Skydive Malta wins Best Business Plan Competition

Chris de Gabriele is the winner of the third edition of the Best Business Plan Competition, organised by Junior Chamber Malta, in partnership with HSBC Bank Malta plc and KPMG.

The winner was announced during an awards ceremony held at the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise premises in Valletta. Mr de Gabriele received his Lm1,000 cash prize from HSBC Bank Malta and KPMG Malta, represented on the day by Josef Camilleri, public relations manager of HSBC Bank Malta, and Hilary Galea Lauri, managing partner at KPMG.

In addition to the prize money, HSBC and KPMG will be providing the winner with banking and assurance services on favourable terms and conditions.

Maria Grech Sant, 2004 president of the la Vallette Chapter, explained that Mr de Gabriele's business plan will now be submitted as the official Junior Chamber Malta entry to the International Best Business Plan of the World Competition, organised by Junior Chamber International (JCI).

The winner of the overall JCI Best Business Plan of the World Competition will receive a US$5,000 cash prize and a free airline ticket to attend the 2004 JCI World Congress to be held in Fukuoka, Japan, in November.

Mr de Gabriele's business plan is entitled Skydive Malta and presents a skydiving company for a niche market that is not exploited locally. Skydive Malta should be committed to introduce this sport in Malta, targeting both locals and foreigners. The business would comprise both a centre catering for licensed skydivers as well as a training centre directed towards the promotion of this sport.

"JCM is once again delighted with the response to the Best Business Plan Competition, both in terms of the number of competitors and the quality of the plans submitted," Michael Ellul, JCM president 2004, said. "This is a clear indication of the entrepreneurial talent that exists among Malta's youth and that can be harnessed in our society as we restructure the economy and seek to add economic value in innovative ways. JCM would particularly like to thank HSBC and KPMG not only for their financial support but also for their logistical help."

Antonio Augugliaro, BBP team project leader, added: "We would also like to thank the competition judges, Joseph Schembri, partner KPMG, Mr Camilleri of HSBC Bank Malta, Joseph Grioli, managing director of Vodafone Malta Ltd, and Mr Ellul for their contribution in making our third Best Business Plan Competition a success."

The runner-up in JCM's Best Business Plan Competition was Steven Attard, who was presented with a Lm250 consolation prize for his business plan, entitled StreetCLUB. StreetCLUB is a Mobile Entertainment content provider and aims to develop and deliver unique mobile content, including video on demand, interactive communities, real music ring-tones, personalised graphics and superior Java games.

StreetCLUB will be launched next October by Socratxt International, Malta's leading mobile marketing, services and entertainment company, which can be contacted at info@socratxt.com.

Junior Chamber Malta is affiliated to Junior Chamber International (JCI), a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 40 that believes in the advancement of the global community and the creation of positive change.

The federation has over 200,000 active members world wide and millions of alumni participating in projects and events. JCI is present in more than 6,000 communities located in over 100 countries around the world.

Members meet at local, national and international events to exchange ideas and share best practices, to network and to organise projects and related activities in accordance with JCI's strategies in four key 'Areas of Opportunity': Business, Individual, Community, and International Development.

This year marks the 10th anniversary since the formation of Junior Chamber Malta.

For more information on Junior Chamber Malta and membership of the organisation, visit www.jcmalta.org or e-mail JCM marketing director 2004 Elaine Tabone Adami on elaine.taboneadami @jcmalta.org.