consultation on issues which affect the business operating environment did not apply to a Ministry. In fact, the Small Business Act (Cap 512) refers SEPTEMBER 2016

to Government departments, government entities and government agencies which are bound by its requirements when it comes to protecting the legitimate interests of the business sector. This now means that when Government wants to have a selective consultation and to choose which stakeholders to consult, it can simply assign the legislation to a Ministry to take forward.

It can also simply ignore, as happened in this case, the Administration’s own Directive 6, which also spells out how a consultation process should be carried out.

The lack of consultation with all stakeholders in the tourism industry has meant that Government has a skewed view of the effect the proposed implementation of the tourism tax will have on the sector.

The Chamber and associations maintained their reservations on the situation which remain and are as real as ever.

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry represents the Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (FATTA), the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta (FELTOM), the Malta Association of Hospitality Executives (MAHE) and the Professional Diving Schools Association (PDSA).

03.

Sensitive matter ignored Giving its feedback on the proposed Jobs Plus Act during an MCESD discussion earlier this week, the Chamber insisted that it was both unfair and unacceptable for employers to be burdened with strict responsibilities and liabilities for people who choose not to disclose information to the authorities about a disability they may have.

The Chamber accepted the right of individuals not to disclose sensitive personal information to the pertinent authorities but in this eventuality, the employer could carry no liability or responsibility. In such cases, employers would have no idea what mental or physical impairments an employee might be carrying and therefore cannot and should not be expected to take the necessary precautions, particularly at the level of health and safety.

04.

Chamber takes vision to Parliament “The content of the Economic Vision document presented by the Malta Chamber cannot be faulted. It is a strategic document that has garnered wide

consensus,” said the Minister for Finance this week, as he reacted to the Chamber’s Economic Vision for Malta 2014-2020.

Minister Scicluna was giving his views about a presentation by Chamber President Anton Borg and Director General Kevin J. Borg, who were addressing Parliament’s Economic and Financial Affairs Committee.

Prof Scicluna said that the Chamber is in a position to provide objective views and solutions on economic matters that are taken seriously and are highly regarded for their sound standing and credibility.

The Committee Chairman Silvio Schembri also praised the document. He called on the Chamber to identify a number of recommendations from the document which it regarded as high priority, in order for the committee to promote and help achieve their implementation.

On behalf of the Opposition, Claudio Grech thanked the Chamber for its proactivity and said that this was an example of key players taking an active role in shaping the economy in which they operate.

Chamber President Anton Borg said that while the Chamber was satisfied by the manner in which the document was received by all the political parties, it was less satisfied with the level of implementation reached. He said that while some of the recommendations were already implemented, more could be done in order to implement more recommendations from the Economic Vision, which is ultimately designed to safeguard the long-term growth and prosperity of the country.

The Economic and Financial Affairs Committee is chaired by Silvio Schembri and attended by Edward Scicluna, Michael Falzon, Charles Buhagiar, Claudio Grech and Charlo Bonnici. The delegation of the Malta Chamber was led by President Anton Borg and included Deputy President Frank Farrugia, DG Kevin J. Borg and Manager Communications Edward Bonello.

05.

Brexit – Rationality and considered decisions needed to restore business confidence The Malta Chamber unwillingly acknowledged the result of the British vote for a Brexit. In a Press Release it said that this was a defining moment in the history of the United Kingdom and the European Union – a development that has been described as being of ‘seismic’ proportions.

“This morning, the European Union has received a wake-up call from the British people. The EU must ensure that it 61

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seriously takes into account this message for change,” the statement said.

The Malta Chamber noted how the Brexit earthquake has created much dust and uncertainty in the markets, as investors, entrepreneurs, traders and workers attempted to seek answers and renewed confidence. This historical development called for rationality and sound decision-making, to restore stability and confidence in the shortest possible time.

06.

Brexit: A wake-up call to all EU “Brexit is a veritable wake-up call to all of the European Union, which member states need to analyse and understand.

The British people have sent a strong message that reforms are needed now more than ever,” said Anton Borg, President of the Malta Chamber, while addressing the MEUSAC Core Group in June.

Mr Borg said that it was time for rational and considered decisions in order to safeguard trade and jobs. “We need to assess the implications of Brexit on the UK as a trade partner with the EU and specifically Malta,” he said. “This is certainly not a time for rushed decisions, as we must ensure that confidence is maintained.”

The Chamber President said that it was reassuring to hear that Malta was prepared for Brexit, as the private and public sectors in Malta were primed to

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08. exploit opportunities that may arise from the situation. “Malta can play a central role during the process, as well as following the UK’s departure from the European Union.”

07.

Malta Chamber reaches agreement for the facilitation of D-Visas to Libyan business individuals The Malta Chamber and the Central Visa Unit signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the issuing of D-Visas to Libyan individuals intending to carry out business in Malta.

Signed by Malta Chamber President Anton Borg, the MoU formalised the relationship between the Chamber and the Central Visas Unit, in collaborating to simplify and facilitate this process.

The signing of the MoU is an important step forward as many members had in the past raised their concerns on the extreme difficulty experienced when applying for such Visas. This was in some cases even resulting in loss of business and investment.

08.

Members updated on data protection regime The Marketing Committee within the Malta Chamber organised a seminar on issues of data protection and how these may affect the marketing operation of a business.

Addressing the seminar, Information and Data Protection Commissioner Saviour Cachia explained how the protection of personal data in relation to the processing of such data is a fundamental right within the European Union.

Opening the event, Malta Chamber President Anton Borg said that the event was yet another case of the Chamber providing its members with the proper tools and foresights in an array of subjects, central to their operation, not less the everincreasingly challenging area of marketing.

Providing a context to the talk within the Marketing Committee’s strategy, Chairman Louis Olivieri noted that data protection and marketing are two elements that go hand in hand.

The event was organised by the Marketing Committee within the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.

09.

Parties need to keep a realistic view of matters In a Press Release, the Chamber of Commerce called on all parties involved to act with utmost responsibility in order to avoid any negative repercussions on the successful privatisation process of Air Malta, and more importantly, on the economy in general.

“Threats of industrial action during the single most important period for the airline certainly do no justice to anyone’s cause and are seen as most irresponsible,” said the statement.

The Chamber said that risking to ground the airline at this sensitive time would not only paralyse the country’s connectivity at the height of the tourism season, putting hundreds of jobs linked to the tourism sector at risk, but would also endanger the health of the economy at large.

10.

Maternity Leave Refund Forms out Following the publication of Maternity Leave Refund Forms, employers were invited to start applying for refunds for contributions to the Maternity Leave Trust Fund. The Malta Chamber, which sits on the Trust Fund, had been following the process for the past weeks.

The Maternity Leave Trust Fund was established in 2015, as a solution to the disproportionate expenses previously incurred by employers in maternity leave. Employers had been paying this contribution since the Fund’s launch last year, but had no recourse to the refund they rightfully expected.

11.

Chamber welcomes EY proposals on five areas with potential for growth The Chamber of Commerce welcomed the proposals presented by EY Malta, which focus on five areas believed to have potential for growth and investment on the island. The proposals were presented during a conference at the Chamber.

The five policy areas are Fintech, SEPTEMBER 2016

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Commodities Trading, Logistics Hubbing, Malta as a distribution centre for online purchases from Asia, and Legal Migration.

Chamber President Anton Borg said that the Chamber was more than happy to support EY in its proposals. He said that EY’s sectors fit in with the areas highlighted in the Chamber’s own vision.

EY Country Managing Partner Ronald Attard said that EY was encouraged by the support of the Chamber in the launch of these proposals. “These proposals are not exhaustive, but we are calling for action on these proposals. Speed is of the essence, and so is consensus at all levels,” he said.

During the conference, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat criticised banks for what he described as the amount of bureaucracy that was turning people away from finance.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said he agreed with the EY policy areas, but added that Malta was also facing a number of problems, one of which was the country’s reputational risk.

12.

Malta Chamber congratulates new Malta Enterprise Chairman The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry congratulated William Wait on his appointment as nonExecutive Chairman of Malta Enterprise.

The Malta Chamber said it was satisfied that yet another entrepreneur with an active past within it is being entrusted at the helm of one of the country’s most important organisations with the fostering and generation of business in Malta.

Whilst thanking the outgoing Executive Chairman for his valued contribution, the Chamber said it was eager to further strengthen the already excellent relationship it has with Malta Enterprise.

13.

Skills mismatches addressed by new system

Employer Relations Unit Wilma Plaehn and Marika Busuttil, as well as Jobsplus’ Senior Software Developer Clint Cassar delivered an informative presentation and answered numerous queries on the steps that employers should follow in order to identify the best possible candidates for their vacancies.

In his welcome address, Frank V. Farrugia, Deputy President of the Malta Chamber noted that the importance of skills and their correct application is even more pronounced in the dynamic economy we operate in today.

Some skills mismatches are inevitable as the labour market involves complex decisions by employers who are often desperate to recruit. However, persistent skills mismatches and vacant positions are costly for employers, the economy and society at large.

14.

Chamber welcomes higher stipends for BSc Pharmaceutical Science students In a Press Release, the Malta Chamber congratulated Government for utilising University stipends as an instrument to provide for present and potential gaps in the labour market. The initiative was perceived to be in line with the Chamber’s stance in favour of a reformed stipend system that better guides students in choosing more successful career paths. “The Education Ministry has done so concretely by granting students reading for a BSc in Pharmaceutical Science a higher stipend and initial financial grant as of next month,” said the Chamber.

In its document An Economic Vision for Malta 2014-2020, the Chamber recommended that the stipend system be linked to an Employability Index indicating the possibilities of employment and potential income on completion of a chosen study path.

“The Chamber encourages authorities to implement similar measures to further support employers in their need for scarce qualified personnel,” the Press Release concluded.

15.

Chamber supports Medicines Agency bid In a Press Release, the Malta Chamber welcomed the announced intentions for Malta to pursue the attraction of the prominent European Medicines Agency in the likely eventuality that it will be relocated.

The Chamber noted that Minister Helena Dalli had asked the Medicines Authority to steer Malta’s bid towards this end.

“Such an initiative finds the full support of the Chamber of Commerce as it mirrors its ambitions for Malta. The attraction of this EU-wide agency to set up in Malta is in line with the Malta Chamber’s vision to establish Malta as an international market player in a number of sectors,” the statement said.

16.

No surprises please During a meeting of the MCESD, Chamber President Anton Borg warned Government to refrain from introducing surprise measures in the upcoming Budget for 2017, as these would halt the business momentum currently enjoyed by the economy. Surprise measures which are introduced without any consultation with the constituted bodies or players in the specific sector are bound to cause damage which is ultimately avoidable.

Mr Borg was reacting to an address to the MCESD by the Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna on the subject of the Budget for 2017 which will be called ‘Prosperity with Social Justice’.

The Chamber President commended Government for the solid economic performance the country is currently enjoying, however he said the Chamber eagerly awaits the presentation of measures intended for inclusion in the Budget in order for it to provide its feedback.

Mr Borg was accompanied by Deputy President Frank V. Farrugia, MEG Chairman Norman Aquilina, DG Kevin J. Borg and Head of Policy Andre Fenech.

13.

Following the recent launch of the Jobsplus’ New Job Matching System, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry organised an information session for its members’ human resources personnel on 27 July.

Representatives from Jobsplus’ SEPTEMBER 2016

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“Our relative success must be constantly supported by the necessary conditions that safeguard our competitiveness in the years to come” During a special meeting of the Council of the Malta Chamber, President Anton Borg told Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that Malta’s remarkable general economic performance must not be taken for granted, especially within the context of the most unstable international scenario.

“On the contrary, our relative success must be constantly supported by the necessary conditions that safeguard our competitiveness in the years to come.”

Mr Borg was addressing the Prime Minister who was invited to attend a meeting of the Malta Chamber Council on Thursday.

“We believe that it is the opportune time to invest part of the proceeds of today’s relative success into our future, because we believe it is also the right time for the country to take some further bold decisions to safeguard our future economic performances,” Mr Borg said.

18.

New logistics business section within the Malta Chamber established

The five-member committee is composed of Robert C. Aquilina (Salvo Grima Group) as Chairman, David Fleri Soler (Express Trailers Ltd) as Deputy Chairman, and Hugh Arrigo (Attard & Co Industrial Ltd), Pierre Attard (CMA CGM Malta Agency Ltd) and Ronald Attard (EY) as members.

A new business section dedicated to the growing sector of logistics was set up within the Malta Chamber of Commerce, with the election for the executive committee taking place on Tuesday 23 August.

In a statement to the media, the Chamber said that with the setting up of this business section, the Chamber was once again being proactive in representing a previously underserved sector, in terms of giving it a unified voice to propose ideas and solutions for structured growth.

“The logistics business has been registering a steady interest recently, and it was given due attention in the Chamber’s Economic Vision for Malta 2014-2020 and subsequently in EY’s document outlining sectors for growth this year,” the Chamber said.

Robert C. Aquilina, Chairman of the new committee, said that Malta was experiencing unprecedented growth in the sector, which underlined the timeliness of setting up such a committee.

The Chamber noted the denial by the Ministry for Tourism about a business plan drawn up by Alitalia submitted to Government for Air Malta. The Chamber said that the Ministry’s denial served to allay serious concerns from the Chamber and its members which quickly emerged following a report in a Sunday paper.

“The Chamber is of the opinion that the business plan as reported would have disastrous consequences for Malta’s tourism industry and beyond, as it was said to include no new capital investment and ‘complete flight rationalisation’ involving the loss of one third of European routes in favour of southern destinations,” the statement said.

event was organised by Enterprise Europe Network partner, ABiGEM East Marmara in Kocaeli, with the support of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Turkey and the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry.

The Match4Industry matchmaking event also included a dedicated space within the fair where one-to-one

meetings took place over the course of two days. The participating countries included Turkey, Malta, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Hungary. The Maltese entrepreneurs held pre-scheduled B2B meetings with the entrepreneurs from the participating countries.

The delegation also visited the TOSB

19.

“Any Air Malta business plan must be beneficial to tourism and business in a wider context”

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NEWS Internationalisation

01.

Seven Maltese businesses in B2B meetings in Turkey As part of Enterprise Europe Network, the Malta Chamber led a delegation of Maltese entrepreneurs to Turkey for a series of B2B meetings with Turkish businesses in the fields of financial services, ICT, automotive supply and plastics between 24 and 28 May 2016.

The delegation, which visited Istanbul and Kocaeli, was hosted by the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) in Istanbul. It was welcomed by Halis Cakmak, Vice Chairman of the Turkey Malta Business Council. Consul General Franklin Aquilina was also present for the meeting.

In Kocaeli, the delegation participated in the Match4Industry matchmaking event that was held within the SANTEK Industry and Technology Fair. The matchmaking 66

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02.

Automotive Supplier Industrial Park and the Ford manufacturing plant as Ford is a leading automotive company in Kocaeli.

The Maltese delegation was led by Internationalisation Executive Lina El-Nahhal and joined by Dr Mark Bencini, Chairman of the Maltese Turkish Business Council within the Malta Chamber of Commerce.

02.

Austrian Business Forum at Malta Chamber Austria as a business partner as well as the country’s excellent bilateral relations with Malta were the focal keys of the discussion at the Austrian Business Forum organised by the Austrian Honorary Consulate General at the Malta Chamber on 17 June.

The aim of the business forum was to enhance the business development opportunities between Malta and Austria which is a dynamic European Union member state offering business opportunities for companies of various sizes.

The Forum was organised by Michael J. Bianchi, the Honorary Consul General of Austria and Dr Michael Berger, the Austrian Commercial Consul of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Valletta.

The non-resident Austrian Ambassador, Dr Michael Schwarzinger, and Dr Christian Cardona, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business also addressed the event.

03.

Doing business with Bulgaria During an event from the ‘Doing Business with’ series, Malta Chamber President Anton Borg said that Bulgaria is an immense country of great resources, adding that both Malta and Bulgaria share numerous commonalities which can be developed for the mutual benefit of both sides.

H.E. Mr Marin Raykov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Malta (resident in Rome) delivered a speech on doing business with Bulgaria to interested Maltese entrepreneurs. He mentioned that there is currently €300 million of Maltese investment in Bulgaria.

04.

‘About Japan’ crosscultural workshop Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Malta in cooperation with EEN partner in Japan, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation,

organised a cross-cultural workshop to introduce Maltese companies to the basic principles of Japanese business culture.

The workshop was delivered by Olivier Van Beneden, Managing Director of Japan Consulting Office (JCO), who is an expert consultant with over 20 years of experience in working with Japanese companies.

The workshop was opened and chaired

by Director General Kevin J. Borg. Mr Borg said that the interest in Japan among the Malta Chamber’s members led the Chamber to establish a Committee last year, which is made up of Maltese companies that have business interests in Japan.

H.E. André Spiteri, Ambassador of Malta to Japan, emphasised that the element of human relationships is fundamental when it comes to doing business with Japan.

Jeroen van der Donck, the representative from the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation spoke about the services that the EU-Japan Centre offers to EU companies that are interested in doing business with Japan.

05.

Polish-Maltese economic cooperation seminar “The economic relations between Malta and Poland are very encouraging with statistics indicating an expansion of trade and commerce. More stands to be achieved however, as there is room and potential for growth between our two countries,” said Deputy President Frank V. Farrugia as he was addressing a Polish-Maltese Economic Cooperation Seminar on 23 June.

In 2015, Malta imported €43,201,733 worth of goods from Poland, while it exported

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€19,104,152. “Though respectable within the context of our economies of scale, we still believe that economic ties between the two countries can grow, especially in the context of recent international developments,” Mr Farrugia said.

The seminar was addressed by Jolanta Janek, Polish Ambassador to Malta, as well as delegates from a number of entities including Trade Malta, Malta Enterprise, Finance Malta and Malta Tourism Authority.

06.

Avenues of collaboration in Russia outlined Avenues of collaboration and business opportunities in Russia were the subject of an Institutional Meeting held at the Malta Chamber on 19 July. The meeting led to discussions on potential investment projects that can take place both in Malta and Russia.

Preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia are generating business opportunities for companies in a number of sectors. The quadrennial festival of football was one of the opportunities mentioned

by Aleksey Zinoviev, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Kaliningrad.

Mr Zinoviev was outlining the main priorities for the region of Kaliningrad as it prepares for the FIFA World Cup 2018. Mr Zinoviev formed part of the Russian delegation which also included government officials and representatives of Chambers of Commerce in Novgorod and Zabaikalskiy Krai. They were also joined by a number of Russian entrepreneurs, including the Deputy Director of the Department of European, North American and international organisations at the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Sazin.

The meeting was chaired by Anastasia Budykho, the Honorary Representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry

06. of the Russian Federation in Malta.

Chamber President Anton Borg spoke about the numerous avenues for collaboration that exist between the two countries which vary in several ways, but have a long history of trade activity. The meeting was also attended by H.E. Vladimir Malygin, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Malta, Malta Chamber Deputy President Frank V. Farrugia, Vice President Tonio Casapinta, DG Kevin J. Borg, Head Internationalisation Lino Mintoff and Internationalisation Executive Lina El-Nahhal.

07.

New US Ambassador visits Malta Chamber Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, Brexit, Enterprise Europe Network and trade relations with Libya were among the subjects discussed during a meeting between H.E. G. Kathleen Hill, Ambassador of the United States of America to Malta and the President of the

Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry Anton Borg on 28 July.

The Ambassador was visiting the Chamber following her recent appointment.

Welcoming Ms Hill, Mr Borg provided an overview of the Chamber’s activity as the largest independent organisation representing business in Malta. He also referred to the Chamber’s Economic Vision for Malta 2014-2020, of which a number of recommendations have already been taken on board.

Mr Borg spoke about the unprecedented results currently being registered

by Malta’s economy and how the Chamber was interested in ensuring that the growth would be sustained.

The Ambassador was accompanied

by Elise Lambert, Commercial Officer at the Embassy. Present for the meeting were Tonio Casapinta, Vice President of the Chamber, Sergio Vella, Member of the Board of Management and Council Member and Dr John Vassallo, Chairman of the Malta Business Bureau. cc

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Tech trends

Indoor or outdoor, at work or during leisure time, Marie-Claire Grima selects a few nifty picks from the world of gadgets and accessories.

01. North Face Access Pack The North Face Access Pack is a backpack made up of a stylish mix of grey and black nylon panels, with padded straps and a clasp that goes across your chest, making it surprisingly comfortable to carry around all day. It comes with a padded, water-resistant, zippable laptop sleeve, while pocket pull tags mean that you don’t have to do a lot of rummaging to get what you want out of the bag. It also has a multitude of separate pockets and compartments, meaning you can place any number of assorted devices and accessories without the risk of an accident.

A great backpack for work and travel.

02. Rapidfire K70 Keyboard Gamers, programmers and anyone who does a lot of typing all day loves mechanical keyboards because they feel far more springy and precise under your fingers than the traditional variety, and are therefore that much more pleasant to work with.

Corsair’s new Rapidfire K70 RGB’s keys only need to be pushed down 1.2mm and have a rubberised texture, making them particularly suitable for night owls who need to be quiet whilst typing. It’s also very easy to clean, as the keys are housed in an aluminium deck, with nowhere for crumbs and dust to fall into.

All in all, it’s a great set-up for mixed use.

03. Quinny Longboard Stroller If you’re a sporty parent with a child who’s still young enough for a pushchair, why not combine bonding time with an outdoorsy adventure? The Quinny longboard stroller makes pushing the kids along fun and good exercise too. You can unleash your inner skate designer and customise the limited edition board to your heart’s content. Best of all, you don’t need to be an experienced longboarder to enjoy it – after reading through the instructions, simply unfold, strap the little one in, make sure they’ve got a helmet on, hop on and take off!

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SEPTEMBER 2016

GADGETS

04. Woolet Do you suffer from wallet anxiety, and constantly wonder where you last put yours down? Perhaps you should invest in a Woolet, a wallet with miniature sensors that synchronise with your smartphone to protect your valuables. Every time Woolet is left behind or stolen it sends a notification to your phone – and you’ll also be able to find it quickly in a messy room before you go out, since it shows the approximate distance between you. It also howls (yes, howls) if it’s out of reach in public places and allows you to check the last place where you saw it. Notifications can be turned off when you are at home or work.

01.

05. Misfit Ray Sick of clunky fitness wearables? The Ray is a piece of wearable technology that could easily be mistaken for a casually stylish Fossil bracelet (which is, incidentally, the company which now owns Misfit). With its copper-hued minimalist, cylindrical design, it has zero chance of being mistaken for a computer on your wrist and can be easily worn by men or women, day or night. Its simplicity means it’s not a hard-core fitness tracker, but data exportation to various smartphone apps is easy, and its battery life is incredibly efficient.

02.

06. Netgear Orbi If your Wi-Fi struggles to cover a broad range within your home, you may need a powerful router that covers a broader span. The basic Orbi kit consists of a router and a satellite which is meant to cover up to 4,000 square feet together. Easy and straightforward to set up, with lights that indicate whether the place where you’ve set it up is optimal to cover the whole span of the home, the router’s tri-band mesh system dedicates one channel to extending the internet from the router to the satellite while keeping the other two free for connections from other devices. cc

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CC make the headlines

Closing the loop – A way forward towards a Circular Economy Every day, we make a number of individual economic decisions: regarding our work, savings, purchases and what we dispose of. Each one of these decisions has an environmental consequence – the use of natural resources or the creation of waste. The idea of a Circular Economy is to keep resources in the economy as long as possible, thereby minimising waste. This transition is core to the EU’s efforts to develop a sustainable, resource efficient economy, whilst boosting competitiveness and growth. As economic actors, businesses and consumers are key to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.

To date, the production of goods as well as the delivery of services have been underpinned by the extraction of natural resources. Extraction is the first step of a so-called Linear Economy followed by production, sale and finally, disposal. At each stage the economic system ‘leaks’ resources which then become waste.

The EU’s Circular Economy package will require European economies to embrace the idea of circularity, making it a driver of competitiveness and growth.

Eco-design will facilitate circularity by factoring reparability, upgradability and ease of dismantling in product design.

For instance, electrical and electronic products can contain valuable materials (such as gold and copper) which, with thoughtful design, can be recovered and reused. By creating markets for secondary materials, waste from one industry can also become the feedstock of another – “one man’s waste is another man’s treasure.”

Purchasers are considered key to circularity because their spending power drives consumption, which can therefore influence production trends through reengineered behaviour. Innovative forms of consumption include the acquisition of services and experiences rather than physical products. Technology also makes it possible for digital platforms to be shared among different users in what is often termed the collaborative economy, and for which Commission funding may be available.

A number of priority areas which affect our daily behaviours are also identified.

The use of plastics has been recognised to have increased significantly with a resultant contribution to litter, particularly marine litter. A more ambitious target for the recycling rate of plastics is proposed with the Commission expected to develop a strategy that features the recyclability, biodegradability and hazardous substances in plastic. Food waste will require interventions along the value chain to prevent the unnecessary wastage of food. A platform on food

SEPTEMBER 2016

waste is expected to be developed with a view to bringing all stakeholders on board such that effective action may be taken. Similarly it is also anticipated that the lifecycle of buildings will come under examination in order to determine how better design could contribute towards increased recyclability and durability of the various components that are used in buildings.

The Commission recognises the key contribution SMEs can make to the circular economy, particularly through recycling, repair and innovation activities.

Cognisant of the difficulties in accessing funding and integrating circularity within operations, support so as to overcome barriers and promote innovation and cooperation across the various economic sectors will be studied. The Plan also promotes the uptake of the EU EcoManagement and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and industry-led voluntary certification of treatment facilities for waste streams.

This brings with it the employment opportunities that will be generated and hence the need to develop the right skills at all levels.

With the wider set of actions envisaged in the Circular Economy package, the EU is set to move closer towards closing the loop in making better use of resources whilst generating less waste. There is no time like today to get on board. cc

“The Commission recognises the key contribution SMEs can make to the circular economy, particularly through recycling, repair and innovation activities.”

For more information on reducing and reusing your waste, visit www.dontwastewaste.gov.mt

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Malta’s first business portal gains instant popularity Malta’s first full blown business news portal, launched last May, has proven to be an instant success, filling an evident gap for an alternative business media platform.

Maltachamber.org.mt, which is the official business portal of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry has attracted large thousands of users since its launch on 2 May.

The business portal has consistently ranked as the number 1 business portal in Malta. Over 50,000 business people have made use of the business portal in the first few months since its launch. The portal also has a prominent section doubling up as the official corporate site of the Malta Chamber, which has also proven popular with Chamber business members as well as many other businesses seeking to invest in Malta.

The new B2B business directory, also launched on 2 May, and which is incorporated within the portal, has also proven to be an instant success.

Thousands of local businesses have already subscribed successfully and are enlisted in the digital interactive directory, which is the first official business directory of its kind locally. The directory is ranking as the number one business-to-business directory in Malta and the second most popular overall directory in Malta. Both projects are the result of a joint venture between the Malta Chamber and its exclusive media partner Content House Group.

“The Malta Chamber business portal is the first of its kind in Malta, providing readers with business news, financial and economic analyses, interviews and blogs, as well as constant updates on the Chamber’s work. Through the portal, we are offering an unprecedented package of online products that have successfully managed to bridge a gap in Malta’s online business environment,” says Kevin J. Borg, Director General of the Malta Chamber. “The business portal is a source for quality content for every business person in Malta who is interested in staying up to date with current business affairs and opportunities, as well as leading opinions.”

“We were anticipating that we would receive good feedback but we are genuinely overwhelmed,” says Jesmond Bonello, Managing Director of Content House Group. “The idea behind the business portal is to have an outward-looking portal that will provide regular business news stories and updates on the latest local and European business news, financial analyses and interviews with business leaders, blogs and much more.”

Mr Bonello said that the feedback was positive on two levels: “first and foremost the business portal has proved to be popular with the end users – both with Chamber members and thousands of people in the business sector, a crowd which is constantly growing in Malta.

Secondly we have had excellent feedback from advertisers who are taking up advertising on the portal as well as from a large number of business people subscribing to the B2B directory. Of course we have invested heavily in the project and have employed various personnel in the editorial department as well as in advertising sales and digital marketing to make sure the project is sustainable and can continue to grow.“ Strong investment is also being made on the marketing fronts with campaigns on Facebook and Google as well as extensive marketing campaigns on other popular media including leading business magazines and newspapers, including The Sunday Times.

The portal traffic is also boosted through Chamberlink, the popular digital weekly newsletter sent to thousands of business people, including all Chamber members. All stories and news features in Chamberlink link directly to content in the portal. cc For more information on maltachamber.org.mt, the B2B business directory and Chamberlink call 2132 0713 or send an email to info@contenthouse.com.mt 76

SEPTEMBER 2016

CC make the headlines

The first choice in transporting cargo White Brothers Ltd provides a number of services related to the transport community.

The organisation, which is a family business, owes its name to its first truck, an Americanbuilt ‘White’ Model 704, bought in the 1940s.

This earned Angelo Ciantar, the founder of the company, the nickname ‘Tal-White’, by which the family business is still popularly known.

Since then the company has not looked back, constantly developing and broadening its area of operations and increasing its varied equipment inventory. Its core activities are related to the clearance, handling and delivery of cargo, and complemented by heavy lift/ machinery removals and project cargoes, as well as ocean and air freight forwarding through its subsidiary White Freight Services Ltd. The company is also sub-contracted by port terminal operators to provide cargo operations on roll-on/roll-off vessels and other activities related to cargo operations within the port area.

White Brothers enjoys a reputation for handling heavy and awkward cargoes coming to our island, and is equipped with trailers

Introducing Multi-Asset funds Multi-Asset funds are funds that invest across a wide range of asset classes which may include equities, bonds, cash, commodities and alternatives among others.

These type of funds provide a greater degree of diversification than investing in a single asset class, thus helping to mitigate the volatility that comes with investing in a one asset class.

Multi-Asset funds arguably play a role in a low-interest scenario and volatile investment environment, in view of the fact that the switching process between assets is simplified. Many managers of multi-asset funds also hedge some risks and add an overlay of short-term tactical asset allocation to maximise return.

An active approach to managing risk across the range of asset classes is an important element when setting up an investment strategy. The Fund manager generally seeks to increase exposure to asset

SEPTEMBER 2016

capable of carrying up to 120 tons and tractors to match, making it the first choice for this kind of job. Handling and transporting such loads is complex and presents a special challenge, and can only be achieved by optimum planning and coordination between all parties in the transport process. Over the years this activity has included the handling of numerous heavy-lift units, some of them exceeding 100 tons. All were successfully carried out for our local and foreign customers.

The company strives to maintain a good quality professional service to its clientele,

classes with a positive stance. Concurrently he seeks to reduce exposure to asset classes where the outlook is negative.

Such funds may also invest in strategies that rely less on overall market direction.

Real assets is another asset class that these type of funds usually invest in, such as infrastructure which provides solid income streams that are somewhat detached from the economic cycle. Other investment opportunities within this asset class are income derived from utility companies, green energy, social infrastructure and aircraft leasing. In general, these type of funds can offer more stable returns across different market conditions.

Multi-asset funds are also available to retail investors, as they can provide different risk profiles, and, in view of their multi-asset exposure, are ideal investment solutions for those investors with a small investment capital. These type of funds, which are available in the local market, are managed by a professional team with a sound background in asset allocation, macroeconomic analysis and portfolio construction. Multi-asset funds develop a clear and transparent investment process that allows ideas to be channelled into a robust portfolio specifically designed to meet its objectives. cc

which varies from the individual to the corporate, locally and internationally.

White Brothers also caters for packing, storage and warehousing facilities, which include a customs bonded area. Customers trust us with the handling of their precious cargo and for this reason it is given our utmost care and attention during handling and delivering. In this respect, White Brothers offers a fast, flexible and all-round service to meet customer requirements. cc White Brothers Buildings, St Bernard Street, Marsa. T: 2124 5512; www.whitebrosmalta.com

Past performance is not a guide to future performance and the opinions expressed herein should not be interpreted as investment advice. VFM is licensed to provide Investment Services in Malta by the MFSA. Issued by VFM, TG Complex, Suite 2, Level 3, Brewery Street, Mriehel BKR 3000, Malta. Tel: 2122 7311, Fax: 2275 5661, Email: infovfm@bov.com, Website: www.vfm.com.mt.

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Designing workplaces to foster innovation There is a growing understanding that real breakthrough comes from people doing the hard work of innovation together and sharing their ideas.

Leaders are ready to invest in resources and implement methods that can increase an organisation’s capacity to innovate. However, many are uncertain about just how to make innovation happen.

Through ongoing research, Steelcase has uncovered two design principles that can help organisations create resilient and costeffective workplaces that address the issue of employee engagement and the road to innovation. These are as follows: Principle 1 – Designing workplaces to support the holistic well-being of people can amplify employee engagement and satisfaction.

Principle 2 – A workplace ecosystem supports collaboration by providing

Sciacca’s – Where quality meets passion, elegance and exclusivity What is Sciacca’s grill? Or better still, who is behind Sciacca’s?

Behind the glorious food ranging from dry aged meat, fresh succulent cuts and live lobsters straight from the tank, is one person.

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individuals and groups with a range of options within the workplace.

Successful design can significantly remove barriers and support the work of the talented people that organisations rely on to improve their innovation performance, and the right kind of spaces can help people collaborate, share knowledge, learn together, and build the social networks of trustful interaction that are so critical for solving big challenges.

Here are some factors to consider when designing spaces for innovation activities: Make the space flexible – Innovation spaces need to be reconfigurable to support spontaneity. Space may be used by multiple project teams, simultaneously or in sequence.

Make the space inspiring – Stimulating, engaging spaces can jump-start and sustain creative thinking.

Make the space collaborative – Individual

As all the head chefs, managers, waiters and staff agree, behind all this ‘gourmet dream’ is one person – Noel Zammit. A man dedicated to his vision, who inspires his staff to such high levels that whoever sits in any of Sciacca’s outlets, whether in Valletta or St Julian’s, enjoys a feast of multisensory delights.

From the first morsel of freshly baked bread, followed by the selection of daily specialities to the magnificent treat of meat or fish, and to the choice of hand-crafted sweet delights, complemented by Moak coffee, one can be assured of high-end quality served with friendly professionalism.

The secret of this culinary gem, according to Noel is simple – “semplici! kwalità!”.

Sciacca’s is one of the few outlets on our islands that is also well-equipped to host corporate events and business meals to perfection. It is not only about the food – which is exquisite, and led by the philosophy ‘from farm to fork and ocean to plate’ – and it is not only about the excellent wine list; it is also about the décor, atmosphere and overall positive vibe of the place, which also includes VIP areas that were lovingly designed and built stone by stone by Noel himself, showcasing his eye for detail.

Sciacca’s can be described in one word – magnificent. cc

insights need to be transformed into group learning.

Make the space a hard-working tool – Hardworking spaces can be just as much of a tool as anything else a team uses to innovate.

Make the space a reflection of culture and brand – Reflecting brand and culture within a space is a way that design can underscore organisational support for innovation.

Make the space social – Open and relaxed areas for informal conversations are critical components for successful innovation spaces. cc For more information on how your workplace can be designed to foster more innovation, speak to a Steelcase business consultant at Oxford House in Mriehel.

Sciacca Valletta – South Street, Valletta.

T: 2123 7222. Open noon-3.30pm, 6-10.30pm Mon-Sun. Sciacca St Julian’s – St Augustine Street, Paceville.

T: 2133 1310. Open 7-11pm Mon-Sun. www.sciaccamalta.com SEPTEMBER 2016

CC make the headlines

Cashpoint celebrates 20-year anniversary Cashpoint, founded in 1996, is an established company in the sports betting and gaming fields for both land-based and online operations, headquartered in Austria. The company is authorised by the Malta Gaming Authority via its Maltese subsidiary, Cashpoint Malta Ltd. Cashpoint, an operator and B2B supplier, is proud to celebrate a historical milestone with a 20-year anniversary in 2016. It has been part of the Gauselmann Group since 2005 – a multi-national gaming group – which lays a strong foundation for Cashpoint to benefit from additional resources. Cashpoint has its own in-house trading floor and risk management system, and operates on its own proprietary platform. The B2B proposition for partners includes a volume of sports events as well as availability and relevance of popular betting markets.

The fully-managed sportsbook product can be implemented into an existing platform or offered standalone as a white label

Global Freight Solutions Ltd: your preferred freight forwarder As a reliable partner and freight forwarder, Global Freight Solutions Ltd helps its clients to achieve the desired goals. This is possible through the company’s extensive knowledge of the industry, versatility, and cost-saving and problem-solving solutions.

Versatility: Freight forwarders can offer a more versatile approach than regular carriers.

Freight forwarders can carry out inside deliveries, dunnage removal and appointment deliveries more efficiently and effectively. In addition, freight forwarders offer assistance to rectify any shipping mistakes. By way of example, if a crate is shipped to the wrong address, a freight forwarder would go that extra mile to call the customer and provide the relevant information to sort out the issue.

Without hesitation, the

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solution. Integration services and customised solutions are possible with an experienced software development department.

B2B partners will receive two decades of know-how and experience in the sports betting technology, services and operations field.

Cashpoint has set the bar very high to provide both innovative and excellent services that benefit its B2B partners and enable them to move efficiently to the next level. Cashpoint develops and successfully operates retail betting shops, self-service terminals, online and mobile channels.

In terms of regulation and compliance, Cashpoint holds several licenses to provide its

services and is also flexible to adapt to new laws and regulations in different nations. The sports betting group holds official licenses from all Austrian Federal States, the Danish Gambling Authority, the German Ministry of Interior, the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. cc

freight forwarder would take care of all the arrangements to ship the cargo to the correct address.

On the other hand, regular carriers would not go into the hassle of contacting their customers and help sort out the issues.

Freight forwarders can also expedite your shipments quicker than most regular carriers. For example, all regular carriers make it a point to use their various hubs throughout their network. If a regular carrier is used, it is more likely that the customer has to wait for the consolidation to be finalised before the shipments depart. This results in longer transit times. A freight forwarder has the ability to find and offer reliable and ad hoc solutions. Basically, freight forwarders have a stake in your business. When a freight forwarder becomes an extension of your business, they find solutions to improve your overall supply chain. On the other hand,

regular carriers offer one type of service and will not flex to meet the customer’s expectations.

T: 2132 2311; E: B2B@Cashpoint.com; www.cashpoint-solutions.com

Cost savings: A good freight forwarder will make it one of its main goals to increase the customer’s profit. This means not giving the customer dirt-cheap rates on the front end.

Such cheap rates will not provide the value and service that the customer would expect in such a fierce market. The main aim of the carrier is to fulfil its consolidations and is not flexible to expedite the shipment in case of production delays or even worse, line stops. Freight forwarders would normally offer moderate pricing. The reason behind this is that freight forwarders are able to provide multiple solutions for the benefit of the customer and this requires additional resources and would increase the cost on the front end.

The bottom line is that through its expertise and knowledge of the operator’s strengths and weaknesses, Global Freight Solutions Ltd is able to ultimately save on the customer’s overall spending on the required shipments and offer a much faster transit time. cc Global Freight Solutions Ltd, GFS Building, MRA 009, Industrial Estate, Marsa.

T: 2122 1229; E: info@gfs.com.mt; www.gfs.com.mt

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CC INTERVIEW

Working towards creating a maritime centre of excellence Local shipping industry leader Sullivan Maritime recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, but the family behind it, whose name has become synonymous with shipping in Malta, has links to the industry that go back for generations.

Sarah Micallef meets CEO Ernest E. Sullivan to find out just how much the sector has changed over the years, and what lies ahead.

Photos by Alan Carville

“S

hipping is in our blood,” says Sullivan Maritime CEO Ernest E. Sullivan. “My father and grandfather before him were involved in shipping, and I’ve been in it now for over 30 years. You either love it or you hate it, and you certainly have to love it to be in it for so long.”

Looking back on the early days when he started out, Mr Sullivan recalls, “working in shipping in those days was much more difficult. The modes of communicating have changed – I remember times with my father and uncles as a boy, writing letters to ship owners and sending them by registered mail.

We would have to wait for weeks for a reply.

Today, communication is much easier and faster, and it played a big role in modernising our sector.”

Apart from the communications aspect, I ask, how has the sector changed, since then? “Ports and countries in strategic areas,

SEPTEMBER 2016

Malta included, have tried to find ways of capitalising and offering more economically viable and sustainable services to the industry,” Mr Sullivan explains, pointing to the Malta Freeport as a prime example. “The Freeport offers magnificent services to larger ship owners that operate in the transhipment and container trades – it is truly a success story. Volumes are increasing, and today the Freeport is almost full to capacity, which is remarkable,” he continues.

Meanwhile, turning his attention to the domestic scene, Mr Sullivan highlights the vast range of services including fast, regular ferries and cargo ro-ro services which connect Italy and the rest of Europe to Malta on a frequent basis, thanks to the adoption of ‘Just in Time’ services. “Whereas before we were used to services operating on a weekly basis from Genova to Malta, for example, today we’re operating three weekly services,” he says.

“Today, communication is much easier and faster, and it played a big role in modernising our sector.”

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CC INTERVIEW

“I think we are spoiled for choice in terms of services,” he continues, which is certainly a good thing: “It has helped industry and importers to grow and it has helped the Maltese economy, because the economy is very much dependant on the links that exist between Malta and its main trading partners.

This has been a big influence on the results that both the island and the businessman are achieving.”

Sullivan Maritime itself recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and it too has developed in tandem with the industry.

“A lot of time and effort has been put in to improve the level of service that we offer our principals and clients. What we have done from day one is invest in our people – we are a service company, so the connection between management and the people has to be very strong. We listen and make them feel like they are part of our vision,” he explains.

As for the future of the company, that now lies in the hands of the younger generation – Mr Sullivan’s sons Nigel and Karl – who are in the process of gaining the required experience before eventually taking over the leadership of the business. “This business needs the younger generation to take it forward, and we are currently in the process of internally restructuring ourselves so as to start involving them,” he says, adding that their aim will be to make Sullivan Maritime smarter and more automated, as well as to cater for the evolving industry’s needs.

The company’s revamp is also bolstered by a fresh new look, with a new company logo having been unveiled during the anniversary celebration held last month at Madliena Lodge.

“Ports and countries in strategic areas, Malta included, have tried to find ways of capitalising and offering more economically viable and sustainable services to the industry.”

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Asked what is on the agenda in terms of business within the next five years, Mr Sullivan maintains that while there are plans for growth, it is also important to sustain what you have. “We are seeing areas for growth – in shipping, we are looking at turning Malta into a more attractive product by creating what has been called a ‘maritime centre of excellence’. Those are heavy words, and in practice, it won’t be easily achievable, but I believe that there is very good potential and a very strong possibility that it can be achieved. We have very good people within the local maritime sector who can help to drive this forward, and I think that this is where Malta should look – it is strategically positioned within the Mediterranean and we need to take advantage of that situation,” he affirms.

SEPTEMBER 2016

CC INTERVIEW Meanwhile, Mr Sullivan is also Managing Director of Malta Motorways of the Sea – a company that for the most part is managed

by Grimaldi Group in Naples. Indeed, the Sullivans have enjoyed an outstanding business relationship with the Grimaldis for over 50 years, and it is through this strong collaboration, Mr Sullivan maintains, that it was possible to create the various shipping services that today link Malta to Italy and mainland Europe.

“With Malta Motorways of the Sea we are investing heavily in younger and bigger tonnage, which will be utilised to offer better services to the local industry. The company is now ten years old, and the track record has been very positive. It doesn’t stop there of course – we need to have very strong market intelligence and ensure that what we offer is the ideal tool for industry and the economy to grow,” he maintains.

As for what lies on the horizon for the shipping industry in Malta, in an ever more

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connected world where shipping plays an increasingly important role, Mr Sullivan reiterates that our main focus should be making sure that the service which maritime Malta is offering is second to none. “As soon as someone asks the question, ‘why choose Malta?’ the answer must be obvious. How are we going to create that product?” he affirms, outlining the main ingredients towards achieving the end goal.

“Malta has a strategic position within the Mediterranean, which is the gateway to North Africa and the southernmost tip of the EU. It can be a hub for cargo, trade and traffic coming from the Far East to mainland Europe; offers a stable political climate; good weather conditions and two all-weather ports in Valletta and the Freeport; the facilities in terms of dry-docking, which are some of the best in the area; transhipment and oil and gas stations. We need to focus on making the product more upmarket, but other than that, Malta is well on its way,” he concludes. cc

“We are looking at turning Malta into a more attractive product by creating what has been called a ‘maritime centre of excellence’.

Those are heavy words, and in practice, it won’t be easily achievable, but I believe that there is very good potential and a very strong possibility that it can be achieved.”

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Glorious food

The culinary world is a versatile and innovative one, and new stars are always around the corner. Martina Said looks at some popular items which are making waves the world over.

01. Chickpea flour

02. Poke One of Hawaii’s most popular dishes is making its way to the mainland. Poke, pronounced ‘poh-keh’, is a blend of raw fish cubes, vegetables, fruits and spices served in a bowl, and of late, in a wrap. It resembles a mega sushi mash-up, and can be served with or without rice. It’s fresh, healthy and loved for its simplicity, and helping move Hawaiian cuisine into the spotlight.

03. Pork shoulder

05. French toast This comforting meal brings back fond childhood memories, and it’s now getting a new-age upgrade (though I’m not sure it needed one). French toast is set to supersede pancakes and waffles in popularity, presented in new ways and in a variety of flavours. Try out an elevated sweet version, such as strawberry cheesecake French toast or a savoury recipe such as parmesan French toast with hollandaise sauce.

01.

06. Rainbow grilled cheese It seemed food couldn’t possibly get any more colourful after the rainbow cake, but we know there are no limits in the culinary world. The rainbow grilled cheese, which originated in Hong Kong, is essentially a sandwich filled with multiple layers of various cheeses, each one coloured with a complementary flavour, such as green basil-based gruyere and lilac Provolone infused with lavender. The result is a trippy technicolour sandwich of molten cheese that makes for a perfect photo op. cc

02.

www.foodnetwork.com

04.

FOOD&WINE

facebook.com

Pork has gained remarkable popularity in recent years, with pulled pork meals making their way onto many a restaurant’s menu.

One cut that’s getting a lot of attention, however, is pork shoulder. A report released by Google earlier this year on the most popular food searches shows that consumers are looking for different ways to prepare it, and while American barbeque methods rank high, viewers are also curious to try Korean and Cantonese recipes.

It might not be a novelty food trend, but the range of sophisticated recipes now available for this mid-afternoon indulgence certainly are. What started out as a simple chocolate cake recipe mixed in a mug as a budget, quick-fix home dessert has now become a more refined sweet featuring melting middles, multi-flavour combinations and swirls of cream.

www.polkainthekitchen.com

It’s got a variety of names, including besan and gram flour, and is naturally gluten free. Chickpea flour, made up of ground-up chickpeas that are either raw or roasted, is high in protein, iron and fibre, and due to its subtle flavour, can be used for both sweet and savoury dishes.

04. Mug cake

03. www.oetker.co.uk

06. www.eisforeat.com

www.huffingtonpost.com

05.

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CC INTERVIEW

The information age: How digitalisation is shaping the retail sector Beyond the odd text message and promotional email, the digital age we live in is shifting the way we access information, as well as how it is presented to us. Martina Said meets Christian Ganado, Executive Director at Melite Retail Ltd, to find out how digitalisation is affecting the retail sector and consumer behaviour.

T

SEPTEMBER 2016

Photos by Alan Carville

he average smartphone user picks up their device more than 1,500 times per week, according to research carried out by marketing agency Tecmark, and reaches for their phone at 7.31am each morning to check personal emails and Facebook. “That is all advertising potential,” says Christian Ganado, Executive Director at Melite Retail Ltd. “Great advertising works when you match desire with opportunity. In its purest sense, it has the same aim as a loyalty scheme. We know that by observing shopper behaviour online and combining this insight with demographic data, advertising campaigns can be made much more relevant to consumers,” he adds, highlighting but one benefit that digitalisation has to offer to retailers and consumers.

While looking at your phone for an aggregate number of hours a week is said to have its health downsides, the smartphone is fast becoming a primary tool to connect with people and engage with advertising. “People are online practically all the time through one device or another, and I believe in creating a seamless link between the various channels: bricks and mortar, e-commerce, advertising, marketing, as well as Wi-Fi, which is becoming a massive tool that retailers can use to their advantage.”

Mr Ganado, who’s been involved in the retail industry for almost 15 years and in the digital field for eight, explains that with Wi-Fi, retailers can capture their existing clients as well as potential clients by getting people in store as well as outside of their store. “Free Wi-Fi is no longer considered to be a free benefit, but almost a right – people enter shops or restaurants without free Wi-Fi and they almost feel insulted,” he asserts.

In turn, the data collected from Wi-Fi channels could prove to be priceless for a retail company.

“You can find out when people are online, how long they’ve been online, what pages they’ve seen, you get to know their likes and can target their exact desires. Clearly, the user has to give their full consent to this.

“You can find out when people are online, how long they’ve been online, what pages they’ve seen, you get to know their likes and can target their exact desires.”

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CC INTERVIEW

“Some brands in Malta register a higher rate of sales in e-commerce than, for instance, Austria, with a population of eight million people.”

Many companies offer the chance to register through Facebook, and by doing so you’re giving that company the same rights you’ve given Facebook. Speaking for myself, despite being involved in this field, I still never read disclaimers – if I go to the airport and there’s free Wi-Fi and the terms and conditions are five pages long, I just click ‘OK’, after unticking the option to receive a newsletter.”

A company may be able to collect more specific data depending on the carrot they’re willing to offer their customers. For instance, a company may require your name, email address and mobile number to register.

Despite being sceptical about giving away your personal contact number at first, you’d likely be willing to give it up if the reward was a chance to win two flight tickets or a cruise.

“This is where the digital world can add value, as well as understanding someone’s mind-set, when it changes from browsing to buying. At this point, a retailer has a golden opportunity to swoop in with relevant, tailored advertising, and steal a crop of customers from its competitors.”

Mr Ganado adds that, by having customers connect to free Wi-Fi, retailers are able to obtain a device’s unique ID number and track it throughout the shop. This tool opens up a 94

wealth of opportunities for shop owners. “This technology could be used to determine the flow of customer traffic, analyse conversion rates and research dwell times, that is, how long people are staying in a store. Such data could also lend itself to improving the design and layout of a store by finding out which areas are getting more footfall. And for a network of stores, you can compare the data collected from one store with the data of another, enabling you to understand why one store performs better than the other.”

Despite the myriad information in one’s possession, Mr Ganado asserts that one shouldn’t risk being too invasive. “A lot of it is pull and not push as I see it, which is why knowing your customer, their likes and shopping history will help you send them the information that they want and are interested to receive.”

Moving on to the growth of e-commerce, Mr Ganado says that it is indeed a big business, and m-commerce (mobile commerce) is fast catching up with it, which is yet another channel consumers can use to purchase from a brand of their choice. However, there are discrepancies in the popularity of online shopping between one country and another.

“For instance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), e-commerce is and will remain very

low, because people consider shopping to be a form of entertainment. E-commerce in the UAE makes up about four to five per cent of a brand’s global turnover, while in Europe, it makes up about 20 to 30 per cent. Malta is growing and will continue to grow in this regard – some brands in Malta register a higher rate of sales in e-commerce than, for instance, Austria, with a population of eight million people.”

Will there come a time when brick and mortar shops are no longer needed? “Brick and mortar shops will certainly continue to exist in Malta and e-commerce will not take over completely.

As a Mediterranean country with a warm climate, where people like to see and be seen, there is still a culture of shopping around in person. As time passes, however, people are becoming busier and have less time to do so, especially young couples who have to juggle full-time jobs with raising a family. That said, retailers shouldn’t hide behind e-commerce as if it’s a ‘threat’, but rather embrace it, as it’s an important part of the business and if done properly, could be lucrative.”

Mr Ganado says that retailers need to look for ways to engage customers across as many platforms as possible to keep them loyal towards the brand.

SEPTEMBER 2016

CC INTERVIEW Through digitalisation, retailers can lure people onto their online platforms and incentivise them to visit the outlet nearest to them by offering discounts and special promotions on items they would like and potentially buy. Well-trained staff that are social media savvy could also play an important role, as motivated individuals who are familiar with the digital world can attract their own legion of followers that could quickly become potential customers.

Digitalisation has also paved the way for the use of e-receipts. “In the UK, there are 25 million registered users, which out of a population of 70 million people, is substantial. Forecasts show that by May 2017, half the UK population will be registered to receive digital receipts. From the receipts, clients can collect a wealth of data, including what was bought and at what time, and that data could be used to influence customer trends. They also help save companies lots of money in paper and help the environment.”

As part of a number of activities organised by the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry for Malta SME Week

2016, Mr Ganado will be contributing to ‘Digitalisation: Do or Die’, an event that will focus on how retailers can survive the competitive industry through innovation.

“At this conference, we’ll be talking about how retailers can engage with clients and potential clients, grow their reach and revenue, improve the bottom line and use Wi-Fi to their advantage, as well as the data they obtain from it.” cc

DIGITALISATION - DO OR DIE 20 October 2016 1.30pm-5pm Xara Lodge, Rabat Digitalisation and innovation is the name of the game. Be inspired by the industry’s leaders’ experiences to digitise and innovate.

This event forms part of the activities organised for Malta SME Week 2016.

Book your place by sending an email to cheryl.cardona@maltachamber.org.mt www.maltachamber.org.mt

“In the UK, 25 million people are registered to receive e-receipts.

Forecasts show that by May 2017, half the UK population will be registered to receive them.”

CC make the headlines

O&S Shipping perform unprecedented operation with Super Servant 4 While you were busy planning your Santa Marija getaway, the good folks over at O&S Shipping were performing an impressive operation on an even more impressive superyacht down in Birzebbugia.

the equally notable Sunseeker Motor Yacht ‘Fleur’. But the company’s track record over the past year alone encompasses some 60 yachts – the bulk of which are, in fact, superyachts – and the estimates are set to be even bigger for 2016.

The company’s growing success can be attributed to a variety of factors. All yachts need to be registered under a particular country’s flag, and Malta’s own comes with a clear set of benefits. Chief of these being attractive tax incentives… to say nothing of the small matter of Malta being the largest flag registration in the EU. But even in this auspicious industry climate, O&S remain ahead of the curve, being the only company offering an extensive

array of services in the field. Ensuring global connections for all their clients, the company offers container services, water-to-water transport and float in and float out services for sailing yachts, motor yachts, work boats and commercial vessels.

If nothing else, O&S Shipping’s operation with Super Servant 4 – involving as it does not only the company’s own high-quality and flexible approach to industry needs, but also the full collaboration of the authorities – makes good on the Government’s commitment to ensure that the local logistics industry is truly taking advantage of its already sound infrastructure. cc www.oands.com.mt

On 14 August, Malta played host to the Super Servant 4, which came all the way from Southampton to perform a float out operation at the Malta Freeport. The six-hour operation was a first for the island as, instead of discharging the cargo with cranes, the vessel was submersed into the sea to simply allow for the cargo to be floated out – thus becoming a floating dock of sorts.

Serviced by O&S Shipping, the ‘Super Servant 4’ – 169 by 32 metres, with the capacity to submerge up to 20 metres into the sea – is yet another feather in the company’s cap, which only recently also helped facilitate

HSBC Global Asset Management Malta’s portfolio surpasses €1 billion HSBC Global Asset Management (Malta) Ltd has grown past the €1 billion milestone in assets under management and distribution.

HSBC Global Asset Management Malta is part of the HSBC Global Asset Management network with €383 billion in assets under management as at December 2015, and has a presence in over 26 countries and territories worldwide. It specialises in the development and management of investment products and services for clients around the world.

HSBC Global Asset Management (Malta) Ltd Managing Director Muriel Rutland said: “this year, the company will mark 20 years of offering world-class investment and advisory capabilities to clients in Malta. We have had remarkable success. In fact, our main focus is to maintain this healthy performance in the future.”

The company was incorporated in 1996, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC SEPTEMBER 2016

The HSBC Global Asset Management Malta Ltd team (standing L-R) Jesmar Ciappara, Stephania Abela, Gilbert Grech, Muriel Rutland, Glen Mifsud, Christine Frendo, David Lanzon (seated L-R) Jessica Casha, Rebecca Borg, Josianne Farrugia, Lisa Vella, Catherine Farrugia

Bank Malta p.l.c. It was later licensed by the MFSA as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager in 2014. It manages six funds: Malta Bond Fund, Malta Government Bond Fund, Maltese Assets Fund, International Bond Fund, Equity Growth Fund, and HSBC Property Investment Fund.

According to Ms Rutland, the locallymanufactured fund range is targeted mainly at retail investors and it has been observed that most Maltese retail investors prefer to invest in the domestic market, particularly in fixed income. This preference has been reinforced by the fact that Malta’s economy remained resilient during the euro-zone crisis.

Apart from the locally-managed funds, which are distributed through the HSBC branch network, HSBC Global Asset Management Malta also distributes HSBC’s globally-managed fund ranges, namely World Selection Portfolios, Global Investment Funds, Liquidity Funds and the recently launched HSBC Select Funds. More information may be obtained by setting up an appointment with the Financial Advisers at any of the branches.

Earlier in February, HSBC Malta announced the launch of HSBC Select Funds, a range of five funds with differing risk profiles for distribution in Malta. cc 99

CC make the headlines

BMIT infrastructure protects your business from down time Last month, thousands of passengers found themselves stranded all over the world as a power outage caused US airline giant Delta’s IT systems to crash.

In this day and age, and for a company such as Delta, it is almost incomprehensible that such a problem come about as a result of having all IT systems concentrated in one city (in this case Atlanta), and a fault in switchgear creating such a domino effect.

According to the Wall Street Journal, “the technical problems likely will cost Delta millions of dollars in lost revenue and damage its hard-won reputation as the most reliable of the major US-based international carriers, having cancelled just a handful of flights in the most recent quarter.”

These system failures showcase the importance of hosting your data in a

JMV introduces additional quality and traceability assurance on steel reinforcement Over the last 47 years, JMV has successfully forged a solid reputation by establishing unrivalled quality, flexibility and reliability in all its product and service offerings.

JMV is a leading supplier of steel reinforcement and structural elements in Malta and has expanded considerably since 1969, being actively engaged in supplying an ever-growing portfolio of green products and services to construction industry professionals.

Quality control During Q2 of 2016, JMV completed a Rebar Facility Expansion Programme which included the installation and commissioning of additional specialised machinery. In order to give customers better service and quality assurance, JMV invested in a new integrated order processing software which allows order 100

redundant environment across multiple geographical locations, with multiple and redundant power systems as well as regular and continuous testing of the effectiveness of the backup systems.

As Malta’s largest multi-site data centre, and with presence in Milan and Frankfurt, BMIT has been deploying solutions across distinct locations for customers of all sizes, but all with a common requirement to be online, all the time. Such set-ups vary in their nature, ranging from live and backup infrastructures deployed in different BMIT data centres to more complex multi-site IT infrastructures handling massive volumes of traffic.

Systems redundancy is a critical element of BMIT’s infrastructure. All data centre infrastructure caters for any potential system failure inherently in set-up. Moreover, our new 40Gbps private network links the BMIT

data centres in Malta, Milan and Frankfurt via multiple routes, using different carriers and service providers, therefore eliminating single points of failure throughout.

We do not only protect our customers from physical risks, but also virtual attacks.

Depending on the nature of your enterprise, we understand that ‘down time’ is literally not an option. However, a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) could wipe out or limit access to your site and servers for hours, days or even weeks. At BMIT, we operate a multi-tiered DDOS protection and mitigation set-up, built on years of experience in handling such threats. Our DDOS solution forms an integral part of our network, therefore ensuring that both network and customers are protected. cc Contact us today for more information at sales@bmit.com.mt

transmission directly onto different machines in real time, access to current status of orders being processed, approved traceability system of raw materials, barcode printed labels for easy identification and recording and monitoring of material while loading. In addition, JMV’s new Rebar Processing Facilities have reduced raw material waste to almost negligible levels.

Energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions JMV pioneered the introduction of EVG-3D polymer laminate Construction System in Malta by investing in a production-plant and wide-scale education. The system is a key to sustainability for Maltese developers and developments. Being lightweight advanced materials, EVG laminates systems reduce energy consumption in dwellings by up to 50 per cent and reduce the load on building foundations by up to 40 per cent.

The company’s brand and product portfolio includes environmentally-friendly Isomat building materials, Ytong eco load bearing construction blocks and various types of wall insulation, insulated roof-tiles and eco-friendly restoration products. JMV also ensures that its steel raw material imports are sourced from steel mills which are in compliance with international regulations in the reduction of emissions, rational use of resources and sustainable management of plants to ensure environmental protection. The Group also

JMV has provided 47 years of service to Malta’s construction industry

operates an ISO 9001 Quality and Traceability System.

Suppliers and partners JMV has worked together with a wide range of European and international companies including Kerakoll, Pittini Group, EVG Group, Xella Group, C.S.B. Group, Isomat Group, ACO Group, Hughes Brothers & Fortius, and Gutta Italia.

Alternative energy As part of its alternative energy and environmental policy, JMV has invested in a 650Kwp generating photovoltaic plant, which is more than 100 per cent of its electricity consumption. cc For further information contact T: 2146 7421; E: sales@jmvibro.com or visit www.jmvibro.com SEPTEMBER 2016

CC make the headlines

Your preferred storage and logistics partner Oiltanking Malta Ltd was incorporated in 1989 and started its operations in 1992. 55 per cent of the company is owned

by Oiltanking GmbH of Hamburg and 45 per cent is owned by 3i Infrastructure plc. Oiltanking GmbH is one of the world’s largest providers of independent tank storage for crude oil, petroleum products and related liquids, as well as liquid chemicals, gases and dry bulk. Oiltanking operates a network of 80 independent terminals in 23 countries across the five continents, offering its storage capacity exceeding 21 million cubic metres.

Oiltanking Malta offers excellent services and competitive advantages to its customers. It is centrally located in the Mediterranean and close to the main international shipping lanes between Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the

Till final touch with Mallia Bros Mallia Bros has been operating for 45 consecutive years. Specialising in electrical and plumbing work for whatever you can imagine, the company caters for industrial sectors including factories; business sectors like shops and hotels among others; and also private sectors, ranging from apartments to villas.

Pacific Rim and the US. The terminal is ideally positioned to make bulk for long-haul destinations and break bulk for Mediterranean ports. Over the years, Oiltanking Malta has been growing and became a petroleum hub in the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, the terminal offers blending/treatment services of oil cargoes to its customers.

Oiltanking Malta has 25 storage tanks with a total capacity of 562,450 cubic metres. Capacities of the tanks range from 5,000cbm to 38,000cbm. The terminal offers four safe berths for vessels up to 120,000 DWT. Products which can be handled include Gasoline (components), MTBE, gasoil and fuel oil. Its unique location and operational features make Oiltanking the preferred storage and logistics partner for its customers in the Central Mediterranean. Oiltanking Malta operates under the most international rigorous quality and safety standards with very qualified personnel. Oiltanking Malta is committed to protect the environment in which it operates, with constant monitoring programmes being performed to meet or exceed the current European standards.

Oiltanking Malta is a socially responsible entity and supports several programmes with the community specially oriented to educational initiatives. cc

Our aim is to satisfy our clients’ needs. For those who would like to put their mind at rest and leave all the work they require in our hands, we do turnkey projects with best price guaranteed, and, most importantly, the best quality.

In the case of turnkey projects, one can also choose from a vast range of work we specialise in, including: § § §

§ § §

§ § § § § §

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Electrical Plumbing Earth electrodes and all types of earthing systems Machine core drill Sewage pipes Air conditioning work – apart from installation, we also offer the supply of air conditioning units Gypsum work Plastering Tile work Marble work Painting Aluminium

Oiltanking Malta Ltd, Port of Marsaxlokk, Kalafrana, B’Bugia. T: 2165 0230; www.oiltanking.com

Our electrical and plumbing work comes with a ten-year guarantee. Apart from this, we offer a very good after-sales service whatever the problem may be. Our company has a 24-hour on-call technician for clients within the business operating sector. We also do our utmost for clients who require any small repairs or similar by scheduling an appointment at our earliest.

Our motto is ‘Till final touch with Mallia Bros.’ cc

For more information call Matthew Mallia on M: 7947 9065 or Mark Mallia on M: 79467 220.

28, Carman, Triq Bir Miftuh, Gudja.

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CC make the headlines

The effects of the growing gaming industry on rental property With the local gaming industry going from strength to strength, spurring a need for highquality rental properties among foreign employees relocating to Malta, Niki Casolani, Letting Department Director at Belair Property, discusses the impact on the local property market.

How has the gaming industry affected the property market over recent years and would you say the market standards have been raised since the advent of this sector?

This industry has definitely taken the rental market to another level over the past ten years. In the past, many owners used to finish and furnish their rental properties as holiday homes and they would equip them with all their old unwanted furnishings, however, over the years they have realised that this was

not up to standard for gaming employees/ executives and property owners have had to upgrade their properties.

What would a typical employee or executive from the gaming industry look for in a property and can you say that location is also a key factor for them?

Typically, an expatriate working in this sector generally looks for apartments which are clean, modern and bright, and ideally with some outdoor space where they can enjoy our lovely climate. As always when it comes to property, location is a key factor and in this gaming community, it is even more so. In general, most gaming employees/executives do not drive but tend to walk or cycle to work, and since most of their offices tend to be around the main commercial areas of Sliema and St Julian’s, their preferred residential areas tend to be in these same locations and surrounding towns. The fact that this is also where all the pubs, restaurants and cafeterias are located also makes these locations even more appealing.

How has the commercial property market changed since this industry came about?

The commercial property market (particularly offices and office blocks) has changed significantly over the last ten years and a lot of this can definitely be attributed

Empower your people in four easy steps

w Identify person/persons eligible for offering w Send email to these players with the offer w Track if this offer has been actioned w Trigger the offer in the platform

Do you find it difficult to manage the data that drives your business or department? Does your business critical data sit on multiple disconnected systems? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you’re not alone.

The majority of iGaming companies rely on a cumbersome, manual process to collect, analyse and act on critical data. In most cases, it’s still too late, and opportunities to increase revenue have passed you by.

The solution to optimising your iGaming business centres around empowering the key people in your company with real-time access to the data that drives results. They should have the ability to systematically create their own hypotheses and automations, allowing them to focus on optimisation rather than manual tasks which are time-consuming and low value to the bottom line.

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to the gaming sector. We have seen a large increase in purposely-built business centres and office buildings. Many gaming companies were the first tenants of these buildings, and over the years took over additional space within the building they were in or even moved to entirely new buildings and took up larger space there. Bright, openplan spaces with a good standard of finish, high speed internet, backup generators and access to some outdoor area are typical requirements in this sector, and over the next few years we shall also be witnessing a large increase in high specification Grade ‘A’ office developments to cater for the increased demand for higher standards in office space. cc

3. Review the effect of the automation through your BI tool 4. Use the real-time data to refine your hypothesis.

This brings us to AXON Gaming, which enables iGaming companies to track and act upon critical data in real time, while automatically triggering business-related actions in various internal systems.

How to fully optimise your iGaming operation: 1. Connect your systems and monitor the data in real-time 2. Set business rules to automate actions across your systems Example – Providing a deposit bonus automatically

AXON Gaming is packed with features: w Full integration with your internal systems w Unlimited rules and unlimited users w Robust rules engine with easy to use UI w Real-time data in a single customisable dashboard w Data stays where it belongs, safe with you w Big data volume with small footprint. cc To find out more on how your business can benefit from AXON Gaming, contact us on T: 2149 0700; E: info@computimesoftware.com or visit www.computimesoftware.com/axon-gaming

SEPTEMBER 2016

CC make the headlines

His heart stopped!

Will you save him?

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the most common cause of death from heart disease, accounting for more than 63 per cent of all cardiac deaths. In SCA, the heart suddenly stops beating normally.

Without a blood supply, oxygenstarved organs are irreversibly damaged and will quickly fail... within a few minutes.

The only effective treatment for SCA is defibrillation. External defibrillation provides a brief, effective therapeutic electric shock through the person’s chest to the heart, restoring the heart’s normal rhythm. While people with heart problems are at high risk of death from SCA, it can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time without warning, and in some cases is the victim’s only symptom.

Even young people who appear to be healthy, extremely fit athletes and people with no history of heart problems can be victims of this silent killer.

The definitive survival treatment for an SCA victim is a defibrillation shock. Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or ‘chest

Market leaders in the aviation business industry Medavia Technics is the maintenance arm of Medavia, offering MRO services for various aircrafts. Originally set up to service Medavia’s own fleet, the MRO has grown and continued to develop, widening the scope and type approvals. Expertise lies in the establishment and operation of line maintenance stations including technical support, both under normal and AOG situations.

Maintenance services cover heavy base maintenance, full refurbishments, modifications, painting jobs, etc. Medavia’s MRO approvals reflect a successful aviation company that has placed itself as one of the market leaders in the aviation business industry. The company’s goal to continue to grow and prosper is based on ensuring the provision of timely, cost-effective works that are in full compliance with international standards.

Medavia’s state-of-the-art 5,000 square SEPTEMBER 2016

compressions’ and ‘mouth-to-mouth’ breaths only temporarily circulate blood to vital organs, and on their own do not restore a patient’s heart into a healthy rhythm – a shock is needed… and fast!

The average national response time for the arrival of emergency personnel equipped with defibrillators is usually greater than 10–15 minutes – this is too late! This is why immediate access to defibrillators on-site is extremely important.

Each minute of delay in delivering a defibrillation shock to a cardiac arrest victim reduces the chances of survival by ten per cent, meaning that, if a casualty is not

metre hangar is located within the security perimeter of Malta International Airport with a direct taxiway from the main runway to the company’s maintenance facilities and offices. To ensure maximum productivity and efficiency, a fully equipped maintenance area is housed in the same location. All base maintenance is carried out in specialised, dedicated workshops. Other supporting departments such as technical stores, maintenance planning and administration are all available under one roof.

The company has a line maintenance station in Tripoli, Libya, under European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Libyan Aviation Authority. The American Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) approval has also been added to the company’s approvals with current aircraft type approvals including: • Bombardier DHC8-100/200/300/Q400 • Viking Air DHC6 Series • CASA 212 Series • Hawker Beech 1900 Series • Super King Air B200 Series • Dornier 328-100 • BAe 146/RJ The company invests relentlessly in equipping its workforce with the right aptitude, skills and technical knowledge to consistently perform assignments to high levels of accomplishment.

Medavia has regularly sought to reaffirm

shocked within five minutes of collapse, he/ she will have less than 50 per cent chance of survival!

When a sudden cardiac arrest strikes, the first few minutes are critical to survival. In the chaos and confusion surrounding the event, it can be challenging for the average rescuer with only minimal training in CPR and AED use to remember and follow the correct procedures. It’s during these critical minutes that the Powerheart AED G5 becomes priceless. cc For further details contact Technoline Ltd. T: 2134 4345.

its presence at major international expos and events, and will be present at the forthcoming MRO Europe being held in Amsterdam between 18 and 20 October this year (Hall 12 Booth 106).

Medavia also provides CAMO Services and Cabin Crew training. Medavia’s design approved organisation (DOA) complements the range of technical services offered. cc 107

CC MEET THE ARTIST

Exploring the unexpected Justin Falzon’s work is equal parts captivating and mysterious, and at times unsettling. Martina Said meets the artist at his workshop based in Nadur, Gozo, to find out about the nature of his work and the reason behind his choice of concept, which deals with death and the figure in a state of decomposition.

Photos by Matt Hush at Hush Studios, www.thisishush.com

“W

hile studying in Italy, I learned to draw, paint and express myself based on what I truly feel inside. My work doesn’t explore traditional scenes or themes and is not intended to please,” says Justin Falzon with brief hesitation. “There’s nothing wrong with traditional scenes of course, but I believe art should be a reflection of what’s inside, not what’s on the surface. When I look at a work of art, I want to see and feel something deep and profound.”

Justin’s work is certainly a reflection of that belief, one which was shaped by years of trial and error, as well as life experiences.

He recalls showing an interest in art from a very young age. Even in primary school, he’d observe, study and draw whatever surrounded him, and enjoyed delving into detail. “I’ve always known myself to be interested in drawing and painting – I skipped many lessons, especially during secondary school, to escape to the art room.”

After obtaining his ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels in art, Justin moved away from traditional education and attended evening classes at the School of Art in Valletta. In 2005, he

departed for Italy, where he studied Fine Arts at the Lorenzo de Medici Art Institute in Florence. “There weren’t many opportunities to advance in fine arts at the University of Malta at the time,” he explains. “What was interesting about the university I attended in Italy is that it is affiliated with an American university, so teaching methods weren’t as traditional as expected and many of my teachers were liberal and open-minded,

which was refreshing.”

It was during his time spent in Italy that Justin learned and explored the technique of print-making – a medium he eventually chose to focus on during his studies, alongside drawing and painting. “There’s an element of the unexpected with print-making. You never really know what the result will be and it’s only when you actually make a print that you can see the result, which is always a surprise.

“I believe art should be a reflection of what’s inside, not what’s on the surface.”

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CC MEET THE ARTIST

Photo by Matt Hush at Hush Studios, www.thisishush.com

Accidents often occur in the process – sometimes they work, other times they ruin everything you would have worked on until that point, including the plate and the print,” he explains. “Although you can envision what you want to achieve, you can never be too sure of what the final product will look like.”

Justin asserts that the time spent in Italy was formative for him, and shaped him into the artist he is today. “I’m sure I would still be painting and drawing had I not moved, but the teachers and professors I met there helped me express myself through art in a way that I don’t think I would have learned had I stayed here. It’s during my studies there that I learned what art really is.”

It was also during this time that Justin developed the concept that would dominate his work from that point on; a concept that deals with death and the figure in a state of decomposition. His father passed away when Justin was 12 years old, and during the summer before he was due to start his second year at University, he was present when his father’s remains were re-exhumed, 12 years after his death. “This experience was shocking to me and had a drastic effect on me and my practice.” Justin was always

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Parting, Etching

intrigued by the human figure, but the experience shifted his analysis onto bodies in transition and their transformation to the extent of decomposition.

He returned to Italy soon after, and by that point, he was required to explore concepts more deeply and personally. “This is how my experience abroad helped me explore what’s within in a way that was different to before. One of my lecturers used to tell me that it’s not important how well you can paint or draw, or for a painting to look nice.

Take Picasso – his early paintings, which he did when he was around 16 years old, were similar in style to Diego Velázquez’s. Very skillful, but also very different to the style which he eventually became renowned for.”

Despite focusing on a single concept, Justin constantly attempts to create new and unique interpretations of the theme without repeating himself. “I believe it’s important for the process to not be too easy – if you repeat yourself too often, a lot of the work begins to look stylised. Struggling is important, it forces you to dig deep.”

After returning to Malta in 2009 and settling in Nadur, Gozo, Justin continued his career as a full-time artist, although he admits it wasn’t easy at first. “I’d frequently take trips to Rome, Venice and other cities to view exhibitions while I was away, so I had to get used to a much quieter art scene when I returned. Besides working as a full-time artist, I also give evening classes at the Visual and Performing Arts School in Gozo, where I teach print-making, painting and drawing.”

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CC MEET THE ARTIST

Photos by Matt Hush at Hush Studios, www.thisishush.com

“It’s important for the process to not be too easy – struggling forces you to dig deep.”

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The centrepiece in Justin’s workshop in Gozo is undoubtedly the large, imposing etching press which he spends many hours toiling with. He admits the process is a very precise and laborious one which requires a great deal of patience and accuracy. “It all begins with sketches in pencil or ink, which act as the foundation for the drawing which will eventually get etched onto the copper plate. Each plate needs to be cleaned with light sandpaper and white spirit, and the edges rounded so as to avoid tearing the paper once it’s pressed.”

Justin says that developing sketches first is a matter of personal preference. “The sketches act as a reference and are not

identical to what will eventually be etched onto the plate. Once I’m satisfied with a sketch, I move on to the etching and apply whatever technique I’ll be using for that print.” The paper must be soaked in water before printing, but used while damp. At the final stages, the plate covered with ink is placed on the press and a sheet of paper placed on top of it. A blanket is placed over everything and the roller is manually passed through the press. The process must be repeated for each print, with a fresh layer of ink washed over the plate every time.

“The plate needs to be cleaned thoroughly after each print so as to avoid dirtying the paper of the next one, which we do using

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Photo by Matt Hush at Hush Studios, www.thisishush.com

Superbia, Etching

“In the case of print-making, a crisp and presentable final product is of utmost importance.”

resin powder and a cloth. You wouldn’t want to find a speck of ink in the wrong place because you didn’t clean the plate well enough – in the case of print-making, a crisp and presentable final product is of utmost importance.” As for his paintings, Justin uses oils on canvas, wood and paper, and explores the same theme in a variety of earthy tones, contrasting with the darker and more severe look depicted in his prints.

One of the artist’s major highlights to date was his participation in a prestigious exhibition which only drew to a close a few weeks ago.

“One of my prints was featured at the annual summer exhibition of the Royal Academy of Art in London, which featured the works of 1,200 artists from around the world. One of the best things about the exhibition, which will celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2018, is that it features up and coming artists alongside

international ones, the likes of Tracy Emin and Michael Craig-Martin who are of international fame.”

Following a number of local solo exhibitions, namely Justetchings at Art..e Gallery in Victoria, Gozo, in 2011, Skullscapes at Banca Giuratale in Victoria, Gozo, in 2013, and Paintings & Etchings at Studio 104 Fine Art Space in Valletta in 2014, Justin is looking forward to a collective exhibition later this year, Imprint, at Art..e Gallery from 12 November to 9 December, featuring works by himself, Antoine Camilleri, Alfred Chircop, Carmenu Mangion, Austin Camilleri, Pawl Carbonaro, Jesmond Vassallo, Lino Borg and Robert Zahra. cc Skullscape, oil on wood

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