The specialised reference library on art at the National Museum of Fine Arts, a three-year project, is at an advanced stage and should be completed and inaugurated within the next six months.

The HSBC Vincenzo Bonello Art Library, which houses prints, maps and archives in general, is being funded by HSBC Malta. The bank has been collaborating with the museum since 2003, when it loaned it the Malta Turner Watercolour on a permanent basis.

HSBC was yesterday recognised by Heritage Malta as the official patron of the Fine Arts Museum and a plaque was unveiled at its entrance. Over the last three years, the HSBC Cares for Malta's Heritage Fund has contributed around €70,000 (Lm30,051) to the museum, including a donation of €24,000 (Lm10,303) yesterday.

The library was visited by HSBC CEO Alan Richards, making his first public appearance since succeeding Shaun Wallis. Mr Richards has been in Malta for a mere three weeks and, coming from a relatively "young" country, Australia, he was immediately taken in by Malta's history and culture.

Expressing his appreciation for the "desperately needed" contributions, Heritage Malta chairman Mario Tabone said funds poured into the heritage sector were "gobbled up" and that is was difficult to meet the demands. Heritage Malta intended, for example, to extend the South Street museum into the adjacent palace and planned to open a modern art museum, an area that was active in Malta.

Dr Tabone said it was the "duty" of the national agency for cultural heritage to invest in the modern art museum, which was as yet on the drawing board.

National Museum of Fine Arts curator Sandro Debono said a site had not yet been earmarked for it, though it would probably be located in the capital city.

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