Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1115758
20 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 MAY 2019 COMMERCIAL MFSA strengthening contact with stakeholders, highlights efforts to improve efficacy IN line with the MFSA's Vi- sion 2021 and its commitment to engage better with financial services practitioners, the MFSA organised a briefing session fo- cusing on the Authority's recent changes in the organisational structure, its supervisory priori- ties and service improvements in the authorisation process. Introducing this briefing, MF- SA Chairman, Professor John Mamo spoke about the rationale behind the recent organisational changes, explaining that "the MFSA's drive to become more pro-active will also affect firms, which need to be more vigilant in identifying risks of miscon- duct and in addressing these risks to avoid such occurrences." Mamo also said that the MFSA is committed to keep in close touch with the media and the public at large "to provide fur- ther transparency and knowl- edge of who we are and what we do." MFSA Chief Executive Of- ficer Joseph Cuschieri gave practitioners a detailed over- view of the new organisational structure which, he explained, was crucial for the Authority to operate in a more in-depth and widened scope particularly in areas where additional fo- cus was needed, to increase ef- ficiency and to create a higher level of accountability. "I believe we have the right team with the right attitude to change the way the Authority handles its affairs", he said. The CEO stated that this revised structure was discussed with various international institu- tions and experts including the IMF. Cuschieri referred to vari- ous new features of the MFSA's corporate structure, such as the creation of the Enforcement De- cisions Committee which will be composed of external compe- tent individuals who shall act in- dependently from the Executive Committee. "This will create an impartial system which will pre- vent the authority from being judge, jury and executioner and will avoid having the decisions of the Authority challenged on that basis." At the same briefing, MFSA Chief Officer – Supervision, Marianne Scicluna, highlighted the MFSA's supervisory priori- ties for 2019, which, based on the key directions of the Euro- pean supervisory authorities, revolve around a risk-based ap- proach. She outlined the Authority's supervisory priorities, which currently focus on five key ele- ments: Governance, Risk and Compliance; Compliance with AML/CFT; Cross-Border Oper- ations; Cyber Security and Retail Investor Protection. IT'S not every day one gets to cook alongside a celebrity. But that's exactly what happened when the Mediterranean Cu- linary Academy hosted Duan Yihong, a celebrated Chinese actor, for a private cooking ses- sion earlier this month. The film star visited the island through a collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority and he spent time learning about local arts and culture, including culinary heritage. During the cooking session, MCA CEO Kurt Mifsud and Chief Culinary Officer Stephen La Rosa shared their knowledge of local ingredients and then recreated a dish from a lost Mal- tese recipe. "We were delighted to share some of Malta's rich culinary history with Duan and hon- oured to welcome such a talent- ed actor to the Academy," said Mifsud. Duan Yihong is well known in his native China and he counts dozens of roles in television and film among his accomplish- ments. He has also won several awards for his work. Chinese movie star Duan Yihong enjoys local cooking session at the MCA MCDONALD'S continues to revolutionise customer experi- ence in Malta with the intro- duction of table service and increased digital innovation in more restaurants across Mal- ta and Gozo. Table service is now available at McDonald's in Gharghur, Bugibba, St Julian's, Bay Street and Gozo. The Sliema restaurant will offer table service by the end of May. After indicating their choices and affecting payment at the self-ordering kiosk, McDonald's customers now simply take a numbered 'tent' from the adja- cent stand, have a seat at a table of their choosing and place the tent on the table. Infra-red tech- nology indicates the customers' position to crew in seconds, so the order is brought directly to the customers' table. Table service has been received very positively with more than 75 per cent of McDonald's cus- tomers who eat in-store are opt- ing for table service wherever it is available. In the meantime, both McDon- ald's restaurants in the St Julian's area have been refurbished to accommodate increased digital innovation and new features. The McDonald's restaurant at Bay Street has been completely remodeled. It now features self- ordering kiosks, table service, the latest McDonald's kitchen configuration, and upgraded counter where customers may pay by cash if they wish. The St Julian's restaurant has been con- verted to similarly accommo- date self-ordering kiosks, table service, and a new counter. McDonald's introduces table service, refurbishes St Julian's restaurants THE seventh edition of the Homes of Quality Golf Tour- nament organised in collabora- tion with the Royal Malta Golf Club saw a record participation of over 100 players, with Finley Gratil securing the much-covet- ed overall winner placing. At just 16 years of age, Finley took the tournament by storm scoring 80 points in aggregate over the two days (35 on Sat- urday and 45 on Sunday). With a total of 122 participants, the tournament included a men's stableford competition and a separate ladies' stableford com- petition. The top 72 scores from both competitions then quali- fied for the final round that took place on Sunday 28 April. All competitors fought it out for the top prize consisting of a trip for two to Tuscany, includ- ing entry to one of Tuscany's top golf courses, with complements of Homes of Quality, members of the Frank Salt Real Estate Group. The Best Man competition was won by Gernot Schmid (79 points), whilst the Best Lady honours were taken by Miho Karasawa with 77 points, the latter also winning last edition's tournament. 16-year old wins Homes of Quality Golf Tournament 2019