Bank of Valletta is the Official Partner of Special Olympics Malta for the 2024 National Games being held in Malta between the 12th and the 15th September 2024
The National Games will see over 600 athletes with intellectual disabilities from Malta, North Macedonia, the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus compete in five sporting disciplines with the theme of the Games being ‘The Champion Within Us’.
Special Olympics is a global movement that tackles stigma, isolation and injustice faced by people with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power and joy of sport.
Ernest Agius, Chief Operations Officer at Bank of Valletta met with Special Olympics Malta President Dr Lydia Abela, President of Special Olympics Malta together with Ms. Anna Calleja, National Director of Special Olympics Malta to announce the Bank’s partnership with this prestigious event.
‘As an inclusive organisation with over 2,000 employees from all walks of life, we at Bank of Valletta are proud to have Special Olympics athletes whom we call colleagues and friends,’ said Mr Agius. ‘Our support to this event goes beyond financial contributions as we collaborate with Special Olympics Malta to promote inclusivity and community engagement.’
‘We are very pleased to see that this event goes beyond the competitive aspect and places a strong emphasis on promoting the health of its athletes through health screening and educational initiatives that are embedded in the event programme,’ continued Mr Agius. ‘Supporting this event forms part of BOV’s commitment as a citizen of the Maltese Community and we are proud to be associated with this event in the year where we are celebrating 50 years since opening our doors for the first time.’
‘The choice of ‘The Champion within Us’ as the theme of these games stems from our commitment that each athlete is a champion and forms part of one team whose aim is to participate together and share each other’s success,’ said Dr Abela. ‘We show gratitude to Bank of Valletta for partnering with Special Olympics Malta on this event and look forward in strengthening our relationship in future initiatives’.
Athletes will be participating over 5 sporting disciplines, bocce, swimming, table tennis, athletics and football and all events will be held at the SportMalta complexes in Cottonera and Marsa.
Good Governance, Structural reforms, Competitiveness, Productivity, Sustainable Growth, and improved Quality of Life featuring on top
“Given the structural issues Malta is currently facing, it is evident that we need a budget that goes beyond rhetoric—a budget that addresses Malta’s immediate problems, which have been left ineffectively tackled for far too long. These issues are now grinding the country to a halt.” This message was conveyed by The Malta Chamber President Chris Vassallo Cesareo during a meeting held at The Malta Chamber in Valletta earlier today with Prime Minister Robert Abela, emphasising the critical need for reforms that have been overlooked for years.
The Malta Chamber delegation highlighted its 12 key strategic priorities that it would like to see Government focus on in the upcoming budget. These are:
1. Competitiveness
2. Fiscal Discipline
3. Utilities
4. Renewables
5. Traffic Congestion
6. Sustainable Tourism
7. Planning and Upkeep of Public Areas
8. Value-Added Employment
9. Third Country Nationals (TCNs)
10. Low Income Earners and Pensioners
11. Public Procurement
12. Proper Enforcement of Laws and Regulations
The Malta Chamber said that for ethical business to keep investing, they need to be confident that they are operating in a country that has a responsive administration, and expressed its concern that only 1.8% of the 219 proposals that it put forward last year have been implemented by government. 18.7% are partially implemented, whereas there are another 74.9% which have not been refused but nothing has been heard yet about their implementation. The country’s economy needs to change its direction – from a labour-intensive economy to one which is based on high-value added.
The Malta Chamber CEO, Dr Marthese Portelli described this shift as “essential to enhance the quality of Malta’s offerings while reducing the strain on the country’s infrastructure, which is now clearly at breaking point”. The Malta Chamber urges government to change its current course, and take the decisions that need to be taken, even if they might be unpopular.
Stressing that the forthcoming budget must be a pivotal moment for tangible, long-term change, Portelli added that this economic shift must be complemented by robust measures to tackle governance failures that have compromised Malta’s security, stability and international reputation. The Malta Chamber delegation openly discussed opportunities and concerns being faced by the business industry in Malta, highlighting key areas requiring urgent interventions and possible solutions. These included:
• Good governance across the board and carrying out the required reforms, including the public procurement reform
• Planning well the necessary investment required to enhance Malta’s productivity and competitiveness
• Rationalising public procurement to avoid unnecessary expenditure and to ensure that all public spending gives good return on investment (R&I)
• Simplification of business processes and making better use of technology across government agencies, authorities, and departments, to improve operational efficiency, reduce unnecessary costs and delays for businesses, as well as to ensure better enforcement
• The necessary and speedy investment to ensure a stable and adequate supply of electricity, water and sewage services that meet the demand
• Finetuning measures to encourage more businesses to adopt green technologies, offering schemes and tariffs that provide a better return on investment than the current ones
• Implementation of a number of measures aimed at addressing Malta’s traffic congestion rather than merely expanding road networks or adopting sporadic measures which in the absence of others end up futile
• Urban planning issues and the importance of embarking on a wider planning reform to ensure a holistic approach which is coherent and respects aesthetics, as opposed to pick-and-choose policy approaches
• The upkeep of public spaces, which should be a priority to enhance the well-being of residents and the country’s attractiveness to tourists.
• Addressing the human resource issue and moving towards more value-added employment.
In response to the Malta Chamber’s proposals, Prime Minister Robert Abela acknowledged the significance of the above concerns and expressed his commitment to considering The Malta Chamber’s recommendations in the formulation of the upcoming budget. He affirmed the government’s intention to foster a more resilient economy, while also ensuring a fair level playing field for business and a good quality of life for all citizens. The Prime Minister highlighted the need for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to drive the necessary reforms and achieve sustainable development. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister Ian Borg, Minister Clyde Caruana, Minister Miriam Dalli, Minister Silvio Schembri, Minister Chris Bonnett, Minister Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul, MP Cressida Galea and OPM Chief of Staff Col. Mark Mallia.
Steadfast in its belief that the 2025 budget must be a catalyst for meaningful change, The Malta Chamber looks forward to much more effective dialogue with the government, together with other stakeholders in the ambit of MCESD.
The HSBC Malta Foundation is proud to announce its latest charitable initiative aimed at continuing to support local communities. With the invaluable support and generosity of the HSBC Malta employees and suppliers, the Foundation donated a wide range of essential items to various NGOs across Malta. The initiative focused on providing much-needed supplies to help NGOs assist their service users effectively. The donations included stationery items, refillable and reusable water bottles, food for the Foodbank Lifeline Foundation and Caritas Malta, books for the ALS Malta bookshop, and quilts and blankets for shelters. Additionally, Fondazzjoni Sebħ received a special donation of men’s clothing to distribute to those in need.
HSBC Malta is committed to supporting local shelters by providing quilts and blankets to NGOs such as YMCA, Fondazzjoni Sebħ, RISE Foundation, and Building Bridges for the upcoming Winter season. This initiative ensures that vulnerable individuals have access to warmth and comfort. The bank also contributed food items to the Foodbank Lifeline Foundation and Caritas Malta, addressing food insecurity and supporting families in need across Malta.
In collaboration with the ALS Malta, the HSBC Malta Foundation donated a selection of books to their bookshop, empowering the community through the joy of reading and supporting ALS’s ongoing efforts.
This initiative aligns with HSBC Malta’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals by promoting community welfare, social equality, and sustainable resource use. Furthermore, it supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Quality Education and Reduced Inequality.
HSBC Malta believes in giving back to the community and making a positive impact on the lives of those around us. We are honoured to support these incredible organisations and help them continue their vital work in our community. This initiative reflects our commitment to corporate social responsibility and our dedication to building a brighter future for Malta.
“We believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting those who need it most,” said Glenn Bugeja on behalf of the HSBC Malta Foundation. “Our initiative aims to provide essential resources that can make a real difference in people’s lives and empower organisations to continue their outstanding work in our society.”
The NGOs that benefited from donations of stationery, water bottles, and other essential items include Inspire, Richmond Foundation, FIDEM Foundation, ALS Malta, MCAST – Outreach Services and Student Affairs Office, LOOP, Building Bridges, Fondazzjoni Sebħ – Shelter Milja, Soup Kitchen in Valletta, Life Network Foundation, St Jean Antide Foundation, Happy Parenting – Malta (For Happier Children), Smiling with Jerome, Dar il-Kaptan, Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem, Caritas Malta, Families Supported by the Missionaries of Charity, Families supported by the Augustine Sisters, Kummissjoni Parroċċa Tfal, The St Augustine Community in Valletta, St Ignatius College, Woman for Woman and YMCA.
