Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1066826
15 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 DECEMBER 2018 Hili Properties acquires shopping centre in Latvia HILI Properties, the Maltese- owned real estate investment group, has finalised the acquisi- tion of the Dole shopping centre in the suburbs of Latvia's capital Riga. The three-storey property boasts 8,000 square metres of gross leasable area and is occu- pied by more than 60 tenants. Currently 95 per cent leased, the shopping centre's tenants in- clude supermarket chain Rimi, Olimpic Casino, quick service restaurant brand Hesburger, and beauty and household essentials chain Drogas. Dole is situated in the Ken- garags neighbourhood, one of Riga's southern suburbs with an extensive catchment area. Located in a densely populated residential district, the shopping centre is well-positioned to offer a comprehensive range of every- day goods and services. This is the latest addition to Hili Properties' international commercial real estate portfo- lio, which includes real estate around the Baltics, Romania and Malta. Hili Properties portfolio is now valued at €125 million. The company's last major acquisition in the Baltics took place in 2015 when it had acquired nine retail complexes in and around Riga. Hili Properties is part of Hili Ventures, the diverse group of companies headquartered in Malta. Hili Properties' portfo- lio includes dedicated business blocks, office space in key com- mercial districts, and property housing quick service restau- rants. "The acquisition of this proper- ty fits our plan to grow our port- folio in rapidly developing cities in the Baltics and across Europe, and is particularly strategic in nature," Hili Properties Manag- ing Director Sandra Murniece explains. "The property exhibits significant potential and we have an investment plan in place to enhance the quality of this asset and, in turn, attract new ten- ants. Our priority is, of course, to maintain excellent relations with the existing tenants and we have agreed that the current manage- ment company, Linstow Centre Management, will continue to co-operate with the shopping centre's retail community." THE Day Care Centre for elderly in Birzebbuga has introduced a free transport service aimed at improv- ing quality of life for senior citizens in the village. Birzebbuga Mayor Joseph Farrugia said the new ser- vice would enable elderly residents to socialise with one another more frequently while also being treated to a monthly cultural outing. "Our senior citizens will benefit enormously from this service, which has been made possible thanks to the financial assistance we have received from Malta Free- port Terminals and the Mal- ta Freeport Corporation. On behalf of residents, I would like to thank these two enti- ties for their support," Far- rugia said. Malta Freeport Terminals CEO Alex Montebello, who presented the mayor with a sponsorship cheque at the official launch of the service, said: "We are proud to form part of the Birzebugga com- munity and delighted to sup- port initiatives that improve residents' lives. I'm sure the free transport service being offered by the council to the elderly population will go some way towards achieving this." The event was also at- tended by the Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing, Anthony Agius Decelis, who thanked Malta Freeport Ter- minals for its support and said iniatives of this nature encouraged the elderly to lead more active lives was well as participating in the community. Malta Freeport Terminals has supported a number of new projects in the village in recent months, funding the creation of a garden and recreational facility on the Birzebbuga promenade – which will see the transfor- mation of a stretch of land covering 5,000 square metres along the promenade into a garden with water features – as well as sponsoring local sports clubs and entities. The CEO of Malta Freeport Corporation, David Ma- gro, was also present for the launch of the free transport service. B'Buga Day Centre introduces free transport service for elderly CUSTOMERS of HSBC ap- proaching the Balzan ATM for a simple withdrawal were given a nice surprise when the machine came to life and started 'talking' to them about their Christmas preparations. The heart-warming experi- ence, which has become a tradi- tion at HSBC Malta, was com- pleted in the ATM lobby, which was decorated for Christmas, complete with presents, Christ- mas songs, and the fun conver- sations with the ATM. The priceless expression of amazed customers was captured on a video now posted on HS- BC Malta's popular community pages facebook.com/HSBCMal- ta and HSBC Malta YouTube channel. The video opens with the lobby being transformed into a Christ- mas haven at the HSBC Balzan branch and a voice artist greet- ing customers when they access the ATM. Scenes then switch between the front and back of the ATM giving viewers a glimpse into the excitement on both sides of the 'talking' ATM. This is the third year that HSBC has created a Christmas video surprising customers. In previous editions, customers at The Point Shopping Mall have had their shopping paid for by none other than Santa Claus himself, while in another video HSBC Malta officials surprised new homeowners by waiving their December mortgage in- stalment, after entering their new property on the pretext of signing documents (YouTube). These Christmas films bring together HSBC's hallmark ele- ments of innovative banking, giving back to the community, and social media. HSBC Malta uses these initiatives to wish all its customers a Merry Christ- mas and a Happy New Year. Video celebrates bank customers' reaction to HSBC talking ATM