Heard in the Hive

The Libyan-Maltese Chamber of Commerce celebrated the start of the new presidency of Enebeia Wadi with a reception held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Attard last Friday week.

President Guido de Marco headed the many guests, who included Finance Minister John Dalli, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Charles Mangion, the secretary of the Libyan People's Bureau in Malta Ali Najem, Parliamentary Secretary Dolores Cristina, members of the diplomatic corps, including the German, Australian and Tunisian ambassadors, officials of various Libyan companies and organisations in Malta, members of the Libyan-Maltese Chamber of Commerce and businessmen involved in trade between the two countries.

The guests were welcomed by the new president Enebeia Wadi, vice-president Anthony Micallef, general secretary A. Danaf and members of the council.

Mr Micallef expressed his full support to the new president and augured that the chamber will continue to flourish especially now that Libya is daily in the news following so many developments which would encourage further investments and strengthen business relations between the two countries.

Mr Danaf gave details of the future role of the chamber, confirming full assistance to the Maltese and Libyan people in sharing a common target in building sound relations between the two countries and announced that the Libyan-Maltese Chamber of Commerce would soon be opening an office in the Jamahiriya to ensure greater assistance.

Mr Wadi spoke about the services of the chamber and its dedication to the chamber's membership and stressed that the services of the chamber will expand to fulfil the requirements of business people of the two countries.

The President spoke about the Mediterranean dimension of the Maltese-Libyan special relationship and assured all present that Malta's EU membership will not detract from its Mediterranean dimension but would serve as a bridge between the two nations.

He augured success to the chamber in these important times and expressed his hope that Maltese-Libyan relations would continue to become closer.

Reception in honour of Ambassador of Iceland

Iceland recently appointed its first ambassador to Malta.

The first (non-resident) ambassador, Sverrir Haukur Gunnlaugsson, who was on a week-long official visit to Malta last month, presented his credentials to President de Marco at the Palace in Valletta.

The honorary consul for Iceland, Chev. Maurice F. Mizzi, hosted a reception in the ambassador's honour at his residence in Bidnija. Among the distinguished guests were President de Marco, dignitaries, prominent entrepreneurs and close friends.

Ambassador Gunnlaugsson, a Copenhagen-born lawyer, has held various posts in the foreign ministry of Iceland since 1970, and was posted in Paris and Washington. He was appointed ambassador in 1985 and has since been posted to Geneva, Brussels, Paris and London. He is married with three children.

He is currently based at the London embassy and will be visiting Malta periodically. Chev. Mizzi will play an increasingly important role on behalf of the embassy in view of the higher level of diplomatic activity.

HSBC fund raises animal awareness in schools

The Department of Student Services and International Relations within the Education Division recently launched a poetry contest in the latest edition of the Animal Magic newsletter, one of the initiatives of the Animal Awareness Education Programme.

The newsletter is sponsored by HSBC Cares for Children Fund and is distributed free to all schools. This year HSBC has significantly increased its sponsorship. Consequently, printing will go up from 5,000 to 30,000 copies.

A total of 365 competition entries were received from both state and non-state primary and secondary schools. Penelope Vassallo from Mater Boni Consilii School (St Joseph), Paola, won the primary school entry in Maltese, while Michela Scalpello from St Catherine's High School, Pembroke, placed first in the secondary school category.

In the English category, Ms Dimech's year 2 class from Dun Xand Cortis St Venera Primary A placed first from the primary schools' entries, while Kathleen Bonnici from Maria Regina Girls' Junior Lyceum, Blata l-Bajda, placed first in the secondary school category.

Each winner was given a Lm10 book token during the animal awareness prize-giving ceremony on Friday week at the Education Division Foyer, Floriana. Another Lm10 book token was awarded to Maria Regina Girls' Junior Lyceum for submitting over 300 entries. Teachers from Maria Regina Girls' Junior Lyceum who supported the initiative were awarded certificates for their effort.

Other awards were given to schools for best overall participation in the Animal Awareness Programme in 2003. Achille Ferris Primary School, Msida, placed first and were awarded a Lm25 book token. St Edward's College, Vittoriosa, were awarded a Lm20 book token for placing second, and Gan Frangisk Agius de Soldanis Girls' Junior Lyceum Victoria, Gozo, were awarded a Lm10 book token for placing third.

Diplomats gather at ambassador's residence

On Republic Day, the Maltese Ambassador to France, Professor Salvino Busuttil, invited all the ambassadors of the countries joining the EU in May, to drinks at his residence in Paris.

Wine from Marsovin and Delicata were served to the gathering which included French industialists and financiers as well as from the world of culture.

The Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr F. Barelli, as well as the Ambassador of Andorra, to which Professor Busuttil is accredited, the president of the Cercle Vassalli, Professor Patrice Sanguy, and the ambassadors of Turkey and Romania, were also present.

Legend Real Estate's annual Christmas reception

The weather outside was cold and blustery, typical of a December night, but the atmosphere inside the All Seasons Restaurant in Bay Street was warm and inviting. Legend Real Estate's annual Christmas reception was once again a very big success.

Attended like other years by people involved in all facets of the property business, the evening was hosted by Pierre Buttigieg and George Muscat, the two masterminds, clerical and consulting staff of Legend Real Estate (including that of the Gozo branch), high-ranking members of all major financial institutions, public notaries, property developers and building contractors.

After the success of previous years, the choice of the All Seasons restaurant was an automatic one and, once again, Hubert Mamo and his professional team did not disappoint. The choice of finger food - and the service - was excellent.

But what mainly characterised the evening was the amicable atmosphere. With no interruptions from fancy speeches by the hosts, the guests mingled with each other in constantly changing small groups. Not surprinsingly, the dominant subject among everyone was the booming property business in the Maltese Islands.

Everyone was sipping their favourite drink while chatting about the results of the year that was about to end and about the challengings that will be presented by forthcoming year.

For the staff at Legend, the reception was a well-deserved treat after another record-breaking year where all previous sales figures were easily surpassed.

The next social gathering by Legend Real Estate will be the annual general meeting, where Legend's plans for 2004 will be announced and the most successful consultants of the past year will be rewarded.

InterContinental staff celebrate first year of operations

The InterContinental Malta, which last Sunday celebrated the first anniversary of its opening its doors to the public, has just held its very first annual staff party - a big celebration to which all members of staff and management were accompanied by their partners.

The occasion was marked with a commemorative plaque for each, in acknowledgement of a year of endeavour. Winning tickets for a large number of prizes, which included holidays at sister hotels in San Francisco and Geneva, were drawn throughout the evening.

Caroline Farrugia, front office shift leader, Caroline Sammut, food and beverage co-ordinator, and Christopher Briffa, inventory clerk, were named 'employees of the year'. They were given holidays for two, including flights, at the Forum in Munich, the InterContinental in Paris, the InterContinental Hyde Park and the Churchill in London.

TGI Friday's celebrates fifth anniversary

TGI Friday's is celebrating its fifth anniversary in Malta with a series of fund-raising activities on Friday.

TGI Friday's Bar and Restaurant, located at Il-Fortizza in Sliema, is an American casual dining restaurant, best known for its energetic, welcoming environment, fantastic service and a superb, lively atmosphere.

Popular XFM Radio DJs, namely Cliff Brooks, Carlo Borg Bonaci, Steve Joy, Caroline Eckett, Clifford Scorey, Jason Zammit, and Ozi will be serving guests on Friday night. Their effort will serve to raise funds for Caritas.

Players from various Malta Rugby teams will be attempting an Eating Challenge. Supporters of each team will bid on who the winning team will be and the money collected will go towards the Caritas charity fund. The challenge will be led by Stompers, who are sponsored by TGI Friday's.

A bartendering show will also be held on the night. Beverages will be served by bottle-flipping, entertaining bartenders who will display their individual flair and skills in the art of mixing drinks.

Stefania Conte, Food Chain Hold-ings' business manager, said: "It is always Friday at TGI Friday's but this Friday it will be a grand celebration party to mark our fifth anniversary. We are offering spot prizes and special offers throughout the night."

Two all-inclusive package holidays in Tunisia for two persons each, will be given away as spot prizes. Other offers include free appetisers at the bar and TGI Friday's official merchandise.

"Apart from creating fun, our principal endeavour is to raise money for the Drug Rehabilitation Centre of Caritas Malta," said Ms Conte. "TGI Friday's will be contributing 10 per cent of profit on sales of that night to Caritas. The crew of TGI Friday's will also be donating their evening's tips to Caritas."

Caritas Malta is committed, in solidarity, to stand alongside people in difficulty, sharing its resources, working together with other social partners on programmes which raise public awareness, promoting human development, and voicing the rights of socially-disadvantaged people.

The Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Drug Users incorporates different programmes catering for different age groups and specific needs.

TGI Friday's fifth anniversary celebration party is also being supported by XFM Radio, Howards Travel and Lufthansa, Pepsi Twist, Wands, Island Hotels Group and Fantasy Tours.

The TGI Friday's franchise in Malta is operated by Simonds Farsons Cisk plc through its subsidiary, Food Chain Holdings Ltd.

People

David Francis Galea, LCGI, MIEE, MInstPM Eng. Tech. Assoc., IEEE, CET, FUAPS (Ont.), was recently appointed Fellow of the Institute of the Management Information Systems (IMIS) of Malta and the United Kingdom (FIMIS).

IMIS is the leading Professional Association in the Information Systems Management sector. A registered charity it has consistently played a prominent role in fostering greater understanding of the importance of IS Management, working to enhance the status of those engaged in the profession, and promoting higher standard through better education and training both in the UK and Overseas.

Mr Galea has also recently received accreditation of Membership with the Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators of UK. He was also appointed Fellow Member of Uganda Association for the Promotion of Science of Ontario Canada. He is considering establishing a chapter of the association in Malta.

Mr Galea is currently employed as network manager with Water Services Corporation.

Dr Sarah Muscat recently graduated Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Physics from Glasgow University.

The research which led to this degree was an evaluation and clinical application of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) which was conducted at the department of Clinical Physics and Bio-Engineering and at the Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology of the University of Glasgow.

OCT is a new imaging technique which can provide cross-sectional images of the retina with resolution that surpasses that of conventional imaging techniques. It is very similar to Ultrasound but it makes use of light sources rather than acoustic ones.

This device, being developed by the research team of scientists, can read the health status of both eyes in just eight minutes, and help detect eye diseases much earlier. It offers hope to thousands who may have otherwise gone blind, as many eye diseases, such as glaucoma, are manageable if caught early. The Glasgow research team is one of the only three available worldwide to have developed this technique.

Dr Muscat has published a number of her papers on the findings of this research in various medical journals including Eye, Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers and The British Journal of Ophthalmology. She has also distributed them at conferences in UK and Florida.

Dr Muscat graduated B.Sc. in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Malta in 1994, and M.Sc. in Radiation Physics from the University of London in 1997, before joining the Glasgow research team in 1999.

She is the daughter of Joseph and Marie Louise Muscat of Attard.

Julian C. Zarb, MBA, MHCIMA, MCFA, MTS, Dip. Hotel Management, has just been nominated eTurboNews representative journalist for Malta and Gozo.

Mr Zarb has over 25 years' experience in the hospitality industry. He has produced and presented a number of radio programmes.

Mr Zarb is also a freelance tourism journalist and has a fortnightly column in one of the Maltese-language Sunday papers.

Mr Zarb has been twice awarded the Tourism Journalist Award by the Ministry of Tourism, in 2000 and again in 2003. He is also founder-president of the Socjetà Turistika Maltija.

The principal focus of many of his articles are the socio-economic benefits and opportunities that tourism can present in a destination country and its people to produce both a worthwhile experience as well as a sustainable activity.

ETurboNews was launched in April 2001. Its readership has increased from 26,000 of mostly US subscribers to more than 192,000 international subscribers in 230 countries and territories.

This achievement places eTurboNews at the forefront of the industry allowing it to rightly claim to be the largest international newsletter for the travel trade.

The database of readers comprises mostly travel agents, tour operators, airline employees and cruise operators, resorts, hotels and guesthouses. Both national and international government personnel, as well as private tourism marketing organisations and associations as well as more than 3,200 media companies and journalists also subscribe to eTurboNews.

Sliema restaurant owner shown appreciation

The coffee room on the inside of the peaceful Drop Inn Bar and Restaurant in Tigné, Sliema, sometimes echoes with the sounds of keen arguing. More often than not it is the hardworking committee members of the 3/11 Regiment RMA (T) Association during their regular meetings there.

Rita Sultana, who owns and runs this very welcoming drinking hole - so popular with tourists - on the beautiful Sliema waterfront, has become like a godmother to this committee over the years that the members have been meeting there.

A gesture of appreciation was made to her recently when the association's president Walter Debatista and committee members presented her with a gift to mark the long years of the committee's association with this particular spot.

Olmi masterpiece at Italian Cultural Institute

Ermanno Olmi's film Il mestiere delle armi chronicles the last seven days in the life of Giovanni de' Medici, nephew of Pope Clement VII. Giovanni died after he was wounded in the battle against Imperial troops marching on Rome in November, 1526.

It was a time when artillery first appeared on the battlefields and the politics of war in the hands of Machiavellian feudal lords. Olmi analyses these two issues through the sufferings of the young captain, played by Bulgarian actor Hristo Jivkov.

Olmi's work is a stunning, dramatic film with poetic insights into human strengths and integrity. Hailed as a masterpiece, Il mestiere delle armi, was nominated for the Golden Palm Award at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival and won the David di Donatello Awards for Best Picture and Best Director in 2002.

This film will be shown at the Italian Cultural Institute, St George's Square, Valletta, on Thursday at 6 p.m. Entrance is free.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements - January 26-31

Tomorrow
11 a.m. The President receives a delegation from Pembroke, Wales, accompanied by the mayor of Pembroke, Malta, at the Palace, Valletta.
Noon The President receives Malta Desalination Services chairman Carmlino Spiteri and is presented with a donation in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCP).
5.30 p.m. The President receives the president and council members of the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
7 The President and Mrs de Marco attend a reception hosted by the Australian High Commissioner and Mrs Palk on the occasion of Australia Day, at their residence in San Pawl tat-Targa.

Tuesday
11 a.m. The President and Mrs de Marco present donations on behalf of the MCCF to various individuals and organisations, at the Palace, Valletta.
1.45 p.m. The President receives the officials of the Ghaqda Kittieba Sports accompanied by the winners of the Sportivi Nazzjonali.
6.30 p.m. The President presides over meeting of the Commission for the Administration of Justice.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives pupils from Annibale Preca School, Lija, and is presented with a donation in aid of the MCCF, at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives Afm Golam Hossain, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, on a farewell call.
7.30 p.m. The President presides over the Malta Enterprise Awards presentation ceremony at the InterContinental Hotel, St Julian's.

Thursday
9.15 a.m. The President receives the Prime Minister at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives members of the Sezzjoni Zghazagh Santa Marija, Mqabba.
Noon The President receives Finance Minister John Dalli.
5.15 p.m. The President delivers the closing address of the seminar entitled "Business and Employment", organised by the Malta Press Club in association with the European Journalists Centre, at the Fortina Spa Resort, Sliema.
8 The President and Mrs de Marco attend a reception hosted by Fra Andrew Bertie, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Rhodes and Jerusalem, at St John's Cavalier, Valletta.

Friday
10 a.m. The President receives Bruce George, president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, at the Palace, Valletta.

Saturday
8 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco host a reception in honour of the participants of the international seminar organised by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Rhodes and Jerusalem, at the Palace, Valletta.

For your diary

The Malta Catholic Action is organising a lunch at the Forum Hotel, St Andrews, today at 12.30 p.m. Phone 2122-2239 for bookings.

Ward u ZgHar is organising a barbecue at the Mtarfa Centre today at 11 a.m.

The Malta Historical Society is holding a lecture, in its monthly series, entitled "Birkirkara in the 19th century", at the Old Church, Birkirkara, tomorrow at 6 p.m.

A coffee morning is being organised by the Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped, at Sunny Coast Leisure Club, Qawra, on Tuesday at 9.30 a.m. Phone 2169-3863 or 2143-6421 for tickets.

A coffee morning is being organised at the Salesian Oratory in Sliema on Wednesday at 9.30 a.m. Phone 2133-1447 for tickets.