Countdown to euro

The Euro changeover campaign will step up a gear in the coming weeks as Malta kicks off the 100-day countdown to the introduction of the European currency.

Three large synchronised digital clocks started ticking in Valletta, Marsa and the Kappara roundabout yesterday as National Euro Changeover Committee executive director Alan Camilleri urged the public to start thinking in euro terms.

As shoppers swarmed around City Gate, Valletta, Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech yesterday told a news conference that the adoption of the euro on January 1 is the next natural step towards European integration.

While the technical preparations are proceeding smoothly, attention will shift to the communications and education process, and the last 100 days will be characterised by a concerted effort to educate consumers, train retailers to manage the new currency and assist vulnerable groups to become familiar with the euro.

New centres will be set up in each locality to provide information to residents and a personalised home service will be introduced specifically to target the elderly.

As one of the main sponsors, Bank of Valletta will be distributing calculators to the public from October to easily convert liri to euros.

Plastic money will be distributed at schools as the campaign also centres on youngsters, while the NECC Website will become more interactive.

A new logo, depicting a euro coin with the Maltese Cross, will show that the euro will soon become legal tender. All retailers will receive personalised training, starting this week, Mr Camilleri said.

Malta will host an international conference on October 1 focusing on its preparations for the adoption of the euro. The guest speakers include the president of the European Central Bank Jean Claude Trichet and European Commissioner Joaquin Almunia.

Government is planning a grand New Year's Eve event to celebrate the adoption of the euro when the clock strikes midnight. At that point, bank machines will start dispensing the euro notes.

On January 12, a formal celebration will be organised for heads of state of all the Eurozone countries.