JCI Malta recently launched the 12th edition of the Best Business Plan Competition, with support from HSBC and KPMG.

The competition seeks to foster entrepreneurial spirit and provide young business people the knowledge and experience to turn ideas into real commercial objectives.

The competition was launched during a meeting JCI Malta president Jonathan Borg and deputy president Gordon Borg had with last year’s winner Marilù Vella of Pastizzi Gourmet.

KPMG partner David Caruana and HSBC head of business banking Joseph Abdilla were present.

“In a constant effort to improve year on year, we tap the experiences of successful participants at JCI Malta,” Jonathan Borg said.

“Ms Vella was invited to the HSBC Malta Business Centre to share her start-up experience with us.”

Ms Vella’s business – producing a low-fat and innovative pastizzi variety – has been so successful that she is currently looking for larger premises from which to operate.

To be eligible to participate in the competition, people aged between 18 and 40, or groups of up to four, are to present an initial business idea for a new start-up. Businesses that were legally established on or after June 1, 2012, may also take part.

Applications and business plan proposals for the competition are to be submitted by October 10.

Information and a copy of the competition manual are available at www.jci.org.mt or send an e-mail to lavallette@jci.org.mt.