Executive Traveller - Malta's Economic Vision - November 2021

executive TRAVELLER

Malta's Economic Vision

November 2021

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PUBLISHING EDITOR

This was quite a challenging year for the country.

Andrea Trapani atrapani@executivefbo.com Omar Vella marketing@executivefbo.com

Malta has been put on the grey list by the Financial

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Rebecca Pace adverts@unionprint.com.mt

DESIGN Robert Caruana rcaruana@unionprint.com.mt

Action Task Force (FATF), the global money the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt across all industries.

Malta is called to act so as to turn challenges into opportunities. The recent launch of Malta’s Economic Vision 2021 - 2031 is a clear indication of where the government wants to go in the years

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to come thus prioritizing on innovation and green

Union Print Co. Ltd. www.unionprint.com.mt

business whilst consolidating key niche sectors

PUBLISHER Executive Aviation Malta Ltd

CONTRIBUTORS Special thanks for the production of this edition goes to LUXPRO 360 as the main contributor and sponsor, as well as all other contributor and sponsor, as well as all other contributors for their time and images. We also thank all advertisers for their support to ensure the constant growth of the magazine.

ADVERTISING For advertising in our next issue, please send an email to Ms Rebecca Pace on marketing@aviapros.com or call +356 9944 1432, +356 7909 8198.

Indeed gaming continues to play a key role in Malta’s economy. According to MGA's 2020 Annual Report, the total Gross Value Added generated by the gaming industry during 2020 is estimated at €924 million, around 8% of the economy’s total. 62.3% of the total GR of the B2C licensees was generated through Type 1 gambling, 78.2% of which came from slot games. The sector directly generated almost 8,300 jobs.

Yet for Malta’s economic vision to succeed, education needs to play a fundamental role. Never like today has the need for talent been so important.

Never like today has the importance of quality

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human resources been so essential for the country to thrive in the years to come.

Omar Vella Editor / Andrea Trapani Editor and Publisher

Disclaimer: Particular attention has been given to ensure that all the content of this magazine is correct and up to date as on date as issue. The views expressed in the articles and technical papers are those of the authors and are not neccessarily endorsed by the publisher. While every care has been taking during production, the publisher does not accept any liability for errors that may have occurred. Copyright© 2021.

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SiGMA

The company has been first and foremost always geared towards quality with our broad range of experts in the fields of both media and tech ensuring that our clients never leave our events disappointed. Every project SiGMA takes on, whether the logistics of a massive live event or the carefully tailored appeal of a social media campaign, is taken on with excellence in mind.

Starting from humble beginnings and a handful of local firms, SiGMA has come a long way from those first few hectic days in 2014. Since then, SiGMA has managed to expand not only in the scale of its operations but also in its ambitions to be one of the premier organisations for gaming and emerging tech events. Hosting over 15,000 delegates in 2019, an increased appetite for live events means that Malta Week has meant the construction of a brandnew tent at the MFCC , SiGMA Group has also gone international with expos planned across Africa, Asia and the Americas for 2022.

As an events company, SiGMA has always had a keen focus on people and networking, with the company hosting 11 iGathering dinners in parallel to the flagship expos - with more planned in November during Malta Week. With a similarly busy schedule planned for next year, the near future will be anything but boring.

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SiGMA has also invested heavily in its media presence, allowing it to further cement it as the main touchpoint for any news pertaining to gaming and bleeding edge tech. This presence doesn’t just cross industries but even national borders with the main site being available for your viewing pleasure in ten different international languages with more content in the pipeline such as SiGMA TV, SiGMA News and the ever-popular Executive Series interviews for C-level executives.

With its origins as a start-up in recent memory, SiGMA has maintained its entrepreneurial spirit that is constantly seeking to be on the edge of new, exciting and promising industries such as blockchain, AI, medical technology and anything else with the potential to change lives for the better.

After the long and torturous period of uncertainty that the pandemic brought with it, we are very happy to say that the delegates joining us this year at MFCC will be able to broaden their horizons not only in the ever-evolving sector of gaming but also in the infinitely exciting worlds of emerging technologies through AIBC and of marketing affiliation through Affiliate Grand Slam. The conference is expecting thousands of international delegates who’ll be in a position to benefit from the same debates, panels and networking opportunities that the many past attendees from the last 3 expos have also benefited from. However, this time, SiGMA, AIBC and AGS will all be present back-to-back,

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allowing entrepreneurs, regulators and policy makers unprecedented opportunities to cross-pollinate. This will let our lucky participants link up with leaders in the industries of the future and the investors who want to be part of the wave of a brighter tomorrow.

Seeing the powerful role startups could play in a more innovative and productive global market, SiGMA has provided these potential unicorns with their own space to shine on both the expo floor as well as through the launch of an investment fund with a benefit worth ranging from €25,000 to €500,000. Beyond this, the delegates can also benefit from childcare services, an Esports Arena, an exciting SiGMA Night starring artist and philanthropist-entrepreneur Akon as well as other frontline artists such as DJ Djibril Cissé and DJ Ruby, their performance punctuated with an electrifying performance by a troupe of cyber dancers. The delegates can also enjoy more leisurely networking activities such as football or a friendly padel tournament.

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Even in the wake of a pandemic, Malta has proven itself to be agile and infinitely adaptable when it comes to taking on any challenges a new environment might throw at it. Therefore, Malta’s lovely beaches, skilled and bilingual population and progressive legislative environment would gladly accommodate any brave entrepreneurs seeking to disrupt the market. With such a future-focused mindset, we would be amiss to not hint at what we have planning in the pipeline. The SiGMA Group is deeply excited to be exploring the infinite potential of new markets such as Kenya, Toronto and Ukraine.

In terms of education, we are excited to say that we are working on SiGMA College - an accredited and free e-learning course that would introduce newcomers to the exciting field of Gaming with more courses planned down the line. Putting its vast network of gaming, blockchain and emerging tech experts to good use educating the next generation of high-tech pioneers is an opportunity with too much potential to pass up.

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nation of courage, compassion, and achievement. This is the greatest legacy we have built together, made up of outstanding tenets which define us as a country. But Malta has also managed to build a sustainable and robust economic policy over the years. The same policy which enabled us to withstand the turbulence brought about by the pandemic, wherein the government doubled the expenditure for health and education, provided a shoulder to businesses, while simultaneously adopting a holistic vision which prevented every individual from falling by the wayside. This required a staggering investment of more than €40 million a month for a number of months, in order to protect the livelihood of 100,000 families.

Eventually, we have seen the economy recover to pre-pandemic growth levels and consumer confidence in businesses restored. In effect, in the second quarter of the year, Malta has statistically recorded economic growth of 13.4%, with investment reaching a record figure of €841 million, while unemployment fell to its lowest level in history.

SILVIO SCHEMBRI

MINISTER FOR ECONOMY AND INDUSTRY

In the wake of such encouraging results, the next step was the creation of an economic vision which plans for the longer-term; a vision which impacts the whole country and more crucially, our up and coming generations.

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With the same sense of courage, compassion, and achievement, the Government has, during the past months, announced the foundation for the building of a Future-proof Malta 2031. The goal is to create future-focused, outcome-oriented solutions that are purposedriven and transformational rather than quick fixes for the next couple of years.

Based on five pillars, Malta’s Economic Vision 20212031 was launched for public consultation based on fundamental themes centred around: • Sustainable Economic Growth geared towards quality-of-life improvements and increased resilience • High Quality Infrastructure and Investment • Education and Employment • Environment • High Standards of Accountability, Governance and Rule of Law At the helm of the Ministry for the Economy, my work is focused on paving the way for the next decade. The vision aims to foster a new mindset when it comes to policy-making, innovation, and tangible achievements with economic growth at its core, capable of addressing emerging challenges, while identifying relevant solutions.

My adopted approach is geared towards taking advantage of the futuristic trends that the pandemic has spawned, such as remote working, which provides a solid basis for expanding the service-based economy that Malta is renowned for around the world. This involves fully embracing the fourth industrial revolution, based on advanced technology that determines the way we live, work, and relate to each other.

Therefore, in concrete terms, our mission is to establish a Malta that is a centre of excellence in innovation. Malta has built a robust technological infrastructure, as witnessed with the launch of the second fibre-optic cable on our sister island.

We are fully aware that the future is digital, and the future is now.

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Accordingly, it’s high time to strive for the next level and build stronger on economic niches wherein we enjoy an excellent international reputation such as in iGaming, Esports, VideoGame Development, IOT, Blockchain and ICT. However, to maintain and further improve our country’s optimum economic level, we need to transform the education system in a significant way, so that education is no longer just a defined phase but an ongoing process. Only through an education system which mobilises and bolsters its workforce can we secure an economy wherein the quality of life is topnotch, propelled along by a strong investment towards our infrastructure, which is required for our country to remain competitive. It is this foresight which led to the announcement of the largest industrial infrastructure plan designed for our country, valued at 470 million euro, in the midst of a pandemic.

Complementing these pillars are governance, accountability, and the rule of law which we must continue to protect and enforce. Furthermore, we need to strike a balance between economic prosperity

and the protection of the environment. One cannot have a healthy economy if the environment is decrepit, and one cannot have a protected environment if the economy is weak. Ergo, environmental transformation is the best economic opportunity this generation holds – the chance to build a carbon-neutral society, which will create great opportunities for both existing and prospective businesses. The Government is also dedicated to building an economy that respects the principles of social justice, equal opportunity and benefits, which will ensure the wellbeing of the many and not the few.

The measures announced in Budget 2022, can be seen as the first step towards such revolutionary horizons. As a Government, we remain committed to providing the peace of mind required for investment to continue to flourish. As the International Credit Agencies and Central Bank correctly predicted, the resilience of our economy is a certainty. With industry’s support, we shall unyieldingly strive to build the Malta we want for ourselves and our children - a country, which is ultimately a joy to live in, with an economy that benefits all.

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MALTA'S ECONOMIC VISION 2021 - 2031

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VISION To be a fair and highly prosperous nation that cultivates, supports and promotes ongoing investment in research, innovation, creativity, human resource development and our natural and urban environment so as to ameliorate the standard of living for all the citizens of Malta and Gozo.

MISSION To ensure Malta’s future success by placing emphasis on community vitality, virtualisation and innovative solutions to position the country as a flourishing ‘digital island of the future’ and amongst the best global economies with national competitiveness as its core value. This will be achieved through harnessing a quality-seeking mentality, high value-driven industries, a strong infrastructure, technological process and robust government policies aimed at fostering creativity, courage and compassion.

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MALTA'S ECONOMIC VISION 2021 - 2031

A FUTURE-PROOF MALTA CLYDE CARUANA

MINISTER OF FINANCE

A nation of courage, compassion and achievement.

THE 5 PILLARS TRANSFORMING OUR VISION INTO ACTION

Sustainable Economic Growth

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Infrastructure & Investment

Education & Employment

Environment

Governance & Rule of Law

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n economy is a living system and like any other system it needs to adapt to survive especially in view of changing environments, contexts, and trends. To remain competitive and attractive in an ever more interconnected world, Malta needs to constantly reassess itself, its economic direction, and its vision.

In building a vision and in steering a country’s economy, one must build on several foundational elements or pillars to ensure that the chosen path is robust and holistic. Given Malta’s current state of play, there are four pillars which I believe are critical for Malta to focus on in the coming months.

Institutions. Various reports and FATF’s verdict on Malta’s AML readiness point to several institutional gaps and weaknesses. Government has already launched several reforms however it is time to delve deeper into institutional weaknesses, resources, and transformation. A governance transformation reform process should be started to ensure that institutions are truly digitally transformed and able to leverage the full benefits of technology to become digital to the core. This will bring about several benefits to society at large especially businesses that deal so often with institutions and regulators. Special focus needs to be given to financial institutions, especially the banks, as the private sector is feeling that it is not being wellserved by the current set-up. Several market failures exist and although institutions such as the Malta Development Bank exist, such failures still exist and are hampering the market to fully develop. Malta’s smallness can truly support this transformation which will not only support efficiencies in time but also in quality of institutional and regulatory interactions.

Such quality is important as it is a key determining factor in good governance, investment attractiveness, economic productivity and finally competitiveness.

Investment. A country’s investment comes primarily from either the private sector or from Government. Over the past few years, Government has invested substantially across various sectors. The private sector has too invested across different sectors

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Preparing for tomorrow, today JP FABRI

and continues to invest. What is now crucial is for Government to truly steer in which direction and areas the private sector should really invest in. As a country, the need for a green transition has been internalized and Government is focused on delivering a zero-carbon economy by 2050. To this end, various incentives and schemes were launched to support investments in green technologies and infrastructure. Also, investments in the digital transformation are being supported. In the Budget delivered this year, Government launched a tax scheme which will be aimed at supporting companies in reinvesting profits. Although there are still limited details on this, the principle behind such a scheme is very welcome and has potential to support investment initiatives.

Innovation. Innovation is going to be critical for Malta’s economy to remain competitive and attractive in the future. Malta needs to further strengthen its innovation ecosystem at all levels especially business investment in research and development. Given the risk involved, there currently exists a market failure in the financial and banking system in their ability to finance such investments. Here again, the Malta Development Bank needs to play a key role in making available patient finance to finance research and innovation projects. Government has launched numerous schemes in this regard but even here I believe that more needs to be done to develop the ecosystem holistically and to ensure that SMEs can truly invest in research and innovation. A key point for the ecosystem to fully-develop and thrive is to ensure the right number of students and workers with a science, technical or engineering background to be engaged in research projects. The University of Malta is already doing a lot of good work in this area with several centres of excellence existing in various fields. However, innovation needs to be further engrained with local companies to truly ensure that it will translate into economic activity.

Infrastructure. Over the past few years, a lot of investment has gone into the hard infrastructure, primarily roads. Government has also announced investment in industrial infrastructure through the upgrading of various industrial zones. However, Malta requires investment across a broad spectrum of infrastructure including the educational system.

Malta needs an educational system that is future-ready and can meet the demands of industry. There are other elements that Malta needs to focus on in its infrastructural requirements including transportation, banking infrastructure and digital. From a building perspective, it is critical to start focusing much more on renovation and regeneration.

An economy requires nurture, adaptation, and a vision. Although a lot has been done to support the island move out of the economic recession brought about by COVID-19, more needs to be done on our long-term approach towards economic policy.

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Strengthening infrastructure for aviation industry The local aviation industry and its variety of services were growing up into a highly-specialized cluster of diverse activities in the years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which growth was made possible by the constant support including the investment in the industrial infrastructure spearheaded by INDIS Malta.

The growth of the aviation industry was somewhat ground to a halt when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and grounded most aircraft for long periods of time, severely impacting this industry which indeed was among the worst hit by the pandemic.

In these challenging times and in order to ensure that the economy continues to progress on its path to recovery and returns to prosper, it is crucial for the country to have the necessary industrial infrastructure to accommodate new investments and facilitate the growth and expansion of existing operations.

Within this context and with the firm belief that once the international economy starts to regain momentum there will be many opportunities for the country to take advantage of, INDIS Malta embarked on an ambitious industrial infrastructure programme.

With an investment of €470 million, this programme is aimed at addressing not only the current shortage in the supply of readilyavailable industrial properties, but also the foreseen needs of the country in the years to come, thereby future-proofing industrial infrastructure.

This programme comprises a wide variety of projects which have one common aim, that is to provide industrial innovative solutions to the companies that require space within the industries serviced by INDIS Malta in a sustainable manner.

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Amongst others, these include factories for manufacturing, laboratories for the life sciences industries, office space for ICT and other knowledge-intensive industries, as well as other projects that are tailor-made to address the specific needs of the aviation and related industries.

Such projects aimed at the aviation industry include, among others, an investment of €5 million to upgrade Taxiway Lima within the perimeter of the airport. As part of this project being implemented by INDIS Malta, the taxiway will be widened to accommodate wide-body aircraft, thereby enabling the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in this area to attract a new range of clients that they were previously unable to target before.

Also considering the new facilities being built in this same area with the support of INDIS Malta which are envisaged to create even more footfall, another €5 million are being invested in the development of a car park that will cater for the needs of the increased workforce as well as the additional clients that will be visiting them, thereby enabling the aviation industry’s further growth.

Such projects build on previous investment that was made to create and facilitate the growth of the local aviation cluster, which in addition to the maintenance services for both fixed and rotary aircraft including the related engineering services, nowadays also includes spray-painting facilities, as well as services for aircraft management, air ambulance and emergency medical services, and offshore services for industries such as oil and gas, among many other services.

Malta’s strategic position makes the small island nation in the Mediterranean a natural choice amongst investors and operators in the aviation industry, as it can give them easy access to nearby markets whilst taking advantage of the multitude of other benefits that Malta offers to investors. Amid such extraordinary circumstances as those experienced in the past months, the investment made to boost the industrial infrastructure will contribute towards ensuring that Malta comes out stronger than before, creating more wealth and employment opportunities for the benefit of all.

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Private Jets

A BOOMING REALITY

ANDREA TRAPANI

CEO, EXECUTIVE AVIATION MALTA

It is common knowledge that the aviation industry, especially the airlines, was hit hard by the pandemic. Initially, even private aviation took a hit, however, our industry swiftly bounced back and grew significantly as more people chose private jets over other modes of transport. Although our sector had its fair share of casualties, the exclusivity that we offer our customers offered new opportunities to reap rewards from. The reason why today we are facing a thriving private jet business across the world is a by-product of the pandemic. We are experiencing a boom in private jet charter

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and aircraft sales. Some private jet operators are barely coping with demand. COVID-19 has brought along a wave of opportunities for certain niche industries, including business aviation and the service providers supporting it.

When analysed properly, the main reasons for this phenomenon are clear. Private jets have suddenly become the only way to get to a location of business if you need to be there on time. Since airlines reduced their schedule frequencies, the only way to reach certain destinations is by means of a private/business

jet. The same applies to medical emergencies, hospital visits and treatments. People who had to travel for medical reasons found that, on occasions, they could only reach their intended destination with a chartered jet. Many people who are used to flying in Business or First Class suddenly discovered private aviation and the associated comfort and efficiency bizjets offer. Flying to business meetings did not seem to be such an effort anymore. The wider choice of airports as compared to what airliners offer is another added incentive. This increase in demand created a domino effect on subsidiaries and third-party service providers including FBOs like us. As Malta’s practically only fully dedicated private/business jet handler, we have registered an increase in the number of flights to and from Malta this summer, partly thanks to a popular jurisdiction for aircraft AOC operation and also because of Malta’s unique attraction when it comes to leisure travel or high-end tourism.

In Malta today there is plenty of scope to improve

improving our facilities and services. We continue to be the only local service provider with a unique inhouse fleet of executive vehicles including Mercedes, BMW and Range Rover to support our VIP passenger demands. We have recently reinvigorated our branding, launched our new web portal and spiced up our social media coverage. Executive Aviation Malta has always been innovative: we were the first to introduce airside crew/PAX facilities and VIP ramp executive vehicles. We will remain focused on this type of approach when running our business. We owe it to our customers.

our GAT facilities to a level that our customers are accustomed to at other FBO locations worldwide.

At Executive Aviation Malta, we are continuously investing in the training of our personnel and on

can dream it, you can do it”. It has always been my dream to improve customer experience and I would like to think that we can dream and move forward together.

Notwithstanding the challenges in our industry, we remain resilient and look forward to embracing new challenges. I feel that our niche industry is like one big family and we are all in this together. As owner and CEO of Executive Aviation Malta, I am always keen to meet and discuss new opportunities especially as the industry evolves into a greener and more sustainable one. Walt Disney once said “If you

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FLEXJET Flexjet first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing.

Flexjet’s fractional aircraft programme is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 22 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, a 4AIR Bronze Sustainable Rating and is ISBAO compliant at Level 2.

Flexjet’s fractional programme fields an exclusive array of business aircraft. In 2015, Flexjet introduced Red Label by Flexjet, which features the youngest fleet in the industry, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are more than 40 different interior designs across its fleet, which includes the Embraer Phenom 300, Legacy 450 and Praetor 500, Bombardier Challenger 350, the Gulfstream G450, G650 and G700. Flexjet’s European fleet includes the Embraer Legacy 500 and Praetor 600. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies.

For more details on innovative programmes and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com or follow us on Twitter @Flexjet and on Instagram @FlexjetLLC.

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LONDON, July 21, 2021 – Fractional fleet operator Flexjet, part of the Directional Aviation family, has been awarded an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for Malta, as it continues to expand its European operation.

The move marks an important milestone in the company’s international expansion plan, which has seen its fleet of aircraft grow in Europe by 40% alone in 2021.

Flexjet’s new Malta Operational Centre, situated in the heart of Sliema, complements its existing European headquarters in London’s Mayfair; Tactical Control Centre in St Albans, UK; and its aircraft maintenance facility based in Milan, Italy.

The new AOC gives Flexjet more operational reach as it extends its offering to a growing number of European Owners and premium programme clients.

The fractional fleet operator has selected an Embraer Legacy 500 as the first aircraft to operate under the new registration. The midsize jet offers a range of up to 5,793 km, or around six hours flight time, and is part of the company’s prestigious and growing fleet in Europe.

Flexjet also operates Embraer Praetor 600 supermidsize jets, giving its European Owners greater freedom, with the ability to fly directly to the East Coast of the US and the Middle East.

With its long-established US operation headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Flexjet launched in Europe in late 2019. The launch followed several years of significant investment and planning. The European arm, led by

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EXPANDING THE EUROPEAN FLEET AND OPERATION, SECURING AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE (AOC) FOR MALTA

New Maltese operation underscores ambitious growth plans for the premium private jet fleet operator Complements the existing Flexjet European operation based in the UK, which has grown its fleet by 40% in the past six months Legacy 500 is the first aircraft to operate under the new 9H-registration, with more planned to follow

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European Managing Director Marine Eugène, has since grown its fleet and operation through further investment in infrastructure, crew and aircraft – following a $1.4 billion order from Embraer.

The group’s European fleet operations were also expanded by Directional Aviation’s acquisition of UK-based helicopter operator Halo Aviation in May, in addition to the closer integration of charter arm PrivateFly. Marine Eugène, Flexjet European Managing Director, said: “Flexjet Owners are flying an increasing variety of routes within Europe and beyond, and our Maltese AOC allows us more reach and additional operational flexibility."

“We enjoyed working closely in partnership with Transport Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate, who share our commitment to the highest standards of safety and compliance."

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“I am also delighted to establish our new regional Operational Centre within the professional Maltese aviation community, which will undoubtedly prove an important asset as we continue to grow Flexjet throughout Europe. “Our first 9H-registration for Flexjet is an important milestone, and one that we plan to build upon over the coming months.”

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“Our first 9H-registration for Flexjet is an important milestone, and one that we plan to build upon over the coming months.”

Charles Pace, Director General, Civil Aviation Directorate Transport Malta (TM-CAD) added: “We are proud to have an operator of Flexjet’s calibre join our aviation community in Malta. Granting an AOC requires a rigorous evaluation of ownership and control, operational capability, safety standards, maintenance and documentation.

The Flexjet team was well-prepared for the process and able to demonstrate consistently excellent standards across the board. We were highly impressed by their safety-first philosophy, their experienced team, aircraft, and crew - and confident of a bright future. I would like to thank the CAD inspectors who worked on the project and the Flexjet management who entrusted CAD with their new company.”

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A Photographer’s Reflections INTERVIEW WITH

RENE ROSSIGNAUD PHOTOGRAPHER

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here to begin?

Rene Rossignaud, blunt, to the point, adventurous, a nonconformist and above all talented, incredibly talented.

A true magician with the lens who is always ready to shoot something amazing, something particular, something which confirms why irrespective of whether people like him or not, they all agree that he is certainly one of Malta’s best talents. Rene recently shared with Atelier his passion for photography, what attracts his photographic lens and why he feels at home working in war zones.

Were you born with a camera in your hand or at what point did you start?

No, and I never expected to follow this line. It was however sport that got me into photography. I was a BMX fanatic for 20 years of my life, I travelled to the UK on many occasions to compete in international events. I had bought myself a good camera back in 1994 to capture photos of us jumping high up, or water jumping into the sea. This is where the love started. At the age of 15 I started snapping lightning storms and had an image published front page of the Malta Independent. I later was employed by them until 2004. In 1996 I started an arts, photography and sculpture 3 year diploma course. And I had excelled in photography so I choose to try this out for a living.

In a recent interview you noted, "my work is my life." Can you elaborate?

I cannot imagine myself doing anything else, it’s my life now, my income, my passion and most importantly something I love to do. They say, choose a job which you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.

What does the term creative mean to you?

Thinking out of the box, looking for things others don’t see. Being different and at times I feel being weird helps too.

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What inspires you?

Music is key to me, and today I feel I have no idea where my life would be without music. Obviously travel also inspires me and makes me more creative, but travel with music is always a better mix.

Who were your early influences?

No one to be honest with you! However when I started photojournalism I read a lot about Steve McCurry, the famous National Geographic photographer who snapped the Afghan girl photo, possibly the most famous image on earth. I had the opportunity to have dinner with him a few years ago, and in 2019 I crossed into the border of Iran and Afghanistan to capture portraits of these beautiful eyed Persian / Afghan kids.

How would you describe your style?

It’s purely casual, reportage, journalistic. I hate posing people, and my style is all about capturing the moment without disturbing the person or the scene.

In what way is photography an art and a means of expression?

It’s an art because each person can be different from each other and visually an image can tell a full story if one is creative. As for a means of expression, a photographer at times can portray his mood and feelings with the style of image he shot, but also he can show the love, pain or suffering of others with his image.

Why do you love working in war zones?

It’s a short and simple answer, because I feel like I am home. It’s what I am meant to do, it feels so right to be there. Plus let’s admit that I’m an adrenaline junky.

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What advice would you share with aspiring photographers?

Start young, I started at 15 and by 18 I had already a full time job in this field. And also don’t let anyone tarnish your dreams. Back when I started, people or even family would laugh at me, saying I can never make a decent living from this. Today I look at them and I smile and think how wrong they all were.

What's next for Rene Rossignaud?

Well in 2014 I published my first autobiography book which was sold out in a number of months. In 2020 I had promised myself a new book and also a nice exhibition of one specific country I was going to visit, this country is known as the most dangerous place on earth for foreigners. Unfortunately COVID changed my plan and dreams, so all these plans are on hold, but still waiting for the right time to start working on this again.

In the future I want to keep growing my international clients and keep traveling the globe.

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the courage to do

BUSINESS REUBEN BUTTIGIEG

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ntil few years back, Malta, amongst other things, used to promote the attitude of its people and professionals. Indeed, we have seen various presentations stating the can do attitude of the Maltese people clearly showing that Malta is ready for challenges. Fast forward a few years and it seems that everyone is afraid to work and afraid to do business.

The main problem started with the banks which went beyond any imaginable or reasonable interpretation of AML legislation, rules and policies.

The same laws apply to foreign banks yet it is easier to open a bank account in another EU country than in Malta. Up to recently professionals became used to seeking the opening of bank accounts abroad.

Recently however, this also became a challenge since FATF put Malta on its grey list.

In order to meet commitments or in order to accelerate the removing Malta from any grey listing the Authorities changed their attitude and businesses are now subject to procedures which may be totally unfair. Professionals are inundated with compliance requests from various authorities and agencies amongst others FIAU, MBR, MFSA and Tax Authorities. This has created a lot of administration burden since these authorities are not coordinated and the same information being requested on various fronts. Apart from this is

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however the annoyed attitude of the professionals and that of trying to over comply since everyone is afraid to get it wrong and to be subject to the current attitude of certain Authorities whereby everyone seems to be guilty until proved innocent.

The political scenario is not assisting the business world at all. Indeed, the pressures on the Authorities are leading to further pressures on businesses from the former in order to ensure not to be criticised. They seem to be afraid to take logical decisions and a can-do attitude towards business as they are afraid of some possible mistake being interpreted in an out of context manner which is very much the norm nowadays.

It seems that no one can any longer understand that in a small state there are bound to be certain challenges which cannot be solved like in a larger country unless we start importing foreigners in various positions. One time this was our main

advantage yet it seems we are now all engaged to ensure we promote it as our weakness. One stop shops were a major contributor to the financial services industry in Malta. Now it seems to be seen as something bad with imaginative “conflicts of interest” and some also claiming that certain professions should not be under the same roof.

I believe we were right in the past and we have become over cautious. It is imperative now that we take action to address the above matters with urgency if Malta’s economy is to stand the challenges it is being faced with. Consequently, I would recommend: •

A central due diligence unit which may fall under the Malta Business Registry (MBR) cap.

If MBR has incorporated a company than it should be imposed on banks that they cannot refuse to open a bank account to that company and that the same bank should rely on the due

diligence engaged by the said MBR. A similar system may be created for sole traders.

•

All professionals and Authorities should rely on the work done by MBR on onboarding unless obviously there are ulterior motives not to accept the business.

•

Authorities are appropriately equipped with human talent that are both technical and practical in order to ensure that we streamline the procedures whereby Authorities become again approachable to address challenges.

•

Introduce an AML and Tax Ombudsman whereby persons may address injustices that have been faced with.

These measures can be relatively simple but I believe that may give a much needed recovery in doing business and attracting business on the island.

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A DIGITAL MALTA

INTERVIEW WITH

ABRAHAM ABELA

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER - MDIA

How has the MDIA evolved over the past three years?

Since its inception, in 2018, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) was all about supporting Government and the private sector in building quality tech arrangements and certifying that they are fit for purpose.

Building relationships and setting up robust internal structures was an essential part of the Authority’s work in the following year. Given that digital innovation is fast-paced and continuously changing, in 2019 MDIA set out to establish a framework to verify the quality, and trustworthiness of DLTbased systems via a technological certification process.

That same year, MDIA certified a number of independent Systems Auditors (SAs), including reputable audit firms, and provided technical assistance to the public and private sector in an effort to raise awareness and use of innovative technology. Licensing SAs was a crucial step in ensuring trustworthy innovative technology arrangements (ITAs). The SAs act as gatekeepers, ensuring the ITA’s

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actual implementation and quality assurance processes.

Moreover, MDIA took the initiative of widening its certification remit beyond DLTs to include cybersecurity, data protection and any critical system with a considerable or high risk.

After spending the first half of the year focusing on blockchain technology and establishing the accreditation process for SAs as well as the framework for such technology, in mid-2019 MDIA focused more on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

In 2020 the MDIA was entrusted with the monitoring of the implementation of the AI Strategy. MDIA was excited to embark on this project because the Authority’s philosophy is that innovation technology is key in the process of transforming Malta into a digital society. As such, Malta has set its vision to become the Ultimate AI Launchpad by 2030.

Striving to chart a way forward for innovative and disruptive technologies, MDIA embarked

on an educational campaign and Scholarship Schemes to support the growth of AI expertise in Malta.

Furthermore, the MDIA has launched its technology assurance sandbox (TAS) which allows start-ups to test their software in a controlled environment without incurring high costs. Operating in a sandbox environment, new businesses will work within defined boundaries and focusing on a specific regulated activity for which MDIA will serve as the supervisory authority.

Contemporarily, the COVID-19 outbreak caught the world off guard, and due to a lack of global countermeasures, it was unable to stop the spread. As a response, the MDIA launched an award to encourage the rapid deployment of new technology to address this societal concern that could be used in future scenarios.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating that today’s generation recognizes both the benefits of such technologies and the ever-increasing reliance on them.

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Is the project Blockchain Island still a live project?

Various companies established in Malta has adopted blockchain systems within their operations to further enhance their service through better efficiency. Moreover, having a blockchain-based system proves to be beneficial in terms of accountability. This means that the companies themselves are more accountable when dealing with the transactions that have been affected through such system.

Malta wants to further increase the awareness on the benefits that blockchain offers, and this is being taken onboard by the government itself. One of the primary aims of the Government and the MDIA was to demystify blockchain, and that this technology is not just cryptocurrency. The Blockchain Island project is still alive and there is a continuous need of evangelising that the blockchain technology, through its application, can make people’s lives better. In fact, in the coming months, projects based on such innovative technology are earmarked to be launched within the public sector. The scope behind this is to demonstrate first-hand how blockchain can lead to the enhancement of society, while also making the government even more accountable. Given that this technology is still quite new, the public will need time to understand it and ultimately embrace. However, given the expertise that we have nowadays and the adoption of it in the public sector will fast-track society into understanding its benefits.

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What is MDIA’s long term vision with respect to Malta becoming a technological hub?

The long-term vision of MDIA is to be the leader in ensuring trust in Innovative Technology in Malta. We are aimed at setting the standard for the digital future. The Authority offers its assistance to those who would like to develop digital services and products by guiding them in being in line with established criteria while also offering a space for research, which is crucial in embracing the ever-evolving digital spectrum.

The MDIA is also following closely the latest developments in terms of the European Digital Innovation Hub initiative. The Authority is foreseeing the development of such hub within the local jurisdiction, which will have a High Performance Computer at the centre of it. This will be very crucial is terms of assistance related to research, since unprecedented computational power will be made available in Malta, and which will fast-track any research efforts being made.

expansion of human capital, the MDIA offered a scholarship fund to assist financially those who furthered their studies at Masters or Doctorate level in Artificial Intelligence. The Pathfinder’s ripple effect is that once such students graduate, they can implement their knowledge in various sectors, even those that are not directly linked to technology, such as justice, and will demonstrate how Artificial Intelligence can be of benefit on a wide scale.

Moreover, an AI Research Fund is earmarked to provide support for the further diffusion of innovative technology arrangements within the public sector to increase efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement. This forms part of MDIA’s remit, and it will result in the adoption of public services using Artificial Intelligence. The National AI Strategy is also aimed at continuously strengthening the human capital vis-à-vis Artificial Intelligence, not simply by providing scholarship funds, but also training individuals to better understand AI and how such technology can further enhance their work.

Is there the necessary human capital knowledge skill to achieve this and how is MDIA addressing such challenges?

Why should foreign technology companies choose Malta as their base?

Digitalisation came upon us so quickly that we had to adapt fast to nurture enough human capital with the required knowledge. It was imperative that educational institutions started offering courses that focus specifically on such technologies. To further incentivise students into opting for such courses, which will lead to a further

In recent years, the Maltese government embarked on a drive to support the growth of the IT sector, ensuring high standards of services across Malta and Gozo. Thus, Malta is a technology-friendly island with extensive and high-quality internet connectivity with English being an official language. In addition, Malta has a strong advantage for investors

in this sector, since it offers a testbed to all those who would like to strengthen their creations in an environment where even the Government is pro-technology, having all the required entities put in place and available for offering

guidance and assistance. Through the National AI Strategy, Malta aspires to become the ultimate AI launchpad – a place in which local and foreign companies and entrepreneurs can develop, prototype, test and scale AI, and

ultimately showcase the value of their innovations across an entire nation primed for adoption. The ambition, laid out by the Strategy itself, is to create the conditions for AI to springboard from Malta to the world.

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PROSPERITY SUSTAINABILITY MIRIAM DALLI

MINISTER FOR ENERGY, ENTERPRISE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

A

chieving societal prosperity through an economic model underpinned by sustainability is our generation’s most ambitious pursuit. Embracing the European Green Deal initiative has the potential of making Malta’s path towards sustainability a real success story.

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This is the economic backdrop against which we have initiated our transition towards a greener economic model. One which elevates environmental improvement and societal wellbeing as its central pillars of growth. Our vision is for a sustainable economy which delivers prosperity for all.

This is what we are relentlessly working on.

Years of strong economic performance, coupled with a prudent management of public finances is making it possible for the Maltese economy – the smallest amongst the EU’s Member States – to emerge from the pandemic on the right footing, even though we are facing unprecedented challenges worldwide.

The fiscal space created through the years allowed the Maltese government to decisively shield both lives and livelihoods throughout the pandemic months. Today the domestic labour market remains remarkably strong as Malta presently enjoys the lowest unemployment rate within the entire euro zone. Enterprises have engaged on a recovery path enabled by proactive government incentives aimed at enhancing investment.

Crucial to our sustainable economic vision is a cleaner energy mix. We have been working hard to support the increase in renewable energy by both households and private companies. To support this transition, the Government will be investing in a €170 million second interconnector, through the installation of a 200MW cable, to add to Malta’s connectivity to mainland Europe. Furthermore, our energy mix vision goes beyond a second interconnector and we have secured a derogation to allow for a hydrogen-ready pipeline to be considered for funding by the European Union.

Europe, along with the rest of the world, is going through a challenging time as energy prices are spiking across all of the EU.

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We are committed to safeguard consumers and we have spent the past weeks working at the national and European level so that Malta protects its businesses and households. The response has been positive, with the European Council acknowledging that Malta’s insularity does not allow it to implement measures afforded to other countries, who can source their electricity through coal and nuclear power plants.

During my Energy Council meeting I explained that Malta has always been vigilant to protect its competitiveness and always managed to protect families and businesses from disproportionate costs associated with ensuring security of supply. It is in this regard that I have urged the European Commission to allow for stronger financial support through EU financial tools to attract investment in offshore energy in the Mediterranean.

We are aware that our decarbonisation ambition will however only be achieved if all our economic players embrace the twin transition of digital and green.

This is why we are actively supporting our business community through directional incentives aimed at financing the greening of business models whilst simultaneously allowing for private capital to flow towards sustainable enterprises.

Our objective is to make it as easy as possible for corporate decision makers to make investment calls in favour of smarter and greener projects. This will support the earnings potential of our companies as it enables Maltese enterprises to enhance their longterm competitiveness in a post-pandemic reality which will demand unprecedented levels of agility and efficiency.

Malta Enterprise has now upgraded its funding initiatives from the assistance-oriented support provided to our enterprises during the pandemic to investment-driven initiatives aimed directly towards the decarbonisation of our business models.

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Aware of the capital investment that is necessary to make this corporate journey a tangible reality, we will be reducing the tax burden on re-invested profits whilst at the same time making it easier for businesses to access low-cost funding opportunities for sustainable projects. This is being done by extending the present SME facilities to cover sustainabilityrelated projects whilst simultaneously rolling-out new soft-loan structures that will make it possible for Malta Enterprise to support green entrepreneurs and investment in innovation.

Nevertheless, we believe that whilst public funding is critical, it is ultimately the allocation of private capital that has the real potential of accelerating this transition.

Establishing an ESG framework for our quoted companies will make sustainable Maltese enterprises more attractive for both local and international investors. This will allow for private capital to flow towards these companies through a process that will lead to a reduction in the cost of funding for green projects. This positive and proactive approach to enable green capital to flow is making it easier for board decisions to sway towards sustainable projects and we are indeed encouraged by the recent increase in momentum revolving around ESG commitment in Malta’s commercial quarters.

We are cementing and nurturing a holistic financial ecosystem which supports the smooth transitioning towards a greener and modern Maltese economy. An economy which defines the people’s wellbeing as its core measure of prosperity.

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Financing Malta 's

GREEN

ECONOMY STEVE ELLUL

T

he 2022 budget measures together with the recovery and resilience plan provide a very clear direction of Malta’s commitment for a greener and sustainable economic model. The country’s ability to achieve its decarbonisation ambitions rest squarely on our ability to finance this transition. Malta’s capital markets can be pivotal in all this.

Beyond the general political rhetoric, the policy direction towards embracing the green deal initiative and a more sustainable Maltese economy is being translated into tangible measures intended to enable this economic transformation to take place. With more than half of the recovery and resilience plan being earmarked for green objectives, President Von Der Leyen herself described Malta’s plan as one of the greenest approved by the commission.

That was mirrored, few days down the line, by a budget speech that included substantial initiatives directed at the longterm decarbonization of the economy. From measures incentivizing property renovation to financial support for the electrification of vehicles which now will also cover commercial fleets. Unprecedented afforestation projects and other business support initiatives enabling the green transition of SMEs were also a cornerstone of this year’s budget announcements.

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Government policy is being directed towards ensuring concrete incentives for economic operators to reengineer their business models towards a greener and more sustainable operations. This will be crucial for our economy to make the desired leap towards a carbon-neutral model by 2050.

Maltese banks keep enjoying healthy capital ratios and a generally strong liquidity position. This financial manoeuvrability provides makes it possible for our banks to design green loans and other financial solutions that can support Maltese SMEs and larger companies in their sustainable projects.

Nevertheless, no economic transition, of this scope and dimension, can rely exclusively on public funding alone.

Maltese banks and our capital markets are very well placed to mobilize the required financial resources for an orderly economic transition particularly for those sectors that necessitate major capital investment.

Furthermore, our banking institutions can utilize EU funding tools made available by the European Investment Band that make it easier for Maltese banks to share lending risks whilst simultaneously reducing the financing costs of SMEs when investing in sustainable and green projects.

Europe-wide banking regulation is also supportive driving financial institutions to unlock funding towards this economic transformation. Indeed, EBA guidelines now require commercial banks across the EU to measure the environmental impact of their loan portfolios.

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Although financial institutions have historically looked at similar procedures as yet another regulatory imposition, if tackled smartly, Maltese banks can incentivize environmental reporting by their clients. Maltese banks can consider interest-rate reductions on existent overdraft facilities for those businesses which decide to provide the required environmental reporting.

This proactiveness would enable our banks to attain their regulatory commitment whilst commercial entities would become cognizant of their carbon footprint without additional costs.

In addition to the banking industry, our capital markets have the real potential to become a key enabler of the green transition of our economy. During the last decade, our stock exchange was indeed crucial for the development of our economy. Indeed, as banking regulation made it harder for some sectors of the economy to fund their growth through traditional banking, the local capital market made it possible for the general public and institutional investors to step in through a blend of bond and equity financing.

Maltese investors have always been very keen to invest in home-grown local companies. This investment appetite has been corroborated in recent bond issues which have again been consistently over-subscribed.

So is the money. Maltese banks presently hold a record 15 billion euros in residents’ deposits. For the first time in history, retail deposits have exceeded the size of the Maltese economy itself. These are the kind of deposits

which have traditionally funded convetional bond issues.

A fraction of these funds, channeled into sustainable projects through the green bond framework would send out a strong directional signal for Maltese companies to invest in greener Business models.

Malta’s capital markets can and should lead the way towards a greener and sustainable economic model.

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in-built sustainability targets geared at exploiting the environmental performance of the fabric and volumes (Special Commendation at Malta Architect Awards 2018 in the category Rehabilitation and Conservation) Photo credit: Sean Mallia Graphics credit: studjurban

Designing a Sustainable Future

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INTERVIEW WITH

ANTOINE ZAMMIT

U

rban design is the art of creating and shaping towns and cities with the goal of giving an image and even a characteristic to the space that is being worked on. As a field, it has its roots in the field of architecture, but it goes beyond it due to its interdisciplinary nature, requiring not only architectural knowledge, but also understanding in sociology, law, landscape design, civil and municipal engineering as well as a variety of other fields. Dr Antoine Zammit is an architect and urban designer by profession, founder of the architectural and urban design consultancy firm, studjurban. He is also a senior lecturer at the Faculty for the Built Environment at the University of Malta. He gave us an insight of the role of an architect and an urban designer, and the various challenges that one encounters.

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In a recent interview, you pointed out that, “Architects should always remember that whatever the scale of project they are involved in, they have a responsibility towards clients and towards current and future generations.” Can you elaborate?

I think as architects we have a great power in affecting people’s lives and I think in fact that many professionals underestimate this... possibly even certain developers. When we are designing a space

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for someone to spend time in, with each decision taken we are potentially influencing them for the rest of their lives, in terms of their physical and psychological wellbeing. And because we have this great power, as the saying goes, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’, and I think that is one of our responsibilities to ensure that the wellbeing of individuals is guaranteed, even in terms of simple but critical issues like having adequate natural light and

reduce the carbon footprint or at the very least keep it in check. Clearly, any new imposed development is certainly going to create some kind of carbon footprint, we would be fooling ourselves if we thought that it did not, but let us ensure that it is as least as possible, both during implementation and in the long run.

ventilation.

Another aspect of this is that we are always trying to find a balance between a client’s brief – anything from an individual homeowner to a corporate client or developer – and the public interface of our work because ultimately we always have some kind of bigger context to respond and relate to.

The third degree of responsibility, then, is a responsibility – and even more so, an obligation – to

Why are sustainable buildings not a moral, spiritual or political issue, but a logical issue?

Without trying to oversimplify it, I think that the whole debate with sustainability ultimately boils down to a simple principle - the principle of the three R’s which are reduce, reuse, recycle. What many forget, though, is that there is a sequential logic of these R’s. It should start with reducing and then we need to think about reuse following which we can think about recycling. I think that, more often than not, what has happened is that in order to achieve sustainability targets in the short term, there has been a drive for recycling, which of course is a commendable effort, no doubt, but we should first strive to reduce.

‘Reduction’ could mean anything from reducing the amount of waste generated to reducing the demand to heat or cool our buildings. Therefore it is as much as designing more efficient buildings as it is about reducing waste, reusing an existing fabric and not simply demolishing it to erect something new.

I’d also say however – and here partially disagree with the question, in a sense – that while it definitely should not be a political or spiritual issue it should be a moral issue, in that ultimately inherent in the understanding of sustainability is this moral responsibility to current and future generations.

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Do you see a hierarchy of green features, among location, energy, materials, skin and other key elements?

Yes I do. I always think that we need to start from the strategic level, the bigger scale. It should not simply be an issue of ‘plugging in’ solutions. I think that this is one of the problems in the way sustainability has and is being tackled, and probably we’ll return to this issue later on because it is also largely a governancerelated (and often political) issue; in that, to achieve targets in the short term, the tendency is to opt for a ‘plug-in’, a quick solution. So we may have a very unsustainable low-performance building, in terms of how it has been built, but then we ‘plug in’ PV panels to generate our energy and forget all about it. We would, however, be generating much more useful energy for other requirements if in the first instance we had a well designed building fabric which is well insulated and which would therefore require less energy to heat or cool in winter and summer respectively. So this is a bigger consideration and, even more so, it should start with even bigger contextual and environmental considerations.

Generating clean energy using passive means is of course an important asset, but in my view conserving energy is probably even more important.

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To what extent do you feel we are creating meaningful spaces in Malta?

I think that as yet we have created very little meaningful exterior space. The concern over the past years has been more about development and construction although I think that this is slowly changing and I have finally started seeing a demand for external space.

Clearly even the experience of COVID-19 and restrictions (culminating in lockdowns) has made people realise the need for external space even within the confines of their own residence. So there is a growing awareness and I think that there finally is some pressure for quality open space. The problem is that even when open space has been generated, for example within some medium- and high-rise projects, the focus has not really been on the design, quality and nature of the public space – really and truly the only tangible public gain that one has to make up for such high rise – but on the actual generation of that space in terms of area, in terms of square metres. You have to generate ‘x’ amount of square metres in space and that’s fine, but does anyone really assess the design of that space properly during the planning process and how significant is it as a consideration during decision-making? Do people question how the space will actually happen on the ground? Whether people will actually use that space?

So I think there needs to be a different approach where one really studies and analyzes properly the context before creating something. Fundamentally, if it is a public space then it should be created together with people. People should not be only ‘consulted’ – showing them what a proposal is going to look like – but they should be actively encouraged, and enabled, to help develop a design. Ultimately they will be the users of that space.

A TELIER

Are local politicians missing the point on sustainable buildings?

Sometimes I think they are, and I guess this is not just a Maltese problem but a problem worldwide.

Most governments think in five year terms, sometimes even less than that. And this is a sad and unfortunate reality. Fine, they may be doing their long term ‘20-year-plus’ strategies but they are mostly concerned with what they manage to achieve in five years and what they can show people that they have achieved in that timeframe so that they can be re-elected; well this sometimes means that governments will opt for popular decisions and quick fixes that are sold as ‘solutions’ but are rarely the case, at least not in the long term. Every year there is pressure to reach certain EU environmental and energy targets, which have increasingly become more pressing. The strategy should be geared to create better designed, more sustainable buildings which are well insulated, which have high specs in terms of materiality and detailing and there are proper building regulations that all the players within the industry have to adhere to. Governments should push for this and lead by example.

Why is it of utmost importance for a country like Malta to have a clear green building strategy?

Well certainly the scale of our country – simply stated, we’re too small to get it wrong. The implications of getting it wrong are widespread because a development has a far-reaching impact on its surrounding urban area and its rural hinterland.

A similarly scaled development in Malta and in a much larger territory would have very different impacts. That makes it even more pertinent to have a good strategy. Many still talk about climate change as being something that is not so immediate, that will not affect them in their lifetime. The very particular climatic realities of our country necessitate giving it our due attention. Change is already noticing changes and we’d be fooling ourselves in thinking that it hasn’t started to happen. We’ve been having more tropical, more extreme type of weather conditions. Throughout my lifetime I am seeing this change - more intense rainfall that weathers our local stone a bit quicker than it would have done some decades ago. Changes are happening. Maybe they are slight for us to bother about because, relatively, it may be just a question of a few degrees or a few more days of intense wind, but this is all due to more significant change.

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Residential development and child care centre, Mosta (Winner of the MASP 2019 Urban Design Award and Finalist for Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia 2019 Housing Project Award) Photo credit: Ramon Portelli Photography

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What do you feel is the next evolution in design and architecture?

Well, I think that one evolution will most certainly be about questioning space, especially the role of external space, which post-COVID-19 will become even more prominent. So integrating external space better into projects, greening our spaces including our roofs, and more.

Then there are the new challenges and the role technology will play to try and address them. Clearly what this past year has shown us is that we have really fast-forwarded our advances in technology in order to respond to this reality. So today teleworking is a reality which in my mind is here to stay. This will inevitably have consequences at the strategic scale, as we start questioning office space demand and supply and seek to reinvent the office space as we know it, but also at the micro scale, as we seek to integrate technology more into our domestic and work spaces. At the same time, we must respond to the new realities of interaction and engagement. As an office involved in design, I see that some aspects may be streamlined and be made more efficient using technology although there is still the need for design to remain an interactive process since it is rarely the outcome of a one-man band. In my mind the design process should involve debate and questioning, and a great deal of sketching but thankfully technology is responding well to this and is providing the tools to facilitate this process remotely. I do wonder, though, if this will yield new approaches in design, possibly allowing for more avenues wherein to experiment.

What's next for Studjurban?

We’re currently in the final stages of a number of projects, varying in type and scale. Increasingly however we are starting to become more involved in urban design which has always been my main objective from the time that I founded this office, eight and a half years ago. We have some exciting large projects which inevitably have more of a public interface. Our office has been founded on three pillars – design, policy and research – and to date we’ve been involved in all three and are constantly seeking to strengthen the ties between them. Being involved in practice helps us research better, helps us when we’re asked to contribute to new policy making and ensures that policies are tangible and able to be implemented in practice. We use our research in policy, and we use research in informing our design process. So there is this very important, constant connection between these three pillars and I would like to continue reinforcing this connectivity. We have some interesting ongoing research projects, and more than are lined up for 2021, and these will accompany and strengthen our design process which will keep happening at different scales, from the smallest scale of bespoke elemental and interior design to large scale urban design strategies and schemes.

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the road towards RECOVERY

CLAYTON BARTOLO

MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

When the pandemic hit, the priority of myself as Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection was two-fold: to ensure that everyone’s health and safety is placed at the top of our priority list, as well as, safeguarding the livelihoods of all those who are involved in the tourism industry.

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W

e knew that the pandemic was going to hit the tourism industry in a substantial way, given the fact that the industry is one of the major contributors to the Maltese economy.

The impacts on the Maltese tourism sector which were caused by the pandemic are really and truly quite vast. Apart from the obvious impact on flight bookings, hotels and apartment bookings, the tourism sector affects a wide range of businesses and service providers such as, taxi and coaches services, restaurants, bars, retail outlets, English Language Schools, diving centres, dry cleaning companies and even food suppliers. All of this, coupled by the fact that Malta is an island, limited to just air connectivity and with no cross-border or domestic tourism, meant that the sector was indeed one of the hardest hit during the pandemic.

From the on-set we looked into having a proactive approach, even in our ongoing efforts to continue promoting the Maltese Islands, again as part of a holistic approach to the safeguarding of the lives and livelihoods of those who are involved in the tourism industry. So, for starters, we decided to continue our marketing efforts throughout the months of the pandemic, despite airports and borders being closed.

In fact, the Malta Tourism Authority identified new avenues of marketing to continue promoting the Maltese Islands and all that comes with them, in an innovative way, capitalising on the fact that most of the people all over the world were stuck at home.

Therefore, the marketing strategy throughout the months of the pandemic was focused on visual and digital content, which even included videos about Maltese recipes which everyone could easily try at home.

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Back in January of this year, we started laying out the Tourism Strategy for the next ten years. This aimed to form the basis of a wide discussion with the scope of providing the Maltese tourism industry with a sound platform from which to recover the losses inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic whilst taking decisive steps to strengthen tourism’s economic and social awareness and sensitivity and a quest to grow tourism’s contribution beyond mere volumes by attracting a higher spending tourist: a tourist who appreciates those authentic, quality experiences which the destination is capable of offering. We feel that all this will lead to a Maltese tourism industry which is built on stronger foundations based on the principles of sustainability.

The launching of this process presents us with a unique opportunity to provide inputs into the direction which Maltese tourism is to take over the next decade. It recognizes the changing international trends, seeks to equate a higher quality, diverse

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Maltese tourism offer with what travelers shall be seeking in the coming years and addresses challenges in areas ranging from service delivery and human resource requirements, accommodation mix, connectivity, facilities and digitalisation to embracing the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing Climate Change. Specifically, it seeks to equate enhanced visitor satisfaction with agreeable host population tolerance.

Apart from all of this, we wanted to focus on the here-and-now, and therefore as news on the vaccines starting reaching us, and as vaccination rollouts started in various countries, the Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection together with the Malta Tourism Authority started working on a solid tourism recovery plan, with an investment of €20 million, divided into different schemes, targeting diversified sectors and niches which compose the holistic tourism sector of the Maltese Islands.

€3.5 million were allocated for a scheme to support Free Independent Travellers, €3 million were allocated for a scheme to support Licensed Tour Operators, €1.5 million were allocated for a scheme aimed at incentivising Holiday Furnished Premises, Guesthouses, Hostels, Tourist Villages and 2 star hotels, €4 were allocated for a scheme aimed for the MICE sector, €1.5 millon were allocated for support towards Sports Tourism, €750,000 were allocated for support towards Scuba Diving tourism in the Maltese Islands, €1 million were allocated for support towards English Language Learning Training Tourists, and €1 million were allocated for a scheme to support senior tourists for Longer Stays in the Maltese Islands.

If international travel is not again disrupted by the pandemic or other unforeseen circumstances, the prospects for Malta and Gozo in 2022 look encouraging. Tour operators and online travel agents are advising us that for next year they are planning

numbers very similar to those in 2019 as this is being shown in the hotel contracts being made and in the Air Travel Organisers Licences being upgraded to bigger numbers.

The outlook looks optimistic since this year the restart has been consistent and the industry has been spared the detrimental effects of fluctuating tourism flows that were prevalent in 2021 due to the lack of vaccination. Malta is benefitting from the dual advantage of having the most highly vaccinated European population which is already receiving booster doses coupled with an entry regime which only allows fully vaccinated tourists to enter the country. This is leading to a sense of positivity as tourism volumes and airline connectivity gradually move towards the pre-COVID-19 normality.

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A THRIVING

INTERVIEW WITH

JOHANN GRECH

MALTA FILM COMMISSIONER

Throughout the years, Malta has attracted a number of high-profile film and television productions, such as Gladiator (2000), Troy (2004), Munich (2005), Assassin’s Creed (2016), Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and most recently Jurassic World: Dominion and Foundation TV series.

Malta’s strong proposition to filmmakers is based on its unique combination of great locations, excellent crew and service, the world-known water tanks and a strong 40% cash rebate programme.

“Malta has the potential and capabilities to attract more productions. We are so proud of our local

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talent and crew. Our pledge to filmmakers is clear: Malta will always be home for you. Malta can make it happen for your story,” stated Johann Grech, Malta Film Commissioner.

Since 2019, the film business in Malta has been on a continuous growth, with back-to-back productions from US, Canada, Europe and Asia. Despite the global pandemic COVID-19, Malta’s film industry kept on working and Malta has been a home for big film and TV projects. Malta’s film industry, channeling millions of foreign direct investment and creating hundreds of local jobs, is becoming a key force in Malta’s economy.

Malta is renowned for its huge water tanks facilities and its capability to shoot specialised water scene projects. The Malta Film Studios holds 3 water tanks: an an indoor tank and two large exterior water tanks, positioned strategically to have the infinate natural horizon of the Mediterranean. “We have a strong track record of creating perfect storms in just seconds, in a very controlled and secured facility,” explains Grech.

The ambitious masterplan of the Malta Film Studios consists of building world class sound stages, which are the nation’s first sound stages. “We need to ensure that the creative industries remain part of the ‘build back better’ narrative and are recognised as a crucial part of our economic and social infrastructure,”

stated Johann Grech. So passionate about the film industry and with the drive to create a sustainable film industry based on careers, Film Commissioner Johann Grech emphasised Malta’s potential to film makers and on succeeded to attract more productions to the Maltese islands.

“Today, we are investing further in the modernisation of our film facilities, which include the building of the first sound stages in Malta. Our ambitious project will strengthen Malta’s position as a player on the global stage and is one of the main pillars of our vision to create a world-class film industry in Malta,” continues Johann Grech.

There is little doubt that Malta is on track to become a world-class film destination and in guaranteeing a sustainable film industry which will have a knock-on effect in other sectors, such as jobs and tourism. “Our goal is to create a world-class film industry by enhancing our product, our services, our brand proposition and by ensuring a sustainable industry we shall created more opportunities for all those who want to join join the industry,” concludes Commissioner Grech. “We will not stop dreaming to achieve more; to deliver our promise on making Malta a real player on the world stage.”

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T

he majority of Maltese producers choose to participate in the Malta Film Awards 2022

The majority of Maltese producers have submitted their projects to participate in the first-ever edition of the Malta Film Awards, taking place on the 29th of January 2022.

700 local creatives including 80 producers, 60 directors and 340 actors will be the protagonists of next years’ Malta Film Awards. In the first edition of this event, a large number of crew from various departments will also be joining, namely those in hair & make-up, costume and cinematography, together with those in post-production departments – including editing, sound design and VFX.

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A total of 72 projects have been submitted for the Malta Film Awards – in the form of feature films, television series, documentaries, and short films.

The Malta Film Commission together with the Public Broadcasting Services are jointly organizing the first edition of the Malta Film Awards to be held on the 29th of January 2022.

This event will celebrate local talent and creativity in the local film and television industry, throughout our country’s story of success.

The Malta Film Commission is proud to receive such a positive response from the majority of local producers for this first edition of the Malta Film Awards.

Malta Film Commissioner Johann Grech stated: “Unity always wins. And today the majority of Maltese producers rose to the occasion to celebrate their stories. This is a success story, and I am so proud of all those who produce locally and who have submitted their projects for the first edition of the Malta Film Awards. Evidently, the Malta Film Commission is representing a Movement of the Creative Arts, where together we will be celebrating the skills and talents of our local industry.”

In November, these 72 unique projects will be delivered to a jury of both local and international experts, composed of professionals from sectors such as production, arts, music, academia, and media.

With the theme “Celebrating Our Story”, the Malta Film Awards will be held on the 29th of January at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in our capital Valletta.

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YACHTING MALTA STEERING A STEADY COURSE FOR THE MALTESE YACHTING INDUSTRY.

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Photo Kurt Arrigo

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Yachting Malta Chairman John Huber has always been vocal in his belief that Yachting should be one of the pillars of Maltese industry.

Malta’s geographical location and expertise lend themselves well to making the island a desirable destination.

Photo Kurt Arrigo

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The Yachting industry is not simply limited to the availability of yacht yards and the Maltese flag. Incidentally, the Maltese ship registry is considered to be one of the largest registries in Europe and is currently the sixth-largest registry in the world. Becoming an international hub is also about promoting local venues for international events such as the recently announced Yacht Racing Forum which will take place in Malta in 2022 and yacht racing events such as the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is not only a mustdo race in the yachting circuit but is also a strong contributor to the Maltese economy as proven by a recent study commissioned by Yachting Malta.

In 2019 this race generated over €2.3 million for the Maltese economy. In the meantime, 94% of these people said they would visit Malta again.

Apart from this, the PR value, thanks to good media exposure, rose to around €2.6 million bringing the total positive economic impact of this event up to €4.7 million.

Earlier in October, Yachting Malta supported the Coastal Race which is the precursor to the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

An international fleet of over 40 boats took part and welcomed teams from sixteen nations.

"The Yachting Malta Coastal Race is a good training ground for the big race, where crews get to know each other, and equipment gets tested,” commented John Huber.

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“The Rolex Middle Sea Race is the biggest sporting event in Malta. As a government entity, Yachting Malta will do everything to promote it.”

The Rolex Middle Sea Race start is the perfect opportunity to showcase Malta as the yachting destination of choice. The start is always a spectacular occasion. The historic Grand Harbour filled with a multitude of yachts and cannon fire ringing around the 16th-century fortifications is nothing short of breathtaking.

Technology has now allowed organisers to make the event accessible through live streaming technologies.

Yachting Malta supported this year’s live stream enabling viewers to experience the race from various angles, bringing the drama that surrounds such a sporting event closer to viewers around the world.

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ABOUT YACHTING MALTA Launched in 2015, Yachting Malta is a partnership between the Government of Malta and the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

The organisation’s primary role is to identify and attract high-profile yachting events to the Maltese Islands.

Photo Alex Turnbul

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KURT MUSCAT

The impact of covid on

corporate travel Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic brought global travel to a standstill, one thing became clear: Corporate travel would face a slower return than leisure travel. Although much remains to be seen, these predictions have largely materialised and corporate travel faces a slower return, thanks to a more complex set of considerations.

Conferences and trade shows, which account for a significant volume of business trips, remain mostly virtual.

These conditions are temporary though. Conferences and other industry events have begun their comeback, in live and hybrid formats, which will accelerate in the latter part of 2021. Around the world most workers returned to offices this summer, and more will do so in the last part of 2021.

The eventual scale and shape of these factors of corporate life are unclear, but they are returning, and an increase in corporate travel will follow.

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Despite the relative success many companies experienced through a year of essential-only travel, business leaders realize the value of face-to-face interaction. And similar to the return to officebased work, business travellers fall on all points of a spectrum: from eager to return to airports, hotels, and conference rooms, to those who are convinced they can do their work effectively with significantly less travel.

The reality falls somewhere in between.

Competition and growth will necessitate a resumption of business travel.

But travel use cases have been revaluated based on their impact on the bottom line and the environment, as well as how well they can be replaced by now widely adopted tech platforms.

So, how will all this impact the Maltese economy? According to the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), 6.9% of individuals who visited the Maltese islands in 2019, did so for business purposes. This means that

out of the 2.7 million tourists, approximately 186,300 tourists visited Malta for business purposes. Collectively, directly and indirectly, these 2.7 million tourists generated just over €1 billion in Gross Value Added for the Maltese economy (GVA).

Therefore, GVA generated by business travel amounted to around €70 million in 2019.

To conclude, in Malta like the rest of the world, corporate travel will face a slower return than leisure travel as many will resort to tech platforms or hybrid models as a substitute of business-related trips in the near future. Moreover, businessrelated trips were never the main drivers for tourism in Malta hence the impact of a subdued recovery in this sector will not hurt the economy so much.

Nonetheless, the GVA generated by business-related trips is significant and hence attempts to try and recuperate this sector in Malta should be worthwhile.

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