Features
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A strong half-year performance by BoV
The announcement by Bank of Valletta plc last Friday reporting pre-tax profits of €47.5 million for the first six months of their 2009/10 financial year was welcome news for its many shareholders and the market in general. There was great...
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Greek aid decision fails to calm markets' fears
The euro failed to find support earlier this week even though one would think that the aid package to Greece, determined over the weekend, would at least settle the sovereign default worries. The relief was short lived because the euro still lost...
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New rules regulating distribution agreements
The distribution of goods and services will shortly be regulated by new rules which have been recently adopted by the European Commission. Any restrictions imposed by manufacturers or suppliers in distribution agreements which do not satisfy the...
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Political risks in Turkey are unlikely to derail the recovery
The modern Republic of Turkey was built on the vision of a man who believed that Turkey could develop into a regional economic powerhouse that would rival other economic giants in Europe. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the founder of the modern republic...
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Banking on population
In his latest contribution to The Economist's special edition "The World in 2010", HSBC chairman Stephen Green refers to the "demographic window" as an opportunity for the financial services sector to expand towards the developing world. Indeed,...
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Rising budget deficits - a threat to future economic growth?
With the issue of aid to Greece still brewing, sentiment for the euro was very mixed, taking directions on any positive or negative comment from key people. The euro was down against most of its major counterparts for the first half of the week.
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Prescribing medicinals
UK pharmaceutical firms have been defeated in their attempt to put an end to British government incentives to doctors to supply patients with cheaper but equivalent medicines. The European Court of Justice rejected a complaint by the Association of...
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MFSA annual report highlights continual finance sector growth
The MFSA's annual report for 2009, published on April 16, records another year of growth for the country's finance sector. Writing in the report, MFSA chairman Joe Bannister says: "Given the turmoil that followed the worldwide financial crisis, the...
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The importance of dividends
The primary objective of investors in equities is capital appreciation over time, however, the consideration of an adequate regular dividend is hardly ever overlooked by such investors. This is probably more pronounced with Maltese investors who...
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Malta's potential in digital games production comes under the spotlight
The first University-Business Thematic Forum, jointly organised by the University and the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, with the support of the National Commission for Higher Education, met at the MCCEI recently to discuss digital...
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Medserv profitability climbs to a record pre-tax of €3.1 million
The Medserv 2009 full-year results show record pre-tax profits of €3.1 million re-presenting substan-tial growth from the profitability of just under €1 million in 2008. Despite the global eco-nomic turmoil which dampened demand for oil, Medserv...
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Overhaul of short-term visa rules
Recent events have highlighted the crucial role played by visas for the business community and the dependence of the livelihood of many on the issue or otherwise of such visas. In a bid to make life easier for third country nationals who require a...
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Public procurement rules
High on the agenda of public procurement are land deals, and as may be expected, greater scrutiny attaches to the correct application of the public procurement rules when it comes to land transactions. In a key judgment delivered by the Court of...
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€297 million raised in the bond market in Q1
During the first three months of 2010, the bond market remained very active as €297 million were raised by the government of Malta and five other corporate issuers. Although in 2009 a sizable number of bonds were offered to the public (€810 million...
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Short-term relief or long-term concern?
The euro started off positively on Monday rallying to the highest level since mid-March. The single currency found support after details of the long-awaited standby rescue package were released. EU leaders offered a joint pledge for the amount of...
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Revised block exemption for insurance sector
Two forms of cooperation specific to the insurance sector will continue to be exempted from the application of the stringent EU competition rules, according to a new block exemption law adopted recently by the European Commission. This new block...
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FimBank posts modest profit in tough environment
FimBank published its 2009 financial results on March 16 and the financial statements revealed a modest profit of US$1.6 million. While this represents a substantial decline from the US$24.8 million registered in 2008, the sale of their shareholding...
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Reports that Greece to seek new deal to bypass IMF
Greece is reportedly planning to amend the EU deal struck last month to bypass the IMF financial contribution due to concerns that this might come with tough conditions. In addition, Greek banks are being hit as large depositors are moving cash to...
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Microsoft initiative to empower citizens through IT training, guidance
It is widely recognised that technology is a potent force that can empower millions of people to reach their goals and realise their dreams. Still, for many people the digital divide keeps that power out of reach. Despite real improvements in access...
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A welcome breather for the euro currency
European Union leaders have apparently managed to reassure the markets with a message of support to Greece during the EU summit held on March 25 and 26, at least in the short term. The aid package to Greece, however, involves significant...
