EC English Language Centres has been shortlisted for a trio of awards from the Turkey-based Association of International Educational Counsellors (UED).
UED, established in 1991 by 15 separate agencies, is an organisation whose goal is to determine the most suitable programmes for students by acting as a bridge between foreign educational institutions and students who want to study outside Turkey.
EC has been shortlisted for Best English Language School – Canada, Best English Language School – Malta and Best ‘Chain’ Language School.
Final voting is now under way and will close on August 15.
Forgendo shares split between GO and EITML
GO and EITML have taken over direct equal shareholding in Greek communications company Forthnet.
Previously the shareholding was held through a joint venture formed between GO and Emirates International Telecommunications (Malta) Ltd called Forgendo.
The transfer of the 22.7 million shares to each of the entities was carried out without any financial consideration. These transfers are part of a restructuring process, which will result in the voluntary liquidation of Forgendo, leaving GO free to take decisions and its 22.7 million Forthnet shares independently of EITML.
EITML put GO up for sale recently and Tunisie Telecom will be buying its 60 per cent shareholding, along with around an additional five per cent from the public.
Airport awarded four stars by Skytrax
Malta International Airport has been awarded four stars by the leading air transport industry audit organisation, Skytrax. Only 13 other European airports are ranked four stars, including Zurich, Barcelona El Prat and Amsterdam Schiphol, and only 38 worldwide.
Introduced in 1989, Skytrax grants a rating after a thorough evaluation of the products and services are offered at different points of the airport journey.
Malta International Airport fared remarkably well in most of the audited areas and scooped more than four stars for its signage systems, its new website, car park facilities, internet and Wi-Fi availability, its food and beverage offering and the La Valette lounges, with Skytrax describing the latter as “excellent”. Also garnering positive remarks were the efficient security screening processes, in spite of current limitations.
A SWOT analysis, presented by Skytrax as part of the audit, highlights that the terminal expansion project should be regarded as an opportunity to address the airport’s current limitations, the most palpable of which are within the check-in and security areas.
The €28 million expansion project will include the addition of check-in desks, the creation of more circulation and seating space and the extension of the security screening area to twice its current footprint.
The airport is expecting almost five million passengers to pass through its terminal by the end of 2016.
Mapfre interim profits up 20.5%
Mapfre made €380 million net profits in the first half of the year, which represents a 20.5 per cent increase, the result of what the company described as “rigorous technical and financial management”.
Revenues stood at €14,641 million, up 0.8 per cent on the same period of the previous year, while premiums reached €12,080 million (down 0.8 per cent). Growth can be seen in local currency terms in virtually all the countries where Mapfre operates. In Malta, Mapfre is represented by Mapfre Middlesea.
Total assets reached €69,089 million, up 8.8 per cent since the last year-end, while shareholders’ equity amounted to €8,946 million, a 4.3 per cent rise.