Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1124848
20 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JUNE 2019 COMMERCIAL MARCEL Cassar, Chief Exec- utive Officer of APS Bank plc, has been re-elected Chairman of the Malta Bankers' Asso- ciation (MBA) for the coming year. His appointment was an- nounced following the Associ- ation's annual general meeting held on the 28th May 2019, at which meeting Andrew Beane, CEO of HSBC Bank Malta plc, was also re-elected Deputy Chairman for the same period. Cassar thanked the Asso- ciation's members for their renewed confidence, which comes at an important and challenging time for the bank- ing sector. He added that he looked forward to continue working with all MBA mem- ber banks in driving an agenda which sees them supporting more effectively the Maltese economy while mindful of safeguarding the good repu- tation of the financial sector. Cassar stated that the Associa- tion will continue to actively promote cooperation, dia- logue and advocacy between its members, the competent authorities and other relevant stakeholders. In his capacity as MBA Chairman, Cassar also repre- sents the Association on the Board of the European Bank- ing Federation. The MBA is a full member of the Federa- tion which is committed to supporting policies that foster economic growth and jobs, and unites 32 national bank- ing associations in Europe that represent some 4,500 banks ,employing about 2.1 million people and making loans in excess of €20 trillion available to the European economy. APS Bank CEO re-appointed as MBA Chairman Marcel Cassar, APS CEO and Chairman of the Malta Bankers' Association TODAY, BMIT Technologies plc held its first Annual Gener- al Meeting following its listing on the Malta Stock Exchange last February. In addition to reporting a successful 2018 to its shareholders, the company outlined major initiatives it is undertaking in order to reach its strategic objectives, includ- ing the opening of a new data centre. Addressing shareholders at the Hilton Malta, BMIT Tech- nologies plc Chairman, Nikhil Patil, touched upon the com- pany's growth strategy and its journey from a privately- owned organisation to a listed company worth €100 million. "Our strategy saw us investing in Kinetix IT Solutions Limited in 2016, and eventually consol- idating it through full acquisi- tion in 2018. This acquisition enables us to continue enhanc- ing our services portfolio, by providing holistic solutions to our customers and positions us to provide a new breed of ser- vices to our customers", added Patil. Shareholders were also ad- dressed by BMIT Technologies plc CEO, Christian Sammut, who provided an overview of the company's main strategic initiatives, as well as a status update on a new data centre, which is scheduled for comple- tion in 2020. "We are already in the advanced stages of de- veloping a new data centre in Żejtun that promises to be the largest purpose-built data cen- tre facility on the island. This new data centre has been designed and is being built ac- cording to established interna- tional standards. We expect it to be certified as a Tier 3 data centre from a leading interna- tional institution. In addition to new co-location and hosting capacity, we plan to offer en- hanced cloud services as well as to roll-out new and advanced IT solutions", said Sammut. Chief Finance Officer Alexia Muscat provided an overview of the financial performance of the company, and explained that for the year ended 31 De- cember 2018, BMIT Technolo- gies plc generated revenues in excess of €21 million, thereby registering an increase of 8% over revenues generated in 2017. EBITDA grew by €0.7 million to €9.3 million while profit be- fore tax amounted to €7 mil- lion, an increase of 10%. Shareholders also approved all the resolutions presented for their consideration. BMIT Technologies plc holds first AGM, following listing THE much-loved Coca-Cola limited edition bottles cel- ebrating Malta are back. This time, the design of the bottles was inspired by some of Mal- ta's rich heritage and iconic landmarks. These bottles were launched during an event held at Fort St Elmo, during Malta Fashion Week. The design on these collect- able bottles features Malta's landmarks, its defining sym- bols and traditional events which highlight Malta's cul- tural wealth; the iconic Au- berge De Castille, the mag- nificent Triton Fountain, the medieval Mdina Gate, the old Maltese Bus, the colourful Valletta Waterfront and the traditional Luzzu. During the launch event, im- ageries of these bottles were projected on the magnificent bastions of Fort St Elmo. These bottles were designed by Em- manuel Bonnici, a Maltese graphic designer who is based in London and who started his career as a graphic designer with GSD Marketing Ltd. ''It is with great pride that we pre- sent these Coca-Cola limited edition bottles which celebrate our history and tradition by portraying some of our most iconic landmarks and cultural events. This project is a tes- timony of our commitment to continue to work with the local community at different levels and further promote our country's rich heritage'' said Maria Micallef CEO of GSD Marketing Ltd. A percentage of the pro- ceeds from the sales of these limited-edition bottles will be donated to the Heritage Mal- ta Fund which goes towards the restoration and preserva- tion of Malta's heritage sites. Through this initiative The Coca-Cola Company and GSD Marketing Ltd are making a tangible contribution and en- suring that our local heritage lives on. Coca-Cola celebrates Malta's history and culture with its new limited-edition collectible bottles These bottles were launched at an event held in Fort St Elmo, during Malta Fashion Week