Atlas Insurance’s exhibition is marking the hundred years of its legacy. “Centennial Chronicles: Celebrating Malta’s Commercial Legacy,” is currently underway at The Malta Chamber in Valletta. This unique exhibition, open until May 28th, is not just a celebration of Atlas’ 100-year journey but a comprehensive tribute to the vibrant commercial history of Malta.
The exhibition offers visitors a journey through Malta’s economic development, cultural history, and political dynamics, which are deeply intertwined with the narrative of Atlas Insurance. From pre-20th century insurance documents to a reconstructed 1920s-1930s office, the exhibition showcases the evolution of the insurance industry in parallel with the country’s social and economic evolution, as it adapted to reflect the shifting needs and risks of each period.
Catherine Calleja, Executive Director and Company Secretary of Atlas Insurance, commented: “This project has long been in the making. Atlas Insurance has chosen to put together an exhibition of commercial history in Malta rather than concentrate on its own journey alone, highlighting the fact that it is the commercial legacy of our clients which has made Atlas what it is today – and made the Atlas story.”
Curated by Justine Balzan Demajo, with archiving and research conducted by Nikolai Debono, the exhibition is open from Monday to Friday until the 28 May between 8am and 4.30pm. There will be daily curatorial tours on a drop-in basis at lunchtime from 22 April.
Lectures by Liam Gauci, Dr Philip Farrugia Randon and Dr Mario Brincat will also be held, shedding light on various aspects of commercial history, from corsairing to memories of Valletta in the mid-twentieth century, to economic history between 1945-1959. Bookings for these lectures and for evening curatorial tours are available online through the Atlas website.
The Malta Chamber Board of Management paid a courtesy visit to H.E. the President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono. During the meeting, Chris Vassallo Cesareo, The Malta Chamber President, discussed the ongoing initiatives and outlined future plans for the business community.
He also highlighted two critical areas necessitating utmost prioritisation and expressed satisfaction in the alignment of objectives between The Malta Chamber and the President’s office:
Constitutional reform – The Malta Chamber was proactive during public consultations for the necessary reforms to take place
Enforcement – The Malta Chamber in its 2024 Pre-Budget Document insisted on having proper, co-ordinated and unselective enforcement of law and regulations
President Spiteri Debono thanked The Malta Chamber for its dynamic approach in being at the forefront on various national issues and for its valuable contribution to the local business community and the country at large.
As we have done in the past years, The Malta Chamber will remain committed to having a healthy and positive relationship with the Office of the President of Malta.
During a reception on April 17, Deputy Chief of Mission Ken Toko and Chris Vassallo Cesareo, President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry, celebrated participants who graduated from the U.S. Department of State’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). The AWE program provides women entrepreneurs around the world with the knowledge, networks, and access needed to start and scale successful businesses. Two of the participants excelled in pitching their business proposals, winning a competition for $9,000, as the first prize, and $4,000, as a second prize, that they will invest in their businesses.
In 2022 and 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Malta partnered with The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry to implement the second and third iteration of this global entrepreneurship program in Malta. AWE supports the U.S. government’s National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment globally. Implemented in nearly 100 countries since 2019, AWE has empowered approximately 25,000 women entrepreneurs from around the world, including in Malta.
Mr. Toko and Mr. Vassallo Cesareo presented certificates to the AWE graduates and participants and awarded prizes in seed funds to the winner and runner-up of the business plan pitch competition. In brief remarks, Mr. Toko said, “At the U.S. Embassy, we take pride in collaborating with our partners in Malta to advance the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity across society, politics, and the economy. On behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Malta and the U.S. Department of State, I would like to congratulate you all. We are proud of your innovation and drive to follow your ambitions.”
In his remarks, Mr. Vassallo Cesareo said, “Our genuine enthusiasm for this project is founded on the widespread benefits it brings, not only to the participants or the business community, but to our society at large. I very much like to quote the United Nations term ‘He for She’ when embarking on solidarity with women to create a bold, visible, and united force for gender equality. The spheres of business and enterprise should not be an exception, but the rule. Together, and with each other to build businesses, raise families, and give back to our communities.”
Addressing the guests, Ms. Rachel Bondi Attard, Head of Media and Communication Strategist said, “I can say with confidence that your determination, resilience, and innovative spirit are the driving forces that will help you move forward, regardless of the obstacles you may encounter. The Malta Chamber is delighted to witness so many talented women completing this program successfully, and we eagerly anticipate seeing you pursue your entrepreneurial ideas with passion and conviction.”
The Malta Chamber is delighted to announce the renewal of its Gold Partnership with Bank of Valletta (BOV), consolidating a longstanding relationship aimed at fostering economic growth and prosperity in Malta.
The partnership between The Malta Chamber, the foremost voice of the Maltese business community, and Bank of Valletta, one of Malta’s leading financial institutions, has been instrumental in driving innovation, supporting businesses, and facilitating economic development.
Under the renewed partnership, both entities will continue to collaborate closely on initiatives geared towards promoting entrepreneurship, driving investment, and enhancing the competitiveness of Maltese businesses on both local and international fronts.
Chris Vassallo Cesareo, President of The Malta Chamber, expressed his enthusiasm about the continuation of this strategic partnership, stating, “The Malta Chamber is proud to renew its Gold Partnership with BOV. Our collaboration over the years has been pivotal in advancing the interests of our members and the broader business community. Together, we will continue to work towards creating an environment conducive to business growth, innovation, and sustainable development.”
Speaking on the signing of the renewed agreement, Kenneth Farrugia, the Bank’s CEO noted, “Bank of Valletta’s partnership with The Chamber goes back many years. Over this time, our strategic alliance has led to fruitful discussions and initiatives to better understand the needs of the local business community, particularly the SMEs and family businesses, whilst supporting and incentivizing them to explore new opportunities.” Here he made specific reference to the CSR Toolkit and the online SME toolkit that had been launched several years ago, and to the expertise of BOV professionals who are eager to offer their support, even by way of financial educational, giving support in a spectrum of financial services including trade finance, online trading, investments, and pension schemes. “The new agreement will enable us to continue exploring joint ventures that will benefit Chamber members and the local businesses. Specifically, we are also committed to strengthening our focus on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles, guiding the local business community in embracing changes that bring their operations more in line with the ESG principles.
The agreement was signed by Chris Vassallo Cesareo, Nick Xuereb, and Dr Marthese Portelli, President, Deputy President, and CEO of The Malta Chamber respectively, and Kenneth Farrugia, Bank of Valletta CEO. Kenneth B Micallef from the Bank’s Business Development function and Charles Azzopardi from CSR and Events were also present.
by Karen Muscat Baldacchino – Malta Foundation for Human Resources Development CEO
The Malta Foundation for Human Resources Development (FHRD) has launched a new Professional Membership Scheme which will allow HR professionals to get recognised by FHRD for their level of HR Competence. This falls in line with FHRD’s mission to set national standards in the development of human resources in Malta.
While there are no changes to the corporate membership scheme currently in place, the FHRD Professional Membership Scheme is a comprehensive revamp of the individual membership scheme that has been in place so far.
The Professional Membership Scheme has three levels: Associate, Fellow, and a membership developed exclusively for students seeking a career in human resources.
Prospective candidates will have the opportunity to submit applications for any level, provided that they meet the specified eligibility conditions.
Apart from forming part of a thriving local network, enhancing professional credibility, and enriching the HR journey, key features of the Professional Membership Scheme include:
A website specifically tailored to serve as a comprehensive platform for all Human Resources stakeholders.
Exclusive access to industry insights: Members will gain privileged access to cutting-edge research and articles by experts in the field, providing them with a competitive edge in their professional endeavours.
Tailored professional development opportunities: The scheme will offer a range of workshops, seminars, and training sessions conducted by industry experts to enhance members’ skills and knowledge.
Networking events and forums: Members will have the opportunity to connect with professionals, industry leaders, and experts through exclusive networking events, fostering collaboration and partnerships.
FHRD has developed a framework of HR competencies based on nine functional competencies and nine enabling competencies.
Functional competencies relate to those skills required to perform tasks that are within the scope of HR Professionals while enabling competencies are more strategic competencies that are not specific to the HR profession, but which are deemed essential.
These competencies are divided into three core areas:
Individual Skills – Personal skills are recognised as soft skills which are not easy to teach. They are also known as interpersonal or ‘people’ skills.
Team Skills – Teamwork skills consist of interrelated abilities that let you work effectively in an organised group. Teamwork skills are vital to employees, as teams are a basic organisational unit within many companies. Teamwork happens when people cooperate and use their individual skills to achieve common goals.
Organisational Skills – Organisational skills are the ability to manage time effectively, prioritise tasks, set goals, and develop systems for achieving those goals. Employees with good organisational skills can juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously, stay focused on deadlines, and handle complex projects efficiently.
Each of the core areas above has three functional and three enabling competencies:
Individual Skills:
Functional competencies
Organisational effectiveness
People analytics
Talent acquisition
Enabling competencies
Critical thinking
Tech savvy
Research skills
Team Skills:
Functional competencies
Compensation and reward
Talent management
Engagement and well-being
Enabling competencies
Emotional intelligence
Decision making
Business acumen
Organisational Skills:
Functional competencies
Employee relations
Inclusion and diversity
Learning and development
Enabling competencies
Ethical behaviour
Negotiation and influence
Strategic leadership
Associate Membership Level:
This level is specifically tailored for HR professionals at the junior to mid-level who fulfill operational or administrative responsibilities. An associate member is envisioned to occupy roles such as HR Administrator, HR Generalist, HR Specialist, HR Business Partner, HR Assistant Manager, or an HR Manager with an operational focus (who reports to the Chief HR Officer or a Senior Manager in an HR function). The Associate Membership acknowledges one’s work experience and professional knowledge in the field of Human Resources.
Fellow Membership Level:
This level is intended for a senior-level HR professional who engages primarily in a strategic role, possesses numerous years of HR experience working on strategic projects, and consultancy, and forms part of an organisation’s senior management team. Fellow Membership acknowledges one’s vast work experience and substantial professional knowledge in the field of HR.
Student Membership Level:
The Student Membership is aimed at aspiring human resources professionals. It acknowledges a person’s dedication to academic advancement in the field of human resources and positions them on the path to professional recognition. This membership applies only to full-time students.
Renewals of the Associate and the Fellow Memberships will be possible subject to the candidate attending a number of HR-related events. The total number of required hours is 16, of which 10 must be in FHRD-organised events. The remainder can be obtained in any HR-related event, as long as a certificate of attendance is provided to the FHRD.
For further information about the scheme please visit: fhrd.org/professional-membership. For any inquiries, please email: professionalmembershipscheme@fhrd.org.
FHRD was set up in 1990 to spearhead the evolution of people management and development practices as well as the human resources profession in Malta. The Foundation is an autonomous, private, independent body and works in partnership with its corporate members, the professional conglomerate of HR practitioners and service providers, leaders of the industry, and other key local players in the field of human resources management and development.
As banks continue to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the integration of AI technologies promises to redefine industry standards and elevate customer satisfaction to unprecedented heights. This was stated by Ivo Camilleri, Chief Strategy, Transformation and Data Officer while introducing a workshop for BOV employees, focusing on the use of AI in the Financial Services World. “It is imperative that we invest in driving change in the local financial services sector, change that translates into better risk management and enhanced customer experience,” Mr Camilleri said.
The Bank sought the collaboration of experts from the renowned global firm Strategy& to contribute to this event. Strategy& presented cutting-edge advancements in the fields of AI that are relevant to the whole banking sector. They shared their insights and perspectives with those present.
The discussion moved from surrounding emerging technologies like Gen AI and Deep Learning to practical tools such as Microsoft CoPilot which are tailored for the banking industry. The experts at the event hinted at what could be the trajectory of financial institutions toward an increasingly technologically driven future.
It was noted that, despite advances made, Europe finds itself approximately 1.5 years behind North America in embracing such innovations. However, the silver lining lies in the flexibility of resource capacity requirements. Even if one had to start with modest numbers or small operations, the returns yielded would be significant. This acknowledgment underscores the immense potential for growth and innovation within the European banking landscape.
Moreover, discussions at the event highlighted the need for banks to identify strategic entry points across various functions to embark on their transformative journey. AI brings important shifts towards greater automation and efficiency. More recently it is also expanding to encompass sophisticated applications in risk management, fraud prevention and tailored customer service. This shift requires broad upskilling initiatives across different teams within the organisation. Meanwhile, for banks to operate at scale successfully, it will be necessary to create interlinkages between engineering expertise and leveraging AI tools.
Speaking after the event, Ivo Camilleri expressed his satisfaction at the level of interest and the engagement that the discussion aroused among those present. “Artificial Intelligence is not a fad or a trend, but a critical tool that we need to understand and leverage for the best interest of both our customers and employees.” He explained how this workshop was an important prelude to a discussion that needs to go on within the Bank, cutting across all the functions, be they front-facing, support or control. “From the generation of synthetic data to personalised customer experiences, AI serves as a basis for driving customer-centric innovation within the banking sector. At Bank of Valletta, we are taking a leading role to reap the benefits of AI and translate them into better understanding customer journeys and providing high quality customer experiences.”
The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry extends its heartfelt appreciation to President George Vella for his steadfast dedication and service to Malta throughout his tenure. As President Vella concludes his term, The Malta Chamber acknowledges his efforts in representing our nation with dignity and commitment.
The Malta Chamber also welcomes incoming President Myriam Spiteri Debono as she assumes the responsibilities of the office. The Malta Chamber recognizes President-Elect Spiteri Debono’s long-standing dedication to public service and her commitment to the welfare of our nation.
As Malta transitions to a new President, The Malta Chamber reaffirms its commitment to working collaboratively with President-Elect Spiteri Debono to address the challenges facing our nation and to pursue opportunities for growth and development.
The Malta Chamber extends its best wishes to President George Vella and his wife Mrs. Miriam Vella for the future and offers its support to President-Elect Myriam Spiteri Debono and her husband Notary Anthony Spiteri Debono as they embark on their new role.
HSBC Bank Malta joined the global Earth Hour initiative once again this year, continuing its tradition of supporting environmental sustainability. On Saturday, 23rd March, HSBC Malta turned off all non-essential lighting at its main buildings – the Operations Centre in Qormi, the Head Office in Valletta, and the HSBC Global Services Contact Centre in Swatar – from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, aligning with other HSBC Group sites worldwide.
By participating in Earth Hour, HSBC Malta aims to contribute to a global message of environmental awareness and the importance of energy conservation. The initiative, which encourages individuals and organizations worldwide to turn off their lights for one hour, serves as a symbol of commitment to the planet.
HSBC’s participation in earth day focused not only on reducing energy consumption but also on inspiring individuals and communities to engage in sustainable actions that benefit the environment. HSBC Malta also encouraged its staff and the public to use the hour to undertake positive activities that contribute to the health of our planet.
“Participating in Earth Hour aligns with HSBC Malta’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and environmental consciousness. While turning off our lights for one hour is a symbolic gesture, it represents a broader commitment to making more sustainable choices and highlighting the role each of us can play in addressing climate change,” Glenn Bugeja, Manager Corporate Sustainability said.
By joining Earth Hour, HSBC Malta joins a global community in this simple yet impactful initiative, underscoring the collective action needed to foster a sustainable future.
Third edition of the Malta International Business Awards launched
The Malta International Business Awards (MIBA) are back this year, once again recognising and celebrating Malta based businesses that have demonstrated exceptional prowess in the global marketplace. The event is a testament to the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit thriving within Malta’s business community, highlighting those who have successfully expanded their operations beyond local shores.
The 2024 edition of the MIBA, which will be held on November 29, 2024, promises to be a great event, with awards spanning four categories: Best SME Exporter, Best Large Exporter, Best High Potential Exporter, and Best Emerging Markets Exporter as well as an award for the overall winner. These categories reflect the diverse strengths of Malta’s international business community, showcasing excellence across various sectors.
During a press conference launching the event, Hon Minister Dr Ian Borg expressed his support for the event, noting, “The Malta International Business Awards represent the diverse landscape of Malta’s export industry and underscore our commitment to supporting businesses of all sizes and sectors in their international endeavours. This is key to Malta’s ongoing economic success, as it highlights our dedication to fostering a business-friendly environment that nurtures innovation, encourages entrepreneurship, and facilitates international trade. By recognising and celebrating the achievements of our businesses, we not only showcase Malta’s economic vibrancy but also attract further investment and opportunities for growth. Through strategic initiatives and policies aimed at enhancing our competitiveness on the global stage, the government continues to play a pivotal role in sustaining and expanding Malta’s economic prosperity”.
Mr. David Matrenza, Chairman TradeMalta, Mr. Geoffrey Fichte, CEO HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., and Mr Joseph Pace, council member of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry, all offered their insights and thoughts on the international business landscape and Malta’s position in it during the Press Conference.
Organised by TradeMalta, the MIBA are more than an awards ceremony – they are a celebration of the remarkable efforts of Malta-based businesses trading internationally. “Our mission has always been to actively support Malta based businesses of all sizes in their international ventures, and this third edition of the MIBA is testament to the commitment we stand for by celebrating and recognising the sterling work and achievements of such businesses,” said Mr. David Matrenza, Chairman of TradeMalta
Mr. Geoffrey Fichte, CEO of HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., emphasized the partnership’s significance: “Our collaboration with TradeMalta for the MIBA underscores HSBC’s commitment to fostering the growth of Malta’s international business sector and highlights the potential of Maltese companies on the global stage.”
Mr Joseph Pace highlighted the unprecedented challenges faced by the global economy over the last three years while pointing to the remarkable resilience and adaptability showed by Maltese businesses. “Not only did they survive, but they thrived, seizing opportunities and navigating through uncertainties with unwavering determination,” Pace said. “The Trade Malta Awards represent more than just a recognition of excellence; they embody the tireless efforts and remarkable achievements of our entrepreneurs, exporters and industry leaders.”
The awards ceremony promises to be an evening of recognition and networking among the movers and shakers of Malta’s business world. Businesses keen on vying for one of the awards are encouraged to submit their applications by the end of May 2024, with further details available on the official MIBA website.
The Awards are being organised by TradeMalta and HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., as TradeMalta’s strategic partner, with the support of Emirates and Grant Thornton as supporting partners. The Times of Malta are the media partner. Additionally, the awards are endorsed by the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, as well as the Malta Chamber of Commerce, showcasing a united front in championing Malta’s international business prowess.
For more information on the Malta International Business Awards, including application details and an entrant guide, please visit www.miba.mt or contact TradeMalta at info@trademalta.org or call 22472400.
Join us in celebrating Malta’s international business excellence at the Malta International Business Awards 2024.
TradeMalta is a public private partnership between the Government of Malta and the Malta Chamber. The organisation was set up to offer support to Malta-based companies to reach international markets. TradeMalta is supported by its strategic partner HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. For more information about TradeMalta visit www.trademalta.org. Alternatively call 22472400.
