Comment
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Is gold starting to lose its glitter?
In the past several months, many investors thought they had discovered a way of beating the low returns gained from their financial assets by investing in gold. Many Western governments are still struggling with huge debt mountains, slow economic...
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A fairer deal for expats and tourists
Enemalta Corporation cannot lose any income stream, no matter how weak. It is in a very bad state, both in terms of revenue relative to expenses as well as in terms of its debt burden. Bipartisan plans to use a special purpose vehicle to alleviate...
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Restrictions over providing services
National authorities may invoke the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing as a justified objective which warrants restrictions on the fundamental freedom to provide services enjoyed by every EU citizen and legal entity. Such...
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It is time for a renewed national ICT Industry Policy Framework
Malta’s information and communications technology (ICT) industry has experienced substantial growth, which, to a degree, mirrors similar trends elsewhere since 1990. Today, the sector is said to contribute some five per cent of GDP. Historically,...
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Family businesses are facing challenging times
Much has been said and written over the last few years on the challenges facing businesses in the local and international arena, particularly in the context of the challenges that the global economy has been facing. Although the local economy has...
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Valuing mothers’ role at the place of work
Motherhood is one of the most exhilarating human experiences. It is also one of the most difficult, and being a mother while trying to cope with a career is becoming even more difficult. Up to a few decades ago the choice for most employed new...
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Controversy and surprises
One would have thought that, with the general election out of the way, the endless controversies over all sectors of the economy, aside from controversies elsewhere too, would take a break. After all, looking back, the state of the economy is...
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The EU’s retail energy market
European energy policy aims to ensure consumer-friendly energy supplies to households at affordable prices. The Energy 2020 strategy stresses the role of consumers. European measures intended to promote consumer interests are in place, compelling...
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When art is too hot to handle
Last month, the FBI marked 23 years since the theft of works of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum by hosting a press conference calling for leads by restating the large reward being offered. October 2012 saw another ‘super art’ heist at...
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Imagination for business leaders
Imagination in the business world and its role in strategic management came to the fore at a recent conference organised by the Malta Association of Family Enterprises and Znanie Association of Bulgaria. Themed The Knowledgeable Family Enterprise –...
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Will the banking union save the euro?
This time last year many economic analysts were asserting that the future of the euro was by no means certain and that a breakup of the euro area was no longer a theoretical possibility. Since then, a certain degree of calm has returned to the...
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Banks can sing a better song
The pendulum swings. The Malta financial centre has weathered a storm triggered by the financial crisis in Cyprus, whereby Malta was for a while twinned with that distressed island because of its substantial deposit base relative to Gross Domestic...
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Deal on EU mortgage directive reached
A break in the impasse on negotiations dealing with a proposed EU directive on mortgages has finally been registered. Negotiations between the EU institutions on the proposed directive which began in March 2011 seem to be drawing to a close with the...
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How to avoid the next Greece
The problem with Greece is that it was less efficient than its European counterparts. The good news is that it is relatively easy to get an indication of which countries are inefficient. A burger produced in Germany costs less than a burger produced...
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Thatcher: 100 per cent pure leadership
Had Margaret Thatcher been a business leader she would have been one of the best and most successful CEOs of her generation. Her recent demise and the subsequent press and media coverage, inspired this article. I admired the Iron Lady a lot. As a...
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Why business strategy matters
From my long years of business experience I have concluded that one of the most misunderstood roles of senior management is that of crafting and implementing strategy. Business leadership and strategy are intrinsically linked, and the failure of...
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Small can be beautiful at Mepa
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) is one of the most sensitive and important entities in the public sector. It is sensitive because the protection of the physical environment and the issuing of all types of building permits depend...
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Battle lines drawn in patent wars
The exercise of legal rights is legitimate. Applied to patents, this principle translates into the right of a patent holder to institute a patent infringement action and to seek an injunction preventing the infringer from continuing to practice the...
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Family business statements
Family businesses are leaving a very important effect on the Maltese economy. As a result, the beliefs each family holds dear to itself and the business have a direct effect on the national economy. And, the larger the family business, the greater...
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Banking on prudence
As a financial analyst I really appreciate the presentations made by the Central Bank Governor on current economic developments. The presentation made by Josef Bonnici on the publication of the 2012 annual report was a paradigm of clear economic...
