10 years ago - The Times
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Brussels wants liquidation of Malta Shipyards
The European Commission is piling pressure on the government to declare Malta Shipyards bankrupt and liquidate the company before continuing the process of privatisation of all or parts of its assets.
Commission sources told The Times yesterday that the Commission’s position did not change following last week’s visit to Malta by Commissioner Neelie Kroes and that Brussels still feels that the best formula to be adopted in order to start a new shipyards operation with a clean sleet is liquidation.
“Under normal commercial circum-stances, a company that is no longer viable and is registering losses, like Malta Shipyards, is declared bankrupt and put to liquidation. Although we see this as the most logical step forward, we will not impose it on the government as long as the privatisation process does not involve further State aid.”
This rigid position by Brussels has been adopted in view of plans by the government, announced earlier this year, to absorb about €100 million in losses that are expected to accumulate by the end of this year when the seven-year restructuring deal agreed with the EU ends.
25 years ago - The Times
Saturday, September 18, 1993
Call for measures to clamp down on stolen chequebook fraud
A jewellery shop owner is calling for measures to clamp down on stolen chequebook fraud. He is finding support from fellow jewellers.
Carmel Debono, director of Jos. Debono Jewellers, said that at the moment there was nothing to stop con men using the stolen books and jewellery shops were among the businesses hardest hit by this type of criminality.
In a letter sent to the bankers, Mr Debono has asked the bank to publish in the media, details of stolen chequebooks, in a similar way that stolen credit cards are now listed and given to businesses which accept them.
Boy fights for his life after fall
A four-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he fell a height of eight courses in Xemxija.
Justin Darmanin, of St Paul’s Bay, was playing with his brother Ryan on garages which are being built in Xemxija Heights.
At one point Justin fell, dragging with him a building stone which had a piece of wood attached to it, the wood striking him in the head and causing him serious injury.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Wednesday, September 18, 1968
Grants and loans for tomato growers
Thirteen growers are to receive financial assistance for the setting up of glasshouses.
The growers yesterday signed the deeds for loans and grants amounting to 60 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively, of the expenditure involved.
The tomato growers are to set up units, measuring 100’ by 21’ or 150’ by 28’, averaging in cost between £1,246 and £1,863.
The overall amount to be given to the growers is £19,260.
The grants and loans were given to encourage the growers to increase the output of glasshouse produce.
No less than 22 growers have been given grants and loans for the setting up of glasshouses this year.
The total expenditure involved has reached £32,975. Agricultural officers supervise the construction of glasshouses.
J. Spiteri, Minister of Trade, Industry and Agriculture, and J. Farrugia, Director of Agriculture were present when the deeds were signed at the Department of Trade and Industry.